I have been told by many people that it is possible to upgrade the drag on a Penn 14/0 to between 50lb and 80lbs, and I would like to know if it is true and how to do it. If some one could tell me what I need I would really appreciate it.
I'm guessing about 40lbs should be stock with a 7 stack of HT-100's. I have four of these and I think that is plenty to stop a big Shark.
With 1000 yards of 130lb test, I prefer to wear the fish out with about 25lbs. It is easier on you. If I can't turn him, I will crank it down more, but 40lbs of drag from the beach is a lot.
Depending on whether you have CF disks, just changing those alone should help to increase the possible drag.
While I haven't tried it, I'm sure it's possible to increase the number of drag disks using thinner metal washers. I don't know where you might get such washers, but someone on this Forum may be able to help.
For what it's worth, I'm with Shark Hunter (even though I don't hunt sharks). I've not had an issue with the 14/0 drag not having enough stopping power. Even on a very powerful screamer, with the initial drag at about 35 lb., cranking the drag down a bit was sufficient to stop the fish. The rod was anchored in the rocks at shore, and I doubt that anyone could have held that rod for the length of time the fish was on, given the amount of pressure on the rod. Even trying to pull the line in with gloved hands was almost impossible. The reel did not fail and there was plenty more drag if it was needed.
My 12/0 has 55 stock, your 14/0 should be already hittng that range with stock ht-100
I think the 12/0 has a about 35lb stock with a Ht-100 7 stack. Unless you have some secret upgrade Grayson, 35lbs is pushing it.
My scale maxes at 50, it was maxed out at full lockdown. Still pulled off smooth to.
I'm not calling you out Grayson, but I think you need a better scale. I have 6, 12/0s now and none of them can pull more than 35lbs. They all have new 7 stack Ht-100's with new washers from scotts. Since the 12/0 is still being made and the 14/0 recently went back in to production. The penn website says max drag on a 12 is 30 lbs and 35lbs on the 14/0.
If Grayson's drags are not lubed it would increase his max drag numbers. Either way, 35 pounds of drag is a lot. I'd wager it is enough for anything that doesn't need to be kept out of structure.
Ron
Good point Ron. If the drags aren't lubed, they will be toast in short time. I doubt Grayson would have done that. Maybe he is testing it as he got it with whatever drags are in it. That would explain the 55lbs.
In tip top shape, with everything lubed, 30 to 35 lbs is all you are going to get out of a 12/0.
That is enough to winch in some seriously big fish with the line capacity this awesome reel has and that is all I want to hold onto from the beach. ;)
when my drags are buttoned down and i want more drag, i start using the THUMB BRAKE !!! :P
I don't know how effective your thumb would be on that monster Dabigono :-\.
We could double the drag #'s on a 10/0 to 16/0, but we already have too much going on at the moment. I will definitely do it, but at a later time ....stay tuned ;) ;D.
When Sal gets done with it you better have eight fingers and two thumbs wrapped around the rod plus a harness and a seat belt. ;D
Quote from: Newell Nut on November 16, 2013, 01:22:08 PM
When Sal gets done with it you better have eight fingers and two thumbs wrapped around the rod plus a harness and a seat belt. ;D
;D ;D ;D, All I did was to answer his question, I never mentioned anything about fishing with it, that will be up to him ;D.
That reel should be smooth like butter at its original max numbers. As I said above, we're not doing it now, me and Lee are still working on it. ;)
I can't hold much more than 35lb for any length of time unless I have a boat rail to assist me. Last night I was testing my hex drag 114H with one of my heavy bent butt rods using my heavy belt and plate and it was hard to pull 35lbs, close to the max for this reel.
When you say hard to pull 35lbs. how where you doing it? I was able to pull 55lbs., the 80 test mono snapped three times by the nut at the same settings. 35lbs. is not maxed when you use hex cut washers, it's more like 55lbs.
As I mentioned a few times earlier, this isn't about fishing the reel at those numbers, having that much more drag makes it a much smoother reel at 30lbs.
If any can't hold on to 30lbs., time to try fly fishing ;) ;D.
I was using my rod, belt and plate leaning into it.
I know I can get more but 35lb is more than I plan on using with this reel, especially with the cast plastic side plates it has. I might untarp my boat and try it with the rod in a rod holder.
I'm going now to cover mine, I thought I was going to take it out a couple of times :(.
BTW, my scale stops at 55lbs, I'm guessing you'll get over 55lbs. with those.
The good thing about this is that you can control the drag numbers by stacking the same 5 washers in different combinations, to give you different numbers.....just like the versa drags.
You could make that reel a 20# or 40# very easily.
Check page # 6 here:
http://alantani.com/index.php?topic=6517.0
Quote from: Alto Mare on November 16, 2013, 03:59:41 PM
The good thing about this is that you can control the drag numbers by stacking the same 5 washers in different combinations, to give you different numbers.....just like the versa drags.
You could make that reel a 20# or 40# very easily.
Check page # 6 here:
http://alantani.com/index.php?topic=6517.0
I'd need to get a open drag side plate to replace the BS one I currently have so I can access the washers to do this but I don't pre set my star drag reels, I adjust the drag as needed when fighting a fish.
