Reel Repair by Alan Tani

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 June 13, 2026, 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 June 13, 2026, 05:26:18 PMThey are an overkill for your intended purpose.

Quote from: oc1 on June 13, 2026, 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.

I like that size reel. 180 27,100,146, probably missed a couple. Stiffen them up with a Newell kit and an aluminum spool  I add a 24-49 handle

Quote from: Swami805 on June 13, 2026, 09:01:34 PMI like that size reel. 180 27,100,146, probably missed a couple. Stiffen them up with a Newell kit and an aluminum spool  I add a 24-49 handle

I have 140's and a 146 and the 146 is the perfect size for what i need but it is a nice reel and I only use it on special occasions. One of the 140's I have came with the Newell kit and I ordered some OEM replacement parts from forum member foakes and made it original.....cause I am a "purist"  LOL......I will see what these reels have to offer but those longer cranks look like a nice upgrade.

Quote from: Flat Top on June 13, 2026, 06:18:44 PMOver 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.

Are you talking catfish?

The 180 stock handle is wimpy. 24-310 is a nice upgrade, as is 24-66 with flat rubber paddle. Sheridan's 24-49 gives good torque but if you need to counter the very slow gears to get the weight up off the bottom the 24-66 is a good compromise. If they are aluminum spools and not plastic, they may be worth more than the reel as they can be used to narrow a 200 to 100 size (like Sheridan has, using the Newell kit you have) which has same main gear as Squidder so stronger and faster.

John

Quote from: work2fish on June 15, 2026, 09:04:34 PM

Quote from: Flat Top on June 13, 2026, 06:18:44 PMOver 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.

Are you talking catfish?

Yes sir.

Quote from: thorhammer on Today at 12:34:12 AMThe 180 stock handle is wimpy. 24-310 is a nice upgrade, as is 24-66 with flat rubber paddle. Sheridan's 24-49 gives good torque but if you need to counter the very slow gears to get the weight up off the bottom the 24-66 is a good compromise. If they are aluminum spools and not plastic, they may be worth more than the reel as they can be used to narrow a 200 to 100 size (like Sheridan has, using the Newell kit you have) which has same main gear as Squidder so stronger and faster.

John

I am taking notes!!!

180, 160, 155, 100, 150, 200 have a lot of intersection. The Baymasters have smaller gears. The 350 Leveline also has a lot of common parts. Some things off Squidders fit, such as bars, stars, springs, base, posts, handles, bridge, and  others. The Surfmaster came out in the 1930's as a working man's alternative to the Squidder, being they have bushings instead of bearings. Commonality of parts is also available on the Mystic Reel Parts site.

Quote from: thorhammer on Today at 01:21:18 PM180, 160, 155, 100, 150, 200 have a lot of intersection. The Baymasters have smaller gears. The 350 Leveline also has a lot of common parts. Some things off Squidders fit, such as bars, stars, springs, base, posts, handles, bridge, and  others. The Surfmaster came out in the 1930's as a working man's alternative to the Squidder, being they have bushings instead of bearings. Commonality of parts is also available on the Mystic Reel Parts site.

More notes....I am filling up a note binder here!!! All very good info. Thanks!!!

Most welcome. This was a fun rabbit hole to go down. Imma guess I have a good two dozen across the Squidder / Baymaster / Surfmaster  / Beachmaster flock.


Then, when you think you have a handle on it (see what I did there), you will stumble across a 250 Surfmaster and 259 Livebait Caster. "Hey, what's this, now?" Then you will find 99 Silver Beach. It will be too late when you realize, "Oh crap...I had two Baymasters, now I have ten Jigmasters, and ten reels in between. What the hell just happened..."

Then, Cortez Conversion packages start showing up. It happens.

Quote from: thorhammer on Today at 05:44:34 PMMost welcome. This was a fun rabbit hole to go down. Imma guess I have a good two dozen across the Squidder / Baymaster / Surfmaster  / Beachmaster flock.


Then, when you think you have a handle on it (see what I did there), you will stumble across a 250 Surfmaster and 259 Livebait Caster. "Hey, what's this, now?" Then you will find 99 Silver Beach. It will be too late when you realize, "Oh crap...I had two Baymasters, now I have ten Jigmasters, and ten reels in between. What the hell just happened..."

Then, Cortez Conversion packages start showing up. It happens.

LOL!!! That right there is funny!!! I will have all the reels I need for now....Delmars, which  handle most of my fishing, a couple of 350's, and a Long Beach 65 for the bigger stuff around here...plus some Squidder's and a Squidder Jr. Sold all my Senators when I left Florida (wish I hadn't)...Plus some long surf rods and a four spinners that I really dont use much. These 180's should round out my inventory......maybe. LOL!