Reel Repair by Alan Tani

Hi all,
Was in at a small town fishing shop and on the shelf he has a Longbeach 60 and Jigmaster 500 (both made in USA) for sale at good prices. The beach is half the price so to figure in a convert to a 501 I am figuring the beach to be a third the price. They both use bushings, have bakelite plates with inner SS rings and run a 3 piece stack. For a 20 or 30 pound mono rig, is it worth the extra for the 501? I am aware of the 2.5:1 ratio on the beach which doesn't worry me, is there anything I am missing? How do they compare physically in size? This is probably my main question; I cannot seem to find measurements of sizes (or a photo of the two side by side).

Cheers,
Andrew

Since you are not worried about the difference in the ratio you will get away cheaper in the long run with the 60. The 60 is a little wider & slightly larger in diameter then a 501. With 20-30# line the 60 will be more then adequit. If you want a reel that has almost unlimited mod potential then the 501 is the way to go. But that will take $$$.   RUDY

Thanks Rudy, that answers my questions. I see all the upgrades possible for the 501 and figured that was the case, what was throwing me off was size. Scotts has both the 500 and the 60 as holding 275yds of 30lb line yet the 500 looks much larger. I was just wondering if the 501 could be considered as a smaller class of reel than the 60 as I'd prefer a physically smaller reel. Will be fishing shallow reef so line cap isn't an issue but I am not going after the smaller reel at three times the price. Just checking there was nothing else I was missing!

The 500 is wider then a 60 & will hold more line. The 60 is a little wider then the 501 but the difference in capacity is minimal. As far as weight the smaller reel will be lighter but not by much. A 60 usually has a chrome spool but you can replace it with a 85 aluminum spool to lighten it up & it will cast better.

60 will likely do what you wish with no issues.

If keeping both reels stock -- here are the main differences, just from memory --

-- 501 is a narrow spool
-- 501 has a little stronger frame and stand
-- 501 has the quick spool release for changing out spools when fishing
-- 501 has 4:1 gears
-- 501 has larger gears
-- 501 has larger drag surfaces
-- clamp on stand

-- 60 is also a narrow spool
-- standard type frame and stand
-- no quick change spool
-- 60 has 2.5:1 gears
-- small gears and smaller drag
-- no clamp stock

Both good reels -- just give your choice of purchase a complete disassemble, cleaning, upgrade to new CF & SS drags greased with Cal's, new Delrin under gear washer, Marine grease on all of the internal parts and surfaces to include under the rings and the post and stand screws, line it and fish it.

One can upgrade either reel -- but the Jigmaster has more potential if considering upgrading -- which I am not advocating.

Very similar in size if comparing a 501 to a 60.

Both 30 pound reels as stock.

Best,

Fred

Thanks Fred, you answered every question I had! Geez I love this place!

Cheers,
Andrew

Ouch, somebody stepped on my toes.

Rudy,
   You gotta get some steel toe boots
Looks like you and Fred got Andrew under control, good stuff!
Dom

  A lot of great info. All differences aside, the LB 60 is a touch wider and larger diameter than 501. The 501 is perfect for upgrading to fish with microfilament (spectra, Jerry brown, etc) while the long beach is more a monofilament type reel. Just my opinion only.