Brownsville Tony Loc: Brownsville - Laguna Madre

Last Friday, I think it was - we went beach fishing in a really nasty surf. I already had one rod out and stuck in a pvc sand-spike and I was getting my second outfit baited up. When I looked over my shoulder at the rod in the sand spike it was laying in the water with waves washing over it. Not good news. So I retrieve it and get the other rod ready. Long story short - both reels had been badly dunked before the day was over. These are Penn 4000's, btw. They cost $29 on sale and its cheaper to buy new ones than to fix any major problems with them. I was taking the first reel apart when I heard that dreaded sound - boing - and I knew there was now a completely decompressed spring rolling around on the floor of the garage somewhere. I found it and continued the clean up. The main shaft and the gear box weren't that bad but they still had to be disassembled and flushed out. (I use Hoppe's 9 solvent for everything like that). I got all that reassembled and started on the bail. That's where the spring came from. The exploded parts diagram doesn't show the parts back together. To make things even worse I suffer from a thing called "ET" that makes my hands tremble a bit. I called Penn fishing and a nice lady took my particulars and said she would have a technician give me a call. Well "Jim" called me the next day, understood my problem immediately and within minutes had emailed me pictures and hints on how to get everything stuffed back together. I say all that as an endorsement for Penn. I know their cheaper reels are made in China, but they are tight, made of good stuff and reliable. And I got to talk to a real, live person who knew what he was talking about and that's got to be worth something "extra" these days.

lipsticker Loc: Hartford Wisconsin

Okay, Now really dazzle us all and tell us he spoke English too.🤐

Fredfish Loc: Prospect CT.

That's great Tony. When I first started taking reels apart, I heard that BOING a few times.LOL And you're right, the exploded view parts layouts are confusing. It's the same with every brand I've owned too. Glad you were treated well, and got exactly the help you needed. Bravo Penn!

Brownsville Tony Loc: Brownsville - Laguna Madre

He did! I think he was in Iowa.

Brownsville Tony Loc: Brownsville - Laguna Madre

Pictures like this.

Fredfish Loc: Prospect CT.

Oh yeah, I can see that launching halfway across the room.

Jer Loc: N. Illinois 🇺🇸

I have been in your position more than once. Nice to hear you got great service from Penn.

kandydisbar Loc: West Orange, NJ

That's good news about Penn, sorry for your reels.

Jarheadfishnfool Loc: Woodlake/Tulare ,Ca.

Hate to hear that sound, been there done that ,last time it happened I was on all fours being careful , until my dog jumping on me and thought I wanted to play !

Jarheadfishnfool Loc: Woodlake/Tulare ,Ca.

Started!

Brownsville Tony Loc: Brownsville - Laguna Madre

Just a few days before that I was going to make a couple of aluminum sand-spikes and I never got around to it. Procrastination has a way of getting even and it is patient. I still haven't made them, but they are high on my priority list.

bapabear Loc: Blaine, Washington

That one is simple. You put the spring on the round thing then push the thing in the hole with a twist. Then you push in the thing with whatever thing you have that will work. While doing that, you slide the thingy with the handle over it and use that other thing to clamp it on. After that is done, then throw that extra thing still in the parts bowl out. You probably don't need it anyway. Like I said, that is a simple one. Imagine how tough it would be if you tried to fix a reel with those other roller things on it.

OLDNDN Loc: Merced County, Calif.

Yea I agree. I’ve those things lying all over so I took the big thing that started all the little things and threw it in the garbage.

HenryG Loc: Falmouth Cape Cod Massachusetts

And the reel worked better than it was new😌

Kerry Hansen Loc: Bremerton, WA

I have used Penn many years ago before China mfr came into the picture and they were always dependable. Have no experience with China made Penn reels. I suggest you consider getting a concentrated liquid Salt X. It neutralizes salt, but is not a solvent so won't attack your reel's lube or the line. If I am on a trip where I can't wash down my rod and reel after fishing the salt, I have a little spray bottle to squirt on the reel and the guides.