Reel Identification & Value

[Kevin C]

Hey guys! I'm wondering if there is anyone in this group that might be able to give me some information on this reel? I've tried doing some research on my own and the best I can estimate is that it's an older Penn that's been upgraded/converted with Accurate parts... but I'm not sure how to verify that. Ultimately, I'm trying to figure if it's a collectible item or if it's something to fish with? Also, I'd like to get an idea of what it's worth. Thanks!

[boon]

Looks to be a Penn Jigmaster. Not really rare nor immaculate enough to be a collectable, probably quite a decent reel to fish with especially if it's had some internal upgrades to go with the Accuplates and frame. There's one for sale on the bay for $249 but I suspect they're dreaming, someone will come along with a ballpark price but I'd say closer to $150, maybe $200 if it has some other upgrades.

[cbar45]

You could put a piece of tape on the spool and count how many times it turns per one handle revolution.

That would give you the gear ratio. Stock is a 4:1 ratio and close to 5:1 would mean someone upgraded the gears, typically with Newell parts.

[MACflyer]

Sold a similar one, Jigmaster 99 size, for $240, with a lot of fresh goodies: Accurate power handle, SS Pro Challenger 4.8:1 gears, SS gear sleeve, SS double-dog bridge, Bryan's 5+1 drag set, etc. Might want to look inside to see if there are any upgrades. Not really rare, but very nice to fish with.

[jurelometer]

You could put a piece of tape on the spool and count how many times it turns per one handle revolution.

That would give you the gear ratio. Stock is a 4:1 ratio and close to 5:1 would mean someone upgraded the gears, typically with Newell parts.

Accurate also made sideplates for the Jigmaster 505HS, which is a 5:1 reel from the factory.  The easiest way to tell is to look at the back of the bridge plate when you remove either sideplate.  If it has a chamfer on it, then it is a 505. Despite what some folks say, the bridge plate and gears are not interchangeable between the 500 and 505. In fact, most of the key parts are not interchangeable, so it is useful to know which one that you have.

Here is the back of a 500 bridge plate:




And the 505:



Machined frames and sideplates don't dramatically improve the load capacity of these reels, which fail under winding load on the gear sleeve or gears first.  We have a gazillion threads on this topic.

But the better kits like the ones from Accurate do improve casting performance.  A kitted out 505 casts like a dream if you know how to cast without a cast control mechanism.  Same with the 500 kit if it has spool ball bearings.

Since these Penn models can't take a ton of drag, the full width models have too much capacity for modern braid.  The narrower models are more popular now, which would require a new frame and spool if you wanted to convert from what you have (assuming it is correctly identified as a Jigmaster).

Still a great reel to fish with 20-30 lb mono.

If you wander around the Penn Jigmaster board here, you will find a ton of useful and mostly accurate information.  It has been a very popular reel for customizing.

-J

[Gfish]

Nice reel. If it ain't already got one, a stainless-steel gear sleeve is good improvement over the stock brass one. Sometimes with heavy use the handle starts to loosen-up as the brass wears.

[Brewcrafter]

Welcome Kevin!  Definitely a good "user" type reel.  As others have mentioned (and also something that can contribute to wide variances in any perceived or actual value) has to do with the stuff you can't see - is it a stock reel with aftermarket side plates (absolutely nothing wrong with that IMO, it will look and fish just fine) or does it have a host of aftermarket internal upgrades as well?  You would probably be well advised to either disassemble/service it to determine those questions (it's not overly difficult - all the information is pretty much on various threads in this Forum) OR have someone who is comfortable with it take on the task.  Based on the appearance of the sideplate screws it definitely would be my recommended next step if you are interested in holding onto this reel and fishing it.  And again - Welcome to the AT Forum from the SoCal Inland Empire! - john

[thorhammer]

Welcome, Kevin! Good reel, echo evrything stated above. If it were mine: carbontex drag upgrade, SS sleeve as Greg said, and upgrade the handle. That reel will fish 20-30 mono very well and catch some nice fish without sweating, or mebbe 30 topshot and braid backing. You aren't going to get but so much drag but again, really nice reel in its class. There are several folks on this forum of questionable sanity who persist in converting stock Jiggys in such a manner. I likely have 20.