squidder

[jfisher]

I posted before about conventionals and I really want to make the switch.
So I want to throw myself into the fire on this one. I want to learn on a squidder. I figure I'll be able to throw anything I want after that.Down the line I don't want to be afraid to throw a reel because its not magged or a reel because it has no level wind.

I also want a reel that is tankish and proven.
More over I figure I could learn on this reel then use it as a back up when I save up and modernize.
finally i'm a lil old school in the salt.
nice smooth reels in the fresh but
a metal daiwa 2600 from way back and a 710 in the salt. Got some history goin for it too.
I digress

What size do you all recomend?
RI
plugs 1.5 oz and up
rocky surf, breachways(jetties)
line of the "line for rocks" thread (i'm guessing mono of no less than 20#)
I was thinking the 145. Seems that it has plenty of line capacity. I don't know that the 146 does, especially if I have to cut back some frayed line.
since the 140 is the only one in production for the short time being, does anyone know of a place that has the parts to convert a 140 to a 145?
How does casting vary b/w the plastic and alum spools?
thx everyone

[BigBo]

The Squidder can be a decent casting reel once you get it down. They can be a bit "squirrelly" until you get the hang of it. There's lots that can be done to modify the Squidder like magging, Accurate plates, frames, etc.
Not sure if M&D's can get the small spool conversions or not. Ask Mike. I think Red Top had them at one time when I checked.
These guys have a plethora of Penn parts and are very good at getting them out to you right away and they have the conversion for a 140 to a 146L
http://www.scottsbt.com/catalog/stor...8081C6014.aspx
Oh, and the plastic finned spools cast much better than the chrome spool versions. The aluminum is okay. My preference is the plastic though.

[beamie]

I have a 146 that I have used from the boat for years, nice little real. Fine for most fish caught. A fish bigger than 25# and he'll have his way with you so you must play him better. 146 will probably be a little small capacity wise from the surf if on a long stick. I have been using 45 pound braid on mine. Lots of used but good squidders of all sizes on ebay and as Bigbo said there are tons of upgrades to the penn stuff, though they will run you some money and by that point you may as well get into a Shimano.

[beamie]

Oh,

I also had an old black plate 140 that I donated to the fish gods. A fish took from me attached to a beige colored Penn Power Stick back around 1994. It is at the middle section of rocks at the Roaring Bulls if you want it...

That was a nice reel, wish I still had it. So you can't go wrong with a squidder.

[SeaWolf]

first off, i would say that you should consider any of the current ambassadeur 7000s, such as the 7000c3, 7500c3, etc. far better reel for what you really want and you might not curse it as much. the squidder has a better drag, if replaced as some of the old ones have leather-type disks, but a smooothie drag in a 7000 is pretty smooth. one more thought, all squidders come w/o levelwinds, but 7000s have them. so, you'd have to get used to that. stock squidders are heavier.

if you do chose to continue down the squidder road, you'd be better off trying to find a 145, which are no longer made. they come often enough on ebay. when they were made, they had chrome base and bars. you can occasionally find replacement newell supports and bases, which are made from graphite and decrease the weight quite a bit. i would vote against the plastic spool as they have a glossy finish and you better get used to a burned thumb. if you through briad, get used to thumbing the braid, again, burned thumb. see if you can find a newell graphite spool too. the 140 is a bit wider than a 7000 and leveling that reel can get tiring compared to a 145.

as for line, 25-30 mono or 50-80 braid.

[Backbeach Jake]

I started with a used 140 what seems like a zillion years ago. Never casted pluds with it. It's still my go-to bait reel. If I was just starting, I'd go with the 7000c3. I tried my brother Jim's and it's sweet. If I wasn't so cheap, I'd buy one myself. As for burned thumbs, wet the line. Learned that after many, many "BBQs".

[NIB]

Abu makes a 7000 B reel has a level wind an a bushing (no bearings hence the B)U can set it up an cast as hard as u like.It can be had for under a hundy think.I learned to cast wit a 155 a basically a scaled down squidder wit bushings also.Trust me on this U will curse the day u ever started this project if u go wit no level wind to start.If u don't listen at least make sure u pay close attention to how u pay the line back on the reel wit ur thumb.Never snap a cast just swing the rod.over exertion causes the spool to speed up faster than the line comes off the reel(backlash) Take baby steps.the smaller ones are fine for boats but if ur gonna go wit it in the surf go wit the 140.Practice wit something like a 3 0z bank sinker so The line keeps pulling line off the reel.Make sure to do this in the water as if u snap it off it can hurt someone in the wrong place at the wrong time.Then u can work Ur way to plugs go wit something like a pencil popper then swimmers.swimmers tumble they stop pulling line mid flight.thats when a trained thumb comes into play.learn to use the tension knob as Ur friend.not too tight this will cause the spool to jump start.Not too loose tough to control.For beginners a good rule of thumb is to have the weight Ur throwing just pull line slowly in free spool with the rod held horizontally.an work it looser/Tighter from there depending on the lure or wind conditions.Good luck.

[NIB]

As for starter line go wit mono 15-20lb something smooth like Ande.Big game is dry an will remove some thumb skin pretty quick till ya wet it.I just read my post an realized perhaps 3 oz bank might be too heavy.depends on Ur rod.1-3 will work good for practicing.

[Backbeach Jake]

Originally Posted by NIB

As for starter line go wit mono 15-20lb something smooth like Ande.Big game is dry an will remove some thumbskin pretty quick till ya wet it.

It'll leave grill marks on a blister. Wet the line, I swear that your thumb will float on a little cloud of steam. You can feel the cushion between your thumb and line. A bud of mine was casting dry mono and showed me how his thumb MELTED the line. You could actually see that the surface of the mono was smeared!