Hi everyone I'm getting into upgrading older penn's and I was curious about a jigmaster with a tib frame and all stainless internals (gears, bridge, double dog, yoke) and upgraded drag could handle. I plan on using it for bottom fishing the gulf to around 200'. Occasionally I run into 20# grouper and aj's. I know a 113h wouldn't have any issues with that workload, but I was curious about the jigmaster. Thanks in advance Tony.
You might get different answers, mine would be yes, with the upgrades you've mentioned, that reel could handle a 20# fish. Did you get the 4:1 gears from Black Pearl? I'm not so sure the 5:1 would do.
I haven't gotten the gears yet. I was curious to see if this is a project worth undertaking and thank you for the help Alto. Your reel is the a beautiful piece of equipment, and after reading your threads I know you know what your talking about. I will have to get ahold black pearl for the gear set.
Back in the 80's, I used to diamond jig for bluefish up North with a stock Jigmaster with no issues. Some of those "gator" blues went 20 lbs and pound for pound they are the hardest of fighters. Btw, the reel's still going strong.
Quote from: tinboat814 on February 02, 2015, 06:55:58 PM
Hi everyone I'm getting into upgrading older penn's and I was curious about a jigmaster with a tib frame and all stainless internals (gears, bridge, double dog, yoke) and upgraded drag could handle. I plan on using it for bottom fishing the gulf to around 200'. Occasionally I run into 20# grouper and aj's.
Aloha Tony, Welcome.
for an extra $28, i would also add Bryan's 5+1 Drag set.
Hey thanks DaBigOno!
How much smooth drag does the 5+1 have (12-15?)
Quote from: nelz on February 02, 2015, 07:39:03 PM
Back in the 80's, I used to diamond jig for bluefish up North with a stock Jigmaster with no issues. Some of those "gator" blues went 20 lbs and pound for pound they are the hardest of fighters. Btw, the reel's still going strong.
This is good news to hear looks like I have a new project
A stock Jigmaster with ht-100 drag washers will handle a 20# AJ or YT. A tricked out model will certainly handle it.
Quote from: tinboat814 on February 03, 2015, 02:11:05 PM
Hey thanks DaBigOno!
How much smooth drag does the 5+1 have (12-15?)
Aloha Tony and welcome.
I'm not sure if I understand your question, but will try my best to respond.
A stock 3 stack drag set will get you about 12#-15# of drag. I've seen people also fish them at 18# which is perfectly capable for a 15# - 20# mono fishing reel. With the inception of braided lines, people now fish these reels with 50# - 65# braided lines with an assortment of top shots based on the fishing technique for the day. So, if you need a little more drag or would like smoother drag at lower settings, my drag stack will do this. as my stacks have 2 additional drag surfaces.
The cost is $27 shipped. PM me if you are interested, or post if you have any further questions.
Thank you and welcome,
Bryan
Quote from: MarkT on February 03, 2015, 03:17:57 PM
A stock Jigmaster with ht-100 drag washers will handle a 20# AJ or YT. A tricked out model will certainly handle it.
Your right about that Mark, I agree that a bone stocked Jigmaster can handle a 20 pound AJ/YT.
But; if he's gonna upgrade to an aluminum frame, SS internals and a bigger handle; why stop $27 short of the full monty?
Quote from: Bryan Young on February 03, 2015, 03:40:17 PM
....my drag stack will do this. as my stacks have 2 additional drag surfaces.
That they do, thank you for making these available to us Bryan.
I'm getting a smooth 22# pulling right off the reel with all the up grades.my 113h with Bryn's drag kit get's a whopping 42#s pulling off the reel. if you like the old penns and all the upgrades available you have come to the right place ;D
I had a set of 5:1 gears and wasn't happy with them and switched back tot he stock gears. Personnel preference.
what did you not like about the 5:1 gears ???
I use the jigmaster as my primary reel. That thing has taken anything you can throw at. I #30 and #40 test flour top shots with braid backing. These perform flawlessly. I mainly use it for yt and yft fishing with no problems. I have ALL the available upgrades and Its an amazing reel
Hey thanks so much for the help guy's! Now it's time for me to start my build.
My go to reel is a 500 With all the upgrades except the 5:1 gear. No special reason for not changing out the gears. I regularly fish 240' deep and have pulled in several 18-25 Lingcod without a bit of strain on the reel.Easy 20#+ drag.
Big Tim
(http://i743.photobucket.com/albums/xx76/fresnotim/100_2682_zpscc5fb693.jpg) (http://s743.photobucket.com/user/fresnotim/media/100_2682_zpscc5fb693.jpg.html)
mine on the left
(http://i743.photobucket.com/albums/xx76/fresnotim/dingaling_zps61bd00aa.jpg) (http://s743.photobucket.com/user/fresnotim/media/dingaling_zps61bd00aa.jpg.html)
Tim, that's a nice size fish. The 500 with all of the upgrades, has become one of my favorite reel for sure. I'm also not crazy about the 5:1, 4:1 serve me just fine.
Is that straight 30# mono on yours?
Quote from: Alto Mare on February 08, 2015, 08:24:15 PM
Tim, that's a nice size fish. The 500 with all of the upgrades, has become one of my favorite reel for sure. I'm also not crazy about the 5:1, 4:1 serve me just fine.
Is that straight 30# mono on yours?
400 yards of 65 power pro, topped with 30#.
What don't you like about the 5:1 gears ? I just ordered Alan's DD bridge with the custom 5:1 gears.
