Pro Gear 454-6

[Bill B]

I have almost as many 113H's, in various configurations,in stock as jigmasters.  Yeah, I'm going to say it, maybe too many 🤣🤣🤣🤣.  I may try and compare the parts to see what's interchangeable. It should be here middle of next week.  This will be my first  PG. 

[Hardy Boy]

What happened to the extra narrow ?

Cheers

Todd

[Bill B]

What happened to the extra narrow ?

Cheers

Todd

Sometimes a deal falls into your lap 

[Bill B]

The PG 454 arrived yesterday, the fleabay seller is a first class act.  Shipping was fast, albeit it just had to travel from the Bay area to SoCal, purchased Thursday and arrived Monday morning, the reel would rate on a Randy Paulie Scale of 8.99.  I could see the plastic reel clamp was broken (before purchase), but not worried about that.  There was some salt crusting, most likely left over from a very good fresh water rinse.  All screws backed out as they should, with the presence of grease, possibly Cals or Shimano, in all appropriate areas.  Now I will admit I know little about PG, but will assume this is an early example due to lack of clicker and a 3 stack drag.  No worries I have a 5 stack enroute from Mystic.  With the exception of the main gear (bronze) the internals appear to be all SS. Both bearing almost dropped out on their own. The shields are pressed in so I will just soak in a solvent then oil with TSI 321.  The right side plate seems like it is ready for a double dog?  I'm really liking what I see.  This reel has seen little use, but rest assured I will do my best to wear it out. The only question I have is why did it take me so long to jump on the PG band wagon?!?  Bill

[steelfish]

.The only question I have is why did it take me so long to jump on the PG band wagon?!?  Bill

congrats on your 454 reel amigo Bill, I also asked myself the same question, now I have a 454 and the mini tank 545, both reels are beautiful and ready to upgrade them as your wallet allows

[day0ne]

Now I will admit I know little about PG, but will assume this is an early example due to lack of clicker and a 3 stack drag. 

Clicker or no clicker is an option on a ProGear and doesn't date the reel. I believe most had no clicker. If I remember correctly, the 3-stack drag is also standard. The double dog bridge from Pro Challenger works well on these reels. I personally wouldn't grind on the aluminum side plate. Bryan's 7+1 drag also works well.

[Rancanfish]

Now I will admit I know little about PG, but will assume this is an early example due to lack of clicker and a 3 stack drag. 

Clicker or no clicker is an option on a ProGear and doesn't date the reel. I believe most had no clicker. If I remember correctly, the 3-stack drag is also standard. The double dog bridge from Pro Challenger works well on these reels. I personally wouldn't grind on the aluminum side plate. Bryan's 7+1 drag also works well.

Nailed it. 

[thorhammer]

Easy swap to an Alan grip- this reel needs bigger handle.

[jurelometer]

Easy swap to an Alan grip- this reel needs bigger handle.

Agree on swapping.  Was never a fan of those cylindrical Pro Gear knobs.  Not very ergonomic, even if it is the size that you like.

Long whole hand grip knobs are great from cranking under load, but suck for speed winding.  Don't know why so many folk put them on reels meant for working lures.  I made myself a hollowed out version of the Delrin Tani knob about 3/4 inch diameter that worked OK for speed winding.  You can pinch it with a thumb and two fingers.

Sal made some fatty torpedo knobs (halfway to an egg shape) that I think perfectly  splits the difference between a speed winding knob and a full handgrip cranker.  There are some OEM handles with similar knob shapes, but they don't seem popular around here.

-J

[Swami805]

I'm maybe the small minority who like the progear knobs, I still use them on several reels, not a fan of having a handful of knob on smeller reels

[Keta]

The larger handles help with the aurthritus in my wrists.

[Maxed Out]

Knobs are always personal preference. I've switched to full size knobs due to my semi crippled reeling hand. For pump and reel type of fishing, size of knob doesn't seem to matter much, but function should always be more important than form

[oc1]

A big grip locks your wrist.  That's a good thing when bearing down on a heavy load.

For reeling against little tension, you do not want your wrist to be locked, you want it to be flexible.

I wish I spent more time cranking on a load rather than just taking up line.  But that is not the case.

[Bill B]

Not to worry guys, a box arrived today, courtesy of Ted (Maxed Out),  with 2 custom grips 😱, 1 shift lever, 1 ultra rare SS star, and enough albacore tuna to last the year,  if I don't hide it from the wife, maybe a week 🤣.  She already scarfed 1 while I was typing.   John (Brewcrafter) gave me an Alan Tani 8 tooth SS gear sleeve and traded a 5 stack drag stack for a Bryan Young 7 stack.

Lee (Keta) has a SS dog enroute to complete this build.

This Pro Gear is turning into a community project, reminiscent of the Nep-Tuna 349HC build many years ago.

The Ohana spirit is awesome.  I will post pictures of the build shortly.  Bill

[MarkT]

I like the PG power handle! I put one on my 545.