I tried looking up some info on this forum but could not find much. I just purchased two Penn 180's that are "supposed" to be in mint and unused condition and be a matching set. They will be here next week. They look to have aluminum spools. Does anyone use these reels and have any suggestions for line weight....I prefer to use braid and a mono shock leader with an 8' rod and they need to cast a reasonable distance but dont need to break any records. I intend to use these for fresh water light duty so no rivers (lakes, ponds, backwaters, etc)...I have heavier gear for the rivers. I have never owned any of the smaller Penn reels. I was thinking 20 lb braid and a 20 lb mono shock leader, two to three ounce weight plus bait. Your guidance would be appreciated.
They could be aluminum spools, hope so. Small gears and drag washers so 20lb should be ok. There's a gap between the spool and side plate that will eat braid. You'd be better off with 12-16lb mono. That should be adequate for anything you're likely to encounter Painfully slow IPT. If you polish the inside of the bushings and ends of the spool shafts the get pretty good free spool for casting. On mine I like a longer handle arm for a little more torque
There should be a bunch of threads on here about 180's but the search function isn't the greatest,
Fun reels that should serve you well
Quote from: Swami805 on Today at 02:54:53 PMThey could be aluminum spools, hope so. Small gears and drag washers so 20lb should be ok. There's a gap between the spool and side plate that will eat braid. You'd be better off with 12-16lb mono. That should be adequate for anything you're likely to encounter Painfully slow IPT. If you polish the inside of the bushings and ends of the spool shafts the get pretty good free spool for casting. On mine I like a longer handle arm for a little more torque
There should be a bunch of threads on here about 180's but the search function isn't the greatest,
Fun reels that should serve you well
I have seen Penn reels that eat mono as well. I always use braid on my Penn's with a shock leader and have never had that happen, but, the minimum braid size was 40 lb...with a heavier shock leader...larger diameter. I may need to increase the braid size on the 180's to prevent that from happening. I run 40 lb braid on my Squidder's with a 50 lb shock leader and they do just fine...so maybe thats the key. Also these 180's have the bullet/football shaped knobs...thought they came with those little knobs? I always polish the internals of all my Penn reels and you are correct...makes a big difference!!! I will find out more about these 180's when I receive them and will post some photos.
They are an overkill for your intended purpose.
Quote from: oc1 on Today at 05:26:18 PMThey are an overkill for your intended purpose.
Quote from: oc1 on Today at 05:26:18 PMThey are an overkill for your intended purpose.
"Overkill...is way underrated." Over the years I have caught fish in the 20 to 40 lb class in these same spots...most weigh in the 12 to 15 lb class, and I am using my heavy rods and reels for that now, and to me that is overkill. I lost one BIG one that I never even saw because the gear I was using was too light. I like the old Penn reels and I think these will be just perfect....maybe...time will tell.