Opinions wanted

[Grant]

What is your opinion of the Penn 209M reels for flats? also, the cabelas branded levelwinders?

thanks

Grant

[Flaco651]

I don't know anything about the models you've mentioned. The Penn 220 GTO might be a better option if you go the Penn route.

[sparcebag]

It's a great reel for the price!!I have one from when I lived on the west Coast.I used it for flats and got another for the lady! They cast nice with some pratice,The thing I like most is cast out set it in freespool,put the clicker on and the current does'nt drag line out but a cat takin it can run free and that clicker can be heard very easily even from a distance.Great price too $50.00!!! 209M paired with a whoppin stick cheap, durable,reliable,

[Grant]

thanks for the info- I do like the price on the 209M -what initially caught my attention. that and I know Penn is a pretty good brand.

for the rod it was down to the whoppin stick and the king kat, i'll probably get the whoppin stick because I'm not a real big fan of foam grips.

[Grant]

another question-

would it be worth it to spring the extra 10 bucks for the 309M's extra beef, or would it be overkill?

[sparcebag]

Well when you see the 209,if you dont someone will think its overkill!

[hanson]

After a little research, here's my opinion for what its worth.

Penn 209M

- 320 yard capacity 20lb mono line

- 2.8:1 Gear Ratio

Penn 309M

- 350 yard capacity 30lb mono line

- 2.8:1 Gear Ratio

Both these reels have more line capacity than a guy will probably ever need. A Garcia 7000 holds 325 yards of 17lb mono. So...the 309M holds a ton of line. With that said, you'll have to spool on a significant amount of backing and then your mainline so you don't break the bank spooling the reel full of the "good stuff" For castability, you want your spool full. My opinion, the 309M is way overkill in this department.

Its the gear ratio that has me wondering. 2.8:1 is very low. To put things in perspective, a Garcia 6500C3 has 5.3:1 and a Garcia 7000C3 is 4.1:1. There is a noticeable difference between the 6500 & 7000 with how quickly they pick up line, the 6500 is much faster, the 7000 has a little more "power". The Penn is definitely going to be a "winch".

Do you have any thoughts on this Sparcebag? I don't have this reel nor have used it. Does your experience with a 209 back up what I'm inferring from the stats or am I reading things wrong.

[channelfats]

I Own 2 models of penn reels(not sure on model details) that were given to me by my father and grand father many years ago. The reels are older than me, and there in top notch condition. Penn builds tough reels. At least I know they used to, not sure about now. We use them for open water lakers, trolling and set lines. They cast, more like 'huck', but they are not for 'casting'. The bigger size you get, the more money on line, like mentioned before. Not as versatile as an Abu's, but for flathead set lines.... it could crank a sunken boat to the surface.

[Ralph Wiggum]

I, too, think the 209M is more than enough in the size department. And I agree that a 2.8:1 ratio is very low--lots of power, yes, but if a fish comes at you, you will have problems picking up the slack line.

The 220GTO was mentioned. It looks like this reel has the same line capacity (320/20) as the 209M but features a 4.2:1 ratio, which would be more of what I would want.

Cabela's lists the 209M for $50 and the 220GTO for $60.

For my money, I would get the 220GTO. Keep in mind though, I have never actually handled either reel. I will have to get my hands on them next time I visit the Rogers store. I would love an affordable yet reliable alternative to Abu Garcia.

Can those of you who have Penn reels comment on their drags? Are they smooth and strong?

[Dirk W]

I own a 209. With its low gear ratio you can reel in a 6 lb channel cat like a minnow and a 45lb flathead is no problem. Its a good reel for the price - tough.

Here are some things I don't like about it. It has no direct drive - meaning one must manually engage the reel by flipping the lever before you set the hook. If you don't you will have major problems (I speak from experience), the reel will be useless for the night and 30$ worth of braided line may go down the drain. If other reels in your boat are direct drive its only going to be a matter of time before you or someone else fishing with you forgets wich reel is which and sets without engaging the reel.

The reel casts OK once you get used to it but its not a great caster IMO. Garcias are way better.

My reel is probably 8-9 years old. They may have changed some things since then. Good luch with your purchase, whichever reel you choose.

[sparcebag]

Well I like them I've gaught a138lb.halibut with it,Thats what I meant when I said people will think its too large.And yess the freespool lever doesnt auto engage,but I'm use to it.I'm spooled with 80 lb.braided used all 80-100yds. what ever it was.they crank really smooth,they cast just like the real old casting reels (thumb the spool)but again Im used to it.Ralph Wiggum if ya come out to shoot carp I'll let ya cast it off the dock.I'd never have it if it wasnt for ocean fishin but I tell ya what I dont think theres a reel out there that can out preform it when ya got a over 40 flat headin for the snags! the drag is as smooth as my Quantam.But nothin but a wall hanger is gonna strip the drag with 80 braid 40lb. leader.And all the salt & sand from the ocean hasent affected it.Its like that pink bunny!Had to edit! It also has very few moving parts,rinses clean,from fishin sand bars,droppin it in sand water mud,its TOUGH!!But that newer model 220?? whatever looks good!Yet for the clicker in freespool thats great!

