Hi. I am trying to build a good/useable condition Penn Surfmaster 250 with Jigmaster 501 or jigmaster parts for "Blackfish Special". This is going to be my poor man's Jigmaster/Surfmaster for Blackfish.
I am not mechanical inclined or good with painting so don't expect to see a master piece but I want to make my 1st Franken reel out of Penn parts.
I have an ugly Surfmaster 250 that needs many parts. I am waiting for new drags and a new dog to arrive. I am looking for 501 or parts to assemble the skeleton to attach the 250. Stay tune... :P
It looks like the pinion gear is worn out so you will need that with a matching main gear. Need to replace the gear sleeve too. It might be better to search for a decent used 500 or 501. Rudy
I would slap some good Grease on the gears ,put some drags in it and put back together and Fish IT :fish . Dog looks good to me . ;D
Great idea, is the spool shaft of a 501 compatible with 250 guts? I have some Newell bases and bars but the spool might be tricky
^-^ Yes, the Surfmaster 250 uses the same 29L-500 or 29L-501 spool on the Jigmaster 500 or 501. I am going to use a Jigmaster 501 frame, 501/506 posts, and a 29L-501 spool to make a Surfmaster 250N. The shiny curve on the dog shows it is worned out. The left or tail ring has a crack on where it goes with the frame post. My 250 has a 13-99 pinion(still good), steel 5-60 main gear, 11-99 eccentric jack, and 13-99 pinion yoke. Some of these original parts are not on the schematic I downloaded. :o
I got the idea from a few members here who all use a Tiburon frame on their 250. I love how Keta, Bryan Y, and Shark hunter, and Mo65 did theirs but I am going to try. :al
I plan to add 4 ht100 drags, a 24-66 green handle, SS gear sleeve(can't find), and double dogs :P .
Blackfish season has opened but will close at the end of April here. >:(
Quote from: Surfrat on April 16, 2022, 10:23:28 AMThe shiny curve on the dog shows it is worned out. The left or tail ring has a crack on where it goes with the frame post. My 250 has a 13-99 pinion(still good), steel 5-60 main gear, 11-99 eccentric jack, and 13-99 pinion yoke. Some of these original parts are not on the schematic I downloaded. :o
(https://alantani.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=34900.0;attach=110770;image)
The Shiny spot is from the Bottom Washer Rubbing on it over the years . Maybe the screw which the dog fits over was loose for some time and allowed the thing to wobble in there a bit letting it Rub more than normal . Cheap part to replace but the Shine won't affect performance unless the Shine wears off the Tip or Point that actually engages the A/R/Gear in which your Lever looks Fine . I don't think the Jigmaster spools are the same shaft diameters as the 250 Since the 250 has bushings and the 501 is a Bearing model but I may have the Jiggy's and the Squibbers mixed up here I dunno much bout Penns . Will learn a lot from watching your Build........
More Power to you in your Build ..Looking forward to the End Result. :d
Yeah, should be an interesting project.
The 506 HS Jig master is a ball bearing model and has different(longer) spool shafts and a 5:1 main gear(smaller teeth). The 501 will be a bushing model. Also the side plates for the 501 vs the 506 will be different.
How deep do you fish for Blackfish?
I have been bottom fishing for about a week catching Blackfish (Tautog). The fish are sometimes big from 3 to 15 pound and mix with other fish so the reel needs to be strong because I have to horse them out of the rock piles or else I get stuck onto rocks or snags. So far it has worked great fishing with my other gear but I want to teach my boys and myself on building a Franken 250N "Blackfish Special" reel. 8)I am blackfishing in less than 200ft but I have to hold the rod and reel and change spool quick for I am fishing in snag territory. Jigmasters are great but non of mine have a steel gear, all bronze main gear.
There's nothing wrong with a bronze main gear. Fish those Jigmasters and worry about the gears when and if they wear out. The Jigmasters have a larger drag also. Don't hesitate to use them.
-Mike
Like Mike said....nothing wrong with bronze main gear. The bronze is stronger than many types of steel
I only got Jigmaster 500 with bronze main gear. I read some members mentioned molybdenum steel main gear in their old Penns. I never saw in person or own one that is not bronze until now. I have caught very large fish on my jigmasters. :P
My new dog came and I assembled the handle side for now until I find a 501 frame. I tried a 13-500 pinion instead of the 13-99 pinion with the 5-60 main gear but the 500 pinion didnot grabbed enough. I will use the 250 handle side with my Jigmaster 500 left tail plate for Blackfish today. :fish
Here are pictures of the worned and new 15-60 dog comparison, 4 drags(three 4-60 and one 4-155), and a used 24-66 handle.
Check the Yoke it looks like it's wearing where the Pinion goes. This happens a lot on the Newells. You might want to try a SS Yoke.
