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Posted by Ted on 03:21:19 02/28/03
I was fortunate to have an uncle (a really great guy) who gave me literally a boat load of fishing equipment, shortly after I purchased my kayak. I only had a few poles and reels for mostly freshwater that I used in the salt, but his equipmnet was much better than anything I had. So, poles and reels were not an issue in my budget. After fishing for I while, I started to figure out what I liked and didn't. The problem was I had so much equipment early on I was fishing with a different reel every time. More embarrasing is that I never took time to learn about the quick change feature on my penn reels, cause I had a couple other reels loaded in the hull every trip.
Part of my collection included a hardly used Penn 200 Surfmaster which I lost when I capsized on January 1st. Since then, along with a good case of winter jitters, I have been selling reels I didn't like and spending the money on Penn replacement reels.
Most Penn reels are very inexpensive to buy used, parts are dirt cheep and the reels are very easy to service yourself.
The picture shows a Penn Senator 113H, Penn Jigmaster 500s, Penn 200 Surfmaster and a 100 Surfmaster. I have two more 200s and a 500 coming in the mail next week. I still have a couple more reels to sell and I will pick up a Penn Squidder 140 and a 146 with the money from those. All these reels depending on condition, I spent between $12.00 and $60.00 each. most ranging around $20.00. The Penn 500 in the picture was one of the reels from my uncle so that one cost nothing. Several of these reels were in near new condition and a couple moderately used, but sitting for along time.
The Penn 113 is my favorite for a project reel. It is a 1970's model (White knob on handle before I replace the handle). This reel has a great advantage in that you can change the drags without taking the reel apart. The reel had some corrosion on the cross bars and the inside was a mess as all the lubrication had dried up and the drags were fried. I took the reel down completely, Changed the drags out from a 3 drag system to a 5. Installed an accuframe I picked up for $45.00 and installed a new handle. I took pictures of the procedure and will create a web page on the tech job.
The Penn 200 in the picture was upgraded with a accuframe. The Penn 200 is essentially a Penn 140 squidder without the bearing and I am still trying to verify, but the gear maybe slightly different. I like the fact that the bearing is not on the 200, because it can take sand and water in the reel and still cast with a light rinsing. The 100 is the same as the 146 squidder Jr. without the bearing and the gear issue.
Changing the drags on the 200 and 100 are more difficult than the 113 because everything is smaller, but the procedure is the same as on the 113. Basically once you learn how to take a 500 or 113 down the rest are a piece of cake.
I am very new to reel maintenance and even being overly concerned about what reel I need. I have always caught fish on whatever equipment I have and I have not really given much thought beyond taking my reels to the tackle shop for service a couple a times a year and new line every couple months.
I am very suprised that these reels are very inexpensive, perform well and are easy maintain, now I can go blow my savings on a new pole.
-Ted
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