Question about Penn 109 reel.

[wvwhiskerfish]

I just bought a Penn 109 reel, when i flip the lever on the right side of the reel down to cast the handle spins backwards with the spool. Is this normal for 109 models? I have several Penn #9's and 209's i use for catfishing and when i flip the lever down on them the spool spins freely. Just wondering if i got a bad reel or if it is normal operation for the 109 models for the handle to spin backwards while casting.

 

[ob]

Re: Question about Penn 109 reel.

That's the way the 109's were designed.We used to call them "knuckle busters."

 

[PW2]

Re: Question about Penn 109 reel.

That's what makes them perfect for NW Salmon fishing!

You crank the star drag all the way tight in 100 plus feet of water, fishing the bottom, and the flip the lever when you get a fish on, and use your thumb on the spool as the drag. You can use as much (or as little) pressure on the fish as needed, and the direct drive feature allows you to retrieve in a hurry in case the fish changes directions and heads toward you. It gives you the most positive control of any modestly priced reel in that situation.