[crackedglass]

I've been thinking of doing a few party boat trips this year, I've been out once or twice and learned the hard way about renting tackle. I want to find a cheap conventional rod and reel that I can take along. Since I'm thinking of going on a few cod and other offshore trips, I figured something in the 4/0 size would cover everything. I don't want to spend a ton being that if I don't keep going, I'm not out a lot of cash, not to mention I don't have much to spend either.

I was looking at this:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=230437851269&ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT

Has anyone had one of these? Are they decent for the price? What are they worth?
I priced all the name brands like Penn, Okuma, and Daiwa but all are big bucks. I am hoping to get set up for around $60 tops. I did talk to one guy that uses one of these for catfish out in MS, but has never done much more than bait one rod and reel up heavy and let it sit and hope for a monster. It looks like a good tall spool reel that can take up line fast for deep water.

 

[Captainbob]

Parts & Service

IMHO, it's best to buy equipment for which you can get parts or service. That's one of the biggest reasons to buy Penn reel products. You can still get parts quickly for reels they made 40 or 50 years ago. I can't speak for the other brands like Shimano, Daiwa, etc., but there is probably a reason why many people use them, so I assume they can get them serviced too.

With the budget you mentioned, you will probably have to go with a used setup, but if you keep your eye on the Barn Sale forum and visit local flea markets. Good luck.

 

[reelworks]

Those Riptide GL series reels weren't bad at all. They weren't super heavy duty but were decent and parts are still available from Pure Fishing. Their biggest benefit is the levelwind feature and the all stainless trim. They are a very comfortable reel to fish with and for light to moderate use they do just fine. I wouldn't buy one to go trolling for big tuna but it should be fine for party boat fishing.

As far as Penn parts, they are starting to get scarce for the older models. Since they've been sold the older model parts are being discontinued and are limited to parts on hand in many cases.

The Penn reel closest to that reel would be the 340GTi but its also been discontinued and was upwards of $150 when last available. This reel also has a lower 3.25:1 gear ratio, meaning a slower line retrieve. There used to be an aftermarket gear kit for these but I believe it's also been discontinued? The only other choices are either a non levelwind Penn 113H which also brings upwards of $100 now.

I'd say that if you can pick up a Mitchell reel for say half of what the Penn goes for, brand new, it's well worth the money. It's still going to be cheaper than buying a used, slower Penn 340GTi which may or may not need repairs when you get it. Both the Mitchell and Penn are good when it comes to corrosion issues, both use anodized aluminum spools, the Mitchell has Stainless steel reinforcement side plates, the Penn is all graphite construction with a single drive side plate inside. The gears on the Penn are larger but I have had a few Penn reels with badly rusted pinion gears from neglect in salt water usage. Appearance wise the Mitchell is a better looking reel but that's just my opinion.

 

[crackedglass]

I'm more thinking that I need a tall reel with fast retrieve than a huge wide conventional. Another buddy uses a Daiwa Saltist 40 and loves it but he's got a different reel for every day of the week. I just don't have that kind of cash to spend these days.
I like the higher end reels but haven't seen any used in my price range.
I'd also like to do some drum fishing this year if I can find a party boat but I really like to do a few late season offshore trips for Sea Bass, Cod, or what ever else I can put on the table.

I doubt I'll find a nice Saltist or even a Penn in my price range but I'm always looking. I did find an old Long Beach No. 60 last year at a yard sale but its geared so low I suppose my hand would fall off before the day was out fishing in deep water.

Why do most conventional reels lack a levelwind? I refilled that old Long Beach and the line stacked all up in the middle and made a mess if I didn't guide it with one hand and crank with the other. I can't see doing this fighting a big fish on a larger reel?

 

[mjbites]

You can probly find a good deal this time of year at the fleamarkets.A Penn 320 GTI will last a lifetime if ya clean and maintain it.It has a levelwind.A pretty standard reel for cod and seabass and easy to get parts for.

Or save up and get the saltist.

 

[SIC Wit It]

It sounds like you really need an avet, but that will be hard to find in your price range, why don't most big conventional reels don't have level winds, I wish I knew, but your thumb will train itself to lay the line nicely after a trip or two

 

[stripedbass]

i agree you should look into a avet. But they are a bit out of your price range.

 

[crackedglass]

You can probly find a good deal this time of year at the fleamarkets.A Penn 320 GTI will last a lifetime if ya clean and maintain it.It has a levelwind.A pretty standard reel for cod and seabass and easy to get parts for.

Or save up and get the saltist.

I didn't think there were any fleamarkets open this time of year?

 

[Mike Hammer]

There are many fishing related fleamarkets this time of year but check the barn sale often they'll be reels the size you're looking for in there. Check in the Tackle box there was a list of them in there.

