anyone have a penn us senator?

[torchee]

How do you like it? Thinking of getting one.

[Gerry Zagorski]

Penn Senators are probably one of the most prolific reels ever, are very simple to service and relatively trouble free... That being said, they're also fairly bare bones reels yet the US Senators are kind of pricey @ $250 and up.

Not sure what you're going to be using it for but for inshore fishing where you don't need the drag capacity and want a smaller lighter reel, there are what I consider to be better alternatives in that price range..

[torchee]

Will likely use it for bottom fishing 100-200ft - for cod/ling mudhole trips etc
12 oz of lead -
on an 8ft Tica wreck...

any suggestions are welcome.

[SaltLife1980]

Accurate

[Gerry Zagorski]

The senator would be fine for the big cod of yesteryear but likely overkill for ling... These reels are kind of big and clunky so if you're also going to be doing some jigging, you might be better served by something more compact and on the lighter side with a faster retrieve so you don't have as much fatigue when you're at the rail. These sorts of reels could also be used for other more inshore stuff like Blackfish, Fluke or Stripers.

I'm thinking along the lines of

Avet JX also comes in a 2 speed which is nice and a reasonable price....
Accurate $$$$$
Shimano Torium $$$ if you'd prefer a level drag
Penn Torque $$$$$
Daiwa Saltiga $$$$$
Daiwa Saltist $$$


The only conventional reels on this list I actually own are the Avets so maybe others can comment if they own any of the others.

PS A lot of people prefer star over lever drag reels, especially for bottom fishing, so you'd need to decide which would be better for you...

[torchee]

thanks Gerry for your time,

I have a couple daiwa saltist and use them now but they are quite old and beat up


maybe i'll take you advice and move up to saltiga
I've never had an accurate but will give it a look

[Gerry Zagorski]

You're welcome Torch... I think if you spend the same or a few more dollars you get a more comfortable reel that can be used for other purposes as well.

That and my Dad always told me..... "Buy the best and you'll never regret it"

Sure it's a stretch if you're on a budget but if you throw an extra $100 at something you're going to use 100 or so times, it's an extra dollar each time you use it. Totally worth it in my book, especially when it comes to fishing ;)