Any disadvantage with older reels? - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

-scallywag- · 06-21-2010, 03:57 PM

I'm only familiar with the two penn reels and they are really undergunned for targeting trophy pelagics....small drags and low gear raitos (2.5:1 and 4:1) are probably better for catfish, rockfish or maybe halibut in the bay.

modern engineering, machining and materials have made it possible to have much stronger reels in the same size, but lighter package. My favorite budget kayak reels (under 120 new) for LJ are the Sealine 30,40,50/ penn 535, 545,555/ shimano TLD star and the TLD 15 leverdrag...all can be found used for $60-80.

I would also stay away from the older penn 500/501's although alot of guys swear by them....they are just not built to fish 40lb mono or the braided lines we use and they are very close to the price of the other reels I mentioned. They make good sabiki reels tho!

Regor · 06-21-2010, 06:58 PM

Thanks all. Interesting replies as a whole.

Taking into account my experience, my gear, the wide array of fish in the area, I think I'll try and plan some of my first salt trips by targeting small anyway, and leave the big boys for all those experienced yakers out there

I'm sure as I learn and get some experience under my belt, I'll make that jump up and either try my gear on something bigger, or grab a reel a little more suitable.

Jimmyz123 · 06-21-2010, 07:38 PM

Check out E-bay and some of the listings on here for some reels and rods to upgrade to. I have bought a lot of good gear lately for not too much money. I bought a nice TLD20 for $65 loaded with 65# braid. That's not a bad deal right there.

stairman · 06-22-2010, 11:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by -scallywag-

I'm only familiar with the two penn reels and they are really undergunned for targeting trophy pelagics....small drags and low gear raitos (2.5:1 and 4:1) are probably better for catfish, rockfish or maybe halibut in the bay.

modern engineering, machining and materials have made it possible to have much stronger reels in the same size, but lighter package. My favorite budget kayak reels (under 120 new) for LJ are the Sealine 30,40,50/ penn 535, 545,555/ shimano TLD star and the TLD 15 leverdrag...all can be found used for $60-80.

I would also stay away from the older penn 500/501's although alot of guys swear by them....they are just not built to fish 40lb mono or the braided lines we use and they are very close to the price of the other reels I mentioned. They make good sabiki reels tho!

Stay away from jigmasters?That reel has caught ten times as many 40 # yellow tail and 50 # tuna then all the two speeds combined!
They are not for 20# or less and they need to be maintained but I have a couple that are 30 years old and I still use them.I ahve caught yft to 65 pounds on a 501 .....baited right back up and caught five more that day betwwen 35 and 55.....but you go right ahead and shine that 250$ reel and send it to the man at the factory for a forty dollar rebuild every year.
I also own the cool new reels but disrespecting the jigmaster is like calling me a washed up old man(even if i am)....the nerve of some people!
(i would have used the sarcasm font in some places here but i couldn't find it)

Oolie · 06-22-2010, 11:03 AM

i still think old tackle works fine.

depending on what you're doing though, if you're trying to horse a yellow out of the edge of a kelp line on braid, an old reel probably isn't up to the task, but if you're just doing some open water, give it a shot, cause trial and error will help you figure out if it's gonna work or not.

Dean Machine · 06-22-2010, 12:51 PM

Yep, jig masters do the job just fine. I know, they are not shiny. If you can't catch a large fish on a jig master I dont know what to say. They are SUPER easy to mainain. This is a MAJOR bonus when considering a reel. I have come to be very fond of this reel despite my first impressions before I actually used it and caught big fish with it. I have abused it compared to what I do with other reels and it hasn't complained yet.

Of course there will always be something better out there that we all think we need sometimes but its not always necessary. When I bought my extreme kayak it seemed to be the kayak that everyone wanted, now it seems like if I wanted to sell it I would have a tough time, but it works for me for now. Now all the hype is hobie, but I don't think that will be my next kayak (nothing against hobies) because now I have enough experience to know what works best for me.