[Ralph Wiggum]

Quote:

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Ralph Wiggum if ya come out to shoot carp I'll let ya cast it off the dock.

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You got it, dude!

[Grant]

whew, it looks like a bit of a lively debate! I hadn't noticed the 220 GTO previously, it looks like a good one as well. does it have direct drive?

[Ralph Wiggum]

I doubt it. Most reels in this category do not. If you want direct drive in a big reel, you're pretty much stuck with the Abu 7000 series as far as I've found.

[hanson]

That 220 GTO looks like it has potential to be a great cat reel at a good price!

I'm pretty sure the reel won't engage when cranking the handle. You'll have to flip the lever to engage the spool, just like the Shimano Tekotas.

I'm not a fan of flipping the lever down before setting the hook. I've "fanned" a few times in my life, even with a reel you engage by cranking, the lever just adds one extra level of monkey business. I even "fanned" with my Okuma baitrunner. Don't ask, things get exciting when a fish is running. The birds nest wasn't pretty.

[Grant]

ahh I get it- "training issue"?

sign me up for class....

barring me changing my mind again, I think I know what I'll end up doing

[sparcebag]

Hanson; What do you do? Set the reel in freespool to let em run? do you then set the bearing tension so you dont get backlash? or does thet reel have clicker with freespool?

[Ralph Wiggum]

Quote:

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or does thet reel have clicker with freespool?

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Bingo!

[hanson]

I use Garcia 6500C3 & 7000C3s for all my cattin'. They obviously have clickers. Once the bait is where I want it, I put the reel in freespool and engage the clicker. If you "forget" to crank the handle to engage the spool before you set the hook, the results are not good.

The Okuma baitfeeder spinning reels are very similar, except all you need to do is flip the baitfeeder switch up to activate the "clicker". When you crank the handle, it'll flip the baitfeeder/clicker off and then you can set the hook.

[Grant]

I'd like to get an Abu for my heavy cat rod, but this time I gotta watch the sales- If I can get rod/reel and line for not much more than a hundred bucks or less it makes things more doable...

maybe next time I can go fancy like you fellas.

[rushing]

No need to drop big bucks on a cat outfit. As you spend more and more time on the river you'll eventually want to upgrade. Part of the fun is upgrading.

I just got one of the new abu 7001i's and it has the lever to engage the reel. It was one of the reasons I choose that reel. I mainly use circle hooks and like to just be able to flip off the free spool instead of having to crank the handle to engage it. Although the reel also has auto engage when the reel is cranked.

[Grant]

I'll be getting enough mad money pretty soon to afford something like the 220 for example with a whuppin stick and some decent line.

Now if you'll indulge me for a moment to make some personal comments~ I really appreciate these discussions- I've learned more on this site about fishing in the last year or so than just about any other source I've ever tried put together (Well, not quite as much knowledge as what Dad taught me, but you know what I mean!)

That being said, I want to say thank you to all whom I've had conversations with on here, I've learned much from every last one of them.

now to start a whole new ruckus....

what superline to spool it with?

P-Pro?

one of the Spiderwire varieties?

fireline?

something else?

If that wasn't enough...

what weight line for the "I can afford one heavy cat rod this year" situation?

[Dirk W]

IMO 80 lb. Power Pro is your best bet. Its a great line. Get enough so you can spool it on-use it for a year or two-then reverse it and use it for another year or two. Remember, retying, breaking off, etc. slowly eats away at your yardage. Maybe 250-300 yds if you can swing it. You realy dont need that much but I keep mine on my reel for years.

[Flaco651]

Grant- Have you checked out any of the Combos on Catfish Connection? If your looking to spend around a hundred, they have some Abu Garcia combos that you might be interested in.

As for line I would go with 65-80lb P-pro. On one of my cat set ups I have 65lb Stren Super Braid and it has also been good so far.

[hanson]

The previous 2 fellows have good advice on line.

I agree with 80lb Power Pro. I have personally had problems with 50lb Power Pro breaking, not yet with 80lb. Besides, bass guys use 50-65lb Power Pro for their slop rods to catch 3-4 lb fish. We need a line that can pull a 20, 30, 40lb flat out of a snag if he gets in there. Nearly every cat guy I know uses Power Pro, if not PP, then they have mono spooled on.