Be Gentle
Penn fishing reels are made tough, but that doesn't mean you should abuse them. The Penn 4500SS is a classic spinning reel that provides rock-solid performance. The reel does have a heavy action, and when you flip the bail closed by turning the handle after casting, you jar the reel significantly. Instead, close the bail by hand. This eliminates the forceful slam of the bail, which eventually wears on the reel.
Set Your Drag Correctly
Your Penn fishing reel has an excellent drag system, but you have to use it properly. Drag can be thought of as the brakes on your Penn reel. Adjust the drag so that the reel lets line come off the spool before it breaks. A common error when fighting a large fish is to tighten the drag as the fish pulls line from the reel. Think of it this way: As more line comes off the reel, the diameter of line on your spool gets smaller. As the diameter decreases, it takes more energy to pull line from the reel. If anything, you should back off on your drag as a fish gets farther away. Tightening a drag will almost guarantee a broken line and a lost fish.
Clean It Up
Clean your reel after every use, by Steve Byrne
The greatest enemy of your Penn fishing reel is saltwater. Salt corrodes metal, and your Penn reel is not immune to the corrosive effects of the marine environment. After every use, wash your reel with soapy water and rinse it with fresh water when you're done. Combined with annual lubrication, keeping your Penn reel salt-free will ensure a lifetime of smooth operation.
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.
