Reel Repair by Alan Tani

I leave some fishing equipment down in Baja with my favorite Capitano.  I have a Penn 320 LD which I really like but I am apprehensive about hooking into a fish that will over stress the level wind on the 320.  I am a big fan of level wind because I want to fish and not pay attention to thumbing the line.  Okay you experts weigh in.  Dominick

One of the Reels Comparable to your Penn is an Ocean City 923 of which I am very partial to. I will send you one with my mods to try if you want .
The other favorite large level wind is the older Garcia 7000 .
Daiwa has this one and it's ELECTRIC

Daiwa HIGH DOLLAR LEVEL WIND


for ONLY 3499.99 on Sale today if you want something FANCY but I won't be sending one of those out ......lol

not the answer you are expecting, but I will say get an accurate Valiant 600NN, its so narrow that you dont have to pay attention to the line when retrieving.


the Penn Fathom 50 LD is the "new" and upgraded version of those GTi reels, looks like a good option.
okuma has the new version of the Solterra, SXL, this one also comes with thrust bearings

Quote from: Dominick on July 13, 2022, 08:16:42 PMI leave some fishing equipment down in Baja with my favorite Capitano.  I have a Penn 320 LD which I really like but I am apprehensive about hooking into a fish that will over stress the level wind on the 320.  I am a big fan of level wind because I want to fish and not pay attention to thumbing the line.  Okay you experts weigh in.  Dominick

      This sounds like a trick question .     The Italian Gladiator does not need a level wind , it just come natural to reel up a level spool with out looking .      Than some have said that you catch small fish , so a level wind will live     

        Than  there is the lack of information , are you fishing from a rod holder or are you hand pumping  fishing ??      

   

Dominic, they are a little bit pricey, but for a big fish levelwind, you can't go wrong with a Shimano Tranx 500.  There have been dozens of 200+ lb. private boat bluefin caught on them in So. Cal. over the past few years.

I hate to recommend anything Shimano but the Takota are the strongest LW reels I  have ever worked on.

Don't rule out a good old 309. It's stronger than any jigmaster, and easy on the wallet

Penn has the Fathom and Squall in levelwind.  I have never handles either, but the Fathom 40NLD2 is a tough reel.  I would expect the Fathom LW to be pretty tough too.  Penn also has a Warfare and Rival for a lot less $ and most likely half as strong as the Fathom.  Maybe Steve Carson from Penn could weigh in.  Bill

Quote from: Maxed Out on July 13, 2022, 09:35:05 PMDon't rule out a good old 309. It's stronger than any jigmaster, and easy on the wallet

I have seen 309 reels destroyed by plus size halibut.

Well guys and gals, every reel has limits. Caught many a bull red and a variety of sharks in the 40- 50# weight with that model.  OH...and the stingrays...can't dismiss the work those can put on a reel.   Never had a 309 reel fail that was in good order.  You start anticipating more weight than that and you just might have to thumb some line and get harnessed up.

In all fairness, the 309 drags are light for its size, but we know our equipment and how to fish it....amen?  Oh, can you say SPARE PAWL on any other brand?

What are you fishing for? I have 2 TranX 500 HG's that are my go to reels for Wahoo bombs, Raiders, surface iron etc.

Hi Dominick,
This is far and away the strongest levelwind I've ever worked on.
Too pricey for what you're looking for, but I thought it might be of interest if not seen prior.
It's called a Wiki Violent 5000 and is based on Jigging Master's tried and true (albeit appropriated) dual-drag Power Spell PE platform.
I won't quote drag numbers, as they're always contentious, but it'll handle more than the person holding it.
I've worked on a few and, while the styling is very 'particular', they're undeniably strong and well made.
Beware the levelwind carriage though - the idler gears are a brass/bronze manganese-type and would sever a digit before they'd strip!



As I say, probably not a 'practical' option for you, but thought it might be of interest.
All the best mate, Justin

Lee, a plus size butt can destroy many different reels.

The 309 has jigmaster gears and LB pinion for 3/1 ratio. Not what would be considered "on the light side" of drag poundage when compared with 95% of all Penn conventional reels that have smaller gears, and smaller drags

Strongest Level Wind is kinda Vague .
So without knowing a little more info as to what you expect to fish for ,yardage on reel ,WEIGHT and Price Range ,Year of manufacture ,Country of Manufacture, Mods to the Reel ,and lots of other stuff there are GOBS of reels to fit in your Category Heir Counselor. But I stand on my 923 O.C. as one of the Strongest ever Made even tho it was over 60 years ago and I love em and have enough parts to keep em going long after we are gone.

The problems I saw with 309 reels were twisted frames and sheared pawls, could that be why they come with a spare pawl?  I fished 309 reels for king salmon and they were hard to beat, a bit slow but they never failed. 

I really do hate to suggest Shimano and will never buy another but the Takotas I have been servicing for at least 10 years get fished hard and other than drag washers and an occasional bearing they do not break.