Reel Repair by Alan Tani

General Maintenance Tips => General Questions and Trouble Shooting => Topic started by: gstours on December 22, 2018, 03:52:55 AM

Title: US Senator question
Post by: gstours on December 22, 2018, 03:52:55 AM
     I recently saw a post for sale of an alum framed US Senator 113 in a 4.3 gear ratio.  is the gear, reel sleeve , drag inners, interchangable with the old school senator series of reels?
   I suspect this reel is a new take off off the Baja,  Am i right or is this an improvement to a new reel?   Seems like it would fill a part of the Blue market inbetween reel series of offerings.   just wonderin?
Title: Re: US Senator question
Post by: alantani on December 22, 2018, 04:22:43 AM
wow, they're pricey!!!!!  http://www.pennfishing.com/penn-reels-conventional-reels-penn-senator/penn-us-senator/1347900.html

Title: Re: US Senator question
Post by: MarkT on December 22, 2018, 04:26:21 AM
The US 113n is the old Baja special with a silver frame and spool... that's it.
Title: Re: US Senator question
Post by: steelfish on December 22, 2018, 05:06:52 AM
Quote from: gstours on December 22, 2018, 03:52:55 AM
   .......
   I suspect this reel is a new take off off the Baja,  Am i right?

You're right amigo Gary.

Its just the good old Baja Special with different color frame and an ugly handle.
PS: it still need the antireverse assembly upgrade by Tom
Title: Re: US Senator question
Post by: mrwilson99 on December 22, 2018, 06:25:55 AM
I have the new 113n with Tom's bridge upgrade and is a solid reel!
Title: Re: US Senator question
Post by: gstours on December 22, 2018, 04:40:21 PM
Tank,  just wondered.   ???  Pricey yes if it needs more work.  Many folks just fish stuff box stock.  It looks like a pretty good reel though.
Title: Re: US Senator question
Post by: Darin Crofton on December 22, 2018, 05:00:34 PM
Quote from: mrwilson99 on December 22, 2018, 06:25:55 AM
I have the new 113n with Tom's bridge upgrade and is a solid reel!
Same here, got mine recently for $220 delivered brand new, solid reel for sure!
Title: Re: US Senator question
Post by: foakes on December 22, 2018, 05:11:40 PM
The US's and the Baja's are everything we have been asking for in our upgraded reels, Gary —

They are rock-solid.

The only exception would be the silly floating springs & A/R dogs assemblies.

Tom, the owner of Cortez on our site, has engineered a dead simple and perfect solution with his complete  drop-in bridge, sleeve, and double dog assembly.  This includes a SS sleeve, and puts the double SS dogs and springs flat and solidly on the bridge deck — no chance to wiggle or distort — just solid dual contact with the ratchet.

This was the only weak link in this reel, IMO — and it has now been addressed, thoughtfully engineered, upgraded, and made bullet-proof.

Yes, it seems expensive, at first glance — however, if you did the same upgrades to a stock Senator — there would be MORE money involved — and there would still likely be a few key pieces missing.

These are under appreciated, and undervalued reels, IMO.

Best,

Fred
Title: Re: US Senator question
Post by: gstours on December 22, 2018, 06:33:54 PM
Thanks Fred, because of this forum we all have a chance to learn and improve some of our tackle.🐟
   I had a early Baha and had problems and didn't like it and practically gave it away on e-bay. 🤷‍♂️
Then started upgrading the 113h,s.  Because I wanted to .
  I,m glad to see the great store bought upgraded parts now available.   I still like to diy whenever practical though.   Thanks for sharing the information.🎣
Title: Re: US Senator question
Post by: Frank on December 22, 2018, 09:40:06 PM
Quote from: foakes on December 22, 2018, 05:11:40 PM
The US's and the Baja's are everything we have been asking for in our upgraded reels, Gary —

They are rock-solid.

The only exception would be the silly floating springs & A/R dogs assemblies.

Tom, the owner of Cortez on our site, has engineered a dead simple and perfect solution with his complete  drop-in bridge, sleeve, and double dog assembly.  This includes a SS sleeve, and puts the double SS dogs and springs flat and solidly on the bridge deck — no chance to wiggle or distort — just solid dual contact with the ratchet.

