Neil Mackellow explains how to tune the Penn 525GS reel.
With serious cranking power and pretty much bomb-proof construction, the GS may be the cheapest of the 525 range, but don’t underestimate it. The one large/one small bearing set up makes the 525GS very user friendly. Brake wise the 525 has a rather unique system where by turning a plastic cog on the end of the spool you control the four captive blocks. Options are none, two or all four activated. They come out of the box with none activated so make sure you remove the left endplate and turn the white plastic cog under the brake pin assembly to engage two blocks for starters.
Gear ratio: 6:1
Brakes: Four centrifugal plastic blocks. Can be set to all four, two or none engaged
Spool end tension: Set spool end float so there is just discernable lateral movement
Fishing tune: Red Rocket Fuel plus two blocks engaged
Pro’s: Bomb proof
Con’s: More Volvo than Ferrari
Bearing access
The larger of the two bearings is in the centre of the reel in front of the main gear. Removing the spool exposes the bearing. The other, smaller bearing is found in the left end plate.
Download reel schematics
Follow the step-by-step tutorial pictures below.
To gain access to the spool bearings and centrifugal brakes loosen the three screws in the left hand endplate and remove
Remove the spool to expose the larger right hand bearing, the smaller bearing can be seen in the endplate
The main bearing highlighted in the centre of the reel
Here the two bearings have been removed for cleaning and re-lubing with fresh oil
The adjustable brakes blocks. By twisting the flat white plastic cog under the brake carrier you can set all four, just two or no blocks engaged.
