Hi Dennis , Another Reel Back in Service.👍 You're Right Usually the Penn Reels You see Are Huge Ocean Reels. Either Spinfishers or The Round Baitcasters.
That is where they made the reputation, but every now and then they go small or do a low profile bait caster or a rear drag reel as a side to test the market.
I had to replace the main gear on the reel (a 716Z) I won at an auction. While I was at it, I replaced the bearing and the worm drive. Made it run like a new reel. When parts are still available, it's easy to replace old stuff that may have some wear. Parts prices weren't that bad either. Mystic Parts folks are great. Fast shipping.
The 714Z and 716Z are essentially the same reel. A 720Z and 722Z are very different reels. I have the 720Z and 722Z but not the 714Z and 716Z. I wish I did because those are the only two Penn Balck/gold Z reels I don’t have. Both of these models are extremely expensive on the used reel market. Since I mostly collect saltwater spinning reels I haven’t gotten these. I absolutely love these Penn worm gear reels. I have three 704Z, you’ve worked on my 706Z, a 710Z, 712Z, and the others I mentioned. These are some of the finest ever made. I had never seen a floating trip mechanism. That was very interesting. I had to purchase the bail bumper and metal cup for one of my 704Z reels as I restored it. I found one but it wasn’t cheap! There are two springs in the 704Z - one on each side. They are more difficult at least to me. This was an excellent videoDennis! - Chris. (PS. I’m getting a reel I told you about once. I’m sending an e-mail. It’s a weird reel!)
This is definitely a 716z, but it's a later one based on the side plate. The 1st gen Z's were identical to the greenies except for color and medallions. The 720 is actually way different. The mechanism is more like a Mitchell 308 inside, but it doesn't have a planetary gear. Otherwise the same kind of system with a large main gear , the conical gear for the rotor, and a plastic oscillation block. I don't like there being a plastic block, but otherwise while the mechanism isn't as good as a worm drive I still like the system because it works pretty well.
Tyler, I was looking, to see your comment because I know how much you revere this reel. I have a 720Z and 722Z and for the life of me I don’t remember a plastic oscillation block but you wouldn’t have said it if it wasn’t true. I absolutely love worm gear reels as I own right at 30 Penn reels for the first Spinfisher 700 (1961 I have two) through the Z reels. I like the fact more of the gear intersects with the worm gear. It makes for such stronger reels. As always you really know these ultralights while I know the saltwater size better. Great comments! - Chris
I do a few Flea markets in the fall. Most are sold by request. What are you interested in purchasing? - Please send a note to my email 2ndchancetackle@gmail.com for more information - Dennis
Hi Dennis , Another Reel Back in Service.👍 You're Right Usually the Penn Reels You see Are Huge Ocean Reels. Either Spinfishers or The Round Baitcasters.
That is where they made the reputation, but every now and then they go small or do a low profile bait caster or a rear drag reel as a side to test the market.
I had to replace the main gear on the reel (a 716Z) I won at an auction. While I was at it, I replaced the bearing and the worm drive. Made it run like a new reel. When parts are still available, it's easy to replace old stuff that may have some wear. Parts prices weren't that bad either. Mystic Parts folks are great. Fast shipping.
Thanks for sharing - Dennis
You fixed the bail spring on my 716 about 4 years ago and it still runs like new
Great to hear ! Best wishes for continued great fishing - Dennis
The 714Z and 716Z are essentially the same reel. A 720Z and 722Z are very different reels. I have the 720Z and 722Z but not the 714Z and 716Z. I wish I did because those are the only two Penn Balck/gold Z reels I don’t have. Both of these models are extremely expensive on the used reel market. Since I mostly collect saltwater spinning reels I haven’t gotten these. I absolutely love these Penn worm gear reels. I have three 704Z, you’ve worked on my 706Z, a 710Z, 712Z, and the others I mentioned. These are some of the finest ever made. I had never seen a floating trip mechanism. That was very interesting. I had to purchase the bail bumper and metal cup for one of my 704Z reels as I restored it. I found one but it wasn’t cheap! There are two springs in the 704Z - one on each side. They are more difficult at least to me. This was an excellent videoDennis! - Chris. (PS. I’m getting a reel I told you about once. I’m sending an e-mail. It’s a weird reel!)
Thanks again Chris
This is definitely a 716z, but it's a later one based on the side plate.
The 1st gen Z's were identical to the greenies except for color and medallions.
The 720 is actually way different.
The mechanism is more like a Mitchell 308 inside, but it doesn't have a planetary gear.
Otherwise the same kind of system with a large main gear , the conical gear for the rotor, and a plastic oscillation block.
I don't like there being a plastic block, but otherwise while the mechanism isn't as good as a worm drive I still like the system because it works pretty well.
Tyler, I was looking, to see your comment because I know how much you revere this reel. I have a 720Z and 722Z and for the life of me I don’t remember a plastic oscillation block but you wouldn’t have said it if it wasn’t true. I absolutely love worm gear reels as I own right at 30 Penn reels for the first Spinfisher 700 (1961 I have two) through the Z reels. I like the fact more of the gear intersects with the worm gear. It makes for such stronger reels. As always you really know these ultralights while I know the saltwater size better. Great comments! - Chris
Thanks for the additional information - Dennis
theres a guy on ebay selling carbontex drag washers for this now
Good to know. Thanks for the tip - Dennis
Hey Dennis. Out of interest, where do you sell your reconditioned reels from? Raymondo.
I do a few Flea markets in the fall. Most are sold by request. What are you interested in purchasing? - Please send a note to my email 2ndchancetackle@gmail.com for more information - Dennis
The 716 and 714 share the same gear housing. The 720 and 722 share the same gear housing except the 722 has a ball bearing
Us Penn guys are picky 😂
Thanks for the additional information - Dennis