Want to breathe some life into my old 309 lw.I know I can upgrade my drag. But any other suggestions to make her a bottom fishing tank?
Quote from: TheReelGuy850 on January 14, 2015, 02:46:20 AM
Want to breathe some life into my old 309 lw.I know I can upgrade my drag. But any other suggestions to make her a bottom fishing tank?
I would recommend SS gear sleeve and if you have steel gears, my 5 stack drag kit, then to follow up with a stainless steel arm and 3/0 handle.
its an older 309 so im guessing brass internals??Whats the cost for an upgrade like this Bryan?
Also, a nice SS spool to top it off. If it doesn't already have one.
chrome plated brass spool on mine :-[
Cost if upgrades on this thing cab easily be almost a $100 dollars. But it would be a sweet reel!
Prices are approximates:
SS Gear sleeve - $20
SS Arm - $10
3/0 Handle - $27
5+1 Drag Kit - $27
Yeah, about $100
Bryan,once i get the funds to do this upgrade can i get the parts here?
You can!
double dog possible??
The problem you'll run into when you push the drag on a 309 is frame flex and when that happens, the level wind is toast. The 309 is a 30# class reel...
I ran into this issue when it was time to upgrade and repair my lb67.... So i spent the same money and picked up a 113hlw and some upgrade parts. 112h reels are readily available for cheap, albeit no levelwind, if you really forsee yourself putting a massive strain on the reel. I do agree with the others, 30lb reel at best, everything goes wonkey and tweaks over 10lbs of drag. Whereas a built 4/0 can go over 50 and survive.
I've seen some nice Pacific halibut caught on 309's but they needed to be scrapped after.
Bill, Lee, and Crackerman have good points to remember when upgrading --
While it is true that any reel can be upgraded -- when does it make functional and economic sense to do so?
We can talk about upgrades such as drag stacks, power handles, SS components like gears & sleeves, double SS dogs, SS yokes, spools, and the list goes on...
I have talked many clients and friends out of certain upgrades -- if they don't make sense practically.
At some point, when assessing what you plan to do with a certain reel -- a basic approach works for me.
When planning on beefing up a drag stack to high numbers -- if not doing the Tib or Accurate frame first -- is many times a wasted effort. Soft posts and stands will -- and do twist and tweak under the expanded load -- then all has been a waste of effort and resources.
It makes sense to evaluate each reel on its own merits -- using experience and economy as your guide.
Could be the best bet is to go to a different reel like a Senator or a graphite Penn LW, if LW is needed.
If a solid aluminum frame is not available for a particular reel (and it is not for the 309 or 209) -- I will beef up the drag with greased CFs, new under gear washer of Delrin or CF -- fully service and grease the reel -- tighten everything up -- and go fishing.
IMO, it is sort of like building a house -- without a properly engineered foundation -- the house will have issues over time.
With a reel, if the drag numbers will not support the integrity of the frame -- issues will become apparent very quickly.
A 309 is just basically a 209 with a higher line capacity. And the Level Wind is a weak component when left stock -- and even more of a liability when other components are added.
Make sure you know where you are going, upgrade-wise -- and what your intended target fish might be -- before proceeding down the rabbit hole.
Not intending to change anyone's mind, or tell anyone what to do with their reels. Just offering a few other views before spending too much money.
Best,
Fred
Once again, Fred, well said.....GB
I wish someone would make frames for these and at least a brass gear to replace the delrin worm gear.
Quote from: TheReelGuy850 on January 14, 2015, 02:46:20 AM
Want to breathe some life into my old 309 lw.I know I can upgrade my drag. But any other suggestions to make her a bottom fishing tank?
I agree with Fred that you don't want to spend a ton of money trying to make a silk purse out of a sow's ear, and that you would probably be better off spending the money on a heavier duty reel and reserving your 309 for lighter applications, but if you have a sentimental attachment to the 309 and want to use it, one option mght be to add a Newell aluminum base which has near zero flex and would add some rigidity to the reel and keep your side plates and levelwind parts in better alignment under load. I could deliver a good used base to you in Florida for $24 including the four longer mounting screws, but not including the rod clamp. If that might work for you, I would be happy to send you some photos.
Thanks,
Randy
Thanks for the input guys.I don't wanna go too wild.the reel has some sentimental value to me so I wanna keep it around and fish the mess outta it! :) ill be using the reel for snapper, gag, mangrove snapper and kings on the n.w fla coast.
I love my 309 as well its now my oldest sons,he has caught some nice trigger fish, sea bass, chicken snapper, and others. i keep it set up with a two hook rig that we in north Florida call a mayport rig. if you are targeting big bottom dwellers such as Grouper, sow snapper,and Amberjack, you will definitely want to go with a 6/0 or the 4/0 Tank imo.lost a few big ones on my 4/0 to.
You can put jig master gears & drag upgrades in it, change the sleeve & handle.
etc etc
has anyone tried the JM gears in one yet?
The main gear is the same as the JM already
The 309 is a nice reel, upgrade the drags as we've been doing, a ss sleeve and you should do just fine. A smoother reel could be pushed a little more.
After reading this thread...I suddenly have the desire to take my old 309 and see what I can do with it. I'll agree that it's not a Senator...but I think some guys are underestimating this workhorse. Mainly in the gearing department...there's a big difference between a 309 and a 209 here. The 309 has a big #5-500...the 209 has a little #5-155! :o
I'll also agree it's a 30lb. reel, and I'd have no reason to try taking it further. But, instead of having a reel ready to explode at 10lbs. of drag, a few upgraded parts could make it a buttery smooth one. Bryan's 5+1 kit comes to mind. Or maybe just a stock 3 washer/delrin under gear setup. Also one of Alan's ss gear sleeves would keep the handle tight. I'm on a mission......;D