WTB Penn Jigmaster 501(Found It!!!)

tons of them on Ebay... I still like my 500... rock solid... Might buy a 501 just to update it... see how it works with the alum body kit

tons of them on Ebay... I still like my 500... rock solid... Might buy a 501 just to update it... see how it works with the alum body kit

Kinda had the same plan

have you looked at the penn levelwind #9... About the same size as an Abu Garcia 5000 ambassador way heavier duty though. I have one and it works great...

have you looked at the penn levelwind #9... About the same size as an Abu Garcia 5000 ambassador way heavier duty though. I have one and it works great...

I'll check them out, thanks

have you looked at the penn levelwind #9... About the same size as an Abu Garcia 5000 ambassador way heavier duty though. I have one and it works great...

I'll check them out, thanks

and you can still get them new.

and you can still get them new.

I by no means can speak for the original poster, but for me there is something about restoring a reel that might otherwise be trashed. I also drive a 69 Ford truck, so maybe it only confirms that I am weird and like to work on stuff...

you may want to look for the 505 High Speed or the narrowed 506 High Speed.  Now that newell is all but a thing of the past upgrading to the 5:1 is going to be rough on any other reel.  The 505/506 are the ace of spades for cheap higher speed reels (cheap being the key word). With a 5:1 ratio and a large spool they can retrieve some line pretty quick.  Throw the stock handle away and put one of the big grip ones on for $20, some carbon fiber drags and a smothie washers and you have a decent reel.  Newelll parts for the 500 series reels are still floating around out there for the seat and supports.  You may even find a spool.  I converted an older Jigmaster to 5:1 a few years ago.  It does a decent job.  I know there are better reels out there but none with the history of these reels. 

Another very cheap penn reel good for kayaking is the Surfmaster 100, which can be had for $20-40 bucks or so depending on condition. It is a narrowed spool reel, fropm the surfmaster 200 line up.  I also have a 155 which has a bunch of newell parts and it is a good go to reel for out at HMB.

 Almost any Penn can be rebuilt, and I am sure a few of us have some old parts lying around that could go to a good cause.  I know I have a few.

If you prefer left handed reels, they are harder to find and cost more than the right handers.  Most of Penn's line up were RH.  My one and only LH is a Squidder narrowed to a 146.  I think Penn made a Lefty for the 500

My 500 has a plastic/ceramic/bakalite? spool and I have one extra that came with it... smooth and NO corrosion ever...

501 Narrow....I sold one to art last yr. Great little old school reel. I got mine on ebay but never had a need for it.

Yup, not a bad way to spend $30.   It's my daughters reel, I may be adding a purple tiburon frame to it for her but it really is fine the way it is.

Also, in case you don't already know, this is the best site for parts, they sell Alan Tani stuff (who is the man to talk to about Penn reels if you have not yet heard.)

http://store.scottsbt.com/PennParts/Home.aspx

and you can still get them new.

I by no means can speak for the original poster, but for me there is something about restoring a reel that might otherwise be trashed. I also drive a 69 Ford truck, so maybe it only confirms that I am weird and like to work on stuff...

agreed.....old is way cooler

I think I have been spending too much time on Alan Tani's forum  that's why I had the urge to pimp up a 501 or 506 if I can get my hands on one.

Allen- did you find one yet?  I might have an extra in the penn 500 box (LOL) or maybe a penn 500 you could start with, switch out frame and spool......

Allen

If you are looking for a narrowed one, find a narrow one, otherwise you go through aggrevation trying to modify it, it ends up costing more.  I have converted two Penn's to narrows, and I spent more in time an daggrevation than had I gone for a narrowed spool to start with.  I got smarter over time when I went for the Surfmaster 100.

can't argue with that! 

On a related note, I'm looking for a tiburon or accurate frame for a 501.....Anythng hiding in the corner of someone's garage?

Bushy