Thunnus 12000F

[Alto Mare]

I just received this reel, I heard some great things about it and wanted to check it out.
I wanted to take a peek of the inside, but couldn't find anything on line, so I decided to give it a shot

This is a big reel, loaded with some good features.
Here are the specs:


Loosening the drag knob and pulling the spool



While I'm here, I'll check the drag washers

Washers are of some type of felt, they are very effective though. This reel generates over 25lb of drag with those (3) washers...not bad
The reel feels extremely smooth for its size.
The handle is nice and beefy

I will now move on to the housing, again, this is the first time to me, I'll use some common sense and see if that works.

This reel has a Baitrunner System, I decided to remove the left side of the baitrunner lever keeping the right side intact

And the  side cover comes right off

I like what I see...

Removing the side cover flange and the main gear comes out

Here I'm trying to figure out how to remove the spool shaft


And got it! These guys at Shimano are smart, the oscillating slider retainer is one of the best design I've ever seen to date, simple and effective

Next, the rotor nut, check out the rotor nut retainer...very nice

Counter clockwise on the nut.

And the rotor slides right off

Next, the roller clutch.
Remove the (4) screws as I'm showing and leave the (2) black screws intact, unless you want to deal with small parts and such


The pinion with the bearing can now be removed.

If any reel ever feels a little rough, most times it would be this pinion bearing gone bad

The patented worm gear design moves the spool at two speed, up fast and down slow. This winds the line in a precise pattern,
it will also reduce friction to give smoother longer casts

The baitrunner system comes with a tension dial, this helps with fine tuning for all fishing situations.
As soon as you are ready to strike, after the fish picks up the bait and swims away, you simply turn the handle and the baitrunner disengages. The front adjustable drag will then come into operation

The spool shaft and gears go back in, along with the side cover.




And this one is done.

Beautiful reel, I really like it.
I hope for whatever its worth, it is of some help for some.

Sal

[nelz]

I always thought this was just a metal version of the Baitrunner, but now I see it has worm gear oscillation, so there's more to it. Looks like a quality reel.

[Shark Hunter]

Great work Sal. Its funny how we wander from our Penn roots.
There are some quality reels out there. For $170. Not too bad.

[Tightlines667]

I used to own one of these, and used it to cast surface papers to Wahoo (when chunking), and jigs to Dolphinfish laying under sargasum mats.  I liked it... lightweight, well-balanced, good capacity, and smooth drag.  I am a bit ashamed to admit, that I never once cracked her open.  Nice to finally get a look inside. 

Nice work on the tutorial, as always Sal.

So who you gonna donate the at wrench to this time ? 

[Alto Mare]

Great work Sal. Its funny how we wander from our Penn roots.
There are some quality reels out there. For $170. Not too bad.

Daron, i know you're good at finding great deals, could you let me know where you've seen this reel for $170?... I might pick up another

I used to own one of these, and used it to cast surface papers to Wahoo (when chunking), and jigs to Dolphinfish laying under sargasum mats.  I liked it... lightweight, well-balanced, good capacity, and smooth drag.  I am a bit ashamed to admit, that I never once cracked her open.  Nice to finally get a look inside. 

Nice work on the tutorial, as always Sal.

So who you gonna donate the at wrench to this time ? 

John, it is well balanced, but not really light.
This one is the older model, the new Thunnus 12000ci4 is a little lighter.
A little extra weight doesn't bother me.

Thanks guys!

Sal

[johndtuttle]

Thanks for that Sal! 

The Thunnus is well known for being a quality reel. I'd get some carbon fiber washers in there but other than that might be the highest quality "bait runner" style reel out there.



best

[erikpowell]

I used to own one of these, and used it to cast surface papers to Wahoo (when chunking), and jigs to Dolphinfish laying under sargasum mats.  I liked it... lightweight, well-balanced, good capacity, and smooth drag.  I am a bit ashamed to admit, that I never once cracked her open.  Nice to finally get a look inside. 

Nice work on the tutorial, as always Sal.

So who you gonna donate the at wrench to this time ? 

Thank you Sal. Good one.
Great reels, I had one for awhile but passed it on to friend here long time back.
Like John, I just never got around to opening it up.
Wish i still had it, especially after seeing the guts 

[Alto Mare]

Thanks guys.
Mr Tuttle, I had a feeling you would know something about this reel.
With you, it's easier figuring out which reel you're not familiar with, but I'm not sure there are any
Thanks for the input my friend.

Sal

[handi2]

I'll send you the Carbontex set. This is a "saltwater" reel.

Keith

[Alto Mare]

I'll send you the Carbontex set. This is a "saltwater" reel.

Keith

Keith, I appreciate the offer, but I believe I could manage a set. Thank you just the same.

Later buddy.

Sal

[cbar45]

Thanks for the photos Sal!

That reel looks to be the epitome of toughness refined..

Chad

[Alto Mare]

Thanks for the photos Sal!

That reel looks to be the epitome of toughness refined..

Chad

Chad, that would be a good description .

Thanks!

Sal

[exp2000]

Thanks Sal,

I reckon the new Ci4's are even better than their predecessors.

I am so impressed with them that I recently picked up an 8000 for myself.

Cheers,
Brett.

[Wolli]

Hi Sal,

and here is the schematics


Wolli

[Alto Mare]

Thanks Sal,

I reckon the new Ci4's are even better than their predecessors.

I am so impressed with them that I recently picked up an 8000 for myself.

Cheers,
Brett.

Brett, I believe the two models are pretty much the same, with the exception of the weight.
I was also impressed and will probably  grab a smaller one as well. This is a nice reel.
Even though it is a baitrunner, I believe it is very much manageable, as for full service...even for a guy like me.

Hi Sal,

and here is the schematics


Wolli

Wolli, I could have really used it a week ago, I had to guess on some parts.
Thanks for posting it, it's good to have.

Sal