Penn mag 4 reel

[clarky1492]

Hi all bought a penn mag 4 515 off Ebay, private seller reel was new and never used, set up on the beach no problem loosened drag to pull line through rod eyes had my session then noticed drag no longer loosens star moves freely.. free spool works fine opened it up and can't find anything wrong can't believe this from a penn product anyone have any ideas ?

 

[Reevsey]

Sorry to be the one to give you the bad news but these reels have a reputation of being crap . Unfortunately this model of reel has slowly got worse each time they bring out a new model . The penn fathom range are far better and alot more reliable.

 

[Angrybear]

I thought it was the 525 that had gone crap & the 515 was supposed to still be OK ?
I'm sure I read that on here.

 

[Trampster]

Welcome to the Madhouse Clarky!
Sorry to hear about the problems with your Penn reel.

 

[Reevsey]

They share the same internals so I would imagine there both not great . But I may be wrong .

 

[Mr Fish]

They share the same internals so I would imagine there both not great . But I may be wrong .

I know my mate got a 525 4 and was all pleased as he showed me his new reel.

I said ‘err… you haven’t heard about the issues then?’

I think it lasted a few months

 

[Beach]

It's a welcome from me as well Clarky

 

[Grimleyfiendish]

It's quite likely that stem on which the star wheel sits has either cross threaded or stripped. That would be my first port of call. Don't think it would be drag washers.

 

[bully0046]

I thought it was the 525 that had gone crap & the 515 was supposed to still be OK ?
I'm sure I read that on here.

I purchased 2 of the 525's had to take one back as it made a clicking noise when casting, the Penn consultant was in the shop @ the time, he didn't know what it was, exchanged it there and then

 

[Beach]

I purchased 2 of the 525's had to take one back as it made a clicking noise when casting, the Penn consultant was in the shop @ the time, he didn't know what it was, exchanged it there and then

You know what they say " buy cheap" etc etc

 

[The Third Earl]

I have an original USA 525 ( no mags, just brake blocks ) and an original USA 535, again, just brake blocks . Both solid and dependable. Built like tanks and no frills, cast very well and easy to service.

I admit that its nice to have mag brakes, but really, how many of us could cast a multi that has just brake blocks and thick oil ?I will bet a lot of younger multi users have never ever cast a multi without mag brakes.

Dave

 

[bully0046]

I have an original USA 525 ( no mags, just brake blocks ) and an original USA 535, again, just brake blocks . Both solid and dependable. Built like tanks and no frills, cast very well and easy to service.

I admit that its nice to have mag brakes, but really, how many of us could cast a multi that has just brake blocks and thick oil ?I will bet a lot of younger multi users have never ever cast a multi without mag brakes.

Dave

Yup - I grew up using Mitchell multi's as a kid and learnt with them, TBH having the mags makes no difference with me, imo, I still place thumb on spool to slow it down, always have and will do, nothing like a thumb rash every now and then

 

[kevothefish]

I purchased 2 of the 525's had to take one back as it made a clicking noise when casting, the Penn consultant was in the shop @ the time, he didn't know what it was, exchanged it there and then

I think I must had been lucky as the 2 525 mag 4's I have seem to be fine. The only issue i had was that the original blue tensioning caps seem to work their way loose and fall off - happened on both reels. A fix was to buy the golden end caps from Black Dog which fixed the issue.

 

[Topwater]

I think I must had been lucky as the 2 525 mag 4's I have seem to be fine. The only issue i had was that the original blue tensioning caps seem to work their way loose and fall off - happened on both reels. A fix was to buy the golden end caps from Black Dog which fixed the issue.

View attachment 83771

Knowing what we know I think it's just a case of time spent in use. Good luck with them though, maybe you've got two exceptional ones

 

[Topwater]

I have an original USA 525 ( no mags, just brake blocks ) and an original USA 535, again, just brake blocks . Both solid and dependable. Built like tanks and no frills, cast very well and easy to service.

I admit that its nice to have mag brakes, but really, how many of us could cast a multi that has just brake blocks and thick oil ?I will bet a lot of younger multi users have never ever cast a multi without mag brakes.

Dave

I use non mag mk1s on the boat. Still going strong after decades

 

[The Third Earl]

I use non mag mk1s on the boat. Still going strong after decades

I had a pair, of 535’s bought them both for £45.00 . Used one for boat shadding or bait work and one for beach, a mate had a 535 as well. Used it for shadding them his rod / reel went over the side one day.
Long story short he searched everywhere for another , couldnt find one so twisted my arm for one of mine .
He has had it ten years now , still as good as the day it was made . I service it every year for him , it needs nowt but the occasional set of new bearings .

Dave

 

[chesilpete]

They weight about 8 ounes so useful in a crosswind.