Best Senator 113h

[fsrmn]

  I have an older Penn 113 (black sides) and love it.  I am looking to upgrade some, and after reading several post on this site, I am looking at the 113h. The problem I am having are that there are several versions available on Ebay.  The regular 113 h runs around $60 incl shipping depending on the shape.   Then there is the graphite one piece frame, the Tiburon frame, older vs newer etc.  I mostly fish from a pier and sometimes on the surf.  Maybe I should just get the ss gear sleeve and 5 stack drag from Alan and keep my old one which is still in great shape?   Any ideas or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

[Bryan Young]

If you don't mind the slower retrieve rate, and if you have steel gears in your 113, I would stick with that reel and upgrade to the SS gear sleeve and to a 5+1 drag stack.

[Ron Jones]

I agree with Bryan assuming you aren't trying to justify buying a new reel. If you really want a new reel, then it sounds like you would be just fine with the graphite framed 113H. It doesn't nrmally have steel gears, and I wuld fix that and put in a stainless gear sleeve and you will have a great new reel that will compliment your old reel nicely.
Ron

[fsrmn]

I'll have to check to see if it has steel gears. Any way to tell without tearing it down again? I just tore it down when I bought it to check the drag washers and to lube it.  Everything looked new inside. The person I bought it from only used it a couple of times and had it serviced before he put it away.

[Keta]

They are either brass or steel, it's obvious from looking.

As for your question, I feel the 2:1 gears of the 113 are a bit low for that size reel and prefer the 3.25:1 gear ratio of the 113H, or after market 4:1 gears.  If I was buying a 113H to keep "stock" (I put narrow kits on mine) I'd get one of the 1/2 frame ones.

[Shark Hunter]

The gears in the 113H are much beefier than the ones in your black 113. There is nothing wrong with the 113. I just think the 113H is a lot more reel.

[Ron Jones]

For a stock reel, one of the biggest advantages the H reel has is the bigger gear sleeve. It can take a lot more abuse than the Jigmaster sleeve of the 113, especially with the size of fish you can mess with using this size reel. If you put stainless in then you've gone a long way to equalizing the disadvantage.
Ron

[handi2]

Same here..

The 113H is really a different reel than the 113. Much larger and stronger gearing and other related items. I also don't see anything wrong with the 113H2 made in China.

[Keta]

For a stock reel, one of the biggest advantages the H reel has is the bigger gear sleeve. It can take a lot more abuse than the Jigmaster sleeve of the 113, especially with the size of fish you can mess with using this size reel. If you put stainless in then you've gone a long way to equalizing the disadvantage.
Ron

The gear sleeve shaft, the gear sleeve, bridge and drag washers are all much larger/thicker on the 113H.

[fsrmn]

I appreciate the input. I see several half frame 113h's on Ebay for around $75 that appear to be in good shape. I might get one and keep my old one for a backup or maybe just sell it.

[Keta]

I appreciate the input. I see several half frame 113h's on Ebay for around $75 that appear to be in good shape. I might get one and keep my old one for a backup or maybe just sell it.

I'm looking for a post frame one to build another 113HN "Tank".

[fsrmn]

I see where they are asking over $130 for a decent used113h when a new 113h2 is only selling for $110. Even the scruffy ones are selling for $60 or better. Is there that much of a difference ?

[Ron Jones]

There are considerable differences but the performance of both stock reels is similar.
Ron