Tuna virgin reel question regarding Penn 209

Double G · 04-02-2005, 05:19 PM

I'm gearing up for my first season of tuna fishing and would like to know if the Penn 209 reels I have would be adequate for tuna? I've got some 80# Tufline to put on them.

Thanks

skein · 04-02-2005, 05:44 PM

I assume you're talking about trolling. If so, the quick answer is no.

They will hold enough 60lb line (maybe) but the drags just won't take what a tuna dishes out. I have four of them, and don't even take them along on a tuna trip.

If you like a level wind, try the Penn 330 or 340. Some even consider them to be fairly light, but they've held up pretty well for us. But I can tell you - a 25lb albacore can make them smoke.

Pilar, in one of his posts, describes a tuna strike as a train wreck! That's a pretty good description. They'll run 'til you stop 'em - and you can't do that with your thumb and a 209. Neither will ever be the same.

Skein

wthr4d · 04-02-2005, 05:51 PM

Funny thing is I asked that same question last year and got the same answer!! In my pursuit of knowledge I put together a thread that answered my question well. I willleave you with a link to that thread and good wishes for TUNAfishes!!

Tuna Gear

Paul

Double G · 04-02-2005, 07:56 PM

Thanks Skein,
If you agree that the Penn 330 would double as a halibut reel I'll order one in the morning.

Thanks for your input.

Double G · 04-02-2005, 08:00 PM

Thanks for the thread Paul. I'm leaning toward a Penn 330 at the moment.
What days of the week will you be available to fish this summer?

Double G

Bigriverdawg · 04-02-2005, 08:48 PM

I been using 320 penns with 80lb tufffor sturg,hali,tuna, been very happy. I also have 330s but find I dont need them there a little more awkard but still a good reel.

Double G · 04-02-2005, 09:06 PM

Thanks Bigriverdawg,
I guess I'd better find both the 320's and 330's in a local store before I make up my mind. I appreciate your input. I was ready to order the 330 sight unseen via internet.

Double G

skein · 04-02-2005, 09:12 PM

Yeah, that was good advice, and here's another thought.

We've got some time left before halibut season, and more days than we want to think about for tuna, so ask some guys to bring their rigs to the next TA meeting, and look 'em over.

We can talk about line size, reel size, rod weight, and of course the why's and wherefore's of what we do. I'll bring mine, and I'm sure enough others will bring theirs to give you a good cross-section of what we use.

And there will be another TA meeting before halibut season. Count on it.

Skein

Pilar · 04-03-2005, 08:10 AM

209 is a pretty minimal reel for anything but Salmon.

You can still get Diawa 50H, used on Ebay for around $50. And that is about a hundred times more reel than a 209 Penn. For about $110 you can get a 113H penn(4/0) which will do the job and last. The problem with the 209 is the small star drag. It gets hot and the reel goes away.

4/0 has the same problem but the drag washers have more surface area so it lasts long enough to catch a fish or two.

Use the 209 for Salmon and get something worthy of worship at the church of the bent rod.

Poi Dog · 04-03-2005, 08:12 AM

I have both the 320GTI and the 330 that I use for halibut and sturgen, and I like them both. However, for trolling tuna, I prefer a reel without the levelwind like the Penn 113 or 114. I know the 6/0 114 is bigger than I need for albacore, but I already had a couple of these reels, so that is what I use, and they have worked great so far. With my boat setup for tuna, I like to clip my reels onto a short lanyard hanging from the back rail so the rod tips are close to the water, but the 320 and 330 reels don't come with attachment rings for doing this, so the 330 is relegated to serving as a standup rod or to casting on the slide (I don't even take the 320 on the boat for tuna).

Double G · 04-03-2005, 11:11 AM

Poi Dog wrote:

Quote:

However, for trolling tuna, I prefer a reel without the levelwind like the Penn 113 or 114.

How do these reels spool the incoming line without the level wind gear? Do you have to guide it with your fingers? I hope not. I've obviously not owned this type of reel before. Do you have a preference of the original Penn Senator 113 over the Special Senator with faster retrieve gear?

thanks for your input.

blubeast · 04-03-2005, 12:00 PM

I used my 209 during my first season tuna fishing. Landed several with it. Yes I had to use my thumb to help the drag, but overall got the fish to the boat.

Yes, I've moved up to Daiwa 50H's now, but if you're first starting out and trying to save some bucks for fuel... they will work.

Zodiac-Fisherman · 04-03-2005, 12:40 PM

Shimano TLD 15 with 40lb Maxima Clear, gets the job done for me. I would prefer to have a smaller line class, and a greater chance of catching a line-shy BFT. You can easelly get a 250lb Blue Marlin on 30lb test, if you know how to play your cards right.
I know so, cause my setup has done so a few times down in cabo.

