Magnum vs narrow

[Swampfox]

Hmmm. Nobody has an opinion about the condition of that spool shaft, where it engages the pinion? Would really like to know if it's supposed to be worn looking like that? That way I can try to talk to the seller! A deal, is not always, a good deal! I did do a bunch of searching and just can't seem to find any decent close up pictures, to confirm this. A new spool is $110 plus tax.!!!!

Thanks
EA

It looks damaged to me

[Swampfox]

3 reels on the table now. Why not one of each?

Gotta get that Cortez kit on the Baja though. That's the only way that reel achieves its potential

Why u think that? I love Tom's stuff but the Baja special is just Penn's version

[ExcessiveAngler]

Ugh! My phone is so hot. It's just glitchy!  I was trying edit that post and gave up and deleted it. Truly sorry to interrupt your thread. Thank you for the info. I was kind of afraid of that, but sometimes things are shaped a certain way for a purpose. Thats the best way I can put it. Wouldn't be that bad, if that spool wasn't so much money. Are the edges supposed to be chamfered at all? Or are they supposed to be completely flat on top, edge to edge?

Thank you again
EA

[steelfish]

hey bro, that spool is in good shape, those "marks" or cuts in spool floating shaft are like that to help / make it easier to engage with the pinion gear, those cuts on the shaft "tooth" slide / slip the spool to the pinion gear when is steady or rotating (kinda hard to explain) but its like that on every Baja Special or US senator

check mine, the pics are kinda old but you can see on of those cuts and also check the pinion gear with its base square where the spool shaft teeth engage

[ExcessiveAngler]

Thanks Alex, I had a feeling they were supposed to be that way slightly. Yours looks to be in better shape, though! The remaining metal on each side of the hub? just looks thin to me. And then if you look at the center there, in that one pic, looks like there's an extra bore on each side. And then the edges, don't look uniform to me. People do some crazy things to reels sometimes. Just don't want to experience a failure with it.

[steelfish]

Thanks Alex, I had a feeling they were supposed to be that way slightly. Yours looks to be in better shape, though! The remaining metal on each side of the hub? just looks thin to me. ............... Just don't want to experience a failure with it.

mine its just cleaner, thats all, I say you can go with confidence after a good size fish.

[ExcessiveAngler]

So here's a question. What's the General cut off point with these reels? I understand sometimes, you just tie into a giant and nothing can be done! Gotta imagine that magnum is going to be stronger, then say the 113HN, I currently have now, no?

[Bill B]

A word of caution.....there is a tiny bearing in the spool shaft.  Don't lose it.  Ask me how I know. Bill

[Swami805]

I think the 113hn would be the more robust of the group all in stock from. Drop a few hundred in upgrades into the others might even it up a bit

[day0ne]

Since Jigmaster Magnums are somewhat rare and expensive, if you decide to go that route, take a look at the old Progear 541 (regular width) and 545 (narrow). They are essentially the same as the Jigmaster Magnum but cheaper and more available.

[JasonGotaProblem]

The baja can do a lot. I know this fish was nowhere near the limit of that reel but it's the biggest I've caught on one.

[Vintage Offshore Tackle]

The made in the USA Pro Gear 545 (do not confuse with the recent Chinese reels which are related in name only) is superior to the Accurate Jigmaster 99 Magnum in every possible way. 

It comes standard with 4:1 gears, and more importantly, instead of a separate side plates and frame assembly, the Pro Gear features a one piece frame that is machined from a solid aluminum billet, providing the ultimate strength and rigidity and eliminating the screw holes that are frequently the source of corrosion.

If you do not need a clicker, I have one that is in excellent condition in the box for $165 plus shipping.   Please take a look at the photos and let me know if you want it.

[steelfish]

The baja can do a lot. I know this fish was nowhere near the limit of that reel but it's the biggest I've caught on one.

great picture and great fish Jason, thats a nice grouper

[Gfish]

Yet another cool thing about the Pro Gear reels is the way the gear-side plate fits down into the frame. Looks so darn solid(the third picture in Randy's post)

[Maxed Out]

 Another great reel from Randy.

 The Pro Gear 545 is the most under appreciated reel of all time. It should be more like a $300-$400 reel for the features it has.

 Another tidbit about the 545 is a double dog bridge falls right in. Also a 113h steel gear sleeve, and a 113h 5 stack of ht-100 drag washers puts this reel into the bullet proof catagory

 A few years back I read an article about some guys in So-Cal that caught tuna up to 100# with the 545. No surprise there. These reels have no weak links