Guys, first of all, as far as getting reel, honest answers to questions, this site beats them all. For that I want to thank you because, living in TN, it is hard to get help to questions around here.

I have a 20+ year old Penn 113h that is like new. I could show it to you and you would guess it has never been used, which is not far from the truth. This reel has a metal spool unlike the 113h's being sold today.

I have acquired 4 rigs to use for my annual 5 day trip, but I still have this reel unused. I know that this has been a good reel for a bunch of years, but I have a couple of questions regarding the best place in one's setup.

First, can this reel handle 50# or even 60# line? I did have the drags upgraded last year so I know I am good there. Also, is it worth spending $80 on the Tiburon frame?

Finally, I don't have a rod for this and really will be shot by my ol' lady if I paid a bunch of money for another rod. She wonders why I need more than one already. What inexpensive rod would be a good match for this reel? If it helps, here is my gear inventory (ALL BOUGHT FROM CHARK in the past year!!!!!):

Blacksteel 670 with an Avet MXL 2 speed loaded with 30#
Blacksteel 6470 with a Saltist 40 loaded with 40#
CalStar 700h with an Avet JX 2 speed loaded with 40#
Calstar 765M with an Avet 4/02 loaded with 60#

any old penn is better on what they have now.

let,s keep it simple here.
the 113h is great for 40 to 60.......

pack some spectra , if you can.
as for rod........... 765l , would be my choice.

or a good ole, west coast series.

Outhouse,

I fish four 113H's and they may be the most versatile reels in my inventory. I rig them to fish 30, 40, and 50lb. I'm guessing yours has the silver, chrome-plated brass spool?

The one I modified with a Tiburon topless frame and the 4.0/1 gears from Accurate is my favorite of the four! The freel spool is super and the reel is that much stronger with the one-piece, topless frame - you can fish 60lb without worry. For freelining live bait for mutton snapper here in FL it's great.

Finally, the reel is super easy to service/fix on a trip.

O.K., I'm biased... Upgrade it and enjoy!

Tom

P.S. If you do have the chrome spool, consider swapping it out with an aluminum spool - saves weight!

The 4/0 is still a great 40# reel. IMO it can do 50# but that is pushing it.

The best upgrade you can do is get an aluminum spool to replace the heavy bronze one. Casting will be MUCH improved.

There are a number of handle upgrades available. I am partial to Accurate Power handles but IMO anything is an upgrade from the old Penn handle. The new Penn handles are probly the best bang for your buck

You can just do these 2 things & have a fine 40# reel.

But some of us like to go farther...

My 4/0 has a topless Tib frame and I love it. JMO but yes, it's worth it. A cheaper upgrade would be a late model Penn graphite frame.

I've also fitted my 4/0 with 4:1 Newell gears and stainless yoke. Yes, they work but if I had it to do over again I would have ponied up the extra $$$ for the Accurate gear set. The Newell gears are noisy and rough. AND... the SS yoke is MANDATORY with either set.

My 4/0 is spooled about 3/4 full with 50# Spectra more to avoid throwing away mass quantities of unused mono than any capacity issue. Sure is nice knowing I've got about 700+ yards of line on tap, tho. The 4/0 holds just about exactly 1/4# spool of straight mono. That's a lot of line.

For what I've got in my 4/0 I coulda bought a faster, smaller lighter modern reel. But that wasn't the point.

Fishslayer

I use my stock 4/0 hs as a jig/bait reel on an 8' 40 to 80 lb. Ugly stick with straight 60 lb mono. I've caught more than a few YFT/Alb's on this set up . The Ugly stick also is great throwing Iron with my Jigmaster or Diawa 6to1 and 30 mono . I also have a 3/0 I put on for Tilefish/Seabass filled with 50lb Stealth . Multi tasking keeps Wifey happy .

First of all-where do we get accurate gears? Also, will a tiburon 500 kit fit a 112h?