Alan T reel question

[Potato_River]

Alan,

I've got a bunch of my dad's old penn reels collecting dust.  Thinking about upgrading the drags and using for rockfish.  I'm looking for a higher retrieve ratio to make it easier on me.  Which reel do you think I should upgrade:

4/0, 6/0, 60, 65, 49, 209, jigmaster (not sure which model), squidder.

If memory serves me correct, the 60/65/49 are slow retrieve and good for trolling when you are cranking up a 2lb lead ball.  Probably bad choices for rock fish, right?
The squidder is a fast retrieve wide reel, but it has a plastic spool.  Is this intended more as a casting reel?  

Based on what I think I know, I'm leaning towards either the jigmaster (name implies its for jigging, right?), the 209 (not sure of the retrieve ratio) or the 4/0 (a little big and I'm not sure of the retrieve ratio).  Any pros/cons of these 3?

BTW, I will have 30-40lb mono on it with the last 150 yards being 30 lb power pro.  Will the above reels be able to handle the powerpro?  It would be used exclusively for rockfish/lings.

Thanks,
Stuart

[promethean_spark]

I've got a 3/0 (youre talking senators right?) it's got a 3/1 retrieve ratio, but it also has a fairly big spool.  I've found it to be pretty effective for rockfishing with diamond jigs, you want a heavy reel in that case so the rod is balanced with a heavy jig on the other end.  The retrieve ratio IS slow, but since rockfishing is mostly vertical, you only ever have about 100 feet of line out, maximum.  This would not be a good reel to cast heavy stuff regularly, though for me it works great casting squid from the shore for bat rays, and the huge line capacity allows me to paddle my baits out 200 yards at night and cheat a bit while staying within the letter of the law.  It's a beast of a reel though, anything bigger than the 3/0 is way too big.

I also have 2 9 levelwinds, which is the little brother of the 209.  Thats my main rockfish jigging reel for leadheads 1-4oz.  It's also kind of slow on the retrieve, but I really love that reel because it's compact and very strong.  

Probably your best bets are the 209, jigmaster and squidder.  If I had to replace my 3/0 I'd get a jigmaster.

[alantani]

stuart, the 60, 65, 49 and 209 are really not worth the work unless you need a loaner for someone.  if you can catch the next seminar (or home some saturday morning), you're only talking about $4 worth of drags per reel, so why not?

 if the 4/0 and 6/0 are high speed with red side plates, they are worth rebuilding.  if they are low speed with black side plates, they are not.  the jigmaster and squidder are definitely worth working on.  i've got some garage time tis afternoon and tomorrow morning.  you busy?