This was the only weak link in this reel, IMO — and it has now been addressed, thoughtfully engineered, upgraded, and made bullet-proof.

Yes, it seems expensive, at first glance — however, if you did the same upgrades to a stock Senator — there would be MORE money involved — and there would still likely be a few key pieces missing.

These are under appreciated, and undervalued reels, IMO.

Best,

Fred


Well said, Fred. As usual. I'd love for them to make this reel in a Jigmaster 505/506  size.

Tom, Cortez Conversions, never ceases to amaze with his upgrades.

Frank
Title: Re: US Senator question
Post by: steelfish on December 22, 2018, 11:03:38 PM
Quote from: Frank on December 22, 2018, 09:40:06 PM
Quote from: foakes on December 22, 2018, 05:11:40 PM
These are under appreciated, and undervalued reels, IMO.
Best,
Fred



Well said, Fred. As usual. I'd love for them to make this reel in a Jigmaster 505/506  size.

Tom, Cortez Conversions, never ceases to amaze with his upgrades.

Frank

You just hit an old request to Penn

Bring the mini Baja

Lots of people would like a mini Baja, but according to some Penn said it would never happend the fathom 25n and torque are the " mini Baja"

I would prefer 3x better a real Baja Special in jigmaster 505 size
Title: Re: US Senator question
Post by: Rivverrat on December 23, 2018, 12:19:33 AM
I love the Baja / US113.  However there is a smaller star drag put out by Penn that meets the criteria some of you are wanting. It's the Torque 25 & 25N star drags. Yes they are pricey. Buy once cry once.

Still I find the Torque star drag to be the best made. For some one who wishes to use one reel for several techniques this is it. Drag is smooth at higher settings & the ability to change gear ratios sets it apart from all others. This is a reel like the Baja / US113 that will last a life time... Jeff
Title: Re: US Senator question
Post by: Dominick on December 25, 2018, 12:09:51 AM
I have the Penn International Torque 100 and the 300.  I was in the market for a while to get the 200 also.  These three reels will cover almost every fishing situation.  Of course we like to take out the oldies.  Dominick
Title: Re: US Senator question
Post by: nelz on December 25, 2018, 04:29:36 AM
Quote from: Dominick on December 25, 2018, 12:09:51 AMI have the Penn International Torque 100 and the 300.  I was in the market for a while to get the 200 also.  These three reels will cover almost every fishing situation.  Of course we like to take out the oldies.  Dominick

Torque 100 rocks! Got mine dirt cheap when they phased them out. If ever there was a "mini tank"!...
Title: Re: US Senator question
Post by: Keta on December 25, 2018, 04:45:03 AM
Quote from: alantani on December 22, 2018, 04:22:43 AM
wow, they're pricey!!!!!  

Ouch!!!!  I think a Fathom 40NLD2 retails for $299 but these are US assembled.
Title: Re: US Senator question
Post by: enfish on December 25, 2018, 05:54:29 AM
Quote from: Keta on December 25, 2018, 04:45:03 AM
Quote from: alantani on December 22, 2018, 04:22:43 AM
wow, they're pricey!!!!!  

Ouch!!!!  I think a Fathom 40NLD2 retails for $299 but these are US assembled.

Yep, and the 40NLD2's can be found online for <$200 from time to time. I picked one up last year for $185. Couldn't pass up that deal. I was in the market for a US113N / 113HN Baja Special for a while, but ended up putting together a Newelled Yellowtail Special for significantly less than the going price for the US Senator. Not quite the same reel internally, but bulletproof, and with a lot more hot rodding options available if I need something to tinker with.
Title: Re: US Senator question
Post by: nelz on December 25, 2018, 08:19:00 AM
The Fathom 40NLD2 is a lever drag, not a fair comparison. But there is a star drag Fathom too and it's cheaper.
Title: Re: US Senator question
Post by: Keta on December 25, 2018, 03:25:19 PM
Quote from: nelz on December 25, 2018, 08:19:00 AM
The Fathom 40NLD2 is a lever drag, not a fair comparison. But there is a star drag Fathom too and it's cheaper.

I was comparing reels in the same price range.