Thoughts on Jigmaster magnum 99 vs a narrowed Senator 113H?
They're both the same width, and same gear train. The narrowed 113h (yts) will have more line capacity
That's it in a nut shell
I think the Mag. 99 would maybe?, be lighter in weight, balanced better in hand and battling a fish or snag, and you might not need the excess line capacity if using braid.
What kinna fishing are gonna be doing?
I have fished the JM magnum at Cedros for YT and the 113H narrow on the SOA. The Magnum is a beast for the size. If I was casting, yo-yo-ing, or flylining a single speed all day I would choose the Magnum. Lighter and smaller diameter. Just my 2 centavos. Bill
By narrow 113H do you mean a YTS size or the special run XN model Randy offered us ?
Cool
I'll tell ya. you guys got me a little confused. I don't have all the widths and nicknames down for these modified reels. Just picked up a nice looking Baja Special 113HN in the box. I keep hearing different names thrown around, for the narrow senators, and trying to put it all together lol. The Baja Special go by any other monikers?
Thanks
EA
No a 113hn is a completely different beast, the only thing it really shares with the senator 113 is the number. Great reel. It was called a Baja special by Penn. A 113h with a narrow kit was also called a Baja special but not officially, more a width of the reel thing
Doesn't the Jigmaster Magnum have a 5:1 gear versus stock gear for narrowed 113H?
Quote from: MACflyer on August 25, 2025, 02:21:00 AMDoesn't the Jigmaster Magnum have a 5:1 gear versus stock gear for narrowed 113H?
No, the magnum has same gears as a 113h 3.25/1, but aftermarket 4/1 gears are available. Theres no such thing as 5/1 gears for a 113h. The jigmaster magnum is internally mostly identical to a 113h
3 reels on the table now. Why not one of each?
Gotta get that Cortez kit on the Baja though. That's the only way that reel achieves its potential
Well, so far I figured out, there's I do believe at least four iterations? Is yellowtail special, also referred to as the Baja special? Then Penn came out with their Baja special factory models. And apparently the US penn senator, is also referred to as the Baja special? Oh boy, lots more reading lol. Gotta break out some penetrating oil first!
EA
Quote from: ExcessiveAngler on August 25, 2025, 04:35:03 AMWell, so far I figured out, there's I do believe at least four iterations? Is yellowtail special, also referred to as the Baja special? Then Penn came out with their Baja special factory models. And apparently the US penn senator, is also referred to as the Baja special? Oh boy, lots more reading lol. Gotta break out some penetrating oil first!
EA
The Baja Special was the forerunner of the Penn US Senators; however, the Penn US Senators are available in 3 different sizes, narrow (Baja Special size), regular (sort of 113H size), and wide and the Baja Special only came in one size. The YTS or Yellowtail Special is a narrow 113H with an Accurate or Tiburon frame and 4:1 gears and the 113HXN is an extra narrow 113H with a frame that Randy had made.
If you want confusion, the various sizes and models of the Jigmaster is a good place to start
Hate to keep hijacking this thread! But I just picked up this Penn Baja special 113hn, relatively cheap and want to make sure that this looks right? First time, I had any of these Penn Senators apart, and been a while since I opened any Penns. I'm thinking it looks damaged, but could absolutely be wrong. But I'm go with my gut and say that my cheap reel, just got not so cheap?
EA
Probably right. I have two Baja Specials with the must have Cortez Conversions bridge. If you hear one working as you turn the handle you will forever recognize if your Baja has been converted. So smooth. Makes it a $250 reel worth every dime if you ask me.
Quote from: CooldadE on August 25, 2025, 01:13:46 AMBy narrow 113H do you mean a YTS size or the special run XN model Randy offered us ?
Cool
closer to YTS
Quote from: ExcessiveAngler on August 25, 2025, 09:21:56 PMHmmm. Nobody has an opinion about the condition of that spool shaft, where it engages the pinion? Would really like to know if it's supposed to be worn looking like that? That way I can try to talk to the seller! A deal, is not always, a good deal! I did do a bunch of searching and just can't seem to find any decent close up pictures, to confirm this. A new spool is $110 plus tax.!!!!
Thanks
EA
It looks damaged to me
Quote from: JasonGotaProblem on August 25, 2025, 03:26:44 AM3 reels on the table now. Why not one of each?
