Penn 525 Mag4 / Multiplier Fishing Reel

Product Information

In the days of social media influencers / sponsored anglers /pro-teams or whatever else you want to call the armies of individuals every brand has on hand to create a mini fanfare on launch of most products, it’s refreshing to see when a product comes out on name alone. There was very little foisted upon us with this reel, but it was eagerly anticipated none the less.

Your choice of fishing reel is just as important as your rod. The right reel will ensure smooth casting and reeling, offering both performance and durability in the harsh saltwater environment. Strong & Durable Line Only the two inboard bearings in the spool affect spool rotational speed. While the shaft itself rotates in a pair of bearings, these bearings do NOT effect spool speed, only coming into play when the spool is under load, ie retrieving a fish. For its next test, I brought the 515 along for a session at a local haunt in pursuit of ray and bass. This shallow surf beach can be a deceptively testing venue, with a strong lateral run of tide and an undulating seabed that frequently grabs at your lead on the retrieve. With no need to fish at anything over medium range, I set the mag control to its maximum setting and enjoyed trouble-free fishing for the next five hours. Fortunately, the ray were at home and they were hungry. I totalled five small eyes with two coming to the rod paired with the 515. The little reel made quiet, assured work of its job, the drag system worked flawlessly (I’ve yet to have a problem with the drag on a Penn reel) and I was suitably impressed. Improved features include an instant finger adjustable external extended magnetic braking system knob, extra strong CNC gear technology and live spindle with free floating spool, making the spool totally free from restriction and drag. The Penn 525Mag series reels have been around for over a decade and sold in scores of thousands. There have been several upgrades and model options throughout the years, but the latest, the 525Mag4, has pooled all that experience to produce a reel that is not just tough and strong in the retrieve but versatile and with extreme long-range casting ability perfectly suited to virtually all UK shore fishing situations bar extreme rough ground and 30lb lines. Live spindle systemThe magnetic braking system is now adjusted by a ‘CS’ Style Mag Knob – This makes it easy to adjust the drag to get the perfect setting for conditions on the day. It also allows experienced casters to reduce the braking ‘mid cast’ to try and eke out those extra few yards With regards to fishing, I really liked the slightly faster taper on the rod tip. Not only was it great for seeing bites but also the tip set nicely in the tide and allowed my lead weight to remain firmly anchored to the seabed. I landed a few half decent fish on it too. Including the two ball-bearings the spool spindle runs on, there are no less than seven shielded stainless-steel ball bearings incorporated into this reel. These are specifically placed in the key pressure and load areas to ensure the reel, under heavy retrieve pressure, stays super smooth and free running. Star Drag System The handle is made from a heavier gauge metal to give extra strength, the soft grip T knob is comfortable to hold even with wet hands The Mag4 range is most definitely a hit for me. I will be putting these rods to good use, especially with a fixed-spool outfit in mind.

We’ve also noticed that those clever engineers at Penn have made an unseen and, as far as we know, an unpublicised adjustment to the free spool lever. On the previous series 3’s, the top of the free spool lever at both extremes of movement would touch the metal surround, running around the rim of the side-plate marking the metal and eventually taking the chrome off. On the new 525Mag4’s, there is an increased gap between the lowest point of the free spool toggle and the chrome rim. No more marking! Well done, Penn!The side-plates are also graphite for lightness. The right-side side-plate is also designed to allow fast and easy access to the gearing for far easier maintenance.

MAG T - as 525 MAG, but with single rare earth magnet controlled by knobby rather than a slidy mechanism. Position one is 74mm from the centre of the handle knob to the centre of the handle bushing, the attachment point Fishing tune: Red RF or 80/90 weight gear oil. For maximum control, use Liquid Grease. Start with the mags on max and move off one notch at a timeThe 525Mag4 series are fitted with the excellent and well-proven HT-100 drag washers. This material resists heat build-up when a big fish runs fast and far but is also super smooth as line is given and without hesitation. Other inferior drags are not smooth and will give line in jerks which can cause snapped lines and broken hook lengths. What’s more, we’ve found the 525Mag’s HT-100 washers maintain their performance for years and years. Based on the original 525 Mag the Super Mag has been tweaked to offer more reliable and smoother performance. With additional magnets on the mag carrier it offers a greater range of braking levels while ABEC 5 spool bearings smooth things on their way. Tuning is very similar to the standard Mag, so only the two inboard spool bearings need attention more than a twice yearly service in normal use. The mags come off in equal increments, so each step will increase/decrease braking by the same amount. While the additional magnets offer increased braking, like all reels, start slow and work up to a level of braking that suits you.

Each of these three-piece hybrid rods (styled Medium, Medium/Heavy and Heavy) is 4.27 metres (14ft) long and designed to be used with a Penn 515 Mag4 reel for ultimate casting performance. With these rods being hybrids, anglers can actually use either a fixed spool or multiplier reel with all three of the rods.As already indicated, our reels have been fished hard over varied terrain. In the surf, long, smooth casts are easy, controlled, and reliable whatever the weather conditions. The brake adjustment is precise and instant and remains easy even when the hands are cold and wet. There are 6+1 shielded stainless steel ball bearings for optimum smoothness. The spool bearings are premium oiled and the main and pinion gear are constructed from durable stainless steel. Jim's Reel Shop Service & supply NEW parts for ABU, Daiwa, Penn & Mitchell fishing reels Accessories Product