Anyone have problems with Penn 525 Mag?

[Sea Monkey]

Has anyone had any trouble with this reel. I've only used mine a few times, but I don't think that the magnetic feature on mine is working. Moving the lever doesn't seem to do anything.

[SURF GHOST]

Sea Monkey, It 's probably working good but you might have to add more Magnets like I did. If I can find the addresse of the Co. I'll Post it & you can buy a few more rare earth Magnets as needed. Don't forget you still have to use the thumb to stop it !!!!!... :D SG

PS --- Ther is room inside for at least 4 More Magnets !!! :D

[ 03-15-2004, 05:58 PM: Message edited by: SURF GHOST ]

[sea geezer]

Sea Monkey you can get the rare earth magnets at Radio Shack. Open the side plate and put two under the existing magnets on the bar. Pull the "slidey" all the way back to show. How much line is on the reel, the more line, the faster she will turn. When I first used mine, I put only about 3/4 of a spool, and started with 17lb test. Use the cheaper line till you get the feel of it. And you still have to thumb it, but the extra magnets and less line will help an awful lot....good luck and don't give up on it....it's a good reel.

[Sea Monkey]

I love the reel so far, I just didn't think it was working correctly. The lever that controls the magnet doesn't seem to slow the spool down at all. I would have expected to notice at least a small difference. I'm going to get it serviced, then I'll try the extra magnets.

Thanks for the advice

[joeturse]

Sea Monkey,try this site http://neilmackellow.sea-angler.org/

Joe

[the greek]

Sea monkey, you can also buy the mag conversion kit which already has the extra mags installed. It is a straight swap for the old part and you get much more range than before.

The Greek

[fishtrek]

Greek, Where can you get the conversion kits that you mentioned??

[Bob ECT]

It's built to be a fast casting reel. You may need more magnets if you desire more control. You should notice the difference between the low setting and the high setting with a very light lure on there. It won't crank down like a traditional spool tension, but it does work great once you get used to it.

[Last Cast]

I'm with Bob on this one. Sounds We have access to the parts your looking for. We use one of the best there is in reel modifications. He builds long distance casting reels, etc..
Email me and I will give you his info.

[ 03-27-2004, 08:27 PM: Message edited by: Last Cast ]

[the greek]

Sea Monkey you can get the mag conversion kit at Hatteras Outfitters. I installed one and really like it.

[Billy BaitSlinger]

Originally posted by Sea Monkey:
Has anyone had any trouble with this reel. I've only used mine a few times, but I don't think that the magnetic feature on mine is working. Moving the lever doesn't seem to do anything. Mr Brine Shrimp,

The change from slow to fast is pretty subtle. Try this to check it out:

Seat the 525 Mag on the rod. Set the mag for max slow. Put the reel in freespool, and give the line a little tug. Watch how it comes to a stop. If you don't tug too hard it will come to a stop with minimal over run. Now set the Mag on fast. Try the same tug. Now see the difference?

I am a guy who had little to no distance casting experience with revolving spool, and with a little practice I can sling it pretty consistently without backlashing, when set on slow. I have not tried into a heavy headwind; this may require a little more thumbing, or perhaps more magnets. I found some good info on installation of these on Stripersonline (Am I allowed to say that? ;) )

One basic tip when casting is to let it go on the earlier side, meaning tend to throw it high rather than low. A "line drive" cast is trouble. Then you're looking at a burnt thumb, backlash, or both :D :D

Oh yeah, make sure the spool tension is set properly (know on rhs). Instructions on this come with the reel.

There are many experts here, in this area, who certainly are more skilled than this simple BaitSlinger (Ardmore Bill, Connman, Rustyhook, Phil L, Phil 4s, et al). Perhaps they can give us all some tips on working with conventionals in the Surf.

My weak area is on laying the line back on, i.e. a human levelwind.

Good Luck!

[baranx3]

If you ever go down to the banks, stop off at Hatteras Jack in Rodanthe, Ryan there can modify it to slow down for you. Last year my father in law was having problem switching to a baitcaster and I had Ryan slow down the 525 mag. I thing he charged 3 bucks.

[Sergeant Slough]

You're not going to see any appreciable magnet influence on the spool at low RPM. The influence is proportional with spool speed; the faster the spool, the larger the magnetic eddy, the greater the braking.

The primary mistake people make when starting out with the 525 MAG is having the feel too full. The line level should be at least 3 mm below the edge of the spool. Line diameter also plays a role, it has a direct effect on the rotational speed of the spool. Also, the reel out of the box has yellow rocket fuel in the bearings; for most people, that oil is way too fast. The oil viscosity is the main control on the speed of the spool.

There are only four variables that impact the reel's speed; line level, line diameter, oil viscosity and number of magnets. That is the order in which they should be played with.

You don't want to add magnets as a first step; the first thing to do is re-oil the bearings. Again, the viscosity of the oil in the bearings is the primary speed controller.

The point where the beginner really needs to over-control the reel is the beginning of the cast and that is the point where the oil is the brake. When the spool first starts rotating is when the oil is thickest; as rotation increases heat builds, viscosity drops, centrifugal spin-off occurs and the oil loses braking effect. On the other hand, the magnet's effect is not that powerful at the start of the spool's rotation, only when the sinker is well on its way and the spool is spinning 20-30,000rpm, is the mag really effective (the eddy of magnetic influence increases with spool speed).

Putting in more mags as a first step is like reducing the top speed governor on a NASCAR racer cause its spinning the tires at the start.

Once the cast is away, the magnet should be set to keep the line just at the edge of "fluffing" off the reel. One wants the drag of the spool to be at it's minimum effect on the sinker; essentially, spool rotational inertia vs. line taken by the sinker should be in equilibrium, neither one outpacing the other. It's magical when you get that to happen! That's why the 525 Knobby is popular with the distance guys; they begin backing off on the mag once the sinker is well away and the decreasing diameter of the spool begins its braking effect.

So, I would say to anybody with a 525 that runs too fast for them:

Disasemble the reel, remove the bearings and soak them with lighter fluid, dry and then put in a few drops of Red Rocket Fuel. In lieu of RRF, a 90wt gear lube with EP (extreme pressure, most importantly anti-foam) properties will work. In the USA, lubes may not be labeled clearly for EP properties, you must go by testing lab certifications. Look for API-GL-4.

Give that a try and the reel should be allot more controllable. If not, re-lube with thicker oil.

Hope this helps.

[ 03-29-2004, 09:23 PM: Message edited by: Sergeant Slough ]