THE REEL ADVANTAGE OF PENN’S RELIABILITY AND LOW MAINTENANCE
Living and breathing saltwater fishing for a combined 80 years and owning a charter business for the past 12 years, Vic & Zane Levett have spent a lifetime on the water for the average angler, 20 times over. Fishing from an open boat and unable to choose the weather it’s fair to say their reels have been exposed to some serious saltwater abuse over the past few decades. With that in mind, it’s been imperative for them to learn best practices and keep on top of their rod and reel maintenance to ensure a smooth business operation.
From returning to the ramp after a day on the water, to a seasonal in depth check and clean, Vic runs through the process he’s used for many years to maintain his PENN reels, keeping him and his clients on the water.
EVERYDAY MAINTENANCE
You’ve just returned from a day’s fishing, what should you do with your rod and reel to keep them in tip top shape and ready for next time? Vic and Zane Levett from Oceanhunter Sports Fishing share their maintenance process that keeps their charter operational day in, day out.
Follow this washdown process after each trip to increase the life of your reel:
Tighten drag knob to avoid water from entering your drag system.
Lightly spray your reel with fresh water
(NOT high pressure).
Give the reel a light shake to remove any excess water.
Remove spool and apply a small drop of oil to the main shaft.
Wipe entire reel dry with a clean towel and loosen drag tension.
Depending on use, your reel can greatly benefit from periodically inspecting and lubing some of your main components. The great thing about PENN is that you can easily do it yourself at home.
SPIN REEL MAINTENANCE
Check out our step-by-step guide on how to maintain and care for your PENN spinning reel
How to periodically maintain your PENN spinning reel
For normal use, we recommend completing every 6-12 months
Loosen your line roller screw and add a drop of oil in the gap between roller and bail arm (Retighten screw to ensure it stays in place).
Remove spool and clean any built up salt or corrosion on the inside if the spool and the top of the rotor.
Grease drag washers, main shaft and washer stack that the spool sits on with PENN Precision Reel Grease.
Remove side plate and inspect for any salt, sand gunk or corrosion build up. If any is found, clean out.
Put a thin coat of grease on the teeth of the gears and a small drop of oil on each accessible bearing. Put the side plate back on ensuring all side plate screws are done up tight.
OVERHEAD REEL MAINTENANCE
Check out our step-by-step guide on how to maintain and care for your PENN overhead reel
How to periodically maintain your PENN overhead reel
For normal use, we recommend completing every 6-12 months
Put a small drop of oil in the groove between the handle shaft a handle knob.
Remove palm side plate and clean out any built-up salt, sand gunk or corrosion. Re-grease and put side plate back on. (Retighten screws to ensure it stays in place).
Remove drag pre-set knob (if lever drag model) then remove handle side plate and clean out any built-up salt, sand gunk or corrosion.
Put a thin coat of grease on the teeth of the gears and a small drop of oil on each accessible bearing.
Fit side plate back on, ensuring all side plate screws are done up tight.
Have total peace of mind when owning a PENN spinning or overhead reel with PENN’s 10 year warranty
– the lasting protection we doubt you’ll ever need!
CHECK OUT OUR MAINTENANCE ESSENTIALS
FIND A 
SERVICE AGENT
Stretched for time? Let one of our authorised service agents take care of your reel
PENN SERVICE AGENTS
PENN utilise a network of authorised reel repair agents across New Zealand, get in touch direct with your local agent for the fastest service turnaround.
PENN DEALERS
You can also visit your local PENN dealer, they’ll take your contact details and arrange the reel to be sent for a quote and then repair on your acceptance of that quote.
PENN SERVICE TEAM
Follow the prompts to request a service online or call us directly for further information, our team will review your submission and advise of next steps
