Old reels to use kayak fishing?

[Kalashnikov]

Hi, I am an avid fisherman that really enjoys fishing offshore of Pensacola FL from kayaks. Most of my offshore kayak fishing time is spent slow trolling for (roughly 3mph) for kingfish with the occasional bottom fishing for snapper and small grouper. I also spend a fair amount of time sight casting to whatever fish I see while out trolling around. I currently use a modern 2500 series spinning reel, a 6k spinning reel, and a shimano tld25.

While growing up my Dad and Grandpa always used Penn conventional reels, and lately I have started considering replacing my modern gear with older USA made Penn gear that will hopefully serve me good and be tough and reliable to boot. I take care of my reels after fishing but they will be getting wet and even occasionally a little sandy while being used.

My question is, what are some of the cheaper to buy USA made Penn reels that would be good for what I am planning on doing with them? Somewhere around a shimano tld 25 in function should cover most of the trolling and bottom fishing needs I have without being to unwieldy from a kayak.

I am hoping this will lead me down a path to start a nice collection for display also but first need to get ones to use. I currently have my Dads old spinfisher on my mantle and it is lonely.

Thanks for any info and I look forward to learning a lot from ORCA.

[john elder]

Welcome! Re TLD 25 size,I would say you want to go for a nice 4/0 Senater. They have been made for a number of years and the early ones with the scenic back plates are both highly collectible and good fishing reels, as well. I’m fresh out of Penns in the sale pile, but i’m betting there are others here that can help you!

Best,
John

[Richard Lodge]

Welcome to the board, Kal. Where are you fishing in that photo (Iraq?) and what kind of fish were in there?
Richard

[Reeltyme]

Welcome Kal, I’m not sure you’ll need the auto for the fish in Florida, but it couldn’t hurt! I will agree with replacing your TLD with either a Senator 4/0 or even a 3/0. Both reels would handle anything your TLD does and will last a lifetime. The TLD will be done in a few years Any vintage reel you purchase, I would recommend that you open it up (or have someone do it) and remove the old grease and add new. A service job is inexpensive and worth every dime. Your “new” reel will most likely outlast you. As for the spinners, the Penn “SS” series is bulletproof. A nice 4000 ish Penn will handle about anything of reasonable size out there. If a big boy takes the bait (and I hope they do) you might wish you had a little bigger Penn, but your reel will not let you down. The line might, but the reel won’t. If you decide to go with a “nice” new reel, good luck and may the force be with you, most are (in my opinion) junk! Go vintage or go home!
Thanks for all you’ve done for us!
Reeltyme
Randy McConnell

[Kalashnikov]

Welcome to the board, Kal. Where are you fishing in that photo (Iraq?) and what kind of fish were in there?
Richard

That picture is on one of my many deployments to Iraq, that was taken in the Baghdad area on Camp Slayer. I usually had a couple hours a week that I was able to get a line wet and the fishing there was interesting. The water was full of fish, to the point it was hard not to catch something. Problem was getting past the carp like fish and catfish like fish to go after the asp fish which was usually my target.

[Kalashnikov]

Thanks for the welcome, I am going to start keeping an eye on ebay for some Senators in the 3/0 and 4/0 range. Are there any particular models or year ranges that yall would recommend that would be a better choice for me or should I just keep an eye out for some that are cosmetically flawed but 100% functional. Regardless what I get, I plan to go through it and clean and relube them.

[Reeltyme]

If you pull up sold or completed sales when searching the Penns, you’ll have an idea on what to pay for the going price. As for models, you can choose between the standard black side or the high speed red side. Either reel is fine, choice is yours. Do not put to much emphasis on looks. These are tanks (American of course) so shoot for one that looks like the middle of the road. Watch out for shipping charges, some folks are very high! Good luck in your search.

[oc1]

The high speed 3/0 and 4/0 with red side plates (Penn 112h and 113h) came out in the 1960's. The original Senator 112 and 113 with black side plates came out in the late 1930's. There were subtle design changes within models over the years that you will soon learn about.

