I recently was gifted a reel that I had sought after for years. It seemed unfeasible that I would get one in pristine condition with the box to boot. I always
told myself that would be "the reel" to complete my collection... Good things come to those that wait, patience is a virtue ,never give up...(Listen to me talk big) humbled by generosity I think it has curtailed me to just maintaining what I have & enjoy fishing with the ones that arent shelfies.I have learned not to lie to myself "this is the last reel" What reel would you like to add to your collection if possible.Mine would be an Abu 1500 or American Classic 4,but I am content ::)
100% content? If so, dude you aren't human. Necessity is the mother of invention and acquiring more stuff is mother of discontentment.
There's extensive documentation that the idea of sustained happiness after one reaches a milestone or goal is a common fallacy. It just about never works out as planned. But I doubt this thread is about psychology. So I will instead say
I just really want a Newell 220, a small but capable 2 speed (probably a fathom), and a "rocket build" ambassadeur.
After that I'm done buying reels forever. >:D
Ok guys you are breaking me down like I am being waterboarded,I am shouting "my name is James & I am a reelaholic"!!!
I got it pretty bad. Sometimes while I'm hooked-up, I'm thinking on the next one.
I so regret selling my mint Daiwa Blue Backer 200, but they also made a 300 that I've always wanted but have never seen for sale anywhere. Another 200 would be nice, but a 300 would be the prize.
So jgp12000, you never said what reel you were gifted? Inquiring minds want to know! ::)
It does seem like catching fish just fuels the fire.I justify it when I repair the tractor or something around the house,Well if I paid someone to do that job it would have cost more than this reel that "I deserve".
Nelz, it was a perfect Penn 714 in the box looks brand new,pristine mint condition, :al
I really want this reel
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x9oiF1kXkoA
QT,I never heard of that one.Fred probably has,Looks nice!
I'm not sure if Fred had it ,never see he post the pics of MDS
Ok, keep it real. Conventional Leverdrag; a Makaria. I could sacrifice 3-weeks groceries and buy one, but I'd be afraid of damaging it, or it getting stolen. Spinner; version 1 Mitchell 300.
Maybe some of the large Daiwa Saltiga spinners :al
I wouldn't mind having an ABU Suveran NIB, not to use, just to say I have one, but I'm too cheap to pay their price. I'd also like an ABU 500 (their very first open face spinner) but I'm to tight to pay the price it takes to get one. :o Guess I'll just keep m you eyes open at garage/yard sales & flea markets. Maybe I'll stumble across one reasonable one day nothat someone doesn't know what he has. ;D
I thought I was cured until I bought a Featherwate 300 the other day just to see what could be so special about it. They're different and award winning, but nothing special. That's the last one..... I swear.
"1 is too many,100 not enough"
:d
It's funny, in 2020 I sold a friend a rod that I really liked because I had 3 others I liked, and couldn't see needing a 4th.
On Friday I bought it back from him...
Jason when I 1st read that I thought the rods you spoke of were identical, I have bought several rods I like on sale or with the mindset they may discontinue these rods/reels? If a product is great they will end production for some unknown reason. i.e. this store had 6' lightning rods marked $10,all other lengths were $40.I got 10 ea. gave all but 2 away to family & friends
Like to have an original Blue Yonder in 6500 and 7500. Mebbe an Abu De Lux. Fin Nor Ahab. Mebbe colored set of Monofils to go with my teal Peer's.
one more Cape Fear Hextec livebait rod so I'd have a four set. I'm sure if went to John or Chris's house, I'd leave trying to hunt Tycoon and Harnell rods...
Quote from: oc1 on October 02, 2024, 06:08:15 AMI thought I was cured until I bought a Featherwate 300 the other day just to see what could be so special about it. They're different and award winning, but nothing special. That's the last one..... I swear.
HA! 😂
I am sure glad I am not the only one with this "problem". I accidently picked up another Penn FTHII15LD2LH reel this week. Too bad Penn did not make this size in Torque LH and a 10XN.
