Penn Fathom 15 star drag ?

[Alto Mare]

The travel with the star isn't much on the Fathom 25. I removed the washer on top, not the belleville, there was one on top and the reel did much better. I'm not sure the 15 is the same though.
These reels are new to me, but I do like them.

[Tile]

I had a similar problem on my Fathom 25LW with the click spring chewing the inside of the star drag wheel, the poor orientation of the small bellevile washer and the fact that an extra shim was present and wasn't giving me enough low drag. I wasn't a very happy bunny, having to replace the star drag wheel on a new reel.
I elected to get rid of the click spring and the extra shim, mount the small bellevile on top of the larger one. Now the reel has enough low drag and the new wheel won't suffer the fate of the previous one.

The problem started when the "specialist" messed up the large bellevile washer arrangement by butting them in the (( orientation, thus bringing the clicker assembly in contact with the sideplate boss edge.

[Fish-aholic]

This is how I install the click spring, replace SD and tuck the nose of the click spring inside and fasten the SD over it, not had any binding issues with this method:






I see this a lot:

[Tile]

This is fine . I got rid of mine - the reel functions with zero issues.

[Fish-aholic]

Either remove the belleville washer altogether - or lessen the curvature of the highlighted belleville washer that sits on top of the star drags clicker plate. This alteration will gain the loose drag you desire. Personally I mic it first then slightly flatten it with a pair of universal pliers.

I'm surprised to see that star drag clicker tongue in one piece. I see a lot of these succumb to metal fatigue and lose this clicking feature upon adjustment. Not the end of the world losing this feature, but it's one I like to remain functional.

[handi2]

This is how I install the click spring, replace SD and tuck the nose of the click spring inside and fasten the SD over it, not had any binding issues with this method:






I see this a lot:





Yep you have to tuck it in there..

[basto]

What is the function of the clicker spring? I remember tossing the one on my Torium years ago.
I think I will remove the one from my wife`s 25LW.   Prevention is better than cure.

[Fish-aholic]

What is the function of the clicker spring? I remember tossing the one on my Torium years ago.
I think I will remove the one from my wife`s 25LW.   Prevention is better than cure.

Its a ratcheted operating star wheel; adjust and it ticks. Very useful for my bait & wait surf fishing needs.

[Alto Mare]

Sorry, I'm a slow learner. In what way does the clicking of the star help you?
Sal

[Fish-aholic]

It's in regard to setting a baited trap, Sal.

Here in the UK we use 13'+ beachcasting rods - at times I use more than one rod - and these are anchored into a 6' aluminium tripod rod rest, not held. When targeting larger species, I engage the ratchet button on the LH side plate, fully unbutton the star wheel so the drag is at its least effect and readjust it accordingly to gain the correct amount of drag needed to a taught line. With a ratcheted star, I only need to count the amount of clicks it takes to achieve a correctly set bait trap so minor adjustments are easier to hear.

If it's not set correctly (too tight), the quarry could pull the tripod over and rods and reels could fall into the drink or on to rocks/sandy beaches from the venues I frequent. It's not just the quarry I have to worry about, sea debris is another concern, especially during huge spring tides. My 'baited trap' eliminates such scenarios.

I fish very strong tidal runs here (2nd highest tidal range in the world), so engaging the ratchet and putting the reel out of gear (freespool) will have the tidal-run pull unwanted excessive line. This is why I have to accommodate and set it with the use of the star wheel and a ratcheted star makes the setting process a whole lot faster (speed = more fish).

Hearing the reel pay out line and listening to the audio of a ticking/screaming ratchet is music to my ears. The sound of expensive equipment crashing to the ground causing untold damage, is not. It could easily be a session ender. 

I also can't afford to keep my eyes locked on to my rod tips, I have other things to do, like spare traces needing setting up and baiting. This is called double patting. I either retrieve a fish or washed out bait, unclip trace from my rod and quickly clip on a freshly baited one and sling it out into the drink in minimal time. This increases the time a baited trace lays on the sea bed thus increasing the chances of catching more fish. At some venues, I will only have a maximum of a couple of hours fishing before I can get cut off by the tide, in such situations time really is of the essence and has to be made the most of.

Thought I'd give you the bigger picture, than a simple paragraph. 

[Alto Mare]

Very good explanation Steve, in your case its all about the clicking.
Now, when you say you have additional rods set up, do you mean more than two? I would think that would quickly get out of hands if you're by yourself.

[Fish-aholic]

A mere one minute into the below compilation video is the 'baited trap' being put to practice. I was targeting what you chaps know as gummy sharks (smooth-hounds to us) from rocks only exposed in the last hour and a half of an ebbing tide nearing low water. We have the same amount of time before the flooding tide pushes off it.

Double patting: When focusing the camera on the Saltist 20H with a gummy pulling against the ratchet, behind the handle is a pre-baited trace dangling below the tripod. Once the fish is landed, the trace is unclipped from my rod and fish is placed into a suitable sized rock pool where I can quickly clip on a spare trace and hastily send it out. Again, I can quickly set the bait trap and then deal with the fish (pic and weigh in a sling).

 

Yes, I'm a little munchkin slightly surpassing the 5' mark  

[Fish-aholic]

Very good explanation Steve, in your case its all about the clicking.
Now, when you say you have additional rods set up, do you mean more than two? I would think that would quickly get out of hands if you're by yourself.

It all depends on the venue fished and species targeted, Sal. I chose not to fish alone, it can be too dangerous.  

Rough ground fishing involves terminal tackle losses, so using two rods is out of the question as this will double losses. One rod is preferred for gummy sharks as they can be abundant on the right tide. Two rods can be applied for clean sandy venues targeting species like rays and congers at differing distances. Manic fishing on those red letter days with two rods will quickly see one rod sitting idle and not fished.  

An example of having such a dilemma in having two bites going on at the same time in the above video (around 7 min mark). I just give priority to the rod that's giving the better bite indication out of the two.

I could also take a third light spinning outfit and float fish for smaller species, but this only occurs when the two beachcasters see little to no action. Horses for courses.

Apologies to the OP'er for the off topic posts!

[Shark Hunter]

Great Video,
I have seen it before.
It is all about the Triumph. No matter how big or small.
I am fishing for Leviathans. I only have one reel in at a time.
My friends have their in there as well. That why I only run one.
We might have a four or five reel spread, but each has their own.

[basto]

What is the function of the clicker spring? I remember tossing the one on my Torium years ago.
I think I will remove the one from my wife`s 25LW.   Prevention is better than cure.

Its a ratcheted operating star wheel; adjust and it ticks. Very useful for my bait & wait surf fishing needs.

Thanks for your reply. You obviously have a need or use for the ratcheted star wheel.
We bottom fish with 50lb braid with our 25lw, so the drag is usually set and left at around 80% of max, so we can stop fish before they get to cover.
That is why we don`t need the ratchet in the star and if it is unreliable, I would rather be without it.

good fishing
Basto