In my opinion, a 2/0 or 3/0 is more suited to kayak fishing. They is less bulky and top-heavy and are unlikely to run out of line on a sleigh ride. If using spectra braid, a 1/0 is plenty for kingfish.

If going the spinning route, look at the old greenie Penn Spinfisher 700 series (704, 706, 710, etc) or the slightly later black/gold Penn Spinfisher 700Z series. Not as smooth and quiet as more modern equipment, but you can dunk them, drag them in the sand, put them away wet, and they will still be ready to fish the next time.
-steve

[Kalashnikov]

The high speed 3/0 and 4/0 with red side plates (Penn 112h and 113h) came out in the 1960's. The original Senator 112 and 113 with black side plates came out in the late 1930's. There were subtle design changes within models over the years that you will soon learn about.

In my opinion, a 2/0 or 3/0 is more suited to kayak fishing. They is less bulky and top-heavy and are unlikely to run out of line on a sleigh ride. If using spectra braid, a 1/0 is plenty for kingfish.

If going the spinning route, look at the old greenie Penn Spinfisher 700 series (704, 706, 710, etc) or the slightly later black/gold Penn Spinfisher 700Z series. Not as smooth and quiet as more modern equipment, but you can dunk them, drag them in the sand, put them away wet, and they will still be ready to fish the next time.
-steve

Lighter/smaller gear is always welcome on my kayak

I have my Dad's old 750ss which I won't use from my kayak, I am too scared to lose it even though I tether my poles to the yak, but I do like the size to replace my 6k spinner for Tarpon/sailfish duties, so my plan is to keep an eye out for one.

I think a 112h should work pretty good for a TLD25 replacement for bottom fishing duties from the reading I have been doing. The reefs I kayak to are between 3-5 miles offshore and range from 50-100ish feet of water so it will hold plenty of line and should have more than enough drag, at least more than I can utilize from my yak.

I need to figure out which Greenie would be a good replacement for a 2500/3000 series spinner, they would be the reels I use more than all the rest. I use my little spinners for all my inshore fishing and the majority of my offshore sight casting unless it is a tarpon or sailfish (dreaming) that I am casting to.

Any suggestions on models in the 1/0 and 2/0 sizes that would be good for trolling around?

Thanks for all the suggestions and help everyone, it is really appreciated.

[Midway Tommy D]

Here's a Penn 700Z spec chart. The 700 series "greenie" specs are the same. Main differences are only in the colors.


If you're looking on the medium to light side the 712 might be a good option. The 720 & 722 are econo models and not as well made so I would not suggest them. The 714 is an UL and would be marginal for any tougher/larger fish.

[oc1]

I fish almost exclusively with vintage reels and do not see them as a handicap at all. I use spectra braid though as vintage types of line (including mono IMHO) can create quite a bit of handicap. The thing is, the small diameter spectra line has dramatically reduced the size of the reel needed for a particular task. Some old Penn reels (the Peerless #9 comes to mind) can hold enough spectra to handle much larger fish than they were intended for but the internals and levelwind may not hold up. If you stay with the Penn Senator series and older Penn Spinfisher series (716 size and above) you will have rugged internal strength and you can choose a size (line capacity) to match the task at hand. The narrow spool versions of the Penn Squidder and Penn Jigmaster would be other good options. The narrow spool Squidder is a tough little reel that will cast better than a Senator of similar size.

It should be noted that some people do not like the way older Spinfishers lay spectra line on the spool. I agree it is not perfect, but do it often and have never had adverse consequences.
-steve

[Wayne B.]

My pick would be a Squidder 140, 145, or 146. They are smaller than the 3/0 and 4/0 so will be easier to handle in the kayak. Plus they are great for surf fishing if you don’t want to bother with the kayak. They have ball bearings and are a “quick take apart” design so they are easily maintained. With the new braided lines and a well maintained reel, these should handle what you are looking for. (140 wide spool, 146 narrow spool, 145 somewhere in between)