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04-05-2002, 08:18 AM

Hi, Can anyone out there advise me on how heavy of line I can put on a Penn 525 mag GS and 545 GS Bait-casting reels without adversely effecting the good casting abilities of the reels. I know Penn recommends 15 and 20 Lb. line respectively. I would like to go to 20 and 40 Lb. respectively to use these reals for jigging larger fish. I would be glad to hear your opinions. Thanks Wayne J. Wayne Wilson

davetclown · 04-05-2002, 01:04 PM

hi Wayne this is my opinion on putting hever lines than what is recomended, is, that you will be working the reel harder than what the reel was desgned for and will shorten the life of your equipment. I have not used a penn in over thirty years but I have destroid several reels by putting 70pound test line on a reel designed for 20. stripping gears and breaking poles. it is kinda like going deer hunting with a 22 caliber rifle, you can get one with a 22 if you do it just right, but for all pratical perpous you are out gunned. in the past 6 years my dad has been putting 30 pound test line on reels designed for 14 pounds and has gone througn 23 reels in those 6 years of fishing the Golf side of Florida pulling in 40 and 50 pounders. dont let my mishaps become yours. [ Smile

] by the way welcome to the BFT boards hope to hear of your fishing exploits. <A HREF="http://myweb.ecomplanet.com/MESS6438/" target="_new">http://myweb.ecomplanet.com/MESS6438/</A> Lookie See what the kids are up to. Dave T. Clown

davetclown · 04-05-2002, 08:00 PM

Thor you sait that right [ Smile

] I put a 70 pound on my 20 pound reel and hooked on to a biggen, striped the drag on my reel and burnt the $%^#$^ out of my thum and for finger. spent the rest of my day sokeing my hand in the lake to try to ease the burn. (permently scarred) lost the fish too! [frown] and my lure and all my line off the reel. <A HREF="http://myweb.ecomplanet.com/MESS6438/" target="_new">http://myweb.ecomplanet.com/MESS6438/</A> Lookie See what the kids are up to. Dave T. Clown

04-06-2002, 01:27 PM

Hummmm..... 70 Lb. on a 20 Lb. Reel. I was just hoping for a 5Lb. and 10Lb. increase. everyone has just about talked me out of buying those reels. Any more comments are welcome. I hope George Van Zant might respond to this question. J. Wayne Wilson

Gamakatsu · 04-07-2002, 05:22 AM

as to the question will a heavier increase of say 10lb's greatly reduce the castability of these reels? No...but as noted line capacity will be less and watch the thumb....pay close attention not to burn up the drag either, thats really what the manufacturer is refering to when specifying line size. Good luck and keep fishing.

04-09-2002, 05:00 AM

hi Wayne, I have used all of the 500 series of penn, from the 505 jigmaster to the 555 gs hs series, I have used them from throwing heavy irons, throwing live baits, trolling, all the way to pin rigging.... if you want to use heavier line on the 525 mag(excellent reel for casting!) you could use a lil heavier line, lil heavier line , like 20lb test no problem... just make sure that you use quality line... I would use p-line, smaller dia. line also good abrasion resistant and good not strength.... and for the 545, 40 lb test wouldnt be a problem either.... I use 30 lb test on my 545, I use silver thread .... but silver thread doesnt carry 40 lb test line, so i would also use p-line also if you want to put on heavier line than what the reel ask for... hopefully you trust me on this... I do know what Im talking about because most of my fishing arsenal are the penn 500 series! tight lines!

04-09-2002, 04:06 PM

Wayne: I deployed a 525 w/ 20 pound green P line the other night on the breakwater and did not back-lash once......yes that's somewhat of a personal record. But that's what I got the reel for. Casting about 3 times a minute takes lots of discipline with your thumb. Personally, I don't think the reel should be used with heavier line but it probably could be. You refer to "jigging" which encompasses a broad area of fishing. If you are throwing metal jigs the 525s' retrieval speed is adequate but the spool capacity is severlly reduced after a 70 yard cast. You know Wayne that it's almost impossible to break #30 pound mono bending your rod against an immovable object, with 20 yards of line out. My son catches 30 pound sea bass constantly with 15 pound. I usually don't question anybodys' fishing tactics, you can fish with that heavy stuff, but truthfully I would get a reel that calls for the heavy stuff. The 525 is for casting and retrieval. George Van Zant <A HREF="http://www.bigfishtackle.com/georgescorner.htm " target="_new">http://www.bigfishtackle.com/georgescorner.htm </A>

ironmike · 04-10-2002, 04:20 AM

Hey Wayne I have a 545 GS and have used as heavy as 40 lb test. The key is to use good quality lines that are thinner in diameter so you don't overwork your reels. These reels are designed for super fast retrieves and great casting capabilities. No offense but make sure you really know how to cast with these reels. Like they say practice makes perfect. Make sure you tune your reels in to match your casting method. Make all the proper adjustments and you will be able to cast your irons or lives a mile away.

ssor · 04-10-2002, 04:27 AM

ironmike, I want to welcome you to the GREAT AND GROWING BFT board. Glad to have you abord. Texas Gulf Coast Fisher <A HREF="http://myweb.ecomplanet.com/ROSS6959/" target="_new">http://myweb.ecomplanet.com/ROSS6959/</A>

ironmike · 04-10-2002, 04:34 AM

Thanks for the welcome. Hope to chat and give some pointers to whoever looks for them. SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA COAST FISHER

ssor · 04-10-2002, 04:50 AM

ironmike, You will find alot on the board. Other anglers are always looking for an answer to just about every thing about fishing. Since I joind the board I have gained alot of great info. Enjoy[ Smile

] Texas Gulf Coast Fisher <A HREF="http://myweb.ecomplanet.com/ROSS6959/" target="_new">http://myweb.ecomplanet.com/ROSS6959/</A>

davetclown · 04-10-2002, 05:11 AM

thanks for the tip. can we get you register and become a member? it is free[cool] <A HREF="http://myweb.ecomplanet.com/MESS6438/" target="_new">http://myweb.ecomplanet.com/MESS6438/</A> Lookie See what the kids are up to. Dave T. Clown

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