Hello everyone - great site here with tons of information. I've been wanting to upgrade a Squidder to be a solid OBX reel for weight and bait chasing red drum and the occasional ray/shark that might come through. It's for surf casting and distance is important so I went the direction of the Squidder instead of a Jigmaster or something bigger. I'm noticing that almost everything is focused on the big game reels or the Jigmaster though.
Of parts that are still available, here are my thoughts:
Tiburon Frame
Drag Upgrade
SS Spacer/Sleeve
Mags
Is that about it in terms of what's available right now? I don't see the SS bridges, faster/stronger gears, etc. available for the Squidder. Is there anything else I could do to turn my old gal in to the queen of the ballroom on the sand? ;)
Thanks!
Hello Reel,
I haven't seen a steel bridge for a squidder, tho I believe you can install a SS gear sleeve. the Squidder is a bit slow, 3.3 to 1 as I recall. The topic of faster gears has been discussed in its forum previously and I think it is what is due to the size of the gear well in the side plate: no room for a larger main. However, feel free to search that thread; its been a while since I read it.
If your reel has the spool with fins in the bell, I'm not sure you have room to mag it out. That said, the reel was tuned for decades using STP mixed with a lower viscosity oil to get it where you want it. I have four and break them out now and again as they were a staple for 70 years....well documented in Mike's book "Penn Chronology".
my .02: first upgrade is carbon drags and better handle, then maybe frame, then sleeve, and let 'er roll.
John
All my Squidders and Surfmasters have an original plain steel gear. You can still get them on Ebay occasionally. (Penn #5-60). Make sure it's not brass. I also get the chrome over brass bridges for looks. 8)
I think if you add the frame and sleeve you are good to go. If you want more drag you can contact Bryan Young and get the 5 stack drags set up. You are then into the 'adds' a bit over a hundred bux.
I'm not a fan of magging reels. If you want a good magged surf reel get a Penn 970 for a $125. But I love squidders too!
Thanks, I'll see if I can find the SS gear. I have the aluminum spool in mine, I was going to put 3 rare earth magnets w/cups epoxied in to the non-handle side plate and see what that did to it. I know it's basically adding training wheels but my thumb isn't that smart yet. I have a Penn 525 Mag and I like it, but it just doesn't warm my heart like the Squidder does.
It's a little silly to admit, but I'm biased to the reels with the decorated reel plates. Otherwise I would probably jump in to a Jigmaster. Maybe I can't criticize my wife so much for all the different colors of shoes...
All good stuff ....525 Mag is my-go to in a lot of situations, and I have all Magpowers each with an application (just got another 980 yesterday, actually). Randy is correct, you can get deep quick with mods. Now what you might do if you want old school, is go with a 99 Silver Beach. It's basically a mid-width Jigmaster so it's more castable than a 500, is faster anyway, available with deco tail plate, has double beauty rings on tail plate, and of course you can mod it any which way you want, including mag if you desire.
I'm headed to OBX next week and packing tonite, now youve got me thinking I'll pack my Newell'ed Squidder... 8)
Thanks for the heads up on the 99 Silver Beach. I've actually never looked at that before. Are the side plates the same size of the Jigmaster so that you can do the fun Jigmaster type stuff but it's just narrower for castability? I might see if I can pick up a cheap one from the bay just to see how it feels in the hand.
Yessir. Tib makes a frame and spool, rest of stuff is same as far as i know. there are couple at a good price now, including a nice red Newelle'd one (but plain tail plate on that). From what I saw in a brief look while writing that reply is that a 99 old enough to have deco plates probably has chrome over brass spool, so you may look a bit to get one somebody already changed spools on, etc. Looking at the 500's on my bench ( I so happen to be in the middle of servicing them all), i have one that is a little low on line about squidder capacity. lets see what she does out in the test pond...
