Reel Repair by Alan Tani

Welcome! => Beginner's Board => Topic started by: MOwenz on June 09, 2025, 10:15:47 PM

Title: Penn Spunfisher VI bail auto flip issue
Post by: MOwenz on June 09, 2025, 10:15:47 PM
Hi there, I recently had a yard sale when coming to shore on my kayak. My Spinfisher VI got dunked. I disassembled and cleaned lubed everything except the main body houseing. After doing so the reel performs wonderfully except the auto flip feature won't work when I try to spin the reel, in fact the reel spins a tiny bit , but then just stops. I'm thinking something came out of alignment when I was reassembling. I manually flip my bail so I don't really mind that this feature doesn't work. My question is, is it fine to use without the auto flip working, or with something out of alignment will the bail eventually fail as well?
Title: Re: Penn Spunfisher VI bail auto flip issue
Post by: alantani on June 09, 2025, 10:34:02 PM
hopefully, someone will be able to help with this.  i just don't work on enough spinners to know. 
Title: Re: Penn Spunfisher VI bail auto flip issue
Post by: foakes on June 09, 2025, 10:51:10 PM
You should be able to use it as is, providing the bail opens and closes manually.

However, if it was working OK before the dunk and teardown and reassembly —- then it is just an improper assembly issue.

Some of these come with a PUM (manual pickup feature with no bail wire).

Could be any one of 5 or 6 things.

Best, Fred
Title: Re: Penn Spunfisher VI bail auto flip issue
Post by: MOwenz on June 09, 2025, 11:00:40 PM
Thanks for your prompt replies. Turns out it is working it was just stiff and I didn't want to crank the handle hard enough to trip it. Now that I've done it a few times it is easier. Not sure how to delete or close this post.
Title: Re: Penn Spunfisher VI bail auto flip issue
Post by: foakes on June 09, 2025, 11:29:26 PM
No need to delete or close the post.  It may help someone else down the road!

Best, Fred
Title: Re: Penn Spunfisher VI bail auto flip issue
Post by: Penn on June 10, 2025, 10:21:11 AM
Just to note, most of our newer spinning reels come from the factory with manual bail trip on 6500 sizes and up.  5500 and below would still have auto trip, although it is always recommended to flip by hand anyway. 

tony