Reel Repair by Alan Tani

So this started as having my grandfathers old surf rod next to the reel case...I would look at it and think 'I need to fish that!'  After a bit of research and digging I found the 486 and 488 to be what I was looking for: easy to work on, not too many working parts, and ease of buying parts.  I got a great deal on a 486 that ended up needing quite a few new parts, it turned into a bit of a waiting game locating various parts (and deciphering between the two different versions of this reel).  I am beyond happy with the end result, it feels fantastic on this rod...perfect weight and listening to the dog engage is such a thrill.  In the end, I showed my Dad...he said my grandfather would have been really pleased with the combo; this was enough for me    It'll be loaded up with 20 lb mono and used for soaking baits.

Thanks for reading and looking.  Tight Lines!

I'll just post completion photos, I have a lot of build photos but mostly parts comparison shots.

Giant shot out to our friend Pompano Joe (Joe Prestridge) he sent me a parts reel and it had the exact part I had been hunting and scouring the interwebs for.







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Very Nice Dan.
I've been looking at the 498's.

I'm diggin' it...great work Dan!

Dan thats what i grew up fishing with. It sure brings back memories.

Thanks for posting.

Keith

Very nice Dan! Its a classic setup.
......    Lou

Nice set up Dan. Joe rocks.

Great set up Dan, but I have a feeling I already told you earlier .

Looks great brother Dan....love the  colors on the Conolon....Bill

Thanks guys...quite enjoyable to work on.

Great job, Dan -- plus a perfect combo!

Mitchell did not make a lot of these compared to the 300, 302, 306 -- but Mitchell had the name due to their marketing compared to Ru-Mer, Centaure, and other quality HD spinners.

With this model, they eliminated to a great extent, the problem of gear stripping -- with the introduction of helical cut gears -- which D.A.M. and a couple of others -- had been doing for years already.

Penn came out with their "Z" series of spinners about the same time -- to compete in this emerging and developing angling market.  At least in the US, Penn quickly ended up dominating this market with a series of reels we know as the greenies, Z's, and SS.  Plus Penn was able to stay in business, be successful and profitable -- while producing reels made in the US -- again, dealer network, positioning and marketing.

The old dark blue and the number "4", of course denotes a high speed of 4:1, compared to the "3" meaning basically 3:1.  

These were also made simpler with less parts, as you described -- all important when fishing HD spinners in the salt, because while there is less to go wrong -- there is also the ease of simpler servicing on a regular basis.

A few of those parts are very tough to come by -- particularly the cranks, spools, bails, and gears.

That particular reel you have, is a pristine example -- after you were done with it.

Nice work...

Best,

Fred

Very nice! I have one and several 488's. The 402  / 406 are the two sizes down that are enjoyable to fish due to speed vs. 3-series, as Fred notes (nice stash, Fred!!!)

John

I had a 9ft Conolon that looked very similar to that rod, same reel seat and rod guides and cork handle, even colour. I must have bought it in the early 80s, great rod, I used it for carp fishing.

Thanks for that added info Fred, and wow...you do have a lot of parts there (but we knew this already  ).

I need to get a Penn 704 to compare them, I had a few 710's and liked them.

Tight lines!