New to Tuna fishing

[turbinedoctor]

Originally Posted by Steplift 72'

It aint a lever drag, and it aint that pretty, but before I'd stay home I'd use my trusty 4/0, 6/0, and 9/0 Penn's for anything. I think my back would play out before their drag would. The 6/0 I use every trip was bought from JC Penny sporting goods department for $18 in 1974 and it has the original drag plates. That reel has been used on every boat since my 1972 V-20. It has caught more fish than most do in several lifetimes....nothing wrong with those ugly Penn's. Most folks have never seen a Penn 1/0, I brought up a 400+ pound goliath grouper with one.....but don't recommend it. My 2cents is if you can afford a lever drag, go for it, but if not the Penn Senator isn't bad equipment. The only problem I've ever had with a Senator is the side plate screw backing out during a prolonged fight because of flexing while the handle was cranked. I did have a side plate crack because I couldn't stop and tighten the screws. If you're set on a lever drag, try the pawn shops. A buddy bought a full set of them for a few hundred dollars but who know's where they came from.

Thanks for your two cents worth on the Penn Senators, I have been looking at them too but havent heard experinces like yours.

Do you think the new Penns are as good as the older ones?

[willy]

Penn;s are old school, they work and I have some that are 40 years old and still ticking away. I have never had the opportunity to fish the big reels for giant tuna but would have no concerns with them at all.