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Fenwick PLS65s
Post 17 Dec 2017, 16:13 • #1 
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Joined: 06/10/05
Posts: 612
Location: US-MI
Hello All,
It's been a long time since I have posted. Two little ones have derailed my fishing for a while, but it won't be long before I have built in fishing buddies.
Anyway, I picked up a Fenwick PLS65s on Fleebay a few months ago and I am looking for more information about it.
It seems there is a lot of info out there about the PLS65 but I am wondering what the S designation is?
Also, I am currently bidding on a Penn 4400ss to go with it. Wondering if this reel is too big, or just right?
Thanks


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Re: Fenwick PLS65s
Post 17 Dec 2017, 20:46 • #2 
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Joined: 08/10/05
Posts: 19078
Location: downtown Bulverde, Texas
hi bro, I vote too big. 4400SS is an inshore reel with a capacity of 150 yds 10-lb and 120 yds 12-lb.
I have my 4400SS matched with an 8-1/2' Loomis GL2 rod rated for 3/8 to 2 oz., and I've landed king mackerel and jacks on the rig.
4300SS would probably be a perfect match, 6- or 8-lb line.

but we have even the smaller 4200SS matched with a 6-1/2' Falcon rod, load one spool with 10-lb copolymer, and the second spool with 4-lb copolymer to move it to an UL rod. With the Falcon rod, this reel has landed 30" redfish.

I'm guessing S is the spinning rod designation, but don't know enough about these rods to do more than guess.


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Re: Fenwick PLS65s
Post 17 Dec 2017, 23:34 • #3 
Emeritus
Joined: 06/10/05
Posts: 612
Location: US-MI
Hello,
Thanks for the info on the reel. I might use this 4400ss for pike or something and look for a 4300ss.
I like the look of these reels. I grew up in the 80's and these reels seem to match for me even though they might match the period of the rod.

Wondering what you think of the Penn 430ss? Just trying to expand my eBay searches.

I don't think the S suffix is for spinning as there is also a pls65 with no S suffix that's also a spinning rod.
Thanks


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Re: Fenwick PLS65s
Post 18 Dec 2017, 07:12 • #4 
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Joined: 08/10/05
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Location: downtown Bulverde, Texas
A 430SS is probably a great choice - I believe the main difference will be the weight - pot metal body vs. graphite.
430SS became the 430ssG with the graphite body, and finally the 4300SS - but they're all the same reels with interchangeable spools.
The 4300SS has a new anti-reverse selector and the 430SS has the older style that goes back to green spinfishers.

My Penns have fished hard for 35 years. It used to be you couldn't find a smoother reel, but that has changed. Unlikely to find a harder-fishing, longer-lasting reel.

I was looking at the S wrong - not as a suffix - maybe Salt rod?
S was used as a suffix this way on my 8' salty Phillipson Registered fly rod blank (8/9-wt, EF80S)
Do you have the rod in hand? What are the lure and line ratings?
If it is intended as an inshore rod, then either 4400SS or 4300SS is the correct reel, but my thinking is inshore rods are generally 7' and longer.

However, the 6-1/2' 1-pc. Falcon is a light inshore rod, "Open Hook Special", and again, match it with the 4200ss.
big sheepshead on a shallow tide pass
Image


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Re: Fenwick PLS65s
Post 18 Dec 2017, 16:03 • #5 
Master Guide
Joined: 08/29/09
Posts: 512
Location: 2 hrs from all good things Northern Californian
The S in PLS is what designates the rod as spinning. Fenwick did use some suffix designations to denote different tip actions, and there was a PLS65R in their catalog. Its possible what you have is a precursor to the "R" fast action tip before they put it on catalog. Bulldog may also be right about a salt designation as there was a later PLT65 that was meant for lightweight fresh and salt trolling; yours could be an early version of the PLT or even the PLS66 mid-weight 6'6" rod that came out later.


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Re: Fenwick PLS65s
Post 18 Dec 2017, 17:56 • #6 
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Joined: 06/10/05
Posts: 612
Location: US-MI
Hello,
The rod is marked 1/4 - 5/8oz 6-12 lines.
I think the Saltwater idea is probably a good one. This rod seems like the butt section is a little fat and the handle and reel seat are on the heavy side.
I just ordered a Fenwick catalog from 1975 on fleebay. Hopefully I will get some more insight.


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Re: Fenwick PLS65s
Post 18 Dec 2017, 18:48 • #7 
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Joined: 08/10/05
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Location: downtown Bulverde, Texas
that would be a perfect match with a 430 or 4300SS.
While that rod is a good inshore size - 3/8 oz is a typical swimbait jighead - (and a perfect freshwater bass rod), you'll probably enjoy fishing it most with 6# or 8# line (0.25mm dia), making the reel I just recommended the perfect capacity match.
And probably making the rod most versatile for you.
Image
1975 is going to show you green Spinfishers, and the 714 would be the equivalent capacity of 430/4300SS.
The 716 is equivalent in size to 4200SS, and 712 is equivalent to 4400SS.
Unlike most mfgs, Penn worked their way down from big surf and bluewater reels first.
Likewise, I wouldn't put a 712 on that rod, but a 716 would be a hoot - it's a very good 6# reel, and a joy to handle partly because of its lighter weight. It really doesn't feel like Ultralight, but was a light spinning reel for 1975.
I think you'd enjoy the lighter weight of the 430SSG/4300SS over the 714.
If you needed 120+ yds 12# line (0.35mm dia) or greater, the larger reels, 712, 4400SS would be the match.
But for most fishing, 60-80 yds mono is all you really need.
Image Image
The green Penns demand collector prices for VG condition reels.
There were also the next series of black reels, 716Z and 714Z which sell a little closer to earth.


