Classic Workhorse: Penn 113 Senator
Mirror mirror on the wall, which reel is the trustiest of them all? We don’t know for sure, but Penn’s venerable 113 is certainly in the running. This simple, reliable, tough workhorse of a reel has been in production for decades and has served it’s time as a charter fleet mainstay, the standard-bearer of inexpensive trolling gear, and the beginner reel of countless fishermen.
The 113 is dog-slow, with a 2:1 retrieve ratio. That means it’s too slow to keep up with pelagics that can charge the boat (though these reels have surely accounted for the capture of zillions of tuna,) but it’s just fine for reeling in fish like stripers and blues on the troll. It also means hauling up that umbrella rig will be a chore, and it won’t happen fast. The 113 holds 375 yards of 30-pound test monofilament, has a sturdy star drag that can be cranked down tight enough to break 50-pound mono, and weighs in at 24 ounces. Operation is as simple as it gets—click the lever for freespool, slide the clicker button to make it click, and turn the star to increase or decrease drag, and that’s all she wrote. The best thing about this reel, however, is that its service lifetime is measured by decades, not years. I have three in my personal arsenal; one’s so old I can’t even remember where it came from, one’s about 10 years old, and the other maybe five or six years old. All work perfectly, and they always have. Buy one, and you’ll as likely give it to your son when you’re too old to fish, as you will break it. That goes for you teenagers, too. Plus, it’s as inexpensive a reel as you’ll find in its class. Could the Penn 113 be the trustiest reel ever? Maybe so…
Price: $120
The Highs: It just keeps going, and going, and going.
The Lows: Crank ‘till your arm falls off, this is one s-l-o-w reel.
Who Wants It: Beginner or budget-minded anglers looking to outfit their boat with bay or inshore trolling reels.
Contact: www.pennreels.com
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| The trusty old Senator just keeps going and going. |
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