Look-alike reels and what tells them apart
Some vintage reels share a line and almost a number. The differences below come from collector references; the values are what each model sold for on eBay in the last 90 days.
Penn Squidder 140, 145 and 146
| Model | What differs | Value |
|---|---|---|
| 140 | The original and widest Squidder, from 1939, sold with two plastic spools (the 140M has one metal spool). | $40.00 |
| 145 | Evolved from the 140 with a narrower spool; made 1949 to 1978. | collecting |
| 146 | The narrowest Squidder, from 1965 (the 146M was sold as the Squidder Jr). | $75.50 |
Sources: Old Reel Collectors Association, Penn reel model list (1932 to 1983).
Penn Senator 4/0: 113, 113H, 113HL, 113HLW and 113H2
| Model | What differs | Value |
|---|---|---|
| 4/0 | The size name of the model 113. A listing may give either, so each has its own page. | $39.67 |
| 113 | The 4/0 Senator, from 1938. | $39.97 |
| 113H | The Special Senator: the high speed 4/0, from 1964. | $50.00 |
| 113HL | The Senator II: a 4/0 with an aluminum spool, from 1980. | $67.00 |
| 113HLW | The Senator II Wide: the wide-spool 113HL. | $85.00 |
| 113H2 | Penn's current Special Senator in the 4/0 size, with a 3.3:1 gear ratio. | $74.99 |
Sources: Old Reel Collectors Association, Penn reel model list (1932 to 1983); Penn, Special Senator product page.
Penn Jigmaster 500, 500L, 500S and 501
| Model | What differs | Value |
|---|---|---|
| 500 | The Jigmaster, introduced in 1958 or 1959: a star-drag reel with a 4:1 gear ratio. The plain 500 has a plastic spool, the 500M a metal one. | $27.49 |
| 500L | The 500 with a silver aluminum spool, 1975 to 1980. | collecting |
| 500S | The Jigmaster S, 1978 to 1983, with a red aluminum spool (500SL) or a chrome and stainless one (500SM). | $33.99 |
| 501 | The narrow version of the 500, from 1965, called the Jigmaster Jr. | collecting |
Sources: Old Reel Collectors Association, Penn reel model list (1932 to 1983); The Fisherman, Tackle tip: the Penn Jigmaster 500.
Penn Long Beach 60, 65, 66, 67 and 68
| Model | What differs | Value |
|---|---|---|
| 60 | The smallest Long Beach, about 250 yards of line in the original capacities, from 1933. | $17.27 |
| 65 | About 300 yards, from 1933, with the small side plates of the 60. | $15.00 |
| 66 | About 400 yards, from 1936: the first Long Beach with the larger side plates. | $10.62 |
| 67 | About 500 yards, from 1939. | $19.99 |
| 68 | About 600 yards, from 1942. | $25.00 |
Sources: Old Reel Collectors Association, Penn reel model list (1932 to 1983).
Abu Garcia Ambassadeur 5000, 5000A, 5000B, 5000C and 5000D
| Model | What differs | Value |
|---|---|---|
| 5000 | The original, in the United States from 1954, with a standard-capacity spool and bronze bushings. | $41.00 |
| 5000A | A large-capacity spool, from 1955. | $35.00 |
| 5000B | From 1964, with a counterbalanced handle and a large spool; a clicker came about two years later. | $50.00 |
| 5000C | From 1967. C means ball bearings. | $42.49 |
| 5000D | From 1974. D means direct drive, with an adjustable drag. | $56.00 |
| 5500C | Abu's first high speed model, from 1973, at 4.7:1: a 5 in the second digit marks high speed. | $41.00 |
| 6000 | The wider-spool version of the 5000, from 1955. | $50.00 |
Sources: Fred Ribb, ABU Ambassadeur collector notes; realsreels.com, Dating ABU reels.