penn reels/ jigmaster-500-506's

[tom5500]

hello.. im looking to buy a penn conventional for surfcasting bait(3-8 +bait) would any of the penn jigmaster series workout for that use?

[Keta]

Welcome aboard.

(3-8 +bait)

Pound, ounce, inch or foot?

A Jigmaster should work for you.

[BMITCH]

Tom, jigmaster will do you a solid with throwing those weights. I would think of narrowing it up, just easier IMO. I used one off the beach with exactly the same weights for years. Good luck and welcome.
Bob

[tom5500]

i was thinking of going with a 506hs, but know little about it

[tom5500]

Welcome aboard.

(3-8 +bait)

Pound, ounce, inch or foot?

A Jigmaster should work for you.

casting 3 to 8 oz lead with a piece of bunker

[Alto Mare]

You'll do just fine.

[BMITCH]

If your gonna dunk it than you might want to stay with a 500/501. Less of a chance to lockup with the bushings. The 505/506 is a little higher gear ratio but also has ball bearings to support the spool.with these you need to be a little more careful of water intrusion and a little more diligent on service. Either way you can't go wrong. Search out some of the threads on the jigmaster on this forum and you'll get the idea. Basically the upgrades can very detailed and costly or you can opt to fish it as is with good results. Depends on how deep your pockets are. As with all these reels...a SS gear sleeve and new drags are fairly priced and provide a drastic improvement to an already awesome reel. Let us know how you get along with this. And ask questions!
Bob

[tom5500]

it seems the 506 comes with an aluminum spool, would that be easier to mag?(another issue ill need help with  )

[Keta]

Aluminum spools are available for the 500 (29L-500) and 501 (29L-501) but the 501 spools are getting hard to find.

[tom5500]

looking deeper into it, the penn 506's go for 70 or more plus shipping.. would the 500 jigmasters cast as far as the 506's

also would the 505 be the same as the 506(just different spool)

[txangler81]

The 505 is the full width version of the 506(internals and sideplates are the same 506 has a narrow stand, spool, and spacer bars). You cant go wrong with a 500/501 jigmasters they are truly amazing reels and thanks to fine folks on this sight the amount of upgrades one can make is almost limitless. When looking at 500 jigmasters you will see some 500s models. these are the same as the 500 but instead of the handle side of the reel having the quick take apart design the clicker side has it. good reels just kind of weird in my opinion.

[MarkT]

I'd go with a GS 525 Mag or a Squall 15 to get a great casting reel that comes mag'd from the factory.