Is there such a thing as a "SLEEPER REEL"? ;) :D ;D
By sleeper, you mean a reel that is much more capable (in some way) than it appears? I suppose drag capability is the main thing that can be upgraded, then perhaps changes in gear ratio, stainless sleeves, dogs, gears, bridge plates, etc. Our senator upgrades certainly qualify, I would think. Frame upgrades aren't as easy to miss, but to the unaware they might look stock.
A two speed conversion might fit this category. If someone wasn't familiar with them they might not recognize the button in the handle or the adapter plate under the right side plate. One of Cal's blueprint jobs also might qualify for the description; an older International 12 that can handle way more drag than stock would qualify.
For stock reels, any of the modern small reels that are built with the intent for fishing braided line at heavy drag settings might qualify as a sleeper. Something like a torque or raptor I suppose. I don't know much about these reels; I'm priced out of that category.
you got it Doc! I had a car that can be classified as a "sleeper". Everything that's externally visible was stock(OE), but what's under the hood the suspension and the teeny little things that i've done made the difference in the performance of said car... :) :) :)
An Avet EX 4/0 with Alan's mods might be one.
I's say a factory aluminium spooled Surfmaster 100 with stainless sleeve, steel gear, double dog and dgag upgrade would qualify as a sleeper. Factory reel holds 8ish pounds of drag; sleeper reel holds 15-20 #s, is smoother and more robust.
Ron
Like this 100 and the Narrow 250 on the right in the bottom photo.
(http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g104/IGFA19Keta/Reels/DSCN1449_zpse18a0c4c.jpg) (http://s54.photobucket.com/user/IGFA19Keta/media/Reels/DSCN1449_zpse18a0c4c.jpg.html)
(http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g104/IGFA19Keta/Reels/DSCN1444_zps67a92608.jpg) (http://s54.photobucket.com/user/IGFA19Keta/media/Reels/DSCN1444_zps67a92608.jpg.html)
Mel if I had to vote on a sleeper reel I'd vote on the Penn 113. Look at what the guys have done to that model. Dominick
That's it exactly Lee, although the Newell bars kind of give it away.
Ron
My sleepers are the Newell 300s with 6 stack drags and 40 lb momoi diamond.
I really want to go on a longer trip this year or hope that the big bluefins (80-120 lbs) show up this year. Would love to test some of the Newells and Progears that I upgraded.
I know it's not the point of this discussion, but I'm curious: what was your automotive sleeper?
Quote from: Keta on April 11, 2014, 07:21:17 PM
Like this 100 and the Narrow 250 on the right in the bottom photo.
(http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g104/IGFA19Keta/Reels/DSCN1449_zpse18a0c4c.jpg) (http://s54.photobucket.com/user/IGFA19Keta/media/Reels/DSCN1449_zpse18a0c4c.jpg.html)
(http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g104/IGFA19Keta/Reels/DSCN1444_zps67a92608.jpg) (http://s54.photobucket.com/user/IGFA19Keta/media/Reels/DSCN1444_zps67a92608.jpg.html)
You have a 501 spool on that 250 Lee?
Doc,
it was a 1st yr 2nd gen mitsubishi eclipse gsx...
Quote from: Mel B on April 12, 2014, 12:07:36 AM
Doc,
it was a 1st yr 2nd gen mitsubishi eclipse gsx...
Definitely a sleeper. Other than the evo, no one expects much from a Mitsubishi. I have a first generation ralliart wagon, btw.
I don't view any of the newer reels as "sleepers" because they were factory built with the express intent of having high drag capability and using spectra line. They are advertised exactly that way. In my opinion the ultimate sleeper is the Pro Gear 545. Line capacity is 350 yards of 25 lb. mono line, narrow spool, aluminum construction, accepts many Penn 113H factory and aftermarket parts. Are a pleasure to fish as originally manufactured and can be partially modified or given the full Tank treatment many on the site seem to treasure. Even without changes, the reel is compact,has excellent free spool, casts well and can easily fish 40 lb. test. My only disappointment, other than being out of production, is that I only own 2 of them..
Any of the Daiwa Sealine H series reels with handle grip & drag upgrades.
Rgds
Mark
Quote from: floating doc on April 13, 2014, 03:30:21 AM
Definitely a sleeper. Other than the evo, no one expects much from a Mitsubishi. I have a first generation ralliart wagon, btw.
Doc, search Brent Rau on youtube. At the height of import drag racing his turboed 4G63 4 banger was the 1st(4 cylinder) to break into the 1/4 mile 6 second club...
Quote from: doradoben on April 13, 2014, 04:15:25 AM
I don't view any of the newer reels as "sleepers"...
as a gear head, most probably for most gear heads, a "sleeper" now a days is any automobile that's externally stock looking (sometimes trash looking) but internally have been worked on. i think of a "sleeper" reel as such, here's a link about the term "sleeper's" origin, according to wikipedia;
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sleeper_(car)
When I was in High School. A Buddy of mine had a Cutlass that looked totally stock. It had a 454 Big Block under the Hood! ;)
My Sleeper Reels are My 114HLW's and 9/0 with the Hex Gears that can pull 50lbs of Drag.
...and pull 50lbs of drag without imploding or exploding!
I'd say those are sleepers for sure. :D
nice! 454 big block, maybe one day a caddy big block in a GM pick-up...almost all my reels have been tweaked in one way or another but not all are "sleepers". ;) :)
Older Penn with Ctex drags, 5 stack, SS guts and with mismatched colored sideplates and Newell kit with the paint falling off. Even better paired up with a Calstar Graphiter but coated in factory "tan" to make it look like the glass blanks. ;D
And not one mention of the Penn Squidder ?
I believer there were more aftermarket parts made for that reel then for any other in history, Accurate, Newell, Tiburon.........
Guys have done knobby mags, static mags, custom bearings........
Here's one I did years ago. Built a 146 narrow frame using a Penn aluminum spool (I actually like it more then the Newell spool), Accurate frame and handle and a static mag out of a hard drive magnet for throwing 8 n bait.
Sold it a few years ago - that was a mistake
Quote from: ML B on April 12, 2014, 12:07:36 AM
Doc,
it was a 1st yr 2nd gen mitsubishi eclipse gsx...
I had even more of of a sleeper, a deathtrap 89 dodge colt gtturbo, one year made. With a eclipse gsx engine and work done. It was scary fast. (Plus i owned several eclipses, talons and lasers)
That being said, stick with the jap reels
Daiwas sealine series offers aluminum frames, drag upgrades from bryan, the only thing missing is a stainless gear sleeve. All in a factory package.
The 200 Surfmaster is also a great reel for modifying.
Here's a set I'm working on now, going from:
A standard 200
to a 200 with Newell base, spool, bars, and bushings,
to a 100 narrow with the Newell base (still looking for bars), Newell Bushings, Penn Powerhandle, and a Penn aluminum spool
To a 150, (the hard to find parts for) medium size. Here's a surprise - this red Accurate frame ONLY works with the Accurate spool, which I've been looking for with no luck for pushing 10 years. To make it work with the Penn aluminum spool I had a machinist friend make a U shaped shim on his CNC machine - the silver bit on the right side between the red frame and the sideplate.
Sudsy
I can help with the Bushings if you need them. Sorry they can't be free $10 would be nice.
Mike
Bushings ??
Do you mean Newell Bars for the 100 ?? (I hope !)
No not the bars but the Brown Bushings that the spool rides in. If I had the Bars you couldn't get them for that price.
Mike
Yeah, I was gunna say !
I'd take every set you had all day long !!