Penn 209LC

[Landing Craft]

I got the GLA buyers issue yesterday and see that Penn is now going to make their 209 in a line counter model. Time to break out the credit card. IMHO I think Penn may be the most reliable and rugged reel out there. I've been hoping for this for a long long time.

I would think the drag washers and most other components would be interchangalbe with the normal model, but I'm sure there is a counter drive gear and it looks like the right side plate is different.

[Billy V]

I sure hope they do something about the gear ratio. 3.2:1 is rediculously slow! That's even slower than the heart-attack copper reels we use from them!!

[Miss em]

Nope Bill, same ole' 209. I fished with the Penn engineers in 2006 and they told us the good news/bad news scenario - Good news- "we are coming out with a linecounter", Bad news (for trollers at least) "it is on the 209 frame" The 209 is really a mainstay of their saltwater jigging/party boat reels. Now the party boaters can drop their rigs to a desired depth I guess.

[Landing Craft]

What's the ratio on the 309's? I use those on my inline planer boards and have no complaints. (Ignorance can be bliss.)

I'll still try the 209LC, and if they are too slow, I'll relegate them to the saltwater tackle pile.

[Billy V]

They're 2.8:1 Landing Craft. Just as a comparison, the Daiwa SG47LCA that I run is 4.2:1. I think if you try one you'll probably never go back to the slower reel. I agree that Penn makes fantastic reels and that they're drags are amazing, but if they want to get into the great lakes trolling game, they're going to have to work on that gearing.

[jfneron]

Here is some more infos on that new reel:

http://www.pennreels.com/01_products/reels/conventional/08_special_purpose/generalpurposelevelwind/209LC.htm

Ratio is 3.2:1

J-F