Darn good saltwater kayak fishing reel?

Alan Tani really likes the Penn 501 reels for kayakers, as they are dead simple to maintain due to the quick takedown feature and the fact they use plain bearings (also known as bushings). Definitely a KISS type of reel that can take a lickin' and keep on tickin'.

The thing is, is that I personally feel that the 501 sized reel is kind of weighty. So I've been hunting eBay for months now, trying to pick up what I believe could be a very good reel for kayak rock fishing - the Penn Surfmaster 100L. Think of this reel as a plain bearing 146 sized Squidder. Unfortunately, it appears that everyone else is after this reel too, as "nearly new" reels are going for $40 each. So I compromised recently and picked up two Penn Surfmaster 150L reels from the same supplier. Cost was about $13 each plus shipping. In my hands for less than $20 each.

Capacity - 275 yards of 20 lb mono
Weight - 16.5 oz
Aluminum spools, not the plastic or chromed brass spool.

I'll be posting pictures of the teardown and rebuild soon. If I can come up with some reasonably priced blingage, I may go for that that as well. Maybe a Tiburon or Accurate frame conversion? The 150 is the same size as the 145 Squidder, so there are options.

Regards,
Scott

Thanks, Scott...  I went thru a few reels looking for the same criteria as you before settling on the 5500.  While a fine reel, I don't feel they are ideal for kayaks, (at least my type of kayaking, ie, wet and sandy kayaking).  I will be looking at the 150L's.

Eric,

As well as the 150, I certainly wouldn't pass up a reasonably priced Surfmaster 100L, or a really cheap 200 that could be converted to 100 sized for about $30. There are 4 reels in the Surfmaster series, and a couple in the Beachmaster series. The Beachmasters are missing the quick takedown feature, so I've decided against them, others may not be as concerned.

Surfmaster 100 = plain bearing Squidder 146
Surfmaster 150 =   "       "           "       145
Surfmaster 200 =   "       "           "       140
Surfmaster 250 =  plain bearing, extra wide Squidder. I see no advantage to getting this reel, unless it was to convert to something smaller, as it is just as bulky as a 501.

The folks at Stripersonline have quite a bit of info on the Penn reels, as do the folks at Penn-parts:

http://store.scottsbt.com/Penn-Reel-Specifications-W32C1.aspx#conv

Regards,
Scott

Thanks, Scott...  I went thru a few reels looking for the same criteria as you before settling on the 5500.  While a fine reel, I don't feel they are ideal for kayaks, (at least my type of kayaking, ie, wet and sandy kayaking).  I will be looking at the 150L's.

Is that 5500 still working for you? your hopped up one is sweet.

Yep, thanks again John.  I just can't shake the idea that I'll dunk it and have a bearing sieze some day.  I won't be getting rid of it, though, after landing that big ling with it.

Penns are near and dear to my heart...  my first REAL reel was a Jigmaster.

Plus Penns have cool fishing scenes on the side plate.

Thanks for the chart, Scott.  Definitely going in my files.

Yep, thanks again John.  I just can't shake the idea that I'll dunk it and have a bearing sieze some day.  I won't be getting rid of it, though, after landing that big ling with it.

Penns are near and dear to my heart...  my first REAL reel was a Jigmaster.

Plus Penns have cool fishing scenes on the side plate.

Thanks for the chart, Scott.  Definitely going in my files.

I wil be impressed if you can destroy it! we hopped it up pretty good.

those ceramic bearings with grease in them should survive quite a few dunkings. as much or more than the bushings really since there's usually some steel going through the bronze/brass bushing or it's seated in something steel.

btw, didn't you already roll and dunk it once?  . if it's still working, you are probably good.
plus you should have those backup bearings too.

also, since you are making some freshwater trips, those reels are great trolling reels with 4lb test. just put it on top of the 20 you have on there, you'll easily be able to fit 100 yards or so.  no line twist and that drag can be set for light line too.

but yeah, penn's are cool,  .

J

  If these reels are so great, why did Penn discontinue them?  They obviously have a different idea of whats great and what isn't, than those of us that have them.  (Mine is loaded with leadline for boat trolling) Was used for RF off Davenport back in it's day.

Troy
 

  If these reels are so great, why did Penn discontinue them?  They obviously have a different idea of whats great and what isn't, than those of us that have them.  (Mine is loaded with leadline for boat trolling) Was used for RF off Davenport back in it's day.

Troy

they do have more-or-less equivalents.  a seaboy 185 is today's version I think. 

any of these reels come in lefty?

If these reels are so great, why did Penn discontinue them?

jptroy,
Why did DeHavilland stop making the Beaver? Why did Winchester radically modify the Model 70 in 1964? Why did Wilderness Systems stop making the two hatch Tarpon 160? Why did Ocean Kayak stop making the Scupper Pro in the USA, but keep it in production in NZ and Australia?  All are arguably classic, functional, well thought out designs that were discontinued or radically changed in later production.


John,

I think the Seaboy is closer to the Beachmaster, in that there is no quick takedown feature.

Joel,

According to Glenn, you can convert Squidders (and thus Surfmasters) to left hand retrieve. You get funky ergonomics when you do that though.

Regards,
Scott