Reel Repair by Alan Tani

Hi All!  Anyone know anything about this one?  Looks ugly but fully functional except clicker button frozen.  Left side plate says Patented
              Pats Pend.
I don't think it's been opened unless a professional cuz there's not a mark on a screw head that I can see.  Sorry, can't see how to attach pics here!  If you can help I can email photos or PM them on FB

Quote from: OhReely on April 30, 2026, 04:29:45 PMIMHO (for what it's worth) if your main gear has a Delrin bushing in the center that's your weak link. I'd be concerned with that even before the gear sleeve if you do as Maxed Out advises. That said if your gear sleeve shows any sign at all of rounding on the handle end replace it. Even a new stock brass one set up properly should be good enough. Unfortunately I'm not speaking from experience in fighting a fish that can overpower a 6/0 Senator only from the standpoint of rebuilding/repairing them after such use.

Right now the reel is completely stock and barely (if at all) used.  The brass sleeve is in pristine condition, as are the gears.  It has the hard slick plastic/delrin washer under the main gear.

IMHO (for what it's worth) if your main gear has a Delrin bushing in the center that's your weak link. I'd be concerned with that even before the gear sleeve if you do as Maxed Out advises. That said if your gear sleeve shows any sign at all of rounding on the handle end replace it. Even a new stock brass one set up properly should be good enough. Unfortunately I'm not speaking from experience in fighting a fish that can overpower a 6/0 Senator only from the standpoint of rebuilding/repairing them after such use.

I was on the other size of that hill and it was snowing on us when we were fishing.  Beautiful photos.  Thanks for sharing. 

If you bought one of these, could the seat bolts be removed first thing, cleaned-off, reinserted with grease for future service, or should they just be left alone?

mike, i'm sorry about missing this.  those screws have blue loctite and it's very common for them to snap.  the only way i've found to get them out is to strip the frame of anything plastic, then heat the screws with a propane torch.  that will soften up the studs so that they might just back out.  otherwise, they will never budge.  once they are out, find a metric stainless steel machine screw from amazon that is just a bit longer and you should be good. 

Quote from: Brewcrafter on April 30, 2026, 01:22:11 PMGreat report!  Not sure what a Jake's is, but that one nice trout looks like it is hooked on some variation of a Super Duper.  Is that a Jake's? - john

Hi John, yes that is a Jake's Spin a Lure in that picture.  They have been a mainstay in Yellowstone for trout fishing for years.  I had an old timer for a neighbor years ago that called them the "Golden Domino".  They recommended using a swivel with them.   

Thanks for the excellent report!

Bridgeport is my favorite large water on the Eastern side of the Sierras, and has been for 52 years.

Likely fished Rainbow Point well over 100 times.  Good drop off there, and the current comes around that point very well.

Trolling at Bridgeport Reservoir is always good from opener to about mid-June, when the algae bloom starts to grow in the lake.  After that, we fish the old underwater creek beds, since the snow run-off still follows those ancient channels that are only 10' to 20' wide —- and only about 8' deep.  We use a 10' bamboo pole to feel the gravel beds —- then anchor with (2) anchors above the target area and catch possibly 50 trout in a few hours.  Just catch and release for me.  The best spots are Walker River by the airstrip, plus across the South end of the reservoir to fish Buckeye, Robinson, and Sandy point. 

When trolling, I use Thomas Bouyants and Speedee Shiners with Leadcore, a Okuma Kokanee 7' rod, and Penn 9's.

When still fishing, it is pumped up night crawlers, velveeta cheese for Browns —- and salmon eggs or power bait for rainbows.

Wonder how the Twins fished on opener?  I'll check with Ken's.

Best, Fred

Great report!  Not sure what a Jake's is, but that one nice trout looks like it is hooked on some variation of a Super Duper.  Is that a Jake's? - john

Thank you for the offer, I need to think about a few things but I'll pm you if I want to take you up on it.

Cheers. Love the helpful friendliness here.