PENN FATHOM 25N/30/40 - MAGNETIC CAST CONTROL SYSTEM

[Cuban Cigar]

Interestingly enough, we see a massive difference in tolerances, in different batches of the Fathom FTH 25N/30/40.

Some reels, only having enough clearance between the spool flange on the right and the frame, to allow a 0.9mm magplate and 1mm thick mag nets, others having enough clearance for 1.5mm magnets and lately, one of my Jhb fitters, found some, with enough clearance, that he could piggyback the 1mm magnets on top of 1.5mm ones, without any clearance issues, even with a lot of sideways play on the spool, with the spool cap backed out.

This allow a very wide range of adjustability, so you can tune the reel speed to your liking, by adding a combo of magnets of different strengths.

 

[blakdog]

There's a few variables on the gearbox side of a Fathom, not least the thickness of the powder coating.  You can see some of them are much heavier coated inside than others and because of the design of your plate (the one I've seen on here at least) you might find that the lower corners are sitting on the start of the ridge towards the centre ... that would lift the plate towards the spool fractionally.  It would only take an extra 0.5mm of powder coat and maybe a slightly thicker layer of glue and you are soon on your way to adding the best part of a mm to the equation.

Over here static mags are usually only of much interest to boat casters.  The bulk of shore anglers are looking to modify with something fully adjustable, though they are rarely looking for something as big as a 30 for casting. Its not too difficult with the right tooling and so far we've managed to find a way to add a fully adjustable to everything that has arrived I think.  The Fathoms 12s and the 13s cast very well with a monomag, though fitting the mag is a long way removed from something that most diy anglers can do.  I dread to think how many of those we have done as they are very popular models over here and we are far from the only ones that do them ... there are at least 3 other UK tuners that have been churning out magged Fathoms full tilt so I would think Penn have done very well out of the range. 

The other thing we've done is to start CT converting the 20 level wind models.  The reason behind that was that the Left hand wind version is a popular shore and boat casting reel for lefties over here (there is a distinct lack of choice for left handed anglers) and removing the level wind gave them a much improved cast out of a very sluggish plodder out of the box.  They are not as lively as the Star Drag models because of the fixed spindle but they are close enough for fishing. 

 

[Cuban Cigar]

The back of my plate has a bevel to prevent it, "climbing the taper", when fitted correctly ...

Many screw-type mono mags similar to yours, are fitted in South Africa as well!

I chose to cater for the fisherman who prefer, no drilling, or losing the clicker and who wants the reel to look stock standard on the outside, with nothing protruding .... a system that you preset after test casting and then, totally forget about .... the casting court will remain the domain of the knobby, for max distance over everything else !

 

[blakdog]

Cuban Cigar wrote:

I chose to cater for the fisherman who prefer, no drilling, or losing the clicker and who wants the reel to look stock standard on the outside, with nothing protruding .... a system that you preset after test casting and then, totally forget about 

Yup you definitely provide a "product" as opposed to a bag of bits and that is exactly what people want, regardless of what type they go for.

 

[Kes]

I have the whole range of Penn Fathom star drag reels and my 15,25,30 and 40 are fitted with Mag-It kits from Cuban Cigar.

They work extremely well and I cast at the coast with a full bait and no thumb. Well you need a little thumb just before the bait hits the water.

My Fathom 12 on the other hand is fitted with a BlakDog tackle mono mag. I wanted something different for this reel and it looks super cool.

All in all, I can swear by the Mag-It kits. They work for me. Aside from my Fathom, all my other reels have Mag-It kits.

 

[Kes]

Pics

 

[Kes]

pics

 

[Cuban Cigar]

Kes wrote:

I have the whole range of Penn Fathom star drag reels and my 15,25,30 and 40 are fitted with Mag-It kits from Cuban Cigar.

They work extremely well and I cast at the coast with a full bait and no thumb. Well you need a little thumb just before the bait hits the water.

My Fathom 12 on the other hand is fitted with a BlakDog tackle mono mag. I wanted something different for this reel and it looks super cool.

All in all, I can swear by the Mag-It kits. They work for me. Aside from my Fathom, all my other reels have Mag-It kits.

Hi Kes !

Glad to see that you are still enjoying the advantages of Magnetic Cast Control ... so many anglers are now even fishing straight, low/no stretch "super lines, such as Fireline, Sufix 832, HMP etc, as mainline on their "magged" multipliers and enjoy all the benefits !

I have been flying "under the radar" for a long time now, with interesting, but challenging career developments, but MAG-IT is healthy and going stronger than ever, with most of my evenings and weekends, still spent at my workbench, fitting and setting my kits.

Hopefully, I will become more visible shortly and start posting pics and write ups, as in the past !

Cheers and tight lines, casting without any blowups !!!

 

[Kes]

Cuban Cigar wrote:

Kes wrote:

I have the whole range of Penn Fathom star drag reels and my 15,25,30 and 40 are fitted with Mag-It kits from Cuban Cigar.

They work extremely well and I cast at the coast with a full bait and no thumb. Well you need a little thumb just before the bait hits the water.

My Fathom 12 on the other hand is fitted with a BlakDog tackle mono mag. I wanted something different for this reel and it looks super cool.

All in all, I can swear by the Mag-It kits. They work for me. Aside from my Fathom, all my other reels have Mag-It kits.

Hi Kes !

Glad to see that you are still enjoying the advantages of Magnetic Cast Control ... so many anglers are now even fishing straight, low/no stretch "super lines, such as Fireline, Sufix 832, HMP etc, as mainline on their "magged" multipliers and enjoy all the benefits !

I have been flying "under the radar" for a long time now, with interesting, but challenging career developments, but MAG-IT is healthy and going stronger than ever, with most of my evenings and weekends, still spent at my workbench, fitting and setting my kits.

Hopefully, I will become more visible shortly and start posting pics and write ups, as in the past !

Cheers and tight lines, casting without any blowups !!!

Once you cast with magnetic cast control, there is no going back. People often think that you lose distance because the reel is being "slowed" down but it actually quite the opposite. My distances have since increased and I am not afraid to swing as hard as I can.

My 12 and 15 have straight Fireline, 20lb and 30lb. I think i will probably end up going that route with all my other reels.

Pics will be nice bud and keep us in the loop with any new developments..

 

[Kes]

Cuban Cigar wrote:

Kes wrote:

I have the whole range of Penn Fathom star drag reels and my 15,25,30 and 40 are fitted with Mag-It kits from Cuban Cigar.

They work extremely well and I cast at the coast with a full bait and no thumb. Well you need a little thumb just before the bait hits the water.

My Fathom 12 on the other hand is fitted with a BlakDog tackle mono mag. I wanted something different for this reel and it looks super cool.

All in all, I can swear by the Mag-It kits. They work for me. Aside from my Fathom, all my other reels have Mag-It kits.

Hi Kes !

Glad to see that you are still enjoying the advantages of Magnetic Cast Control ... so many anglers are now even fishing straight, low/no stretch "super lines, such as Fireline, Sufix 832, HMP etc, as mainline on their "magged" multipliers and enjoy all the benefits !

I have been flying "under the radar" for a long time now, with interesting, but challenging career developments, but MAG-IT is healthy and going stronger than ever, with most of my evenings and weekends, still spent at my workbench, fitting and setting my kits.

Hopefully, I will become more visible shortly and start posting pics and write ups, as in the past !

Cheers and tight lines, casting without any blowups !!!

Just an update, recently did my Penn Torque 40 with a static Mag-It kit. Cant wait to try it out..