Mike
Thank you guys for your suggestions and comments. Does anyone have parts to build or a 501 frame that you dont use? I can't find any affordable but I will pay for shipping also but can you give me a LOW price?
I want to complete this build. Thanks. :P
I have Penn bars and a base for a 501 I can send you. Not new but decent shape. Send me your address
The 250 handle sideplate was giving me some problem when I swapped it to another jigmaster 500 frame. The other jigmaster handle side ring does not allow me to lock the 250 sideplate's one screw. Of the 3 jigmasters, only one fits. :o
My 250 worked great on a nice whitechin blackfish when I hooked it and it tried to head into the snags. I though I hooked the bottom when I pulled then I felt a bull run... ;D
Took the 250 out again for some Blackfishing. This time I hooked a monster that really gave a fight! It took a nice run towards the wreck and I could feel my reel needs more upgrades. I was cleaning the reel and remember I wanted to add a 2nd dog. I'm thinking by adding a 2nd dog will make this as an even better blackfish (tautog) wreck reel -- strong enough to turn a fish heading for cover, so stainless gear sleeve, beefed-up drag, and double-dogged. I cannot locate a 98-60 SS gear sleeve for my reel. I have 5+1 beefed-up drags and dremel disks coming. I provided Swami805 an address so I am hoping it got mailed. I can't wait to add the 2nd dog before the end of the Spring Blackfish season - April 30.
"And I could feel needs more upgrades"😜. Sounds like me. How many times?...I can't even remember.
;D I assembled Swami805's(Thank you!) parts. I am missing a 501 spool. I have been trying to win a few bids on fleabay to get a whole reel or parts but got outbid at the last minute. :P
Did you add the 98-60 stainless gear sleeve? I did a similar build with a Surfmaster 250 and after two fishing trips, the gear sleeve stuck to the 13-99 bridge post. I have a separate post, and I'm getting input, but I was wondering how you made out?
No, MACflyer. I want to put a 98-60 stainless gear sleeve but I can't find one. I want to add SS dogs and etc but money is super tight and I have been eating more fish than chicken. Fish for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. I save the fish heads for soup and stew. :P
Many thanks for everyone's suggestions. :al A huge thank you to Swami805 for his donation to my science experiment! :d
I finally found a parts reel and have been too busy fighting to survive and cleaning the 501 spool. So here's my Blackfish Special ;D that I am going to use for other fish until the blackfish season opens again. ::)
I found a 98-60 stainless gear and a jigmaster ring. I am waiting for the package. ::)
Blackfish season is opening soon... :fish
I think the gear sleeve you want is a 98-505 stainless-steel. Then you godda use the fine thread star that goes with it.
I have a couple of those stars(10-505). The SS gear sleeve is relatively expensive, but if you get one, and want a star for it PM me.
Gfish, I am buying the 98-60 SS for my other smaller Penns. Yes. The 98-505 with the star 10-505 is closed to 40 bucks or more shipped. I am saving money for it. I am thinking of buying the one set from Cortez. I found a jigmaster ring to replace the cracked jigmaster ring on my favorite 500. :)
Going to this Penn reel upgrading path is less than restoring old cars. :P
Its true. To me, steel gears on a jiggy scratches the same itch as adding a turbo to a car. For about 2% the price.
I am so happy that I saved enough money. Now I have to find time to install the upgrades. I bought the gear sleeve and a few other things. :fish but I have to go fishing more. It's the fall run...
That reel is coming together great Surfrat. I am going to keep a lookout on ebay so I can build something similar.
MisterStinky. Good luck with your search and build! ;D Someone asked me why I didn't get a Tiburon frame for it. I am trying to keep this reel light for my rod balance and not burn a big hole into my piggy bank. If I am using a Tiburon frame, the reel will be heavier in weight but stronger. I love how Tiburon frame looks on other's narrowed reels. ^-^
I have been using it for Blackfish and Triggerfish as their bites are light tappings. Blackfish season is coming soon... ;) ::)
👍 Good luck for the blackfish season.
I recently installed the SS gear sleeve with the fine star. I let my friend who is a kid use my Blackfish Special right next to me and he dropped it on the rocks and broke the handle... :'( Crackle Jack... :P :-\ Now I need to get a Penn 24-56 handle. :-[
Just cover the USPS small flat rate shipping and I'll send you new one.
Quote from: Surfrat on October 17, 2023, 01:09:31 PMI recently installed the SS gear sleeve with the fine star. I let my friend who is a kid use my Blackfish Special right next to me and he dropped it on the rocks and broke the handle... :'( Crackle Jack... :P :-\ Now I need to get a Penn 24-56 handle. :-[
Oh no! I couldnt afford shipping on a power handle so just cut the center out of my stock jigmaster handle and brazed it into a longer crank. And popped the handle grip off and bolted it on to the new crank wirh loctite.
