Penn 25N Fathoms Cast Control

OldSchool · June 23, 2015, 12:41:30 PM

Just a query, not withstanding the brake blocks being activated, does adjusting the Spool Tension Control for the purpose of cast control adversely affect components in the reel. Is this a general practice or one to avoid?

Keta · June 23, 2015, 01:50:19 PM

I'll have to look at my reel but on most Penn reels the knob is just for adjusting the spool thrust (side movement) and should have a little play.

Rivverrat · June 24, 2015, 06:10:36 AM

I believe Keta is correct in stating there should be a slight bit of play. In your adjustment cap there are shims that are readily replaceable. I cant for the life of me remember what is is in side plate on the far side of the bearing used in the side plate opposite the handle. I don't believe it has replaceable shims. Which if true means all the more it would be good to follow Keta's advice.

The side plates on the 25n are pretty affordable. The handle side with AR bearing is I believe under $20. The non handle side should be a bit cheaper. What I'm getting at is the left side plate could be what you might wreck over a period of time doing what you speak of. But if it's replacement price doesn't worry you might get away with it for a bit then backing off as you get better with the reel. Or better yet you might play with different oils or even light grease in your spool bearings. This will slow it down. However I have found that the 25n is a very manageable reel. Be good to know what your attempting or exactly what your goal is to better help you ...Jeff

OldSchool · June 24, 2015, 11:40:33 AM

Cast control is what's being attempted. By adjusting the spool control knob it does slow the spool down considerably in audible click increments. By using this to control spool speed can you damage any parts over time?

Keta · June 24, 2015, 01:08:30 PM

I've been deer proofing our garden, if that's a possibility, but will run to the shop this morning and check but I would say don't do it.

johndtuttle · June 24, 2015, 02:33:57 PM

Quote from: OldSchool on June 24, 2015, 11:40:33 AM
Cast control is what's being attempted. By adjusting the spool control knob it does slow the spool down considerably in audible click increments. By using this to control spool speed can you damage any parts over time?

True cast controls like this on the right side use a configuration of washers intended to brake the spool shaft. Penn includes no such assembly in their Spool Tension Cap that is intended to accomplish the same.

They put clicking bits in there to keep it from loosening when the reel is in use and you will wear the Click Plate if you crank down on it (it is not intended to be a brake).

Jeri · June 24, 2015, 04:08:52 PM

Hi Oldschool,

We find that a lot of folks here use the spool float tensioner to act as a casting speed control mechanism - and it is not intended as such, and can if used for protracted periods become harmful to the reel.

Setting the spool end float with the reel in free spool - the spool needs to 'just' move left to right, with the absolute slightest amount of movement. Then the reel is set as the manufacturer intended - just floating nicely between the bearings of the spool - ready to spin.

Casting control is all intended to be achieved through the centrifugal braking system, which if I remember right on the Fathom is up to 6 little plastic brakes, which can be switched on or off according to your needs.

However, if you use the spool tensioner to induce end friction on your shaft, then two things are going to happen, in the short term the life of the bearing in the left casing will be severely compromised, as it will be under huge side loads that it was never intended to take. The second is a much more long term problem, which if not picked up willl cause the right hand end of the spool shaft to 'mushroom', and eventually get jammed in the right hand side bushing or bearing - making it very difficult to get the reel apart to service.

If you need more braking in the casting, because perhaps you are casting heavier weights than the reel was intended, then replace the oils in the spool bearings with a marine grease - this has a huge effect on casting spool speed, and will for the troubled caster bring things more under control.

Hope that helps.

Cheers from sunny Africa,

Jeri

Rivverrat · June 24, 2015, 04:55:28 PM

I stand corrected.....Having recently opened up so many different reels it brought about a major brain fart. There are no such shims in the Fathom 25n or in any of the other Fathom star drags side plates. Meaning what Keta alluded to & what Jeri & John stated is true. The force you are applying to the shaft by snugging up the adjustment has to be held or absorbed by something. When you add to that the spool spinning several thousand RPM's when casting the problems already mentioned could take place fairly quickly.

I have used grease & Lucas oil to slow down a couple of reels for my son. The Lucas motor oil additive worked best for this situation but is pricey & tacky making it not the easiest to clean up when it comes time to use regular oil.

Keta · June 24, 2015, 05:58:06 PM

I just got back from the shop, my answer is no, it will eventually damage the spool shaft and/or the cap.

OldSchool · June 25, 2015, 04:01:23 AM

Okay, this is what I thought might me the case. Thanks for that guys. I haven't taken the 25N for a run yet so im hoping the narrow spool should make easier to handle. The Squall 15 is a breeze and a real pleasure but you have the mag on it and I went to a Fathom 30 previously which had a few teary moments.

day0ne · June 26, 2015, 06:00:41 AM

As stated, the Fathom 25N has adjustable centrifugal casting brakes in the left side plate.

Keta · June 26, 2015, 01:15:19 PM

Quote from: OldSchool on June 25, 2015, 04:01:23 AM
Okay, this is what I thought might me the case. Thanks for that guys. I haven't taken the 25N for a run yet so im hoping the narrow spool should make easier to handle. The Squall 15 is a breeze and a real pleasure but you have the mag on it and I went to a Fathom 30 previously which had a few teary moments.

Spool off a bit more line than your casting and cover the rest of the line on the spool with tape. Wind the rest of the line back on and then practice casting. This reduces the depth of the backlash.

Reel 224 · June 26, 2015, 02:19:55 PM

I have some reels that say in there instructions to use the tension adjustment for spool control by letting the plug/bait hang and use the free spool to adjust the tension so as to just stop the line from falling and then back off a tiny bit. Since hearing the advice of the people here in the know,I don't do that to my bait casters anymore. It makes sense to me that turning down pressure on that bearing surface has to cause damage after many casts.

Keta · June 26, 2015, 02:49:52 PM

Some reels are designed for doing just that, not Penn though.

johndtuttle · June 26, 2015, 02:59:56 PM

Quote from: Reel 224 on June 26, 2015, 02:19:55 PM
I have some reels that say in there instructions to use the tension adjustment for spool control by letting the plug/bait hang and use the free spool to adjust the tension so as to just stop the line from falling and then back off a tiny bit. Since hearing the advice of the people here in the know,I don't do that to my bait casters anymore. It makes sense to me that turning down pressure on that bearing surface has to cause damage after many casts.

Yes, as Keta said in some reels this IS a cast control with specifically chosen "drag" washers under the cap to make it work.

Pretty sure it doesn't really work much (which is why there are real cast controls on the left side that operate on the spool) so Penn has never gone that route.

If you think about it, the tiny brake effect of such a small diameter washer is negligible whereas the relative large "race" that centrifugal brakes use on the spool is vastly more effective.