I’ve used them and they are strong reels for the money, BUT what a pain in the asss to maintain the drag washers. A 114-H (6/0) requires a complete disassembly of the reel to get to the washers. Then, it is a nightmare getting the anti reverse cog and spring and the washers back together at the same time. I’ve often wondered what idiot at Penn came up with this design. Hell, Ocean City reels from the 1930s had all the washers in a separate cylinder, easily removable. OK, rant over.
Thought I was the only one that said one day “I’ll save the money and do it myself!” Been lettin somebody else do it since. Thanks for the validation
“If a dirty bottom slows you down… imagine what it does to your boat”
probably a good idea after that tiger, no matter how much of a pain 
the 113H is going to need it at some point, not looking forward to it.
Check out Alan Tani’s site. He has tutorials for many reels. Once you have done one senator they are all pretty much the same. Just keep an eye on the dog spring. You don’t want to lose that.
I believe that Phin did a tutorial on servicing one a while back on this site. Do a search on that one.
Mark
Mako 262 Twin Yammaha F200s
Yeah, but do you consider a dog to be a filthy animal? I wouldn’t go so far as to call a dog filthy but they’re definitely dirty. But, a dog’s got personality. Personality goes a long way.
“Life’s tough…It’s even tougher if you’re stupid” John Wayne
Took them 40 years to improve the design and make what you see in the 113HN baja special (2001). Then, they discontinued the reel in '05. Only to reintroduce it last year. Disengaging pinion and anti-reverse (two dogs instead of one) system that stays in the bridge plate when you pull the assembly out instead of you having to fanagle it all back together hoping the spring stays in place like in standard senators.
Try the baja special 113HN. They have more drag power and stronger anti reverses than a 114H. Have to use braid, however, or else you won’t have enough spool capacity running strong enough line for the higher drag to matter. Still, the reels come from the factory corrode-o-matic style. Dissimilar metals all thru it and not enough grease. Clicker assembly and drag system should be taken out as soon as you get a new reel and greased with good hi temp grease and put back together. Otherwise, your clicker will rust into whatever position you leave it in, and your drag won’t function properly (will seize up).
Carbontec makes good carbon fiber drag washers for various model reels to get rid of the lower grade stuff. Some of Penns reels come with the HT-100 drag washers, but even they seize up after some use in the salt environment. With the right maintenance, they are very good reels for the money. Seems it takes quite a bit more $$$ these days to get a reel that isn’t so needy.
www.scmarine.org
www.joinrfa.com
Luke 8:22-25
Yeah, I wasn’t using a Senator on the tiger thank God, but an older International. That International held up but the reel seat on the Star rod decided to come loose from the rod, but that’s a whole nuther story.
If any of you ever get a chance look at the old Ocean City big game reels. You could take the handle off, and then remove the entire drag washer assembly which is enclosed in a removable cylinder. Great design for a star drag reel. Naturally, they went out of business.
Phin, I got a 30 and 50 Avet and they are light and powerful as advertised. Thanks for all the advice on those reels.
We have 12/0, Ocean city 14/0 and 16/0. They ar easy to clean and work on. I’ve had my 16/0 for 27 yrs. and have only changed washers once. They are nearly indestructable. Have fought many porkers on these reels on the beach, piers and boats. Have had em go down in the sand and in the water. Still work like new. Just wash em and fish.
When I started the offshore trolling thing 6 years ago I had a choice, 10 senator/rod combos or 2 fancy international set ups. I went with the senator combos for obvious reasons…for the same cost I catch 5 times the fish! But yeah, what a pain to change out drag washers until I learned the trick. First, ALWAYS back off your drag all the way when you are done fishing and crank the handle a few times to make sure it is loose. Then when you have to change out the washers change out the whole set. When it is time to reassemble, forget about the ratchet dog and spring, hold the drag assembly upright in on one hand and place the reel faceplate (in freespool)on top of it so that the brass plate on the drag assembly is rotated 180 degrees from where it needs to be for final assembly. Hold the two parts together firmly in this position and turn the whole assembly over. It is now a snap to push the dog retaining screw up thru the faceplate, put the dog and spring on it, rotate the drag plate 180 degrees into position secure the screw and Bob’s your uncle. Now get out fishing!
26’ Glacier Bay
Mistress
Thanks for the tip; I’ll try that next time.
quote:
Yeah, I wasn't using a Senator on the tiger thank God, but an older International.
What when and where???
WATER FRONT DINING AT IT’S FINEST!
THE OCEAN IS NOT YOUR SWIMMING POOL!!!
Racrx, that was in reference to a twelve foot tiger I tagged and released in May, around ten miles out of Folly on a live bottom. I had some issues with the reel seat of a star rod coming loose as well as a kidney harness snapping, but the old 50 wide International did just fine.