Reel Repair by Alan Tani

I know a lot of you guys are hot rodding your senators and jigmaster and such. I notice not a lot of guys are using aftermarket sideplates. Is that mostly personal preference. Or are the aftermarket side plates really not worth it. 

Years ago Alan did a tutorial on a Senator w/ Acurate plates and frame. He opined that the plates were not necessary; I am not one to argue with the guru. However, with some of the extreme drag kits being installed lately, especially on the big Senators, plastic studs have been shearing and people have been replacing them with metal studs. It may be that up at that level the aluminum plates are more than a nice to have.
Ron

Accurate stopped making the side plates for the Penn Senators, Jigmasters, and Squidders years ago. I don't think there are any companies currently manufacturing aftermarket side plates. I think this is why you don't see many reels with aftermarket side plates.

I wish Jvariance hadn't quit making them.

Personally, I like to keep some of the look that the Penn side plates offer, especially if it's a "take apart" reel that offers an easy spool change.