Gotta get that Cortez kit on the Baja though. That's the only way that reel achieves its potential
Why u think that? I love Tom's stuff but the Baja special is just Penn's version
Ugh! My phone is so hot. It's just glitchy! I was trying edit that post and gave up and deleted it. Truly sorry to interrupt your thread. Thank you for the info. I was kind of afraid of that, but sometimes things are shaped a certain way for a purpose. Thats the best way I can put it. Wouldn't be that bad, if that spool wasn't so much money. Are the edges supposed to be chamfered at all? Or are they supposed to be completely flat on top, edge to edge?
Thank you again
EA
hey bro, that spool is in good shape, those "marks" or cuts in spool floating shaft are like that to help / make it easier to engage with the pinion gear, those cuts on the shaft "tooth" slide / slip the spool to the pinion gear when is steady or rotating (kinda hard to explain) but its like that on every Baja Special or US senator
check mine, the pics are kinda old but you can see on of those cuts and also check the pinion gear with its base square where the spool shaft teeth engage
Thanks Alex, I had a feeling they were supposed to be that way slightly. Yours looks to be in better shape, though! The remaining metal on each side of the hub? just looks thin to me. And then if you look at the center there, in that one pic, looks like there's an extra bore on each side. And then the edges, don't look uniform to me. People do some crazy things to reels sometimes. Just don't want to experience a failure with it.
Quote from: ExcessiveAngler on August 26, 2025, 12:11:33 AMThanks Alex, I had a feeling they were supposed to be that way slightly. Yours looks to be in better shape, though! The remaining metal on each side of the hub? just looks thin to me. ............... Just don't want to experience a failure with it.
mine its just cleaner, thats all, I say you can go with confidence after a good size fish.
So here's a question. What's the General cut off point with these reels? I understand sometimes, you just tie into a giant and nothing can be done! Gotta imagine that magnum is going to be stronger, then say the 113HN, I currently have now, no?
A word of caution.....there is a tiny bearing in the spool shaft. Don't lose it. Ask me how I know. Bill
I think the 113hn would be the more robust of the group all in stock from. Drop a few hundred in upgrades into the others might even it up a bit
Since Jigmaster Magnums are somewhat rare and expensive, if you decide to go that route, take a look at the old Progear 541 (regular width) and 545 (narrow). They are essentially the same as the Jigmaster Magnum but cheaper and more available.
The baja can do a lot. I know this fish was nowhere near the limit of that reel but it's the biggest I've caught on one.
The made in the USA Pro Gear 545 (do not confuse with the recent Chinese reels which are related in name only) is superior to the Accurate Jigmaster 99 Magnum in every possible way.
It comes standard with 4:1 gears, and more importantly, instead of a separate side plates and frame assembly, the Pro Gear features a one piece frame that is machined from a solid aluminum billet, providing the ultimate strength and rigidity and eliminating the screw holes that are frequently the source of corrosion.
If you do not need a clicker, I have one that is in excellent condition in the box for $165 plus shipping. Please take a look at the photos and let me know if you want it.
Quote from: JasonGotaProblem on August 26, 2025, 11:12:23 AMThe baja can do a lot. I know this fish was nowhere near the limit of that reel but it's the biggest I've caught on one.
great picture and great fish Jason, thats a nice grouper
Yet another cool thing about the Pro Gear reels is the way the gear-side plate fits down into the frame. Looks so darn solid(the third picture in Randy's post)
Another great reel from Randy.
The Pro Gear 545 is the most under appreciated reel of all time. It should be more like a $300-$400 reel for the features it has.
Another tidbit about the 545 is a double dog bridge falls right in. Also a 113h steel gear sleeve, and a 113h 5 stack of ht-100 drag washers puts this reel into the bullet proof catagory
A few years back I read an article about some guys in So-Cal that caught tuna up to 100# with the 545. No surprise there. These reels have no weak links
Quote from: Maxed Out on August 27, 2025, 04:56:22 PMAnother great reel from Randy.
The Pro Gear 545 is the most under appreciated reel of all time. It should be more like a $300-$400 reel for the features it has.
Another tidbit about the 545 is a double dog bridge falls right in. Also a 113h steel gear sleeve, and a 113h 5 stack of ht-100 drag washers puts this reel into the bullet proof catagory
A few years back I read an article about some guys in So-Cal that caught tuna up to 100# with the 545. No surprise there. These reels have no weak links
Thank you Ted!