Penn GTI 320/330 Drags

[northernblue]

Hi all,
Can anyone shed some light on these reels for me?
I have had a 320 for 2 years now and I am looking for a couple more reels to bottom bounce with and one shop told me that the drags are failing on these reels and that the local guides are replacing them with other brands. Are you guys having any problems with them? Or is this shop just pushing their brand?
I realize that these reels are budget range [particularly when purchased as a rod reel combo]
We will be using them to catch Black Jewfish, typically to about 30 pound.
Thank you
northernblue

[Salmonseeker]

I'm having the same problem with my 320's as well, I think there is a drag upgrade available. My reels are only a couple of years old and I thought they had upgraded drags out of the box. One of my reels does not go into gear after switching the lever you have to crank the handle a couple of times first, I guess this is a common problem. I drift with 6-16oz weights and 30LB PP and will be watching this thread closely to see if there is better alternative. I have used the Shakespeare Tidewater reels for salmon trolling and was very happy with their drags, they are a very inexpensive reel and I have not tested them for drifting so I can't comment on their durability.

[tonyb]

I have 2 330's and I have never had a problem ever. When you get home from a fishing trip, do you take off all of your lures and loosen the drag all the way? If you leave the drag "tight" when you store them, you squeeze all the oil out of the drag washers and that makes them fail and it will make any drag washer fail for that matter. Do you lubricate the drag washers assemblies when you come home everytime from a fishing trip?

It's also a good idea to set the drag by "pulling" line off when the drag is semi tight just to lubricate the washers before you fish.

I am in Maryland now catching 40+ Rockfish while trolling but I used to use the same reels for Dolphin and Grouper in the Keys. Keep the drag lubricated and you should never have a problem.

[northernblue]

Thanks for the reply's guys.
I put my reels in for service each year and as yet have had no problems with my 320, and yes l always back off the drag when not in use.
l was given the impression that the problem is a fairly recent one. The shop l purchased from 2 years ago has 2 charter boats and l was assured at the time that these reels were able to meet that sort of punnishment. Last week l overheard the manager talking to a staff member and saying how they were getting rid of the Penns [l dunno why] Another shop told me about the drag issue[?] and yesterday at the first shop l was assured by a different salesperson that they were great reels.
I am hoping you experiance can clear up my confusion.
northernblue

PS Just reread my original post and I must inform you all that our black Jewfish "Jewie" typically grows to 15 pounds, not the stated 30, although it does happen fairly regularly.
I apologise for any hard on's l may have caused
nb

[gw204]

I've got two 320s at home that are 4 or 5 years old now. Never had a single problem with them. As tonyb says, completely loosen the drags when not in use.

Those little reels help up just fine to some blistering king runs in July! In fact, one of them allowed my brother in law to land the biggest fish of his life.





They resulted in two successful trips for my brother in law and father in law. Their rugged simplicity kept the hook-up to landing ratio high when my non-level wind TLD20s proved too much for them.

[northernblue]

Yeah they seem fairly happy with themselves gw 204
There is something special about a fish that tries to pull you out of the boat isn't there !!

[Bailey Boat]

Guys, no business relationship here, only a satisfied customer for years,*but call Dawn @ Smoothies (888-206-4656) and this girl will fix you up with the best drag*system you have ever owned........

[moorhen]

How do you lubricate the drags on the 320 and 330's? I loosen the drags after each use and have not had any problems since they first came out except for issues with the old style line guide. I have used mine on fish from salmon and halibut to croakers and kings.

[okletsfish]

I have one that locked up on me pulling a # 1 planer.What I did was switch to TLD 15`s.I also have a couple of 330`s the only problem Iv`e had with them is I keep loosing the spool caps.When they take a crap I`m replacing them with Avets.

[mronzo]

I have 2 320s and had some trouble with
the level wind on one. My local shop
(causeway on Long island) fixed it
better than new for under $15!

[tonyb]

moorhen - 10/25/2004 1:04 PM

How do you lubricate the drags on the 320 and 330's? I loosen the drags after each use and have not had any problems since they first came out except for issues with the old style line guide. I have used mine on fish from salmon and halibut to croakers and kings.

Take the handle off and remove the "star" drag piece and there will be a "spacing sleeve" that pushes on the drag washers when you tighten the star drag. Remove the spacing sleeve and douse it with lube and let it set overnight before you put it back together again. In addition, if you lubricate the "worm traveller" it will also seep inside the reel.

[northernblue]

tonyb - 10/26/2004 11:11 PM

Take the handle off and remove the "star" drag piece and there will be a "spacing sleeve" that pushes on the drag washers when you tighten the star drag. Remove the spacing sleeve and douse it with lube and let it set overnight before you put it back together again. In addition, if you lubricate the "worm traveller" it will also seep inside the reel.

Thanks for the advice tonyb.
After reading your experiences it sounds like my second shop was trying to stooge me
I brought a 320 combo and a 330 combo
Cheers to all

[rondebmar]

In the last 16 weeks, I've trolled 150 hours with one 320 combo, 40 hours with the other...caught several species...15# bonitas, 27# king, several dolphin, wahoo, couple very large "mystery fish" (broken swivel)*etc.* IMO, an excellent combo for the price.* Enjoy!

Ron