Quote from: thorhammer on September 22, 2015, 08:54:53 PM
Yessir. Tib makes a frame and spool, rest of stuff is same as far as i know. there are couple at a good price now, including a nice red Newelle'd one (but plain tail plate on that). From what I saw in a brief look while writing that reply is that a 99 old enough to have deco plates probably has chrome over brass spool, so you may look a bit to get one somebody already changed spools on, etc. Looking at the 500's on my bench ( I so happen to be in the middle of servicing them all), i have one that is a little low on line about squidder capacity. lets see what she does out in the test pond...
ok, good news: Reel: full size 500, marroon plates (original 500) with 500L spool loaded 3/16" low from full with old (read, "Slinky") Hi Seas Quattro I had laying around from another build. 30lb shock, 6 oz lead. Rod: 12' graphite MH rated 4-10oz. reel not serviced in recent memory, been in a tote so I squirted some Super Slick Stuff in the bushings and let fly. Didn't stomp the gas due to 30lb shock but still got a hundo; you should be good to go with a serviced 99.
Bad news: the 500S I started with got 70 yds before it revealed a warped sideplate / frame. Ow.
Funny news: the dude on the other side of the pond jumped a foot high when the 6oz landed ten yds from him. Tough, its my pond not his! lol
lol, that's awesome.
I'm going to see about tricking out this Squidder, but I'm going to start trolling for Penn 99 parts. I figure the Squidder will be tricked out to it's capacity, but I'll go the minitank route with a 99 for the real snotty stuff with 8oz+ or even for piers where I need to winch dead weight up if I can't get a net down. Thanks for checking in to that!
Different question, for things like the bridge where the parts are specific to the 500, can I assume they're good to go for the 99?
The 99 confuses me.
I think your yoke and eccentric are jigmaster compatible. But it takes a 5-60 gear too, so... wut? Yer on yur own cuz.
Someone knows, and will be along........
I wish there was a picture of the narrow spool Jigmaster next to a 99. A lot of people reference the 99/500 - it's hard to tell the difference between the two lines to be honest.
It goes like this 500 - 99 - 501
Mike
The Newell equivalents were the 338 (500), 332 (99), 322 (501).
Reel, after I said that, I changed clothes and was gonna check the schematics to verify equivilency but got easily distracted by shiny baubles (beer fridge) on way to chuck in the pond. Lemme look a bit after I finish this 535 up. I like your plan to go with both; beauty is that with quick change you can go from surf spool to pier spool easily. I expect a tanked 99 with braid backing will kill a tarpon or cobe from the pier...I like it.
Where are you that you get to OBX?
I live in MD north of Baltimore (Fallston). I tend to range anywhere that's within 2 - 2.5 hours drive where I can fish through the night. However, I'm blessed that my parents retired to Buxton (Hatteras), so I fish with my father fairly regularly - it's a great time. I enjoy land based coastal fishing wherever I can go, but that might be because I don't have access to a boat right now.
Hello ReelCurious, welcome.
You got some good advice from the guys.
A Squidder is a nice reel, but considering what we have available... as for upgrades, I would go with the 501 or 970.
I wouldn't usually recommend the 970, but now that I have enough for myself, I will ;D.
What happened to the crabs this year on the northern Chesapeake? And the past two years, for that matter.
Sal
Reel,
I was planning on doing at least a day down at Hatteras but reading the turtle report my head spun around, I'm not sure I'm smart enough to know which piece i can drive on. We'll see.
John
Thanks for the input Sal. I'm hoping that what could be done with a 501 could be done with a 99 - still not quite smart enough to figure that out.
Crabs... I actually heard one rumor that it's the drum to blame. The thought made me laugh, but the argument was drum returning (slot limits and such working) are eating up all the crabs. Then there's the usual sewage run off, lime treatments, heavy metals and fertilizer/poop from the big farms coming from the Susky and the Potomac, among others. Could be weather/salinity related too. I guess that's a lot of ways to say I have no idea!