Dylan

rustyl · 04-03-2005, 12:45 PM

Quote:

How do these reels spool the incoming line without the level wind gear? Do you have to guide it with your fingers? I hope not. I've obviously not owned this type of reel before.

You can train your finger to guide the line or learn to rock the reel back and forth as you bring in line to cause the line to spool up even. It's not that hard.

ron m · 04-03-2005, 01:31 PM

For reels without a levelwind, I hold the rod just in front of the reel with my left hand and my thumb moves the line side to side as it comes onto the reel while I'm cranking with my right hand. I've done it so long I do it now without hardly thinking about it. problems occur sometimes though when someone that doesn't know how to keep the line even on the reel is using it, you gotta talk them thru it while they are reeling in a fish. It's not hard to learn, just takes some practice and a little attention at first.

I haven't caught many tuna, 6 on my boat late last year on penn 113hs, but I think a penn 209 would work ok early in the season when the tuna are smaller. Gotta admit though that I bought reels just for tuna fishing and they are avets, not penn 209s. I have a penn 209 tht I've had for over 30 years, though for twenty someting of those years it didn't see much use. I still like it and bought more for salmon fishing, they are really good when I take inexperienced folks fishing.

ron m

wthr4d · 04-03-2005, 02:01 PM

double G- We're all here to help. My summer schedule is unknown as I will be finding a job after school gets out and I have no idea when theyll want me to work.

Paul

Reel Creel · 04-03-2005, 02:31 PM

I had a 209 last for two fish last summer then the drag quit.

Draggin' Bait · 04-03-2005, 03:18 PM

If you take your time you can use 209s. Yes, they are a little light, but we have three 209s on our various offshore rigs, loaded with 20# or 25# test. We've so far not had any problem landing 15-45 pound albacore. Granted, the other three rigs with beefier drags and line do better, but in a pinch a 209 on a decent salmon trolling rod will work. If I was able to fish albacore more than just a few times a year I'd spend for the heavier stuff, but for the once-in-a-while fisherman you can get away with it as long as the captain will stop the boat and let you fight the fish.

Double G · 04-03-2005, 03:26 PM

Quote:

Yes, I've moved up to Daiwa 50H's now, ...

Blubeast,
Which model 50H do you have? I'm looking at a Boater's World catalog and see 50's models from $96-$535. Needless to say the top of the line won't be going out with me any time soon. :whazzup:

Double G · 04-03-2005, 03:33 PM

Quote:

I been using 320 penns with 80lb tufffor sturg,hali,tuna, been very happy. I also have 330s but find I dont need them there a little more awkard but still a good reel.

Bigriverdawg ,
How many yards of 80# fit on the Penn 320? Enough for halibut you say? I'm attracted to the reel but I'm hearing from other Salts that it's a bit on the small side.
Thanks
Double G

blubeast · 04-03-2005, 04:19 PM

Got mine off ebay... both were labeled just 50H... less than $50 as Pilar said above.

BiteFactory · 04-03-2005, 05:00 PM

I was in the Corvallis Bi-Mart today, their D50's were on sale (10 or 20% off I think), said they were being discontinued. Not sure if that means Diawa or Bi-mart is discontinuing.

Pilar · 04-03-2005, 06:33 PM

Therein lies the problem ... we ain't stoppin the boat.

Pilar · 04-03-2005, 06:37 PM

They stopped making the 50h of yore some time ago. But many hundreds of them rot in tackle boxes and some of those get sold on Ebay.

I have one specimen that is 15+ years old now. It has caught 11 foot sturgeon, untold albacore and the pacific basalt fish found in 600 feet of water. That basalt fish is a bad thing .. it eats your line.

Bank fishermen below Bonneville use this reel for bank sturgeon. Casts well, tough and cheap to fix. Why did they stop making it?

OceanBlue · 04-03-2005, 07:06 PM

Quote:

Therein lies the problem ... we ain't stoppin the boat.

Um... no... but if the skipper & Chief Engineer is reeling in a feesh, we slow waaaaaay down....

KeyWest · 04-03-2005, 07:56 PM

Basalt fish - that's a good one!

Bigriverdawg · 04-03-2005, 08:42 PM

Im not sure how much line. I have had these reels for about 6 years and have not had to change the line, but I belive about 375yds. I also do not fish in over about 300 or 400 ft with them. I dont use backing I do not belive in it.

Gundog · 04-03-2005, 11:38 PM

I was hoping to use my Penn 209 reels I guess I will start looking for some bigger gear. I do have a Penn 330 & 320 GTI are thes any good for Tuna.
Mike

backlash442 · 04-04-2005, 06:27 AM

While not a 209 I used to use a Calcutta 400 for tuna. Bait fishing of course. Caught albacore, yft and yellowtail and have never changed drags. Great reel. Only problem was it was matched with a bait casting rod with no back bone so stopped using it. It would take 15-20 minutes to get in a 20-25lb albacore. Crew didn't like having to wait and neither did I.