I have an older penn senator 4/0 reel. It has the sword fish and boat on the side. I am wondering what this reel is used for. I do mostly plugging with spinners (I have several penns). It looks good for trolling and bait fishing,but is it castable? What line and rod would I use for it? It seems like a very nice and solid reel. Thanks in advance.

I believe they were made for troling and jiging. I dont recomend to cast them.

4/0 is the 113 model. If it's an aluminum spool model (black spool as opposed to chrome) you can cast with it but you won't enjoy it ;) If it has the chromed spool, trying to cast it will drive you bonkers. You can also mag the aluminum spools for better cast control.

It's also heavy at around 25 oz (assuming aluminum spool, probably around 30 oz with the chromed one), and it holds a ton of 30# line which will add even more weight to it.

They are used in the surf in places---mostly, by the guys in Hawaii who fish from the cliffs for giant trevally, and by guys in Texas and the rest of the Gulf coast for sharks. The guys in Hawaii cast a sinker and then feed out the bait on a sliding rig. Some of the Texas guys run their baits out on a jet ski, but others cast them.

Needless to say, from the surf, it goes best on a heavy glass rod. The guys in Texas love those Harrington/Harnell 552 telephone poles :uhuh:

thanks for the replies. I have the chrome spool. Reel is like new, had it for many years never used it much. I love penn reels. Says MADE IN USA on it. To bad not any more.

Actually, the plant in Pa that Penn is closing made spinning reels only. Only production of the reels made there is being moved to China. Their Philadelphia plant---at least for the moment--is staying up, and that's where the Senators and most of their other remaining conventionals are made.

If you have the Special Senator (red cheeks) you have the preferred reel of those who troll wire line. They are perfect for that application. Cod fishermen also use these for jigging. The Senator(black cheeks) has a slower retrieve and is used where a ton of line is desired.