Jigmaster Accurate conversions

All,

In my searches about reel souping I came accross some articles about converting the Jigmaster 500 with AccuPlates and Accuframe.

It isn't a cheap conversion, about 170 bucks for both the frame and plates. 

I see the benefit of the frame (one piece more stiffness=better performance) but less so with the side plates accept for aesthetics.

Has anyone here done this conversion?  Your thoughts?

MolBasser

I think people do it mostly for the fun and looks.

Probably matters a lot more to so-cal folks.

if you go to ebay and type in '501 accurate'  and variations on that you usually find quite
a few jigmasters already converted, they usually go for around $100.

there are a couple guys (winchester something something) that often have quite a few for
sale.

if you search on 'ct', you'll find abu's that have been 'ct' (non-levelwind) converted too.

ebay is pretty interesting if you like used, souped up, altered, etc, which I always find way
cooler and more fun than stock.

Best,

J

cool.

Word is that accurate stopped making the conversion kits, so what is out there is out there.

It is certainly more than just looks, as the frame will be much stiffer and thus the performance will be better.  I've found some conversion kits for as low as 130, but I will check the ebay out for pre-converted reels.

Might be more fun to convert myself though.

MolBasser

i'd rather see you get something more modern, rather than dump so much money into an old school reel.  the frame alone is as much as i'd go. 

Thanks for your input Alan.

I agree that the frame is the only thing that is worth it on this conversion (except for the aesthetics) for the money.

The frame seems like a good idea though.


Of course, I would have to fish on the ocean for this to matter a whit anyway.....

However, there is a certain retro coolness to an oldschool, yet highly functional, penn 500......

MolBasser

What is the opinion on magging the 500?

MolBasser

Even the frame upgrade is probably just aesthetics for the types of fish we encounter up here.  Not that there is anything wrong with aesthetics.

How about a Tiburon frame upgrade for the 500.  Runs about $63 dollars.

-Allen

The accurate frame is only 50.

I agree that most of the drag pulling would be from albacore (rare) or white seabass (also rare) up here, but I want to get the reel good to go if I go back down to SD.

In a couple of weeks I should have the werewithall to upgrade all the drags in my important reels and put the frame on the 500.

I would like to make sure my 500 is totally yellowtail worthy as I plan to go down to SD sometime soon.  I'm sure that straight up it would be fine, but hey looks count for something if it comes with performance.

MolBasser

Ah ok.  I thought the Accurate was more.

I still think it's all aesthetics.   Having caught 100's of albacore on a straight up jigmaster and seen many many more caught with them, they may flex a little, but they get the  job done.  No matter ... bring on the bling!

-Allen
 

Oh yeah, lets not kid ourselves, it is 80% bling and 20% performance, but it looks good and doesn't hurt, so why not?

MolBasser

Oh yeah, lets not kid ourselves, it is 80% bling and 20% performance, but it looks good and doesn't hurt, so why not?

MolBasser

Yup ... why not!!!   

-Allen

There was a brief flurry of accurate conversions in the 90's when I used to shorecast in Hawaii for Ulua.  Many jigmasters & extended 4/0's were converted... but as been discussed, it was mostly just a bling factor. 


I never converted my reels as I couldn't justify spending more for the conversion than the reel itself cost!  I was also a poor student    In any case, never had a problem with any of my stock reels or frames... even with hooking up to the occasional tiger shark or submarine-like hammerheads.


The fad passed & the bling went away as people realized that for the cost of converting 2 rods, they could buy a whole 3rd setup.   

those converted jigmasters sure look cool tho.

I have a worse problem, I have a 330 GTI and I don't know what to do with it.

J

ebay it 

yeah, looks like I could get 50 for it on a good day.

I have never sold, only bought. not sure it's worth the effort.

J