Newell 540 and 5+1 drag system

[Newell Nut]

My 540 3.2 has fished 3 days a week all year and it is my primary snapper killer on a Seeker Black Steel CJB80H.

All of my gear gets a good spray of blue dawn and water while my wife is preparing the fish for dinner. After the dawn comes a hard spray of water which should flush everything off of the reels and rods. After all this time and a canceled trip tomorrow due to a little wind and waves I decided to disassemble and inspect.
Bryan's drag system looks like it did when I installed it and no need to replace. I will just add fresh cal's and reassemble.
The disappointing part is the Tiburon frame pitting. The mating surfaces and screws were no issue but he exposed areas that get a good wash show wear and pitting.
I also want to note that of all the handles that I have tested I like the modified Shimano handle the best. Sold by ulua junkies. If you have a dremel you can buy your own and modify for the gear sleeve which I recently did for a friend. These handles are chromed brass like a penn and rather strong.

Upon reassembly I will install top and bottom delrin to test for a few months. The reel was already smooth but it may be super smooth later.

[Newell Nut]

Reassembled and decided to stay with my full 6 stack arrangement so no delrin on the bottom of the gear. I put a delrin washer on top of the drag stack and then a Penn 18-505 Belleville to get it to fit in the sideplate. Since I am using the thicker graphite star there was no room for the 3-18 washer which is no problem. The drag is still very strong and smooth so I am ready for the next trip. After cleaning the pitting off of the Tib frame the spool spins nice and fast again.

[sundaytrucka]

That reel has some clean internals, double dogs too, looks good. I never though of modifying a handle to fit other reels.

What pound line do you run on this reel?

-Scott

[Newell Nut]

I am using Momoi Diamond 60 and could do just as well with 50 since I usually use a 40 lb leader for mangrove snapper fishing. When the water is not so clear I use a 60 lb leader.

One of our members sent me a 300 series to work on a few weeks ago and he had put a Penn handle on it and I think the number was 24-555 and it was very impressive and well balanced. I thought about trying one but just have not got around to doing it.

[bluefish69]

The Guys up here have been using the Penn Handles for a few years now & everyone likes them. They are about $20 each. Just a little Dramel work & they fit nice.

[sundaytrucka]

Forgot to mention in previous post, I am having the same issue of pitting on my 113H Tiburon narrow frame. Threads are fine, and side plate rings/frame mating surface is perfect, but open areas of the frame have slight pitting.

[Newell Nut]

My silver Tiburon frames have no issues at all. Only my blue one so I am guessing a poor coating is the issue but I don't know for sure.

[Bryan Young]

Sorry to hear about your frame, and glad that the drag kit is performing flawlessly.