There are about 43 billion Penn 209 reels out there, knocked around on charter and head boats for a couple of generations I guess, cheap as dirt on the used market, fairly tough, with a pretty good capacity. I have several, just a couple of days ago, took one with me to the Lake Pontchartrain lakeshore and did some casting with it, trying to get my skill level up for a surf fishing trip. Got some pretty long casts out there but I sure blistered my thumb. It would be pretty cool to see what you can do with one of those old workhorses. I plan on putting a mag brake in one of mine soon, and later, maybe a way to disengage the levelwind for casting and re-engage it for retrieval. Ceramic bearings? Sure. Nicer handle? Hey, that's the kind of thing my lathe is for. Quick takedown screws? Solid one piece frame? Anyway I am sure from watching some of your videos that you can turn an old redside into a fine fishing machine. Got some KastKings, too, or one vintage 60 anyway, and two brand new 40's arriving Monday. Loved what you did to the one you modded. But if you are thinking about what reel to pimp out next, consider a 209. That's a reel almost anyone can afford.
I had 80lb Tope (British shark) on it yesterday using 70lb braid with 150lb mono leader. It is awsume, just hit low gear and hauled the Tope in. Sooo easily, I love this reel!