All joking aside now. I just did my favorite test which is the 40 lb dumbbell lift with no slippage test of one of the new hex gears and it passed easily. Backed the star off a bit and drag was silky smooth pumping the rod against the weight on the ground. Tightened up again and lifted the weight easily. Checked to see how much star was left and it was almost a half turn left but hard to turn. That is where the drag jumps into the range that I don't want to stress my rod against with more weights. ;D
How many CF washers and how thick of CF material did you use? Mine took five 1.1mm (.045") CF washers using 1mm (.040") metal washers.
5 stack and 1.2mm and this is a 6/0.
This is the dinosaur reel with the side access to the drags that I sent to Sal with a bunch of parts. He sent me back a T-Rex fish killing machine.
That's the reel I'm tinkering with now, the he gear is nice. I think we can get 6 CF washers in it if we use .035 metal and .090 CF washers.
I just ground out the POS plastic side plate to give me access to the gear stack and it works, I'll do a good sideplate next.
Quote from: Alto Mare on November 16, 2013, 12:43:55 PM
I don't know how effective your thumb would be on that monster Dabigono :-\.
I could double the drag #'s on a 10/0 to 16/0, but we already have too much going on at the moment. I will definitely do it, but at a later time ....stay tuned ;) ;D.
This is one upgrade I will pass on. The 11 stack is as far as I will go. Being I have over 20 reels in this category, It will put me in the poor house. I am content with their capabilities.
Plus I can see myself cranking down in the heat of battle, biting off more than I can chew. ;)
Quote from: Keta on November 16, 2013, 05:50:12 PM
That's the reel I'm tinkering with now, the he gear is nice. I think we can get 6 CF washers in it if we use .035 metal and .090 CF washers.
I just ground out the POS plastic side plate to give me access to the gear stack and it works, I'll do a good sideplate next.
Lee, there is no need to go more than 5, a 5 washer stack will give you 1+9 on those.
Quote from: Shark Hunter on November 16, 2013, 08:20:33 PM
Quote from: Alto Mare on November 16, 2013, 12:43:55 PM
I don't know how effective your thumb would be on that monster Dabigono :-\.
I could double the drag #'s on a 10/0 to 16/0, but we already have too much going on at the moment. I will definitely do it, but at a later time ....stay tuned ;) ;D.
This is one upgrade I will pass on. The 11 stack is as far as I will go. Being I have over 20 reels in this category, It will put me in the poor house. I am content with their capabilities.
Plus I can see myself cranking down in the heat of battle, biting off more than I can chew. ;)
Hey, can't take the heat, get out of the kitchen. ;) ;D
Too bad, my reels will be smoother than yours, I'll send one over so you can put the breaks to that nice dog of yours ;)
This thread is about the PENN 14/0, and it is not about 6/0 with the Hex gear. ;D
Quote from: Black Pearl on November 16, 2013, 11:08:51 PM
This thread is about the PENN 14/0, and it is not about 6/0 with the Hex gear. ;D
Right you are!
Back on the 14/0, yes we could double its drag numbers, on the 14/0 and all of the other Senators ;D.
So,
Exactly what fish needs the capacity of the 14/0 and 80+#s of drag? I'm not saying it wouldn't be cool, but are we fishing for Orca's now?
Ron
Quote from: Alto Mare on November 16, 2013, 08:28:11 PM
Quote from: Shark Hunter on November 16, 2013, 08:20:33 PM
Quote from: Alto Mare on November 16, 2013, 12:43:55 PM
I don't know how effective your thumb would be on that monster Dabigono :-\.
I could double the drag #'s on a 10/0 to 16/0, but we already have too much going on at the moment. I will definitely do it, but at a later time ....stay tuned ;) ;D.
This is one upgrade I will pass on. The 11 stack is as far as I will go. Being I have over 20 reels in this category, It will put me in the poor house. I am content with their capabilities.
Plus I can see myself cranking down in the heat of battle, biting off more than I can chew. ;)
Hey, can't take the heat, get out of the kitchen. ;) ;D
Too bad, my reels will be smoother than yours, I'll send one over so you can put the breaks to that nice dog of yours ;)
I'll be waiting on it Sal!
Quote from: noyb72 on November 16, 2013, 11:50:31 PM
So,
Exactly what fish needs the capacity of the 14/0 and 80+#s of drag? I'm not saying it wouldn't be cool, but are we fishing for Orca's now?
Ron
I hear you Ron, but check the very beginning of the post, yes we could double the drag numbers.
I'm simply answering his question, if he wants to fish it, it's his business ;)
you're right about your second comment, yes it is cool having an 80+lbs. reel.
Just as cool as driving a corvette when the speed limit is 70. ;)
Quote from: noyb72 on November 16, 2013, 11:50:31 PM
So,
Exactly what fish needs the capacity of the 14/0 and 80+#s of drag? I'm not saying it wouldn't be cool, but are we fishing for Orca's now?
Ron
We use such reels for large yellow fin tuna and marlin. Don't think 80 lb drag is needed, but line capacity is a must.
Quote from: Alto Mare on November 16, 2013, 12:43:55 PM
I don't know how effective your thumb would be on that monster Dabigono :-\.
We could double the drag #'s on a 10/0 to 16/0, but we already have too much going on at the moment. I will definitely do it, but at a later time ....stay tuned ;) ;D.
Thanks. Let me know wren you can do it.