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Re: Fenwick PLS65s
Post 18 Dec 2017, 21:00 • #8 
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Joined: 06/10/05
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Location: US-MI
Bulldog,
Thanks for the info. I have the 4400ss that I won a few days ago coming.
I just bought a 4300ss today. I paid a little too much for it at $90 I think but that's OK. It looks to be in nearly new condition.


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Re: Fenwick PLS65s
Post 18 Dec 2017, 21:25 • #9 
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Joined: 08/10/05
Posts: 19078
Location: downtown Bulverde, Texas
You'll get your money out of fishing the reel - like all Penns, it will fish as long as you want to fish.


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Re: Fenwick PLS65s
Post 20 Dec 2017, 22:33 • #10 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 05/19/14
Posts: 3925
Location: USA - Illinois
ribs1, $90 is not too much. Great reels are worth it. I sold two Penn 4400SS and two 4500SS reels to a friend and wish I had them all back............ :-(


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Re: Fenwick PLS65s
Post 24 Dec 2017, 00:38 • #11 
Emeritus
Joined: 06/10/05
Posts: 612
Location: US-MI
Just got both of my reels today. Both are in better shape than expected.
I think I will use the 4400ss for Pike and the 4300ss for smallmouth. I also bought a Daiwa 6'6" yellow glass rod that arrived today. I think this one might be a bust. Rod has not enough guides and the tip keeps bouncing for way to long when you wiggle it.

Another question, both reels seem a little tight. I am guessing they still have the same grease from the factory.
I have never serviced a spinning reel and could not find much on youtube. Any tips?
Thanks


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Re: Fenwick PLS65s
Post 25 Dec 2017, 00:43 • #12 
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Joined: 08/10/05
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Location: downtown Bulverde, Texas
Mine get stiff sitting still, also, but light oil on the main handle sleeve (through the body, each side), and light oil on the flier/spindle bushing beneath the spool gets them spinning almost like tops (not quite the equivalent of modern 8- or 10-sealed-ball-bearing designs) - the latter point, all spinning reels need before use - the flier has to spin around the spindle, and the spindle has to precess in and out.
Hot sauce lube is perfect, and it usually doesn't take more than a drop.

Image
FWIW, I'm sold on new high-grade Tica reels, and they've held up well in the salt for me.
I have a Cetus SS500 XUL, and this is a Libra SX.
They're every bit as smooth as Shimano "super reels" costing twice as much.
Bought myself a Tica Caiman GJ baitcaster for Christmas - been on my wish list for a few years (in spite of the candy color).


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Re: Fenwick PLS65s
Post 26 Dec 2017, 21:24 • #13 
Emeritus
Joined: 06/10/05
Posts: 612
Location: US-MI
Hello
The mystery is solved. I ordered a 1974 Fenwick Catalog on the auction site and received it in the mail today.
The only difference between the pls65 and the pls65s is the guides. The S suffix designates ceramic guides and tips. Rods without the suffix (in 1974 anyway) had hard chrome guides and carbide tips.


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Re: Fenwick PLS65s
Post 28 Dec 2017, 08:12 • #14 
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Joined: 08/10/05
Posts: 19078
Location: downtown Bulverde, Texas
ribs1 wrote:
Hello
The mystery is solved. I ordered a 1974 Fenwick Catalog on the auction site and received it in the mail today.
The only difference between the pls65 and the pls65s is the guides. The S suffix designates ceramic guides and tips. Rods without the suffix (in 1974 anyway) had hard chrome guides and carbide tips.

good work - any word on your reels?


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Re: Fenwick PLS65s
Post 29 Dec 2017, 19:37 • #15 
Emeritus
Joined: 06/10/05
Posts: 612
Location: US-MI
I haven't done anything with the reels yet.
I am hoping to take them completely apart, but don't really know what I am doing.
Haven't found anyone on youtube with similar reels either.
Might send them out. My buddy has friends that own Corens rod and reel in Chicago


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Re: Fenwick PLS65s
Post 31 Dec 2017, 15:52 • #16 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 05/19/14
Posts: 3925
Location: USA - Illinois
Good luck with those reels ribs1. I was doing a search on my new Steffen 8' 3/4 2 pc. and started on page 396 (the oldest). You were quite active and enjoyed reading your contributions. Nice to see you back active.


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Re: Fenwick PLS65s
Post 01 Jan 2018, 16:18 • #17 
Emeritus
Joined: 06/10/05
Posts: 612
Location: US-MI
Thanks
I probably wont be too active, as most of my extra time these days is spent tying, getting tackle together, fishing or planning trips.
I have 2 kids now, and my business is busier.


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