..
Thanks. The shipping alone would have been more than I paid for both my jigmasters..
Wow!!! Interesting reads. Thanks. It's been a while since I read this post. Thanks guys.
MisterStinky, what kind of metal did you used for you special handle?
JasonGotAProblem, I sent you a PM.
I am hunting for a few replacement parts but it's a challenge to find it right now.$$$
Are you sure? I didn't see one.
I found a long crack and lots of scratches on the handle plate. I going to have to win a penn 250 bid to get a new face for my Blackfish Special. >:D
Quote from: Surfrat on October 19, 2023, 03:35:55 PMMisterStinky, what kind of metal did you used for you special handle?
JasonGotAProblem, I sent you a PM.
I am hunting for a few replacement parts but it's a challenge to find it right now.$$$
Just a scrap bit of mild steel. Ive just been wiping down with an oily rag but will clear coat if rust becomes an issue.
:P
I didn't win last week so I am trying again to win a penn 250 to replace the handle plate and get another handle.
No way of fixing the crack?
For me, the glued plates eventually broke again. :'(
Oh well you don't lose anything by trying 👌. At least you know how not to fix it.
Good luck with the hunt for a replacement!!
I would imagine, there would be other side plates that would fit that reel, besides the 250 plates, or no?
Yes ExcessiveAngler. A Penn 259 sideplate and of course the Penn Jigmaster 500 sideplate will fit. Maybe the Penn 1/0 too but I don't own one. ;D There are a few Penn 259 narrowed tanks here that are beautiful reels. I love their 259 looks. :al
Quote from: Surfrat on February 08, 2024, 11:38:48 AMYes ExcessiveAngler. A Penn 259 sideplate and of course the Penn Jigmaster 500 sideplate will fit. Maybe the Penn 1/0 too but I don't own one. ;D There are a few Penn 259 narrowed tanks here that are beautiful reels. I love their 259 looks. :al
A 501 width 259 is essentially a 1/0. I discovered this when I was messing around with my 259 discovering that the 500 spool could replace my 3-piece 259 spool.
Now I have a high speed and low speed 501 width reels.
Thanks Bryan!
Blackfish season is closed until Autumn so it's time to get it clean and do some upgrades. A good buddy gave me a green power handle and some suggestions from here. I am getting ready to take it apart.
Now I have time to look for upgrades but I sneezed and cut off a little too much in the space for the double dog. :P Time to scream and break my piggy bank. :'(
What ya need Surfrat? I have a 259 that I built-up a bit. Still in the original Jiggy 500 size. Was gonna donate it. So, I first salvaged the aftermarket parts, but still have them. For a member I can include them: ss gear sleeve, 2-ss dogs, red aluminum spool, Jigmaster bars in place of the posts, and a 113H 3-screw/side stand.
What alota people might not like is the way I drilled extra holes and rotated the side-plates with the guts forward(clockwise)of their normal position. The extra holes made the stand fit and I only had to plug 2-holes that didn't fit the pattern.
It's much sturdier than the original version of the stock Jigmaster, but not so "pretty" cosmetically.
Stuff I forgot about; upgraded drag stack, 10-505 star and the plate is cut for double dogs. Has only a slight gear ratio upgrade to 3.3:1.
Yours for the cost of shipping, say... $20.
Gfish, I will take you generous offer. Thank you for your support! :d I want to work on this reel to get it ready for Blackfish, one of my favorite fish.
Greg, your're a prince.
Good luck on the build, Surfrat!
Pay it Forward G!
Quote from: Gfish on February 18, 2025, 08:28:33 PMWhat ya need Surfrat? I have a 259 that I built-up a bit. Still in the original Jiggy 500 size. Was gonna donate it. So, I first salvaged the aftermarket parts, but still have them. For a member I can include them: ss gear sleeve, 2-ss dogs, red aluminum spool, Jigmaster bars in place of the posts, and a 113H 3-screw/side stand.
What alota people might not like is the way I drilled extra holes and rotated the side-plates with the guts forward(clockwise)of their normal position. The extra holes made the stand fit and I only had to plug 2-holes that didn't fit the pattern.
It's much sturdier than the original version of the stock Jigmaster, but not so "pretty" cosmetically.
Stuff I forgot about; upgraded drag stack, 10-505 star and the plate is cut for double dogs. Has only a slight gear ratio upgrade to 3.3:1.
Yours for the cost of shipping, say... $20.
👍👍👍
:) Plus one !!!
:d Gfish - I really appreciate your generosity!
I found new ideas and a replacement side plate off of a broken 250. I will add the pictures when I am done. My reel will look nicer. :P