Hey guys. I am targeting snappers in waters up to 800+ ft. I have a choice between a old Penn 9/0 (non-bearing, was left-handed but converted to right-handed) or a Penn 49 mariner (black sideplate, seems to be in good condition). I am leaning towards the 349 though I initially wanted the 9/0. Line being used is 500yd of 65/80lb PowerPro with 5-7lb sinker. Any suggested upgrades for either should be less than $30.00. Awaiting your guidance. I am getting either reel for $50.00. Kent
The Mariner is a good reel. A 5 to 7lb weight might just put it to the test. $30 to upgrade isn't very much. I would go with at least a stainless sleeve and new drags on the 9/0. JMO
49 or 349?
Maybe a 349 but definitely not a 49. And you need to realize that parts for the 349 are very hard to find -- and getting hard to find for the 49 as well.
I've got 10 349's now and a pile of parts so I will be fishing them and passing them down to my son.
I know the 349 is your area of expertise Lee, but is it really up to pulling up a 7lb weight from 800'?
I would choose the 9/0 just for capacity and drag. What kind of drag numbers can you get from a 349 on a $30 budget?
Quote from: Shark Hunter on August 22, 2014, 03:59:57 AM
I know the 349 is your area of expertise Lee, but is it really up to pulling up a 7lb weight from 800'?
I would choose the 9/0 just for capacity and drag. What kind of drag numbers can you get from a 349 on a $30 budget?
I do 48oz and 700' plus with them, 2.3:1 and 3.25:1 gear ratios and long handle arms make it easy. I can't remember what a 9+1 (as far as I know I'm the only one that has these) or 7+1 (Dawn sells 7+1 sets) 349 produces (they came with a 3 washer drag) for drag but I fish them with 50lb and get a very smooth 20 pounds.
The 6/0 and 9/0 are much stronger reels but not narrow.
I think the 349 is a fine reel. I have yet to add the Master Mariner to my Arsenal. I have a pair of Super Mariners. I am sure with the Budget JA is on. There is no way he can upgrade the 349 with a $30 Budget. A stock 9/0 with a 5 stack puts out about 25 lbs. That's the only reason I said 9/0. If he goes with just a basic drag upgrade, He can pull that off. With all the upgrades available, That reel can be turned into a 50lb reel. You just have to add a zero to his Budget. ;)
The imposable to find aluminum spools for 349's sell for $80.00 and up.
Use the 9/0. Several companies offer motor attachments for them. Cranking 5 lb weights from 800' will get old and you will come to appreciate the electric motor. Also as mentioned, parts are more readily available for 9/0s in addition to having the ability for greater drag and line capacity.
I also vote for the 9/0. You've mentioned $30 budget, that won't get you much, I would at least upgrade the drags, unless you already have them in and a stainless steel sleeve, as Shark Hunter and Conchydong mentioned above. Akfish also makes a good point, the 349 parts are very hard to find and as I always said, I believe a narrowed 6/0 is a much better reel, but the kit alone is close to $200 :-\.
Good luck with whatever you decide with the reel and on bringing those monsters to the boat. ;)
Be careful the 9/0 bushing reels may have a three piece spool. If you use mono they have been known to have bad things happen to a three piece spool. My vote would be for a newer 9/0 with bearings.
Bob
Spectra eliminates most of this problem and is better for fishing deep.
Get the 9/0.
Leave the 49/349 for a teaser reel. You would kill it on the first trip. It's got a 4/0 drag- not even close.
Captain, don't compare the 49 to the 349, they're different animals. The 349 main gear is shorter than the 9/0 but wider, the pinion is also shorter but a little wider with a thicker wall. The 349 could handle the job, but as Akfish mentioned parts are very hard to find :-\. By the way, I'm talking about the slower ratio gears.
With that said, I still like the narrowed 6/0 compared to the 349.
I wish Penn had made a 349 width reel using the heaver 6/0 parts....a 449? Better yet, I wish Tiburon would make a 114HNN frame kit.
Captain, a 49 will make a good teaser reel but the 349 is a far stronger reel, I've brought many Pacific halibut over 6' to the boat with them.
Lee, you're never happy ::) ;D, the 6/0 is only 3/8" wider does it really matters that much :-\.
Thanks for all the responses guys. The old 9/0 it is then. I was feeling a little sentimental towards the 49 though. It looks like a lost puppy that no one wants and I think that I will still acquire it and give it a good home. It should be fine for very light trolling, right? 20-25lb mono, 5lb drag.
Quote from: Alto Mare on August 22, 2014, 09:16:53 PM
Lee, you're never happy ::) ;D, the 6/0 is only 3/8" wider does it really matters that much :-\.
When your as short as I am every bit counts.
;D ;D
Quote from: JA_Angler on August 22, 2014, 10:09:19 PM
Thanks for all the responses guys. The old 9/0 it is then. I was feeling a little sentimental towards the 49 though. It looks like a lost puppy that no one wants and I think that I will still acquire it and give it a good home. It should be fine for very light trolling, right? 20-25lb mono, 5lb drag.
I think moving them to "very light" duty would be over doing it. I like to use mine for deep water Lings and Rockfish. Honestly, I use them for Halibut sometimes too. When I'm crewing on someone else's boat I try not to take more than one rod. Most of the time the slightly lighter rod with the 49 will be the one I grab.
I don't hear much of that Lensters, yours must be a lucky one. ;D
It must be the size of the spool, I've seen sleeve posts get lose on the bridge plate a few times on those.
I actually tried to do something about it:
http://alantani.com/index.php?topic=6197.0
Sal
That thread was one of the first I read when I found this site. My problem had been with gear sleeves rounding off not the sleeve post getting loose. I used a stainless steel gear sleeve and now I figure I'm good. My gear probably doesn't take the beating that some of yours do. I only get out on the salt 15 to 20 times a year. Of those I would guess the 49 makes the trip 2 or 3 times. The 349 tends to just go on the opening day of all depth Halibut, when I'm feeling particularly optimistic. :) Most of the time I'm packing a small Senator for shallower jigging or 309 for trolling.
I'm not understanding the comment about the size of the spool, please elaborate.
No Lensters, my reels don't take a beating, well, testing they do ;D. These were reels that came through my hands from others, I believe after seeing a half dozen of the same, would tell me that there is a problem. If your reel is working out for you, that's great and don't change a thing.
A larger spool requires more energy to turn, for example, if you were to put the same gear ratio of 3.5-1 in a 16/0, you would have a tough time turning the handle when fish is on.
By the way, my calculations might be wrong, Penn just introduced the Fathom 40 with 7-1 gear ratio, the reel is a 4/0 in size, retrieving 60" per turn.
I sent Steve a message if anyone has tested that reel, he answered that the reel is for special applications, I believe he said for targeting wahoo.
I'm anxiously waiting for some reports to come in :-\.