Penn10 reel: Repair or replace?

[Ulu]

I bought this Penn 10 about 25 years ago, but I mostly fish with a spinning rod and I have only occasionally used the 10 For trolling with leadcore line.

Considering it’s age, it hasn’t seen that much action.
Unfortunately it has been dropped on the handle and the crank shaft is bent.

It’s such an antique I don’t think it’s worth repairing anymore and I’m going to start looking for a replacement reel. I can repair it myself but I get the feeling the parts will cost more than I want to spend versus buying a new one.

I am mostly trolling smaller lakes for trout.

So I’m open to recommendations (or offers of spare parts.)

I have owned lots of spinning reels but this is my only level wind reel ever. I don’t have a clue what to buy to replace it with.

I’d hate to wind up with a substandard brand. It could feel like a jeweled watch in the store and I find out later all the gears are plastic.

On the other hand I don’t have a fortune to spend on fishing, So I would always prefer something that represents a good value versus features and flash.

 

[aussieman57]

Penn reels are not what they used to be. The only level wind reels I use these days are Shimano & Daiwa. Good reels for the money. I spent 26 years as a saltwater light tackle & fly fishing guide. I had Penns many years ago but would not buy them today.

 

[Ulu]

I have spinning reels from Shimano, Diawa, Okuma, and a cheap FLW from Mitchell. I have had very good luck with all of them. But I had no idea what their levelwind reels would be like.

 

[jjohnwm]

I have a couple of old Penn level winds...I think a 209 and another even older...and they still work great, even after decades of use on the Great Lakes. The newest one i have is a 320 (model GTi or something like that). It's only about 25 years old so still early, but it seems to be holding up well.

Such a shame to hear that Penn is yet another great old name going down the tubes.

How about the Abu reels? 5500, 6500, 7000? Used to be terrific...still around? Still good?

 

[aussieman57]

I have a couple of old Penn level winds...I think a 209 and another even older...and they still work great, even after decades of use on the Great Lakes. The newest one i have is a 320 (model GTi or something like that). It's only about 25 years old so still early, but it seems to be holding up well.

Such a shame to hear that Penn is yet another great old name going down the tubes.

How about the Abu reels? 5500, 6500, 7000? Used to be terrific...still around? Still good?

Plfueger, Abu Garcia, Kastking, etc. are all made in China. All Penn reels are now made in China (I believe there are still a few Penn models assembled in the US but all the parts are made overseas.). Daiwa is also made in China. Some of there models like the Tatula are made in Taiwan. However, in Daiwa's case the Chinese & Taiwan factories are under strict control by Daiwa and have to meet there strict standards include utilizing there tooling and machinery. Penn reels unfortunately do not hold up like the older ones and even some of their spinners have poor line control. You can still buy top of the line US made reels like Avet, IRT, Seigler, Abel, Accurate, Teton, Hatch, Ross, Galvan, Lamson, and Aspen but expect to pay higher prices. If you have older Penns (Istill have a few) I would hang on to them.

 

[Wailua Boy]

A 25 year old mag 10 would be a US model and well worth repairing imo. As far as handle compatibility goes, it’s was Penn calls type A and compatible with about 50 other models, any jigmaster, Long Beach or surf master will fit. Here’s a complete list of compatible reels.

 

[jjohnwm]

I think those are models that use the same pattern for the handle itself. Sounds like Ulu needs a new shaft rather than just a handle?

 

[Ulu]

Both handle and shaft are bent. It might even have a cracked housing. I haven’t opened it up yet

How do I know if it’s a “mag”? I didn’t see that anywhere on the reel.

By the way, someone on another forum told me that I can get that shaft assembly for $19 plus tax and shipping. That’s far less expensive than I expected so I might end up ordering parts to fix this myself.

 

[Ulu]

Nothing on this real tells me that is a mag 10, but when I took it apart I found it has a magnet in it. I assume this is part of the anti-backlash strategy?

 

[aussieman57]

Nothing on this real tells me that is a mag 10, but when I took it apart I found it has a magnet in it. I assume this is part of the anti-backlash strategy?

Yes.