I have been playing around with semi slow pitch fishing and it has been productive for me. My current "goal" is a 40"+ pacific halibut on slow pitch gear.
I wouldn't say no to a SL3OSH or a Millionaire, or any large ball bearing, mag braked reel, with heavy duty drive train, solid frame, double dog, and good rate of retrieve. I know, that's not asking for much, but as a simple man, my needs are simple. Meanwhile I love my 140 Squidders and my 505HS and have a curious and possibly illogical attachment to my collection of model 209 winches.
Quote from: Midway Tommy on October 02, 2024, 03:09:15 AMI wouldn't mind having an ABU Suveran NIB, not to use, just to say I have one, but I'm too cheap to pay their price. I'd also like an ABU 500 (their very first open face spinner) but I'm to tight to pay the price it takes to get one. :o Guess I'll just keep m you eyes open at garage/yard sales & flea markets. Maybe I'll stumble across one reasonable one day nothat someone doesn't know what he has. ;D
I'd love a Suveran, just as an engineering example. It would be one of very very few "Shelfie" reels in this household, alongside a Penn 80S, a cheap Ryobi spinner (my first ever reel) and a Penn 185 Seaboy (my first ever boat reel).
Quote from: Keta on October 02, 2024, 05:54:38 PMI am sure glad I am not the only one with this "problem". I accidently picked up another Penn FTHII15LD2LH reel this week.
"accidently" LOL ::) ;D
I have actually said" I ordered some reel parts",(they just happen to all be assembled...)
This : Too pretty to fish with though
A lot too pricey IMNSHO ;D ! ;)
Modern reels are quite a bit better these days; but I'd like to angle a giant tuna with a Fin Nor 12/0 1:1/2:1 one day. The classic of classics, recalling Tuna Alley and the golden age of big game fishing. I've often thought of obtaining a pair, but whenever I think about it, common sense wins over.
My some-day reels aren't anything exotic or valuable, just tough to find. Horrocks-Ibbotson 1945 and 1947 (Shakespeare trade reels, late 60s, basically 2052 and 2062) and an Eagle Claw ECL (late 60s 2052 in drag).
I'm intrigued by the Ofmer "Mediterranean" line of early 1970s spinners for Eagle Claw...there are 8 of them, I own the smallest and it's almost too nice to hang on a rod, but I wonder if I could find all of them. That's more of a "wonder if I can do it" than an "I want these reels" though.
In my thread about the Surfmaster 150, Lee mentioned Monofils. I had never heard of them before, so I looked them up. I do most of my fishing in fresh water, so I like the smaller size of the 27 and 26, plus, I have to admit I like the variety of colors. I think a Monofil will be my next target.
Nowadays I'd say an Abu Suveran. Just... an absurd reel for its time, in terms of the engineering statement it makes. Kinda funny looking though.
Quote from: JasonGotaProblem on October 01, 2024, 07:03:29 PMAfter that I'm done buying reels forever. >:D
I wish I knew how many times I had that thought myself. At least I'm not alone. Sometimes I feel this is my support group. ;D
Love when these old threads come up.
Last month I sold 2, bought 6
Maniacal laugh ;D
I couldn't afford the Suveran, but had a CD6 (center-drag) with similar unibody/gearbox construction. AR bearing was its bane, but other than that a good reel with a great drag.
Quote from: work2fish on February 22, 2026, 08:06:15 PMIn my thread about the Surfmaster 150, Lee mentioned Monofils. I had never heard of them before, so I looked them up. I do most of my fishing in fresh water, so I like the smaller size of the 27 and 26, plus, I have to admit I like the variety of colors. I think a Monofil will be my next target.
Mark, here's an assortment of #26 and 27 Monofils and the nearly identical Beachmaster 160 and Baymaster 180 for your review. Please let me know if any or all of them are of interest.
