I have a Penn 7500SS and an 8500SS and was looking to change them out to a 9500SS. However, looking at them this past weekend showed how large they really were. So, I decided to stay with the ones I have, but want to get a back-up set of drag washers for each. Can anyone recommend a good "local" (to the Manchester, NH area) source for these Penn drag washers?

In the current issue of "On The Water" magazine there was a good article authored by Dan Grafton. He referred to a "wet" drag system offered by Shimano in their 6500 Baitrunner reels. He also mentioned a "greased" drag system he offers to his customers for the 7500SS and 8500SS reels, and I'm in the process of tracking him down to get some info and perhaps buy a set for each reel. In the meantime, does anyone know anything about these "greased" drag systems? How do they work? Are the fabric washers replaced with others of a different material? If not, is grease actually used? Does a greased drag system reduce the amount of drag that can be pre-set on these reels?

PS Where can you get the 1,500 yd. spools of 50 lb. stealth? I've been looking for 1,500 and 600 yd. spools, and finally had to settle for 300 yd. spools

That was a great article on those reels...from someone who repairs them too!
You can parts for most any reel at Buccos (see the fisherman) but that is not local to NH (they do mail order too) but I would think your local penn dealer should be able to help you too.

I am not sure how the greased systems work but they sure feel smooth...you never get that jerky drag

good luck

I found a local repair shop for Penn, and although he was favorably impressed with the Shimano "wet" drag system, he recommended staying away from "greasing" the Penn washers. This was based on the materials used in the Penn reels: it's a fibrous material that is "waffle" in texture. In short, he felt this waflle textured material would not be as suitable for working in the special grease as the finer texture materials used in the Shimano reels. He suggested I stay with standard replacement Penn fiber washers and replace them "if" ever needed. And that is what I'm doing unless I hear solid evidence to the contrary. One concern I have is whether or not these "greased" drag systems could be pre-set to enough drag tension. I intend to set the 7500SS to 10 lbs. of drag and the 8500SS to 12 lbs.

Nauti,
Do they make "smoothie" washer for those models? I've heard lots of good things about the smoothie washers.

MM, I don't know. Frankly, I've never heard of "smoothie" washers. However, seems like it would be worthwhile to try out a set. I'm still leary of not being able to set the drag to the amount I want with the greased or smoothie washers. I'll check out the "smoothies" when I pick up the standard washers.