Which 525

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#1 Post by **Tanglerat** » Thu May 10, 2007 11:10 am

This here boat angler may be doing a bit of beachcasting, so I'll need a proper reel for the job.

Penn 525 seems to be the job, but which one? 525 no mags, 525 mag, 525 mag xtra or 525 supermag xtra? What's the difference between all those mag variations, anyway?

I'm not a total novice at using a multiplier for casting, having done a fair bit of uptiding. Also, happily, price is no problem

Had considered the ABUs but decided against. 525 more versatile for rough and sandy ground, right?

Anyone know anything about the Okuma Magnitech 20, by the way? It's been mooted, and as much as I regard Okuma, I'm still thinking Penn.

Cheers guys.

#2 Post by **petekd** » Thu May 10, 2007 11:16 am

Not a lot to choose between them, I have a 525 mag and the supermag. if anything, the Supermag is a little "tamer". Probably due to the extra 2 magnets inside it. Not a lot of difference between them all the same. If you dont fill your reels too much and you use your mags, you wont have a problem Gerry, they arent that lively. Dont buy a GS (unmagged) version though, that would be solely for boat use TBH.

#3 Post by **Donagh** » Thu May 10, 2007 11:53 am

Supermag, 525gsmag and mag are no more. I think there was to much confusion out there with all these models. The supermag was going to replace the 525mag but many of us weren't happy with a slower reel. So now theres the 525magXtra and 525supermagxtra.

Heres my understanding of the new reels and I'm going by memory so don't complain if I'm wrong. The 525magxtra comes as the old 525mag and has two extra mags loose and spare ceramic bearings which can be added become a supermag. The extra mags would be ideal for slowing down the reel. A booklet is attached

The 525supermagxtra has a completely new mag system that works like the turner mag as opposed to the slidey. The old turner mag had one mag where as these have 6 smaller mags. This allows more control over how much mag breaking there is and this can be changed mid flight. I haven't used it but its there for fishing at distance.

525mags can still be got from the states at 2/3s the price if they can be got through customs.

Donagh

#4 Post by **MAC** » Thu May 10, 2007 1:10 pm

I haven't seen the new naming system over here yet Donagh. I think the shops will still have the 525's from previous shipments.

I would advise you to get a 525Supermag as it is a bit slower..... Although I use the standard 525mag myself. As you get used to it you can remove the extra 2 magnets as your casting gets smoother. It does need to be smooth though. Any type of jerky type cast can see the birdies appear very quickly.

Just remember that the 8 is the slowest..... Start with that and move lower. Always cast into a headwind starting at 8.

Kev

#5 Post by **Lee337** » Thu May 10, 2007 2:49 pm

I would suggest the 525Mag Xtra, it's worth it for the spare set of upgraded bearings alone.

Donagh's description is dead on and unless you are going for ultimate distance and are competent enough to get the best out of it then the Supermag Xtra is a bit pointless, save the extra money and get the standard reel. Most shops are selling the old Supermag and it's replacement ( mag xtra ) at the same price so it's a no brainer.

Lee

#6 Post by **Tanglerat** » Thu May 10, 2007 5:13 pm

Sorted. Penn 525 magxtra being boxed up in Veals for delivery.........

Thanks for advice/info lads. What this site is all about.

#7 Post by **Lee337** » Thu May 10, 2007 6:12 pm

Tanglerat wrote:Sorted. Penn 525 magxtra being boxed up in Veals for delivery.........

Thanks for advice/info lads. What this site is all about.

Good luck with your new toy, slightly underfill it with 0.35mm line and start with mags on full. If you have no problems then ease off the mags one step at a time till you get to the point where it starts getting too lively for you - then increase mags one or two clicks ( bear in mind this is a moving target depending on wind direction/strength and the type of rigs and bait sizes you are using ).

Lee

#8 Post by **Tanglerat** » Mon May 14, 2007 12:58 pm

Happy, postie brings me a new reel.

Not happy, I ordered the magXtra, and there's no extra magnets or ABEC5 Ceramic bearings in the box.

Happy again, quick phone call to Veals sorts it out. Mags and bearings being posted today.

Grand service.

Now I have a 525 magxtra.........what do I do next to set it up? What tuning is required? Should I fit the extra mags and bearings when they come? Should I strip down the reel and juice it up with red or yellow rf?

More advice pls...........

#9 Post by **Donagh** » Mon May 14, 2007 1:34 pm

I haven't got the magXtra but have 3 525mags. There should be a booklet with the reel explaining how to fit the mags. Bearings are now supposed to be filled with red rf from the factory. Yellow RF is to fast. Its better to start with a slower reel and speed up so I'd recommend adding the mags. I haven't used the ceramics so I can't advise how they would affect the reels performance. I wouldn't think it would do much in a fishing situation except resistant to rust.

Donagh

#10 Post by **Tanglerat** » Mon May 14, 2007 3:57 pm

No booklet.

It may be on the way with mags and bearings which were ommitted.

I've had the reel open (couldn't resist)

and it seems the bearings in the righthand side are packed in grease. Do I strip them down, clean them with lighter fuel and red rf oil them? Or doI leave those alone and red rf the bearings on the spool only?

#11 Post by **Donagh** » Mon May 14, 2007 4:17 pm

YOu shouldn't have to touch the right hand side of the reel unless you doing a full service which is a once a year job or if you drop in the water. The bearings you want would want to oil are inside the spool. You remove the white cap on one side and the metal clip and O that engages the spool on the other side. They can be difficult to get out depending on the reel. I use tweezers by pressing them and putting then in the bearing so when I let go the pressure is on the inside of the bearing. They usualy come out with the tweasers is pulled. The spindle can also be used to push them out from the other side.

Donagh

#12 Post by **Tanglerat** » Mon May 14, 2007 5:00 pm

Gotcha. Good man, I know exactly what you mean. Thanks.