Penn 5500ss problem - Striper Talk Striped Bass Fishing, Surfcasting, Boating

roym · 10-26-2003, 06:45 AM

On my sixth time out with this new reel, I was casting into a school of surfacing bass when all of a sudden the rotor separated from the gear casing. I found the rotor nut had come off so I put it back on and kept fishing - net result- 6 bass up to 29" and 4 blues around the same size. The problem is the anti reverse mechanism. when it is engaged it reverses around one half revolution before it locks, it is a real pain in the butt trying to set a hook and keep steady pressure on a fish. I was hoping someone may have experienced the same problem and can recommend the part that is not working properly. I would bring it in for service but I have no backup and this time of year I can't give it up Thanks in advance for any suggestions

roym

Fishpart · 10-26-2003, 07:02 AM

You might to check the anti reverse pawl, if the wings spread out too far it doesn't work right and takes a half a turn or so to engage with the gear.

The anti reverse on the whole SS line is problematic.......

fishweewee · 10-26-2003, 07:31 AM

Roy, try to take it back where you got it and get an exchange for a new reel.

Better yet, get a refund and get a 704Z in its place.

-WW

Clammer · 10-26-2003, 11:38 AM

I have 3 penns on the shelf =they look like new ,one is less than a year old =======I,m sick of the problems they give me =============they use to make a nice reel ,,maybe their conventionals are ok ?/==== but these S@#$///////////
I w on,t use them again ////

the old green ones were great :::::::::::

InshoreAngler · 10-26-2003, 03:39 PM

Not a whole lot of experience here, but I have owned a 5500SS for about a year and I don't like it. The antireverse is horrible> I've used many other spinners that I liked better. I think Penn is the BEST reel company ever but I'm dissapointed with the new SS series, have used a 8500SS and 6500SS also.
Trade it for a 704Z - my friend gave me one, an older one and I opened it all up, scrubed all parts in Simple green, soaked all metal in Paint thinner and put it together packing it with Penn lube. AWESOME REEL I have to say, it's my surf reel and I love it.

roym · 10-26-2003, 04:32 PM

Thanks guys. I originally bought the 5500ss for its lightweight 14 oz and as I typically throw jigs and plastic for hours on end, it was a perfect match to the St Croix rod I got for half price at Decathelon. The combo is so light I can cast for hours w/o aggravating a rotator cuff repair. The combo, particularly the rod, can handle larger fish 20+ lbs as well as making cathching schoolies enjoyable. Although the 704z is a superb reel, at 19 oz it is a little heavy for my use. Any anti reverse problems with the 360 Slammer? I understand they have no reverse spooling. Can Penn screw up something that doesn't exist???

InshoreAngler · 10-26-2003, 07:52 PM

I was told MANY TIMES that in a few years the Slammer series will replace the SS series. I dont know if it is true, but I have replaced mine and i'm happy

islander · 10-28-2003, 10:01 AM

I have an older 5500, it is 11 years old with over 1,ooo fish to its credit and never failed me yet. Maybe something with the new ones. My son has a new one, not many fish on but no problems. My dad has an older one, no problems either.I guess we were lucky. New slammer reels look nice.