After a while you will figure out what works and what doesn't and what is worth a little extra money but you've got to start somewhere and I don't recommend going out and buying all the hype. Try to spend aslittle as possible and fish as much as possible and you will be fine. At least try fishing with your reels for awhile and see what you like and don't like about them before upgrading. You'll be better prepared to find what will work best for you.

Good luck fishing.

T-Rex · 06-22-2010, 02:23 PM

The Penns will work fine and they're easy to maintain. I had a Penn 65 Long Beach for years and caught lots of big fish with it. I still use my Penn 500 and 505 Jigmasters on the yak. That said, new reels do work a lot better - more power, better drags, tighter tolerances in a smaller & lighter package.

Don't know much about the Ocean City reels except they've been out of production for a loooong time. Like Penns, they're probably easy to maintain, but good luck finding parts!

06-22-2010, 12:51 PM	#6
Dean Machine Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: San Clemente Posts: 162	Yep, jig masters do the job just fine. I know, they are not shiny. If you can't catch a large fish on a jig master I dont know what to say. They are SUPER easy to mainain. This is a MAJOR bonus when considering a reel. I have come to be very fond of this reel despite my first impressions before I actually used it and caught big fish with it. I have abused it compared to what I do with other reels and it hasn't complained yet. Of course there will always be something better out there that we all think we need sometimes but its not always necessary. When I bought my extreme kayak it seemed to be the kayak that everyone wanted, now it seems like if I wanted to sell it I would have a tough time, but it works for me for now. Now all the hype is hobie, but I don't think that will be my next kayak (nothing against hobies) because now I have enough experience to know what works best for me. After a while you will figure out what works and what doesn't and what is worth a little extra money but you've got to start somewhere and I don't recommend going out and buying all the hype. Try to spend aslittle as possible and fish as much as possible and you will be fine. At least try fishing with your reels for awhile and see what you like and don't like about them before upgrading. You'll be better prepared to find what will work best for you. Good luck fishing. __________________ "Good luck and tight lines!"

06-22-2010, 02:23 PM	#7
T-Rex Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Rancho Santa Margarita Posts: 770	The Penns will work fine and they're easy to maintain. I had a Penn 65 Long Beach for years and caught lots of big fish with it. I still use my Penn 500 and 505 Jigmasters on the yak. That said, new reels do work a lot better - more power, better drags, tighter tolerances in a smaller & lighter package. Don't know much about the Ocean City reels except they've been out of production for a loooong time. Like Penns, they're probably easy to maintain, but good luck finding parts! __________________

06-21-2010, 03:57 PM	#1
-scallywag- Banned Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: on the road... Posts: 598	I'm only familiar with the two penn reels and they are really undergunned for targeting trophy pelagics....small drags and low gear raitos (2.5:1 and 4:1) are probably better for catfish, rockfish or maybe halibut in the bay. modern engineering, machining and materials have made it possible to have much stronger reels in the same size, but lighter package. My favorite budget kayak reels (under 120 new) for LJ are the Sealine 30,40,50/ penn 535, 545,555/ shimano TLD star and the TLD 15 leverdrag...all can be found used for $60-80. I would also stay away from the older penn 500/501's although alot of guys swear by them....they are just not built to fish 40lb mono or the braided lines we use and they are very close to the price of the other reels I mentioned. They make good sabiki reels tho!

06-21-2010, 06:58 PM	#2
Regor Greg Join Date: May 2010 Location: Chula Vista, ca Posts: 509	Thanks all. Interesting replies as a whole. Taking into account my experience, my gear, the wide array of fish in the area, I think I'll try and plan some of my first salt trips by targeting small anyway, and leave the big boys for all those experienced yakers out there I'm sure as I learn and get some experience under my belt, I'll make that jump up and either try my gear on something bigger, or grab a reel a little more suitable.

06-21-2010, 07:38 PM	#3
Jimmyz123 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: San Diego Posts: 2,385	Check out E-bay and some of the listings on here for some reels and rods to upgrade to. I have bought a lot of good gear lately for not too much money. I bought a nice TLD20 for $65 loaded with 65# braid. That's not a bad deal right there.