Reel Question for the group

Of all the saltwater reels I use, the TR100G has been the most durable and low maintenance.  A close second would be the ABU 5500/6500 CL3's.

I have a pile of ambassadeurs purchased used on ebay in various states of hotrod-ification.

(carbon fiber drag, stainless steel pinion gear, level-wind removal, power handle, ceramic bearings).

if one breaks, I'll just stick another on. you can mix and match parts to get different gear ratios and spool sizes.

they seem to handle the salt surprisingly well. I think the instant anti-reverse is the weak link but mine are okay so far.
an anti-reverse dog would be better.

no reel will be okay after a significant sandy dunking, you'll have to take it apart and clean it. that might take awhile so you might as well have a backup or two. or nine,  .

I also finally found a couple used left handed newells on ebay if I ever get the chance to fish for "big" fish.

actually took a newell out for WSB hunting on saturday.

those avets are nice, but $150+ and six bearings? how long are those going to stay good? might as well take up fly fishing
with that kind of foofy sissy-boy gear,  . or move to so-cal,  .

If I liked right handed reels, I might just use a penn seaboy 185. $30, 12 oz, no level wind. what more do you need?

Shimano or Daiwa...end or story...

Ken kickfish

I might just use a penn seaboy 185. $30, 12 oz, no level wind. what more do you need?

I have a 180 Baymaster on the way.  Very similar to the 185.

The Baymaster arrived and I'm disappointed...  It doesn't have the easy breeakdown screw like the Squidders and Jigmasters, and the handle is goofy.  It IS the perfect size, however, (even narrower than the Squidder 145).

I'm going with the Squidder for now, and I'll keep my eyes peeled for a 185 or 501.

Thanks again for all the suggestions.

you could get a different handle for the 180 I'm sure.

$40 for a new seaboy 185:

http://www.pennfishingstore.com/penn-185-reel.html?productid=penn-185-reel&channelid=FROOG

at 17 oz it seems a little heavy still, but it's definitely got the complete and total lack of bling cool,  .

kind of like buying one of those VW bugs made in mexico just last year,  .

btw, what don't you like about the squidder? just a little too big?

J

I love the squidder, just worried the bearings will get corroded or freeze up if sand gets in there.

I think the squidder just has bushings. unless you upgraded it?

basically if you really do dump that thing, you have to take it apart or
take it to somebody like alan tani and let them do it.

no reel can handle as serious sandy dunk without being cleaned.

kind of sounds like you have the perfect reel already, just keep that 180 for
backup use if the squidder is in for service?

John.

 I still have my 1st Penn reel(146 squidder) it has gone through many changes over the years.Some of the mods were an Penn aluminum spool,Accurate frame,baby international style power handle, spectra line,hi-perf reel oil on the bearings,greased HT-100 drag washers and greasing all the screw holes and metal to metal contacts to minimize corrosion.  Because of the easy take down cleaning is a snap. It is a fine reel for all the bottomfish and salmon. I probably wouldn't target Albacore, the little drags might not last too long but it holds enough spectra if you wanted to screw around.
 Really my only gripes with that reel is the low gear ratio and the weight. Most other reels will not be as simple to clean out after a roll over in the salt. The Penns are the Old School workhorse reels and great entry level tools that can be upgraded.

If anyone is worried about sand why not just stow your reels when entering and exiting the surf or at the very least get a good reel cover??

The Penns are the Old School workhorse reels and great entry level tools that can be upgraded.

The old school Penns are the workhorses.  I passed by a new 500 jigmaster yesterday at sports chalet   

Agreed, I have been going thru my old Penns and the new ones are not built to the same standards.

Seems like there's a niche they missed, though...  The 501 narrow spooled Jigmaster is still a monster of a reel, and noone needs that much line, imo...  correct me if I'm wrong...

The 185 Seaboy would be perfect, but lacks the easy takedown/cleaning of the Squidder and Jigmasters.

I know I'm probably over analyzing this, the narrow Squidder is about as close to perfection as I should reasonably expect...  but with bushings and a little less weight it would be a truly perfect yak ocean reel, imo.

Agreed, I have been going thru my old Penns and the new ones are not built to the same standards.

Seems like there's a niche they missed, though...  The 501 narrow spooled Jigmaster is still a monster of a reel, and noone needs that much line, imo...  correct me if I'm wrong...

The 185 Seaboy would be perfect, but lacks the easy takedown/cleaning of the Squidder and Jigmasters.

I know I'm probably over analyzing this, the narrow Squidder is about as close to perfection as I should reasonably expect...  but with bushings and a little less weight it would be a truly perfect yak ocean reel, imo.

Analyzing is fun. 

I think you are basically right that the ideal nor-cal inshore reel does not exist in an unmodified state.

Which is kind of good as people that like to optimize and hot rod have something to do.

some of my reel adventures are here:

http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php/topic,3724.msg41373.html#msg41373

Have fun!
J

For those that are interested, there is a reel that is Squidder 146 size and shares many of the parts. Except it uses plain bearings, not ball bearings. It has the easy take down as well. Do some research

Regards,
Scott

you mean the 501 jigmaster right? but that thing weighs 22 oz or something. it's a brick.

it is also not spectra friendly. and doesn't come in left handed versions.

J