Turtles... That's an easy one, don't run over any stakes/ribbons/whatever and you'll be fine. Last I heard 90% of the turtle nests were run over by the parks folks looking for poachers and fishing licenses anyways. They're the ones that run up closer to the dunes where the nests are, we're too busy looking for fish. ???
I've been reading more of the 99 threads in the Penn tutorial section. Seems like most folks are pointing towards a 501/506 for some reason. I don't want to set off the mad scientists, but is it possible to have a 99 side plate, 506 guts, with a 501 frame?
No, the 505 parts will not fit the 99 sideplate. The 506 and 501 use the same size frame.
One of my Franken reels has Surfmaster 250 sideplates and a Tib "99" frame. The 99 and 250 are similar (the Surfmaster 250 is Jigmaster 500/505 width) but the 250 are cheaper and easier to find.
Quote from: Keta on September 23, 2015, 02:44:46 PM
No, the 505 parts will not fit the 99 sideplate. The 506 and 501 use the same size frame.
One of my Franken reels has Surfmaster 250 sideplates and a Tib "99" frame. The 99 and 250 are similar (the Surfmaster 250 is Jigmaster 500/505 width) but the 250 are cheaper and easier to find.
Does that allow you to use the Jigmaster upgrades for the guts? Like the double dog bridge and such.
500 upgrades should work. the 505/506 Jigmaster are high speed ball bearing models, which is why that won't translate. looking at it, a 506 (same narrow width as a 501) may fill your bill....even faster, but may not have the capacity you want.
I should have probably asked a different question. Since I'm limited on what can be upgraded with the Squidder (although I will hot rod it out to the max of what's available, I love it), what Penn reel would be most appropriate for surf casting that has the ability to be tanked up? Then from the options are there any that can scratch the decorative side plate itch...
Edit: I'll be more specific with surf casting. OBX fishing with 8oz of lead hoping to reach the bar, with the ability to bring in the occasional large ray or small shark. The other use is on a pier wenching up Stripers, Drum, etc.
Quote from: ReelCurious on September 23, 2015, 03:31:44 PM
Does that allow you to use the Jigmaster upgrades for the guts? Like the double dog bridge and such.
No, the Surfmaster 250 sideplate will not work with Jigmaster parts.
I'll take a 501 with me and let you know next week how it goes. You can tank that all the way.
I think I'm going to run down to Buxton this weekend. Bringing the Squidder with me to mount on a Lami 6 - 16oz rod. I put 3 cups in the side plate that are cut so that I can get the magnet back out if need be. Waiting for the epoxy to dry now then I'll test the free spool with different combinations. Other than that it's bone stock. Hoping to get a 1 piece 140 frame, gear sleeve/spacer, and eventually faster gears, and I think it'll be a sweet little toy. Gives me something to play with while I figure out what the next step up is going to be. Thanks again for all the feedback!
Yeah man, good luck! I talked to Ryan down there today; blowing it's arse off but supposed to slack by Sunday. He said the drum bite was on before the nor'easter set; it should push the mullet blow up so hopefully it's about to get real. I won't get down until Sunday but stay in touch for report. I just talked to another buddy and the stripers are turning on inside, although season is closed until Oct 1.
Tight lines!
J
Narrowed, Accurate, User, surf and bass casting.
This is not an unmarked beauty but is probably an all around favorite conventional reel.
Pic
A great set up without question but after you chuck it 120 not a lot left for a bull drum run much less the car hood rays that pick up your bait as often.
Quote from: thorhammer on September 25, 2015, 02:59:59 AM
A great set up without question but after you chuck it 120 not a lot left for a bull drum run much less the car hood rays that pick up your bait as often.
I was able to put 200 yards of 30 lb braid and about a 150yard flouro casting shot which is way more than I will use .
I surf fish primarily the Cali rocks north of Santa Cruz and that much line gives me plenty of line capacity.
Biggest striper I have ever caught off the Cali beach was about 9 lbs.....
