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Penn Fathom braking blocks or mag?

PostPosted: Thu Jan 03, 2019 7:08 pm
by m.b3

Re: Penn Fathom braking blocks or mag?

PostPosted: Fri Jan 04, 2019 11:42 am
by beachbuddy
Hi Mark,eventhough im not fishing as much as id like these days I cant sing the praises of the fathoms high enough.Ive both 12's and 15's fitted with Chris Macey mag kits and Blackdog mag kits.Really sturdy and very controllable .The Chris Macey reels were bought magged from new but other reels were fitted after a few months of usage.
If you dont want hassle of worrying about blocks then Chris Macey magged reels would be a solid investment.The 12s are 515 size,capacity and 15s are 525 dimensions.I mainly use the 12s and they hold more than enough .35mm mono.
You won't go wrong with them.

Re: Penn Fathom braking blocks or mag?

PostPosted: Fri Jan 04, 2019 12:28 pm
by m.b3
cheers for the feedback. i have heard nothing but good things about them. the post in the link suggests that fitting new brake blocks is a cheap alternative to the mags. how good it is though i dont know? hopefully more fishing this year!

Re: Penn Fathom braking blocks or mag?

PostPosted: Fri Jan 04, 2019 1:04 pm
by gearoid mc s.
Recently got one, seems very well built I am a big fan.

Will keep an eye on the block setup for sure, the above seems a very logical solution and the comments in the thread back it up.

Adjustable mag conversions are costly and overrated for fishing unless hyper distance is essential.

Re: Penn Fathom braking blocks or mag?

PostPosted: Fri Jan 04, 2019 3:55 pm
by m.b3
it would be nice if it was a quick fix-let us know how you get on with it!

Re: Penn Fathom braking blocks or mag?

PostPosted: Sat Jan 05, 2019 4:54 pm
by ste c
Iv a pair prob the last 4year still going strong on 2 brake blocks bullet proof reel not far off a saltist

Re: Penn Fathom braking blocks or mag?

PostPosted: Sun Jan 06, 2019 11:08 pm
by m.b3
cheers Ste just wanted to know if the mag offers much in the way of casting over fitting new blocks. the mag conversion has a nobby thing on it and i am enough of a nob on the beach as it is!

Re: Penn Fathom braking blocks or mag?

PostPosted: Mon Jan 21, 2019 11:01 am
by gearoid mc s.
Have 2 15's now.

Opened up the casting on them the last few trips and the block setup has (unsurprisingly) disintegrated. Loose springs inside the left plate and despite engaging only two blocks after a few hard casts all 6 are on. They were designed for uptiding perhaps not able the full pendulum treatment.

Will be converting to the above in the coming weeks.

Have to say though, that aside they are a top reel and my current favourite.

Re: Penn Fathom braking blocks or mag?

PostPosted: Mon Jan 21, 2019 8:06 pm
by m.b3
good man keep me posted! has to be worth a shot.

Re: Penn Fathom braking blocks or mag?

PostPosted: Fri Jan 25, 2019 10:44 am
by beachbuddy
I know this might sound barbaric,but when I got my first fathom I did have a few times where the blocks had engaged by themselves.Took the decision to remove 3 completely with the aid of a pliers.My trail of thought was fish with 2 engaged and if the other re engaged no biggie.Fished this way for a year or two and then got greedy and purchased a separate [fishing mag kit]and a reel already shop magged reel.
Brilliant reels even with the alterations.

Re: Penn Fathom braking blocks or mag?

PostPosted: Fri Jan 25, 2019 10:48 am
by gearoid mc s.
beachbuddy wrote:I know this might sound barbaric,but when I got my first fathom I did have a few times where the blocks had engaged by themselves.Took the decision to remove 3 completely with the aid of a pliers.My trail of thought was fish with 2 engaged and if the other re engaged no biggie.Fished this way for a year or two and then got greedy and purchased a separate [fishing mag kit]and a reel already shop magged reel.
Brilliant reels even with the alterations.


I would be concerned with spool balance if two non-opposing brakes were on, it could be very loud on casting.

Symmetry is key with multi spools.

Re: Penn Fathom braking blocks or mag?

PostPosted: Fri Jan 25, 2019 7:19 pm
by ste c
Iv only 2 running in mine no problems and not noisy

Re: Penn Fathom braking blocks or mag?

PostPosted: Sun Jan 27, 2019 1:44 pm
by beachbuddy
ste c wrote:Iv only 2 running in mine no problems and not noisy

Same as that Steve,2 engaged worked best.Certainly no noise or unbalanced spool issues.

Re: Penn Fathom braking blocks or mag?

PostPosted: Mon Jan 28, 2019 10:56 am
by gearoid mc s.
As have I two running on mine with no noise issues. My concern as above would be running 2 brake that are not opposite each other thus unbalancing the spool

Re: Penn Fathom braking blocks or mag?

PostPosted: Mon Jan 28, 2019 12:21 pm
by beachbuddy
Too complicated for me Gearoid im afraid to answer,but I understand your concerns.Mine are working fine and hopefully they continue to do so.

Re: Penn Fathom braking blocks or mag?

PostPosted: Mon Feb 25, 2019 1:45 pm
by gearoid mc s.
Converted this over the weekend to two small brake blocks. Was out the next day fishing and both reels are going noticeably further although they are running on the edge, would probably go with 1 large and 1 small block with yellow rocket for a safe running speed.

Having engaged 2 blocks on the penn setup last time I had them opened, one now had 4 engaged two of which were missing springs which I still have not located in the reel.

So happy now with the setup of reels and it's pretty much essential to either convert brakes or mag these but it is a bit of a joke to have to DIY a new reel before you ever use it.

Re: Penn Fathom braking blocks or mag?

PostPosted: Mon Feb 25, 2019 10:38 pm
by m.b3
great stuff fair play for the feedback.