How to Take Apart Penn Fishing Reels

by Steve Byrne

The Penn Fishing Tackle Co. has been making quality tackle since 1932. To properly care for your Penn reel, disassemble it annually for regular maintenance. By regularly cleaning and lubricating your reel, it will provide you with a lifetime of reliable performance.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

Paper towel Screwdriver Pliers
Paper towel
Screwdriver
Pliers

Step 1

Grasp the line spool and hold it firmly while turning the reel handle backward. Completely loosen the reel handle until you can remove it from the reel and place it on the paper towel. Next, unscrew the metal cap that covers the hole opposite your reel handle and put this on the paper towel as well.

Step 2

Penn drag knob, line spool and drag washers; by Steve Byrne

Completely unscrew the plastic drag knob on top of the line spool. Remove the plastic drag knob and place it on your paper towel. Next, pull off the line spool. The line spool is mounted on a vertical shaft, and slides right off after the plastic drag knob is removed. Place the line spool on the paper towel.

Step 3

Use a flathead screwdriver to remove the small retaining ring located in the detente in the recessed circle on top of your line spool. After removing the retaining ring, remove all the drag washers and place them in order on your paper towel. Keeping them in order is important, because you must replace them in the same order they were removed from your reel.

Step 4

Side plate open for service; by Steve Byrne

Remove the screws on the side plate of the reel housing to access the gears. Open the gear housing for inspection only if you sense grinding or feel that there is an obstruction preventing your reel's normal operation. Place the housing screws carefully on the paper towel where they won't get lost.

Tips & Warnings

Clear an organized work area before you begin.

Avoid over-lubricating your reel; a couple of drops is sufficient.

Resources

Parts diagram for Penn 5500SS

Article Written By Stephen Byrne

Stephen Byrne is a freelance writer with published articles in "Nor'East Saltwater," "Sportfishing" magazine, "Pacific Coast Sportfishing" and "Salt Water Sportsman." As a fishing charter captain, he was also interviewed for a feature in "Field and Stream." Byrne studied environmental science at the State University of New York at Delhi.

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