Penn reel reccommendations

Hello All,
Genuine noob here with a genuine noob question.  I'm getting set up with a basic kit and would like some input and/or insight into the specific differences and reasons for preferences between Penn squidder and jigmaster.  Aside from the ball bearing vs bushing difference, is there a specific advantage to one over the other.  This would be for SF Bay halibut, stripers, and eventually some rockfish usage.  The reel would sit on an ugly stick tiger 7' M rod.  After having bought the kayak (even used was a bit of a splurge) I'm trying to put together a kit on a bit of a budget, but want to get dependable tackle nonetheless.  I'm very happy taking apart/servicing/rehabbing older reels too.  I have found, on this site, people favoring one vs. the other, but not a side-by-side breakdown.  Any input very much appreciated.
Cheers

I prefer the jigmaster for these reasons: Retrieves more line per crank, bushings will outlast bearings, the jigmaster’s dog spring is not as annoying as the squidder’s dog spring.
Whichever one you decide to get,  try to get a narrow version and slap a power handle on it. Can’t go wrong with either. A surfmaster is also worth considering. It’s pretty much a squidder with bushings.

Outstanding, thank you jkjhung.  I appreciate the summary, this is the breakdown I'd been hoping for.  I will keep my eyes peeled for a decent jigmaster.  Is the dog spring issue the leaf/flat spring vs the coil spring?  Is it worth tracking down an older US made version or are the Chinese made jigmasters adequately sound?

Do you guys give these reels extra oil and grease, anticipating greater exposure and water intrusion in kayak duty, or follow the standard service specs?

Yes, the dog spring in the squidder is the coil type and can be a real pain to work with. The jigmaster uses the leaf type.
Old vintage jigmasters in decent condition are really easy to come by at half the price of new ones, so I’ve never felt the need to buy a new one.
I don’t put any extra grease or oil in these. If they get dunked or touch the sand I will open them up and clean/ re-lube. Rinse with freshwater after every outing and re-grease the drag stack once a year and youre good to go.

Thanks for your input.  This sounds like the perfect solution to the equation of (durabiliy +longevity)/$.  Is the aluminum spool upgrade a must-have?

I picked up my current jigmaster for 15 bucks on ebay. Barely used reel. First one I purchased was in the early 1960's and finally wore it out as well as cracked the outer plate on a rock. They are great reels. First generation plastic spools could crack by the flanges so aluminum is better but not essential.

Aluminum will last longer. If you plan to fish mono line on the plastic spool make sure you put a good amount of tape and some other kind of backing like Dacron line. Under pressure the mono will stretch and squeeze and crack the plastic spool to pieces if there is no backing

One other thing. Make sure the thumb set screw for the quick release of the crank side side plate is tight. Lent one my jigmaster Penn's to my son for rock fishing off shore. He made a cast toward a wash rock and pop! There goes the side plate into 50 feet of water.

Thanks guys, much appreciated. 

Jigmasters have larger drag washers,than sQuiders,surfmasters,black senators,and long beaches. Gear ratio is 4:1 and high speed is 5:1.  There is 3 sizes 500 ,standard sized. 99 also known as the albacore special.mid sized. "This only applies to aftermarket kits." And then the 501 which is the narrow version. Many 500s have been converted to the narrow version.   The 505,and 506 are the high speed version,and it has berrings. The spools,on the berring reels are not interchangeable,with the bushing models. The upgraded kits are made by Newell,accurate,tiburon,and a few more. If Google Alan Tani. He has a website that will tell you everything about every reel out there. I hope this helps you. By the way my kayak reels are surfmaster 100's and jigmaster s 501's .

Jigmasters have larger drag washers,than sQuiders,surfmasters,black senators,and long beaches. Gear ratio is 4:1 and high speed is 5:1.  There is 3 sizes 500 ,standard sized. 99 also known as the albacore special.mid sized. "This only applies to aftermarket kits." And then the 501 which is the narrow version. Many 500s have been converted to the narrow version.   The 505,and 506 are the high speed version,and it has berrings. The spools,on the berring reels are not interchangeable,with the bushing models. The upgraded kits are made by Newell,accurate,tiburon,and a few more. If Google Alan Tani. He has a website that will tell you everything about every reel out there. I hope this helps you. By the way my kayak reels are surfmaster 100's and jigmaster s 501's .

Outstanding, Thank you Twopatch.  I'm keeping my eyes peeled for a good condition 501.  Really appreciated the generosity of information.

All things being equal I don't like the jigmaster for kayak fishing. Hit up AlanTani.com to see what you can do on the cheap to a Surfmaster or Squidder.  it is a smaller reel, easier to thumb control. Weighs less and with Carbon 5+1 Drags you got the Jigmaster beat. 

Simple upgrade would include 5+1 drag replacement, grease the drags with some Cal's reel grease, upgrade the handle to a Penn Power Handle.   put a couple of coats of black nail polish on the lip of the spool. This will take up the excess space between the spool and the reel.  This is a big deal on any older Penn that you wish to use Braid or some other high tech line on.  If you are using conventional Mono, skip the nail polish and don't load it with anything smaller than 30 LB mono, anything smaller has the potential of catching in the sides. 

If money is tight, open the reel and grease or replace the drags with stock Penn drags.  Replacement drag discs are made from HT-100, the old ones may be God only knows what.

Also for fishing out here, avoid a 5:1 Jigmaster, the ratio is to high. Go salmon fishing once and you will think you have a concrete mixer on the end of the line. They are geared to high for salmon fishing on a charter or even a Kayak.

I have a bunch of old Penn's and love working on them, and upgrading them. But one of my go to workhorses is a Shimano TRD 100 with Carbon Fiber (CF) drags, and an Alan Tani Shimano handle.   

Thanks for your input.  This sounds like the perfect solution to the equation of (durabiliy +longevity)/$.  Is the aluminum spool upgrade a must-have?

Hey Molen: Penn had three types of spools: Chrome steel, Plastic, Aluminum.  The few plastic ones out there that didn't break, didn't get used, those reels will cost more to get ready for use.  Chrome Steel, if it isn't pitted to hell, it can be a decent reel, but check the spool for how it retrieves. If it is all over the place, set it down and walk away. Odds are the Spool shafts are bent and you can dick with them from now till the end of time and they won't straighten.   Aluminum, Good reel if the coating on it is still intact, if not check for pitting. 

Other reels if come across them is the Penn 99 also a good reel to work with. Reel to avoid the Delmar series, for two reason slow rate of retrieve (2:1 or 2.5:1), and many of them had plastic spools.  The 349 is a good reel, larger but it is a tank.  A Clone to the smaller Penns and a very good reel if you find them is the Newell 200. Since Newell went out of business they have gone up in price.   One other thing to point out American Made Penns and Chinese made Penns of the same model number are not always interchangeable.

Hey Squidder K,
Thanks very much for chiming in, I really appreciate the experience and perspective.  I've been looking at the Newell 200 series, there doesn't seem to be an unfavorable word ever spoken or written about them.  I don't know if this is lore/legend status now that they are out of production and made of unobtainum, or if they are genuinely that awesome.  I wonder how replacement parts would work in the foreseeable future for these if one were to shell out the $$ to grab one. 
Thanks for the vote fore the surfmaster too, I will check it out.

Molen, the Newell's are the cat's meow. The ones that start with a "P"  are made out of Aluminum. Those are the prized ones. I have 4 of them. I only use them for surface fishing down south. They cast a mile. I lot of guys love these reels,so the price is kind up there.