Hello, please reply if you can help me find/buy a metal side plate for my Penn 706 Z. Fish On!

dave t has them at custompenns@yahoo.com

Pretty easy.

These guys have tons:

www.store.scottsbt.com/PENN-706Z-Parts-List-C275.aspx

Pretty easy.

These guys have tons: This is a better link

http://store.scottsbt.com/PENN-706Z-Parts-List-C275.aspx

Pretty easy.

These guys have tons: This is a better link

http://store.scottsbt.com/PENN-706Z-Parts-List-C275.aspx

Not so easy.

They're plastic 704 sideplates.The metal ones (for either model) haven't ever been available for retail sale in this century.

Only the plastic 704 plate is available thru scotts which will fit the 706.

Well I'll be damned....

I wouldn't worry about it. The plate bears no load--all it does is cover the gearbox, and the aluminum one doesn't fit any tighter than the plastic one.

I have never heard of anyone having an issue with the plastic side plate on a Z-series Spinfisher, and they've been standard issue on the reels for at least the last 20 years.

If you're really worried about it--buy a beater greenie 704 and paint the plate black :cheers:

I wouldn't worry about it. The plate bears no load--all it does is cover the gearbox, and the aluminum one doesn't fit any tighter than the plastic one.

I have never heard of anyone having an issue with the plastic side plate on a Z-series Spinfisher, and they've been standard issue on the reels for at least the last 20 years.

If you're really worried about it--buy a beater greenie 704 and paint the plate black :cheers:

Sorry Mike I have to disagree.

It isn't that the plate bears a load but more of the metal plate giving a tighter seal. When tightening the plastic one the lip and plate actually deflect outward not giving as tight a seal as the metal plate. The metal one doesn't have this problem and definately seals tighter. The trick is to get a metal one and also run a thin bead of silicone around the lip and inner raised lip of the plate. That will give a water tight seal but there will be water intrusion from around the shaft. That's where packing (not overly/fully packed) the inner gear case with something like Super Lube helps with that issue.

I tricked out several Z's to make them more surf friendly and it does make a difference in performance and reduced maintenance.

Another good trick is to make the drag a little more water resistant with rubber O rings.

There was a good article in the Fisherman a little over a year ago with details on some very good tips on mod's.

I've had good results using grease to bed the cover. Nothing to build up or remove. I suppose if you dove a few feet under there might be enough pressure to force water thru there. I always use my rod as a wading staff and have never opened one of my 704s and found it full of water, a few drops maybe. They are the easiest reel to open up, inspect and relube.