by different static and dynamic friction coefficients. In
lower-quality reels, this spike in pressure as the drag
first starts to slip can potentially break the line when
you get a strike.
The drag washer material used by some other reel
manufacturers also has a high velocity dependency.
This means the drag pressure varies greatly depending
on whether the line is being pulled slowly or quickly from
the spool. However, Penn’s Dura Drag is nearly 100%
carbonised and has almost zero velocity dependency.A SIGNIFICANT SHIFT
While the drag system in Penn’s new 80VISW and
130VIS Internationals remains where it’s always been,
the drag system in the small- to medium-size reels in
the VI series has undergone a substantial shift.
In all models from 12VI to 70VIS the drag components
have been moved from the left side of the reel to the
right side. In the past, all Penn Internationals had the
drag washers located on the left side of the spool, with
a drag actuating cam located in the right sideplate.
As the drag lever was moved to increase drag, the
spool waspushedto the left to compress the drag
components and increase the drag force. With a
significant amount of force needed to achieve high
drag pressure, the reel required a substantial frame
and sideplates in order to withstand those forces.
However, the updated design in the VI series now
means these reels are built both better and lighter.NEW DRAG BENEFITS
With the drag washers moved to the right sideplate,
the activation of the drag campullsthe spool to the
right. As the force compressing the drag washers is
now contained within the right sideplate, the reel’s
frame, left sideplate and sideplate screws are no
longer subject to such high pressures and therefore
can be made thinner and lighter.
As well as being lighter and with a reduced outside
diameter, the new frame’s profile has been bowed
outward to increase line clearance.Along with the drag, the dual anti-reverse dogs in
all models from 12VI to 70VIS have been shifted
from the left side of the reel to the right. These help
to engage the anti-reverse ratchet simultaneously for
maximised strength. Finger springs now make their
operation silent, with traditional coil springs ensuring
the design is failsafe.ADJUSTABLE ‘STRIKE’ BUTTON
On all VI-series reels, the release button that allows
the drag lever to be moved past the ‘Strike drag’ stop
has been moved from the sideplate to the end of the
drag lever itself. This enables you to move the drag
lever from the ‘Free’ position to ‘Strike’ and then to
the ‘Full’ drag position without removing your hand
from the drag lever.
The ‘Strike’ stop is now situated in a long slot on the
drag quadrant (the lever guide rail) and has a locking
screw that lets you adjust its position. This allows you
to set how much range you want between ‘Free’ and
‘Strike’, as well as between ‘Strike’ and ‘Full’. Another
strike stop is also included in the box, which – if you
choose to install it on the drag quadrant – gives you a
second stop to indicate another drag setting.Above: The Penn
International
VI-series reels are
available in either a
gold finish or silver.
Their new longer
handle bar gives you
more cranking power.
Right: The ‘Strike’
stop is now situated
in a slot on the drag
quadrant (the lever
guide rail) and can
be positioned to set
how much range you
want between ‘Free’
and ‘Strike’, as well
as between ‘Strike’
and ‘Full’ drag.“Each reel
in the series
comes with
its drag
progression
optimised for
the specific
line class.”
“There is far more to
consider than brand when
shopping for a new reel.”
72 facebook.com/BlueWatermagazine
Improving a gold standard