Penn Levelmatic opinions

Hello All,
Recently I picked up a Penn Levelmatic 930 inexpensively.  The insides were pretty gunked up and gummy with old lube but completely corrosion free, very limited wear and totally functional. 

Has anyone used these or have opinions either positive or negative?  It's a neat little compact levelwind saltwater baitcaster, rated for 225 yards of 12lb.  I'm wondering if it would make a decent reel for a lighter setup...kelp, rockfish etc. or if I should spiff it up and put it back out in the world.  I know it's an oldy and won't have the retrieve ratios, drag capabilities or a modern reel, but I don't mind older gear and don't have the $$$ for fancy new stuff. 

Any input welcomed and appreciated.

Cheers.

The gear ration is 4:1.  See link below for more details:

https://www.mysticparts.com/PennParts/ReelSpecs/PennLevelmatic.aspx

Thanks, Sailfish for the link.  I had checked out the specs, and have new carbontex drag washers en route to replace the gunked up old fiber washers.  As a noob to the yak/saltwater situation I hope some of the more experienced can give me a hint as to whether this is an old but worthwhile piece of kit.. or a piece of s#!t. 

Thanks, Sailfish for the link.  I had checked out the specs, and have new carbontex drag washers en route to replace the gunked up old fiber washers.  As a noob to the yak/saltwater situation I hope some of the more experienced can give me a hint as to whether this is an old but worthwhile piece of kit.. or a piece of s#!t.

Sent a PM to Alan Tani.  He's a gure on reel overhaul.

http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php?topic=23246.msg242681#msg242681

Thanks Sailfish, as always, very grateful for the shared knowledge and expertise here. 

Molen, if it were me...I would set it free.  Being a old levelwind,in good shape, sand will get in there,and destroy it. I am sure parts are gone.   I have had good luck with the Abu garcias. 5500,6500. Parts are still around the those reels. I have been running these reels for years. I don't own any of the newer Chinese versions.

Thanks, Twopatch
Again, appreciate the info.  I'll do some homework and look at those Abus.  They seem like levelwinds too, from what I've seen so far.  Is the issue not with level winds writ large, but with older levelwinds particularly?  Are they all problematic but it's more a matter of parts availability?

Thanks, Twopatch
Again, appreciate the info.  I'll do some homework and look at those Abus.  They seem like levelwinds too, from what I've seen so far.  Is the issue not with level winds writ large, but with older levelwinds particularly?  Are they all problematic but it's more a matter of parts availability?

I am a Penn reel "collector" so if you decided to "spiff it up and put it back out in the world"    I can trade you with a good reel for RF fishing.

If it has a smooth drag and you enjoy fishing with it, why not use it? Some of the mooching guys catch huge salmon on 12 pound test with old Penn reels about that size.

FWIW, I bought an Abu (6500?) a few years ago and I hated it— jerky drag and difficult controls.

If you are going to spend a bunch of money on a reel, at the moment I am pretty sold on modern low profile bait casters with power handles.

Like I said not sure about the newer ones,  I been greaseing my drag washers,with Cal's,or Shamano drag grease.  I got some Penn #9's a while back,that needed new level winds. Parts are getting scarce,and once they are gone that's it.  Sure you can use it ,and many do.  Kayak reels take a lot of abuse. 

Molen, if it were me...I would set it free.  Being a old levelwind,in good shape, sand will get in there,and destroy it. I am sure parts are gone.   I have had good luck with the Abu garcias. 5500,6500. Parts are still around the those reels. I have been running these reels for years. I don't own any of the newer Chinese versions.

I second Twopatch, the Shimano TRG 100 or 200 is a good reel for starting out as well, but I think the made in Sweden (not China) Abu's are a great value for the $$$.

Thank you Squidder K, Twopatch, all.  Humbled and grateful by the generous outpouring of info, very much appreciated. 

Thank you Squidder K, Twopatch, all.  Humbled and grateful by the generous outpouring of info, very much appreciated.

Molen, no sweat, all of us had question like this in the past.  I know I did, just paying it forward. I don't live in the NCKA area anymore, but I still like to see what is up with the guys I used to know. 

It was through NCKA I got to find out about Alan Tani, through him, I got involved with rebuilding reels.

I caught a 38 lb Bluefin on 10 lb  45years ago on one. Those were the days. 1 mile from the Redondo pier in my skiff 15 ft. Also another 20 lb Blue fin 2 King salmon at 18 lbs and a 12 lb Halibut by noon. Fly line bait. The others caught on my squidder Jr.  People I talk to except the commercial and sport guys from the era don't believe it.   Heck I was 16.  But it was cool to get mixed Salmon and Bluefin in the same spot while anchored. I WAS BY MYSELF . Ah Penn levelmatic 940 and sabre 140.

i have a levelmatic 910.  cool little reel, but i haven't fished it yet.  (found it in my dad's garage)