halibut fishing reel question

[pjb3]

as a matter of fact i use mostly penn reels for my boat rods. 209, long beach, and 49s....

some of mine may be 40+ years old (2x as old as i am) but the only plastic on them is the outter covers/cowlings, but they are on my first-string rods

ive found i can buy 3 or 4 old penn reels, clean them up, replace parts and referbish them for the price of buying one new reel/rod combo.... if you know how to fix them, they are the best bang for the buck.... in my mind.

 they might not have a high speed ratio or anything special, but i have the reels my grandpa bought when my dad was a kid, and still use them on my boat.... i think the most ive paid for one is like 40 bucks



 i can rely on them 110% of the time no matter what under any condition...  

My rod/reel I use for halibut is a real old Penn model 309, bought for $20 10 years ago and that is with the rod too

[pjb3]

I might try to see if I can make it a right handed crank

[pjb3]

DUH, I went out and got my poles, the spinning reels are left crank and bait caster is right. I prefer the crank to be on the left but oh well. My issue really is when I crank on it, teh pole twists, maybe because the reel is on the top of the pole where the spinner is on the bottom, more leverage


CONFUSED

[Button Nubbs]

Then you need to get a lefty caster. I'd be willing to put money on it that it will feel more natural.

I have both lefty and righty casters, I am a little better with rightys but can use leftys just fine. A little practice is all it takes to be a switch hitter

[pjb3]

Just did some research on what I have, I don[t even have a bait caster, its a conventional reel.

[jeepster]

PJB3


not to be a smartass



but just flip the rod over so the crank is on the left. probelm solved.


im left handed, and thats how i fish. i have 12+ levelwind rod/reels, and i fish every single one of em "upside down"

 besides its better for your rods to be fished "upside down" because it loads the rod properly, the line isnt sitting on top of the rod, its handing under it so the spine of the rod supports the line.... if that makes any sence. thats why the reel hangs down on spinning and fly rods.

if i reeled with the line "on top" of the rod ("right side up") id invest in twist rods.... but thats just me, and a whole nother can o worms

[pjb3]

PJB3


not to be a smartass



but just flip the rod over so the crank is on the left. probelm solved.

If I did, wouldn't you have to crank the handle in reverse?

[lokidog]

PJB3


not to be a smartass



but just flip the rod over so the crank is on the left. probelm solved.

If I did, wouldn't you have to crank the handle in reverse?

Yes.

I grew up with left handed spinning reels, before you could switch them back and forth.  The Penns work great for me but I have been trying to build up the muscle memory for realing with my left hand so that I can comfortably go either way.  The state put a little damper on that closing rockfish in the sound last year though.   

BTW, don't tell anyone else about how good the old Penns are!   

[Button Nubbs]

Jeepster,
Excuse my ignorance as I know virtually nothing about rod building but are you saying the spine is always on the opposite side of the guides? Why are ALL casting rods made to be fished with the guides up and all spinning/fly rods made to be fished with the guides down? It dosent make sense to me.

[wildmanoutdoors]

Casting/level wind/conventional reels are always fished up. Thats the standard.
Spinning and fly reels are made to be fished down. Thats the standard.

Believe me, the casting rods fished with the eyes up are correct in every way. And spinning rods fished with eyes down are correct in every way.

Its up to the rod builder to ensure the spine is correct for either style they build. If you have a conventional, and fish it upside down, your fishing it wrong. And the line hitting the blank hurts or effects nothing....

Not saying Jeepster cant do it his way. But it is not the norm and very odd. Kinda like when you see a guy with his spinning reel up.

If you fish enough the correct/standard way, you will get used to it.

And most big game conventional reels don't come left or right. People just get used to it.

[wildmanoutdoors]

The only other thing Ill add is if you don't like the wobble when reeling a Halibut off the bottom with a conventional like all old Penn's have, look into a low profile style or one that has the handle close to the rod blank on a gear reduction. Penn 340 and 345 for low pro. And look at the Avets for high torque gear reduction. Awesome reels those Avets...

[pjb3]

The only other thing Ill add is if you don't like the wobble when reeling a Halibut off the bottom with a conventional like all old Penn's have, look into a low profile style or one that has the handle close to the rod blank on a gear reduction. Penn 340 and 345 for low pro. And look at the Avets for high torque gear reduction. Awesome reels those Avets...

Thats what I dont like, so it is "normal"? The "wobble" that is.  I get it now, just have to get used to it I guess. I thought it was me or the rod/reel

[Button Nubbs]

That's what I thought wildman

[wildmanoutdoors]

Its because the cranks shaft is up off the rod in the center of the reel. The closer you get the cranks shaft, the less wobble you have.
Most just kind of lay it against there forearm thats not doing the cranking. Its completely normal. And its also the reason Penn came out with the 340 and 345 GT,s eliminates the wobble.
See how the Avet's crank is low on the reel off a gear reduction? It not only eliminates wobble but also is like a winch. No strain at all. they really haul line effortlessly.

[pjb3]

Well I just might get rid of the reel, really don[t like it at all