[gmorhua]

I don't own any Newell reels and wonder if the new "P" series is any good for deep water cod fishing. I know that this is a reissue of an old Newell series but can they handle deep water fishing. I am looking at the 400 series. If any one has any experience on these reels for cod please chime in. If these reels are not good for the deep water then I'll end up getting a PG 3500.

Ken

 

[Codfisha15]

hey ken, sorry i don't have any experience with the p series. You going on walshs next sunday? I guess today's cancellation was a bust. I reschdeuled for 2/17 (president's day).
see ya,

 

[gmorhua]

Yo Willy, I am planning to get on Walsh's this upcoming Sun. Then I have a trip planned on the Helen H on 2/9. I don't know yet if I am going to book on the Relentless yet. I may try Yankee Fleet in a few weeks. Yeah, I am looking for a new reel. I would like to try a Newell(P) but don't know if the 400 size is any good for the deep.

 

[skatemaster]

Other than the graphite parts that have been replaced, it is just as good for cod as any other Newell. Same sizes, gear ratios, etc work.

 

[Capt. Marc]

Hi,

I have two newells for cod. My first was the 447-5.5 and then I bought a 540-5.5. After a refit with penn drag washers (lubed up) they are my favorite reels. Almost as good and some like better is the penn 113 senator which has more cranking power but slower on the gear ratio. I like the higher ratios because I fish deep and want to get the fish/other up as soon as possible.

Looking at the P series, I may give newell a call and see if the handle will fit on my reels. The handle sometimes is a problem if too much pressure is applied (friend broke a new one).

Other then that I don't see much difference and actually prefer the graphite spool since it will not corrode when you leave the superline on for two seasons (or more)

Capt. Marc

 

[skatemaster]

The aluminum 400 handle (just guessing part #26-17A) was made available a few years ago. About 6 months ago they seemed to vanish from the market. Depending on what you broke there are aftermarket knobs and handles available as well.

 

[MIKE TUNA]

I believe the drag washer sizes change when you get into the 500 series . So the 300 and 400 have the same size drags . Someone correct me If I'm wrong but if this is the case you might just be better off going with the 338 or 332 reels . Slightly lighter and less bulk . Not much more line capacity that would warrent going to the 400 series for that type of Fishing . If more power your looking at then you would have to go to the 500 which is certainly to much reel for what your looking for . Again please correct me If I'm wrong .

MIKE TUNA

 

[Guest]

Your 100% correct on the drag washers being the same size on the 200, 300 and 400 series. Making a 500 series P would have been a better option then a retro 400.

 

[gmorhua]

Hey if the drag size in a 400 series is the same as a 300 then I am better off with a Pro Gear 3500 which has 4/0 drags. Thanks for the input now I know which reel I am definately aiming for.

Ken

 

[Codfisha15]

don't get a 3500 ken, go for a 454, unless you want a lot of trouble. Maybe I just suck with tools, or maybe codkiller jinxed my reel when he dealt with it. hmmmm.

 

[Capt. Marc]

Hi,
I would say the 300 series is on the small size for deep water cod. Look at the spec sheet from newell and see what you like. These reels can take a lot of abuse as compared to the pro gears (so I have heard). I heard you need to wash them every trip (inside and out) or problems happen. I usualy just wash off my newells with a hose at the end of the day.

Don't worry so much about the size of the drag washers if your replacing them (on the newells) with penn ht-100 stuff. You just want a smooth and sensative drag for cod. They won't be making runs like tuna and burning up the reel. The dry drag system on the newells is not very good.

http://www.fishermansheadquarters.com/newell2.html

Capt. Marc

 

[619627]

Over the years, i have seen many Newell 400 series reels used on the long range cod trips on the Viking boats...and i have to say, that even the F' or 5-1 models held their own. Then in the late 80s, Carl improved the gear train of the same size reels by coming out with the 500 series. And they worked even better. I know of many fishermen using Newell 540 3.2 reels fishing the deep, Valley of the Giants wrecks in over 300 feet of water. And some of these enterprising fishermen like myself would get a few Newell 533 reels since they are the same width as the 440 reels, and take the whole right side plate off and put it on their old 440 P series reels so that they would have the 4/0 gear train combined with the narrower reel. A really sweet setup...but then you were left with sticking the 400 guts on the who leftside part of the original 500 series reels. But that was the price you paid if you wanted to narrow the newell 500 series reel down.

But today, with Pro Gear making the all aluminum framed 454 and the GR 3500 series reels, we do not have to look any further. Lightweight, great casting, and proven by some of the top codfishermen who fish on the Bunny Clark in the Gulf of Maine. And with Codkiller installing a new bushing kit inside the reel, why look any further then these reels?

Personally for fishing water roughly in the 35 fathoms and under, the 300 newells in 3.6 gear ratio are fine. But if you cannot locate one of the older ss bearing cupped reels, pickup the Pro Gears that i have mentioned, and send them out for the bushing conversion kits. It does not get any better then this for us cod fishermen!

EC NEWELL MAN*

 

[mattyblazer]

So then EC you know about these reels ?

How ya been Steve?

 

[619627]

HI Matty...yep i know 'a little' about the newell reels....Just want to remind our board members that todays newells are not like the newells made over 15 years ago....

EC NEWELL MAN*

 

[gmorhua]

Hey thanks for the input on the Newells. I ended up ordering 2 PG 3500's for a reasonable price and I am sending these to Codkiller for the bearing job. I was interested in getting a "P" Newell but if the drag size is a 3/0 then forget it for the deepwater. The PG 3500 was cheaper than the Newell so I got the PG.

 

[Codfisha15]

i hate u ken , u got 4 pro gears now??? I really need to get a summer job to be able to keep up . O well. Hopefully I'll get enough money to get another custom composite or even graphite stick next summer. Top work choice so far is fishin finatics. I'm hoping to make a good impression on the relentless, as that would be the ideal job for me. Close to home, easy fishing (trolling for bass and blues) fishing in boston harbor so nobody's pukin' (my main fear of being a mate). We'll see. How much were the pro gears? Off ebay????
See you sunday, weather sounds decent,