Penn Senator

[fish-aholic]

I've been looking at Penn Senators on Ebay. Tons of 2/0-12/0 available. The most appear to be 4/0 and 6/0 size. Some of them go for a real steal. So, what would you recommend as the smallest Senator setup you'd use and how much do you think is too much to spend on one.

[igormothra]

since Ben landed that monster on spinning gear... I would think any would work. you just have to consider line capacity.

[Sam]

Ben landed a nice sand tiger shark. Oliver, you have yet to feel the power of the sandbar. (in my best darth vader voice)

[Coop]

if your yakiing baits, go with the larger one just because of line capacity,,,if just casting, the smaller would be fine,,,plan on using mono or braid?

[max]

I have 2 9/0's and 1 6/0. With the 9/0's I guess between the spectra and mono I have around 1000yds of line on each. The 6/0 has 50# mono on it, around 575yds. I wouldn't pay more than $90 for the 9/0 and around $75 for the 6/0 unless they are new. I bought all 3 reels this past year on E-bay. The important thing to remember is don't be in a rush to buy and when the prise is low wait until the last few minutes of the auction on E-bay.

[igormothra]

I can't wait to feel one of those sandbars on the other end

[eklutna]

If you are going to yak your bait out get the 9/0. I would recommend getting a 2001 or later version. It is the one with the one piece graphite frame and aluminum spool. You want this one because it is not as likely to corrode. You should be able to get one for under one hundred dollars on flea bay.

[Steve]

I don't trust the graphite with a big Chark. Randy and I looked at the graphite seat 9/0 reels at BPS and he settled on the steel seat of the Penn.

[eklutna]

Steve

I am not talking about the three piece graphite setup you find on older Penn Reels. I am talking about the One piece Graphite setup that Penn offered starting in 2001. I have it on my 113HLW. It creates a much more ridged frame and is light weight and corrosion resistant. Penn basically made a Newell knockoff.

If you look at the forces that are being put on the reel seat they are not that much. Drag is typically set at 25-33% of line strength. If you are using 50-80 pound line that is only 12-25 pounds of worst case force on the reel seat. Still, fighting a big shark is like bench pressing 25 pounds steady for a hour or more. You might give out before you reel stand.

My 113 reel uses 30 pound line and I will only have 10 pound drag setting worst case. The 113 is designed for fish up to 100 pounds. Strong enough for the sharks I will find in the Gulf coast of Florida.

If you are worried about the graphite reel seat (Really a Stainless steel stand riveted to Graphite frame section) you can get stronger reels. I am surprised you don't go for a 12/0 or 16/0 reel with the front and rear saddle clamps. According to the Penn catalog the 9/0 is only good for fish from 50 to 250 pounds. You would probably benefit from a 16/0 reel that is good for fish over 400 pounds. I have seen these reels sell for less than 1K on auction.

[Steve]

The 115L that Randy and I bought is a steel frame with steel seat. There were other brands that had the graphite rivited to the steel (?) frame.

I'd love to have a 117 but it's not in my price range....

[ben23]

yeah i really want to know what it feels like to get a hold of a sandbar........although there was an article that i saw down in VA......................
it was about a 9 year old kid who caught a 5' sandbar on spinning gear in 15 minutes

i guess the shark was sleepy?

[Steve]

Just bought another 115 off ebay for a hunnerd bucks shipped!
Described and looks to be in fantastic shape.
Going to put it on a Shakespere just like my other setup.

There's more out there, now's the time to get 'em!

[fish-aholic]

Now that I'm gonna do the rod building, I can strip down my old penn slammer (that you dropped off when you picked up the rack) and fix the reel seat which is spinning, my old Penn Long Beach No. 68 will go back on that and I'm Considering a few new options for the new rod. Possibly a Daiwa 900H, Shimano TLD30 and the Senator is in there too....

[fish-aholic]

Came across a NIB Team Tica ST558 Lever Drag reel today for $100 since it was one that I was looking at, it is the same price as the amex gift card I have, gonna swap straight up card for reel....Dude has 2 total if anyone else is interested. holds 30/300, so it should work great, I will probably go 50 PP on it and really pack it in. Should be nice as well for trolling once I get to SC and get my boat.

[Steve]

I still need a 117, I want to fill it with 130# for my Tiger or Bull....
Also need volunteers to walk it out for it's release.