Quote from: ReelCurious on September 25, 2015, 12:52:25 AM
I think I'm going to run down to Buxton this weekend. Bringing the Squidder with me to mount on a Lami 6 - 16oz rod. I put 3 cups in the side plate that are cut so that I can get the magnet back out if need be. Waiting for the epoxy to dry now then I'll test the free spool with different combinations. Other than that it's bone stock. Hoping to get a 1 piece 140 frame, gear sleeve/spacer, and eventually faster gears, and I think it'll be a sweet little toy. Gives me something to play with while I figure out what the next step up is going to be. Thanks again for all the feedback!
Did you make down? I rode down to Rodanthe one day. If, not see my report...you didnt miss much with the weather. 12 washed over the day I left.
I did, I'll see if I can throw up a few pics when I get home. We fished the rough day by throwing bait out maybe all of 30 - 40 yards, and walking it down the beach. Had one puppy drum to show for 3 of us during that day. I believe that was Saturday when the nor'easter was blowing through. 20 - 30mph winds with gusts in the 40 - 50s. It was an exciting day, first time for me fishing those conditions.
We slowed it down a bit the next day and fished the sound. One more puppy drum, lizard fish, and a small skate back there. Never had an opportunity to launch the Squidder unfortunately. The day fishing the ocean I wasn't comfortable using it in those conditions so I was using a spinning setup. In the Sound I was throwing lures with a Slammer 560 and the big rods never came out.
It was fun to catch up with the folks, brought a friend with me. A lot of the roads had washed over but nothing stopped us from driving home. Unfortunately on Saturday all of the good places we wanted to fish the ramps were closed, hook, 53, etc. I think 44 was open but it was flooded all the way up. We fished the south Jetty on the bad day. It was fun but not the ideal place to be, and we didn't want to walk it from 43 to the Point since a turtle closure blocked driving down the beach. Rumors were it was impossible to pass the narrow section down to the point anyways. Hope your trip was better, I'll see if I can find the report.
Question for the folks familiar with the Penn 99. I understand the upgraded 500/501 parts won't fit the 99, but without having them on hand I don't quite understand the differences between the two reels. For example, if I wanted to get silly with it, can you use the 99 vanity side plate, 99 spool, then a 500 plate w/gears with a one piece 99 frame upgrade? I don't know if the 500 will accept the 99 spool basically, but it looks like the frame should line up.
Thinking of using a Squidder 145 as a "bridge winch" for NJ coast. It is narrow enough, and I understand that a lower gear ratio (3:1) is good for hoisting. It may sound backwards, but winching is necessary in some situations where the tide is moving fast, and you don't want to gaff an undersized fish... Also this kind of setup could be useful for getting a fish upon the jetty.
Planning on an SS gear sleeve and Newell spacer bars for strength. A Tiburon frame would be nice but it is currently out of budget.
Do some stock Squidders have steel gears?
What else do I need?
Is a Penn Power Mag 980 a better choice? (I have one.)
980 is a better choice; drag and guts way bigger so you could upgrade to power handle on the gear sleeve and the higher ratio would give you cranking power and speed over the Squidder. The 980 uses 4/0 size drag parts; you can probably use 65lb braid on that reel. I have put a huge amount of pressure on rays over 100lbs with 980 from pier with no ill effects. The 980 is probably very close to a Magnum Jigmaster in capability in a Squidder sized package, and comes stock with the solid bars as you know. 980 is a better choice than a whole lot of reels its size for power and durability.
Burgundy Squidders likely have steel gears.
Thorhammer
Yup! the mag reels are tough.
Quote from: Decker on June 16, 2016, 10:25:38 PM
Do some stock Squidders have steel gears?
Most surely!
Sid
Muchisimas gracias, señores! Guess I will find another use for the Squidder 145: surfcasting, pier, inshore bottom fishing.
145 with steel gears is a great reel, especially in a surf application, but if you have a 980 I'd be def using that for the winching.