Looking for a basic simple and rugged bottom fishing reel. Something along the same basic size as the old newell 220 (250 yards of 25# mono would be max size). I need a good drag but nothing fancy otherwise. Fairly light weight is desired. I don't want one with an anti-reverse bearing. I don't like the idea of a cast frame. Must be built for long life in salt water with a minimum of maintenance. Doesn't need to be able to cast but that never hurts.
A little bitty baja special would be ideal.
Sounds like you need a Penn Senator 112H. Virtually bulletproof, cheap and easy to work on.
Either that or one of the old red-plate Jigmasters.
Evan
http://cgi.ebay.com/Pro-Gear-Albacore-Special-PG280-Pro-Gear-reel-Progear_W0QQitemZ120554291497QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item1c11988129
"The most important thing you can do to maintain your reel is to service it when it is brand new. The mantra is greased carbon fiber drag washers, spool bearings that are open and lightly lubed, level wind assemblies that are lightly lubed, non-spool bearings that are packed with grease, grease on all the screws and a light coat of grease on all the non-exposed surfaces. Do a thorough job the first time and your reel should last for years." - from Alan's Pacific Coast Sportfishing blog.
If you buy a new reel, heed the above advice. My new Penn 113H had dry drag washers, apparently no grease on the screws (it looked and felt like they used blue Loctite on the left sideplate screws), and it looked like red Loctite on the eccentric screw (key #22). After addressing those issues, I'm now more confident in the reel.
Good luck with your search.
Rob
(Bottom fishing with a Jigmaster.)
I have a two word (and one number) answer for you: Penn Squidder 146. Robust, simple design; easy take down for cleaning and maintenance; parts are readily available. You should be able to get a very nice one for $60-$70, delivered, from ebay......even Alan has a rebuild tutorial on the 146 (yes, the PURPLE 146 known from coast to coast!)....that should tell you something!
Mine is my favorite reel. I use it (in NJ) for everything from blackfish, ling and seabass to stripers and the occasional bluefish.
The Squidder 146 is a sweet reel. However, it has a slow (3 to 1) retrieve compared to a 112H of Jigmaster (both have 4 to 1), and dime size drag washers whereas the 112H ad Jigmaster have quarter size drag washers.
a higher gear ratio means a larger main gear, and a larger main gear means a larger drag washer. alan
I have two 112H reels with Tiburon frames and greased drags and they are great. Look what I caught while bottom fishing !
(http://[/im%5BIMG%5Dhttp://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii259/cooldade/019889-R1-09-10A.jpg)g]
Lets try this again...
[im(http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii259/cooldade/019889-R1-09-10A.jpg)g]
Uh, not trying to sound like a jerk.... but how about a Newell 220 or 322? Low maintenance, big drags, simple and dependable.... Im just sayin'..............
Would you be interested in a mint Penn 111 senator 2/0? Email me if you are I've got one I have to part with.
Thanks guys. A 112H is bigger/heavier than I want. Newell 220 or 229 is fine, just a little concerned over the future of the company. What do y'all think about the penn 310GT2?
Quote from: Russ57 on April 13, 2010, 02:59:08 PM
Thanks guys. A 112H is bigger/heavier than I want. Newell 220 or 229 is fine, just a little concerned over the future of the company. What do y'all think about the penn 310GT2?
Will you be running spectra, dacron, or mono? What line test? How deep will you be fishing?
The weight of a 310 is very close to a 112H because the 112H doesn't have the level wind mechanism. you should be aware too that parts for the 310 are quite expensive compared to the other GTi series. I'm not sure why that's the case, but it is. (You can see the relative prices at MysticParts.com.) I think the real issue between these two reels is whether you want a level wind or not.
"Edited as per Moderators to correct Scott's Bait & Tackle over to their new store name Mystic Reel Parts / www.mysticparts.com"
Nobody has mentioned the 320GTi. Which I think has everything you need for a small bottom fishing reel.........
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v225/Rooster5101/Hunting%20Pics/TLD20Penn320003.jpg)
Hi Russ - I'm a newbie to these posts, but I just recently took apart one of my Daiwa reels that might fit the bill for you. The reel is a Daiwa conventional model No. 40 HSD. I have it loaded with 25# Ande line and it holds a substantial amount of line. It is extremely easy to service and not too expensive. Look for it on ebay. I'm not sure if it's still available as a current Daiwa product.
This is a question for reply No. 4. Hi Norcal - I'm a newbie to these forums but have a problem for your post and especially for most of the information I have gathered from Alan's blogs. I have just started doing what you suggested with new and old reels. I have tried replaceing the stock drag washers with Carbontex washers. Eventhough I have taken these reels apart with great care, lubed all parts correctly, I am very disatisfied with the drag performance with Carbontex washers. These washers are supposed to be "state of the art" , but I find them very jerky and inconsistant. Anybody else out there have similar problems? The extreme smoothies in my Daiwa baitcasters are excellent; very smooth and able to take substantial amounts of drag. It's a very frustrating situation for me. I have tried slathering Cals grease on the washers and then have tried fingerprinting grease on the washers, but to no avail. Still very jerky drags. Years ago when Penn came out with their ht-100 washers I tried them out in my Jigmasters. Same results. Jerky drags. What's the story here. Is there some secret I don't know. Everyone raves about this drag material. I think it stinks. I just can't seem to get it right. Any suggestions?
ellis, you're doing something wrong. ship the reels to me and let me take a look........
alan, thank you for your response. My answer for this has been emailed from my web address elsewhere.
that's fine, i still want to see these reels. alan
Hi Ellis,
It sounds like you have good luck with Extreme Smoothies and are satisfied with them. Why not put them in the reels that have been giving you problems?
Thanks Allan for your serious suggestion re: sending my reels to you. It's very kind of you to suggest that, however if you opened up my reels (15 of which I just serviced) you would find them spotless; ie all bearings lubed, gears lubed with Daiwa, Shimano or Cal's and carbontex washers installed in most. All parts in excellent condition. As I alluded to in another post, I believe the culprit here was self inflicted, as my post servicing test of the drag smoothness of these reels was too demanding. I have modified the test to be a bit more realistic and the drags are satisfactory. Should I have further problems I will be sure to post them. Sorry to have caused such a hornet's nest. Didn't realise that would happen. Your tutorials are wonderful and I continue to read them as the best online source for fishing reel repair.
I have been getting very good service from Shimano Star 15/30, 20/40 reels. A few years ago I needed to service some and was happy to discover Alan's great tips on drag upgrades and just how well built these relatively small reels are.