Ebay also is a source for some things but be careful some of the stuff on there can be junk.

I'd lean toward a better reel and stretch the budget a bit. A Penn Senator is a good bullet proof reel if you want simple.

 

[Tony Mig]

Check Tackle Direct...(a Bass Barn Sponsor).....for their budget priced rod & reel combo packages, they have them available in a variety of brands, but for heavy party boat fishing for Cod, Tog, or Drum, I would lean toward a heavy Penn conventional rod with a 113H Penn Senator reel.
If you find that you can stretch your budget a little, the Fin~Nor Offshore conventional reels are very good, and they come in a high speed retrieve model if you want.....

 

[crackedglass]

I looked at and like the Fin Nor reels but their just way out of my budget now. I also looked at a few Daiwa reels, one being a Saltist, which felt nicer to me than the Fin Nor, but again, way out of my price range.
One shop told me that I needed to go bigger, another kept on about how all I need was a small reel with high sides and fast line retrieve to handle just about anything. They were pushing the Saltist 20 size with no levelwind and a 4.9:1 ratio. I'd like to see something a bit larger with faster gearing, I feel the rod is what does the most lifting of the fish, not so much the reel, I was always told that the reel should only be there to take up the line and to use the rod to pump the rod and gain line by cranking the reel on the downstroke.

 

[Tony Mig]

Crackedglass.....

another option is to start trolling yard sales, once this weather breaks I have no doubt people will start holding yard sales all around the area.
There's also plenty of Fisherman's Flea Markets this time of year, I believe there's one in Ocean City next weekend hosted by "Fishenough" here on the Barn....

(I'm not 100% sure I got the date right so hopefully someone can confirm or correct that)

I've seen lot's of yard sales with stout 6' to 7' conventional rods with older Penn Senator reels attached, they usually just need a good cleaning, greasing, and fresh line. These outfits are perfect for party boat fishing for Tog & Cod.....

Good luck in your search.....:thumbsup:

 

[crackedglass]

I picked up one of these at a yard sale while in FL for work,
Browning Silaflex STR430 - http://i50.tinypic.com/2q366nk.jpg
It seems like a decent looking reel and looks new, but I've never seen one before. It's about the size of a Penn 975 or Calcutta 700 levelwind.
It's all aluminum with a wire line guide and three bearings. The ratio seems to be around 4.3:1 or there about. A quick look inside shows it's got all stainless steel gears but a nylon clicker spring. It actually looks a lot like a Shimano inside. There are no markings on saying where it was made but the guy that had it said he bought it at least 10 years ago before moving to FL. I got it for $10, so I'm not out much if its junk but I do like the feel of this reel, but fishing it may be a completely different story? I assume they're imported, but not sure where from, it carries the Silaflex name but I believe it came from that Zebco/Quantum/Browning era? I think Zebco got hold of Browning around 1990 or so I believe.
The box has no info on it other than the model name and the Browning logo. There is no website, address, or phone number on any of the paperwork or box either.

Appearance wise its a really sharp looking reel, it has a really good feel but of course that could change the minute I hang a fish.

Either way at the very worst I'm out $10, or I'll move it to a lighter rod and use it in the river for catfish.

 

[BigBassJim]

You want a good rod and reel combo.
Penn Jigmaster http://www.tackledirect.com/genpurreel.html

Ugly Stick
Conventional Rod
20-50 test line.

 

[crackedglass]

I've seen a few of those used, but all were pretty beat up or corroded.

 

[Salty Tricks]

I also agree that you should buy a used Penn. Tons of folks unloading their perfectly serviceable Penn reels on Fleabay. Many of the new $200 plus reels everybody has to have these days are indeed more efficient but not entirely necessary....certainly not for what fishing you plan. The aforementioned Penn 60 Long Beach is a total workhorse. I went cod fishing for years with a Penn 309 Super Peer and never had a problem. A Penn 330 GTI also comes to mind. If you need a beefier gear system then go with a 113H Special Senator and learn to level wind with your thumb. If I were buying used ( and I think in your case this is the best bang for your buck) I would also take my chances buying a Penn for parts availability over any other used reel. Yes some parts are being discontinued but there is such a glut of these old gems on the market that parts should not be an issue for some time. MHO

 

[Joseph Lamberty]

Anyone who seriously fishes now, probably as a kid fished with a penn reel either dads or grampas at some point in their life....I still have a few I won't part with.


Live 2 Fish
<><
Forced 2 work

 

[PalmersTackle]

I would suggest a daiwa sealine 30xsha they are very reliable--super strong and with a 6-1 ratio pick up line quickly and smoothly
you can use it for blues, stripers, and fluke..may be a little big for fluke but would work just fine..you can finf them used on the ebay site for around $65.00 great real!