Tim
Not enough mechanical advantage, 4:1 works better for most of my fishing.
Should have known, you California boys love braid ;D. Nothing wrong with the 5:1 ratio, I personally have no need for them. For the type of fishing I do, the 4:1 will do just fine and will also take a little more abuse, but you should do just fine with yours.
Make sure the custom sleeve from Black Pearl comes with those.
I'm putting the 5;1 in that Accurate 500 of mine and was thinking of putting it back on the Seeker SC670-8 CT it came with to try my hand at tossing Irons this June on the SOA ?
Input?
Quote from: Alto Mare on February 08, 2015, 09:02:03 PM
Should have known, you California boys love braid ;D. Nothing wrong with the 5:1 ratio, I personally have no need for them. For the type of fishing I do, the 4:1 will do just fine and will also take a little more abuse, but you should do just fine with yours.
Make sure the custom sleeve from Black Pearl comes with those.
;D ;D ;D Yes we Cali Boyz love us some braid! I believe the sleeve comes in the kit, if not I will get one for sure
Quote from: Big Tim on February 08, 2015, 09:04:44 PM
Quote from: Alto Mare on February 08, 2015, 09:02:03 PM
Should have known, you California boys love braid ;D. Nothing wrong with the 5:1 ratio, I personally have no need for them. For the type of fishing I do, the 4:1 will do just fine and will also take a little more abuse, but you should do just fine with yours.
Make sure the custom sleeve from Black Pearl comes with those.
;D ;D ;D Yes we Cali Boyz love us some braid! I believe the sleeve comes in the kit, if not I will get one for sure
:D...
I'm just starting on it myself, so far I'm not crazy about it, I need to get used to it i guess.
Quote from: Alto Mare on February 08, 2015, 09:02:03 PM
Should have known, you California boys love braid ;D.
You better watch who you are calling a Californian..... ;D
I went from Dacron to Spectra so the change was not as bad as going from mono to braid.
Oregon doesn't count ;D ;D ;D Is that even a state ;D
Quote from: Alto Mare on February 08, 2015, 09:17:05 PM
Quote from: Big Tim on February 08, 2015, 09:04:44 PM
Quote from: Alto Mare on February 08, 2015, 09:02:03 PM
Should have known, you California boys love braid ;D. Nothing wrong with the 5:1 ratio, I personally have no need for them. For the type of fishing I do, the 4:1 will do just fine and will also take a little more abuse, but you should do just fine with yours.
Make sure the custom sleeve from Black Pearl comes with those.
;D ;D ;D Yes we Cali Boyz love us some braid! I believe the sleeve comes in the kit, if not I will get one for sure
:D...
I'm just starting on it myself, so far I'm not crazy about it, I need to get used to it i guess.
It's like switching from Jack Daniels to Jim Beam, once you get use to it you love it ;D
Quote from: Big Tim on February 08, 2015, 09:22:20 PM
Oregon doesn't count ;D ;D ;D Is that even a state ;D
State of confusion.
I prefer the stock ratio on the 500 over the 5:1. I found it retrieved really fast but seemed to be really challenged for salmon trolling and that is a mere 24-30 onces. Let alone if somehting is on it of any size and wants to fight.
I got my reel in and I ordered a bunch of parts, but I have some more questions. First one, the reel came with the steel main gear. Can it hold up to the higher drag pressure or should I get the stainless 4:1? My next question is just a gee wiz. About how old would you guess a maroon blank side plate Jigmaster is?
how much drag do you plan to use?
no more than #20-24.
Quote from: tinboat814 on February 26, 2015, 09:59:35 PM
no more than #20-24.
Thats maxing this reel out! I would definitely opt for the SS 4:1 then if thats what you are running the reel at.
I'm hoping with all the upgrades it can handle it, but that's the only part that I haven't changed yet.
Quote from: tinboat814 on February 27, 2015, 07:10:28 AM
I'm hoping with all the upgrades it can handle it, but that's the only part that I haven't changed yet.
You will definitely giving it a solid work out. Do you use the custom spacers from Black Pearl? Those will definitely help keep things in alignment under the stress.
I have a tiburon frame. I'm hoping that will help if I plan on running that high of a drag.
Maybe Sal will chime in no one knows the capabilities of these up grades better than he does. I myself worry more about the amount of pressure being put on the side plates because it would seem to me that they are now the weakest link.
What is the heaviest line that you plan on fishing on this reel? To fish 40 lb. test requires about 13 lb. of drag at the top of the spool.
Sal pm'd me and gave me some good advice on what these reels can handle. Since I'm going to be bottom fishing with my reel and I'm leaving the chrome spool on I'm going to load it with 50 lb dacron (just because it's cheaper than spectra) and throw on a 50 lb mono topshot. I should keep my drag around 16 lbs and go no higher than 20 lb if I have to crank down on something like a big aj or cobia. I bought one of Bryan's 5 + 1 drag kits to keep the drag smooth. Although the 5+1 is capable of much more than 20#s I'd rather have smooth than just big numbers. The the big thing is going to be on me and remember to stay calm if I hook on to something big and not push this reel beyond its limits.
Yeah well, a well placed thumb = 4# or so drag. I've caught my share of tuna up to 125# or so. All my reels are set at 20# of drag with 60# Momoi diamond. That stuff is gonna break somewhere near 68-72#. I believe it over tests. Anyway, an educated thumb at the right times does a world of good. You should be great at 15-18# of drag? Let us see how you make out.