Left rear: Black Beachmaster 160
Left center: Brown Monofil 26
Front center: Rose Monofil 27
Right rear: Black Baymaster 180
Right center: Brown Monofil 27
Nice reels Randy.
The "rose" monofil 27 is also known as the lipstick 27. Its a 1956-58 model, and sought after by penn collectors. The matching spool is a big bonus !!
Quote from: reelynew on February 23, 2026, 06:01:13 AMQuote from: JasonGotaProblem on October 01, 2024, 07:03:29 PMAfter that I'm done buying reels forever. >:D
I wish I knew how many times I had that thought myself. At least I'm not alone. Sometimes I feel this is my support group. ;D
Love when these old threads come up.
to my credit I think I've abided by that even if unintentionally. I did buy a 1920s meisselbach a few weeks ago but other than that I'm pretty sure haven't bought any reels in over a year. Still want a small 2speed but not badly enough to be pay MSRP at the moment, due to lack of
need.
Rods... No comment.
Edit: I was gifted an Abu 2500c (thanks again!) and spent enough on parts for it that it should honestly count as a reel purchase.
Quote from: Maxed Out on February 24, 2026, 04:29:46 AMNice reels Randy.
The "rose" monofil 27 is also known as the lipstick 27. Its a 1956-58 model, and sought after by penn collectors. The matching spool is a big bonus !!
Thank you Ted!
Quote from: Vintage Offshore Tackle on February 23, 2026, 09:06:59 PMMark, here's an assortment of #26 and 27 Monofils and the nearly identical Beachmaster 160 and Baymaster 180 for your review. Please let me know if any or all of them are of interest.
Left rear: Black Beachmaster 160
Left center: Brown Monofil 26
Front center: Rose Monofil 27
Right rear: Black Baymaster 180
Right center: Brown Monofil 27
That's a nice set of reels, Randy!
The Monofil 27, Baymaster 180, and Surfmaster 100 all take the same spool and all use bushings instead of roller bearings. What are the differences between those reels? I know that the Surfmaster has the quick-release side plate. Are their main gears and drags similar?
Mark
Quote from: work2fish on February 25, 2026, 01:22:04 AMQuote from: Vintage Offshore Tackle on February 23, 2026, 09:06:59 PMMark, here's an assortment of #26 and 27 Monofils and the nearly identical Beachmaster 160 and Baymaster 180 for your review. Please let me know if any or all of them are of interest.
Left rear: Black Beachmaster 160
Left center: Brown Monofil 26
Front center: Rose Monofil 27
Right rear: Black Baymaster 180
Right center: Brown Monofil 27
That's a nice set of reels, Randy!
The Monofil 27, Baymaster 180, and Surfmaster 100 all take the same spool and all use bushings instead of roller bearings. What are the differences between those reels? I know that the Surfmaster has the quick-release side plate. Are their main gears and drags similar?
Mark
Thank you Mark. In addition to the 100s quick take-apart right side plate, it also has the larger gears and drags from the Long Beach 60, vs. the smaller 155 drive train for the others.
Aside from the side plate colors and the clicker mounts, I can't see any difference between the 26/160 or the 27/180. You can go throughh the parts list found towards the end of the older Penn manuals and see if you can find any disparities.
Randy
A Suveran but make mine a beater for $20 at the flea market. Double rush that way. And I can fish it without remorse.
That reel does have some unique, innovative and functional technology. My favorite is the way the crank arm is secured or loosened. Overall, the smoothest spinner I've yet to operate.
However, the reel does have its share of plastic parts, especially internally. Something about those parts feels(?), like they are better quality than the typical plastic stuff you find in the cheap reel market. And those plastic composite parts seem to be located strategically as to not have much force placed on them. Probably a weight/cost savings thing.
Note for example, the center-top section of the spool (says"SUVERAN" on it)where it clicks onto the spool shaft is plastic, but the rest of the spool is aluminum.
Some pictures