Beginner and expert anglers alike have grown to appreciate the qualities of the Penn Jigmaster series of conventional saltwater casting reels. The 500L – an inexpensive reel in the 30 pound class – is no exception. Because it is simple to operate, reliable, and easy to maintain, you will find it a good choice if you are new to saltwater casting reels. Experienced anglers often bring one along as a backup reel.

Because you can change spools in a few seconds during a hot bite, you can easily switch to lighter or heavier line depending on the type of fish you are catching and the type of bait you are using. For less experienced anglers, this is also a good way to get back into action if you end up with a bird’s nest* - and you WILL if you are new to conventional reels. Don’t sit out the action trying to untangle the mess. Just pop in a new spool and enjoy the fishing. You can straighten it out later or re-load the spool with new line during a break in the action.

* Birds Nest: A nasty tangle that occurs when the angler allows the reel to continue spinning after the line stops playing out. It is a common occurrence when new anglers are learning to use conventional casting reels, and a bad one can become impossible to untangle.


Features

The key features that have made the Jigmaster series so popular are reliability, simplicity, and low purchase price. The 500L model is rated for 275 yards of 30 lb. Test mono*. I have fished it with 15 to 50 pound test line, but recommend it for 20 to 40. 15 Lb. Line is just too light for the 500L, although its cousin, the 501L is a good reel for 12 to 25 lb. Line. I have one of each for various situations. You can use up to 50 lb line, but if you plan to catch fish that require line of that strength, you would probably be better off with a heavier duty reel.

The 500L is a wide-frame reel while its cousin the 501L is narrower. Both have aluminum spools, which are lightweight and inexpensive. There is another model available with a stainless steel spool, which is heavier but can hold a little more line. While you can pay up to several hundred dollars for a reel in the 30 lb. class, the Jigmaster 500L can usually be found for $ 59.00 or less. That’s quite a bargain! Used Jigmasters are often available at tackle shops or online auction sites like Ebay.

Penn Reels have a good reputation for reliability, as well as ease of maintenance. I will give you some maintenance tips later in this review. Penn manufactures the same proven reels year after year, with very few changes. Because of this, parts are highly interchangeable and maintenance has been simplified. In fact, Penn has a policy of making no changes to its products unless they are required for product improvement. Following is the Penn policy taken from the literature included with every Penn reel:

“Penn maintains a policy of designing models to maximize product and parts continuity. Penn does not change products solely for the sake of change, but only when the change results in an improved product.”

* Mono: Monofilament fishing line. This is the standard type of fishing line that you are probably familiar with. Other types of fishing line are available that are stronger and thinner, which will increase the capacity of your reel.




Maintenance – Ongoing

Saltwater is highly corrosive, and can damage your reel quickly if it is not properly cleaned and maintained after each trip. The following cleaning and maintenance tips are applicable to all saltwater fishing reels:

• Rinse the reel thoroughly with fresh water. Warm water is best, to help dissolve the salt. Don’t use a high pressure spray, because this could force water inside the reel mechanism. Rinse it under running water or dip it.

• Dry the entire reel and wipe it clean with a soft absorbent cloth.

• Coat the reel lightly with fine oil and wipe it well.

• Back off the drag! If you leave the drag tight, the drag washers will become hardened and compressed. When this happens they won’t work as well and will need to be replaced more frequently.

• Store the reel in a dry place. Don’t seal it in a plastic bag or other watertight container, because leftover moisture or condensation will soon cause rust or corrosion. This is especially true if you don’t get all the salt off.

Proper care after each trip will only take a few minutes, but will ensure that your reel will last for many seasons.


Maintenance – Periodic

In addition to the ongoing maintenance mentioned above, your reel will benefit from periodic maintenance. This can be performed annually, or every few months, depending on how often you use it.

You should lubricate all moving parts regularly. But do so sparingly. Every season (or more often if you use your equipment heavily) disassemble the reel completely. Inspect the gears, bushings, and other internal parts for wear. You will also want to be sure to inspect the drag washers, as these wear out more frequently than any other part. Many anglers keep a spare set of drag washers on hand, because they are inexpensive. You can replace them whenever they wear out and then order another set or two to keep on hand.


Line Replacement

Line replacement on the Penn Jigmaster reels is a simple process. Depending on the type of fishing you do, many avid anglers recommend that you replace the line every fishing trip. That makes good sense, when you consider the fact that your line is the only link between you and the fish you hope to catch. If it is nicked, damaged, or weakened from ultraviolet exposure, you could lose a big fish. If you pay $ 150.00 or more to go on a fishing trip, then $ 5.00 for new line is cheap insurance.

Most tackle shops will be glad to replace the line for you for a very small fee if you are not comfortable doing it yourself. To replace the line yourself, you can use a special jig or simply leave the reel on the rod and wind on the new line. Here’s how:

• Tie the new line to the reel spool using a Uni Knot or Arbor Knot. Both of these are easily found in a fishing knot book or on the internet by searching for ‘fishing knots’.

• Have someone hold the plastic spool of line with a pencil through the middle so it can spool freely.

• Simply wind the line on to your reel as you would if you were fishing. Be sure to keep some tension on the line with your fingers, and move the line from side to side so it fills the spool evenly.

• Fill the spool to about 1/8 inch from the rim. Never fill it completely full.

That’s all there is to it!


Specifications

Following are some of the key features of the Jigmaster 500L. You can get additional specs from the web site at www.pennreels.com.

• Aluminum spool
• Wide Frame
• Rated at 275 yards of 30 lb. Test monofilament
• Star Drag Wheel
• Torpedo grip handle
• Quick-change spool
• Metal Rod Clamp
• Chrome spacer bars and support rings
• Adjustable left side bearing (for side play)
• Click lever
• Gear ratio is 4:1
• Weight is 22 Oz


Parts / Service / Warranty

With every reel, Penn includes a full parts list and simple maintenance instructions. If you are good with mechanical things, you will be able to service the reel yourself. Parts may be ordered through any Penn Authorized Service Center, or directly from Penn. You can find a list of Service Centers in your area at www.pennreels.com. You can also obtain maintenance instructions and exploded diagrams directly from the web site.

If you are not comfortable servicing the reel yourself, you can return it to a Penn authorized Service Center or to the Penn factory for repair. Penn provides a one-year warranty on materials and workmanship.


Summary

The Penn Jigmaster 500L, like all Jigmasters, is a reliable, inexpensive bait casting reel with ease of operation suitable for a beginner yet reliability and simplicity that is appreciated by experienced anglers.


Recommended: Yes