PENN LEVEL WIND Series, 9, 10, 109, 209M, 309M, 209LC Manual

LEVEL WIND SERIES FEATURES

• Sturdy Penn Handle. Counterbalanced with comfortable soft grip knob on all Level Wind models, except for the 109, which features a double-knob handle. The 109 handle turns while casting or letting out line.
• Smooth Powerful Penn Star Drag. Turn oversize star wheel down (clockwise) for more drag, up (counter-clockwise) for less drag.
• Eccentric Lever, Puts reel in and out of gear. Push eccentric lever forward to engage years, pull backward to put in free spool. (The 309 eccentric lever works the opposite way.) When the 109 lever is pulled back, the angler can cast or let out line, yet the gears are still engaged. Many fishermen find this 109 feature particularly suitable to their style of fishing.
• Level Wind. Penn's positive drive level wind device evenly spools line on reel for repeated carefree fishing.
• Click Warning Device. Push forward (down) to engage clicker, pull backward (up) to disengage clicker. Invaluable under certain conditions, the clicker alerts angler when line is going out. It is intended for use only as a signal and the clicker should be pushed off whenever possible. Reeling in line with the clicker on will wear out the device in a relatively short time.
• Left Side Bearing. Adjustable so that excessive end play of the spool can be taken up by turning the bearing cap clockwise. Adjust so that side-to-side motion of the spool can barely be felt (.003" to.005"). Do not use as an anti-backlash device. An overly tight bearing cap can damage both the right and left side bearings.
• Strong gears. Precision machined stainless steel pinion gear and bronze alloy main gear in every model.
• Strong Spools. Models feature one piece black anodized aluminum spool for easy casting.
• All Penn Level Wind models come with precision bushings.
  The Mag Tuned™ 10 features stainless steel ball bearings.
• The Mag Tuned™ 10 features a custom-installed magnetic control on the bridge to help prevent backlash. A direct drive lever on the lower right side plate allows anglers to directly reel line in or out while fishing or fighting fish.
• Graphite Rod Clamp System. One piece graphite rod clamp on 309M, 209MLH, 209LC and 209M models.
• Durable components. External and internal components are designed and manufactured for extreme strength, durability and resistance to corrosion.

For Line Counter Model

The Mechanical Line Counter feature is great for trolling and bottom fishing. When trolling, the line counter lets you know how far behind the boat your lure is running. When bottom fishing, the line counter allows you to drop your bait to the same depth after you have reeled in the line and you want to reach that same spot with your bait.

• Line Counter. Accurately measures line to a depth of 999 feet.
• Reset Button. Press the Reset Button before dropping line. As line comes off spool, the line counter will indicate the amount of line being used.

CARE AND LUBRICATION

Your Penn Level Wind reel is quality manufactured for maximum durability, but like any precision instrument, reasonable care will ensure its best performance through many seasons.
After each fishing trip, the reel should be cleaned. If you have been fishing in salt water, wipe or wash the reel with fresh water, preferably warm, to remove any accumulated salt deposits.
Should you wash the reel, be careful not to use a driving force of water, since this will force the salt deposits into the reel's internal mechanisms. Rather, use a very fine spray to dissolve the salt on the external parts of the reel.
Dry excess moisture from the reel and then sparingly lubricate all exposed areas. Many fishermen use a pressurized spray oil for quick, easy protection after washing or wiping down their reels. Try not to get any oil on the fishing line, but should any excess spray oil get on your line, just wipe the excess off. Other fishermen will apply a light coating of oil with a rag to the exposed metal parts on the reel for protection against the elements.
Your Level Wind reel should be stored in a cool, dry place. Do not store in a plastic bag, as the reel may develop condensation.
Periodically examine your reel and tighten loose screws and fittings. Depending upon use, your Level Wind reel should be overhauled at least once every season.
Frequently lubricate all frictional points. For best results, use Penn Reels lubricant. Penn's tubes of lube are just the ticket for lubricating oil ports and applying a few drops of oil where they will do the most good. Remember, applying a few drops of oil is sufficient in most cases. Do not over lubricate!

• Major points for external lubrication are:
  • Handle knob oil port.
  • Eccentric lever. Apply a few drops of oil under eccentric lever back and forth so oil will saturate frictional points.
  • Left and right side bearings. Unscrew bearing covers and apply oil in the bearings and on the spool spindle.
  • Clicker button. Apply a few drops of oil and work back and forth so oil will saturate frictional points.
  • Level Wind. Tum Level Wind reel upside down and apply oil sparingly (a few drops) to worm. Tum handle to work pawl and line guide carriage back and forth across worm. This will distribute oil throughout the entire level wind device.

For a more thorough, internal lubrication of your Penn Level Wind reel, remove the right side plate by removing the right side stand screws (#31) and right side post screws (#38). When breaking down your Level Wind, it is most important to remember what screws and other parts go where. This will avoid mix-ups during re-assembly. Gripping the handle will help you work the side plate free of the reel. The entire right side plate (#1), right side ring (#2) and level wind device (#46C) will work free. Hold the spool so it will not accidentally fall out once the side plate is removed.
After carefully removing the spool, your Level Wind is now broken down for internal lubrication. The left and right side bearings, spool spindle, eccentric and clicker assemblies and level wind can now be more thoroughly lubricated. Individual components in the aforementioned assemblies can now be broken down, if desired. Again, only a few drops on these critical areas are all that is needed.
Lubricate the main and pinion gear by smearing the teeth with a good quality waterproof grease. Do not pack the gears with grease, or do not lubricate the gears with oil, because the drag washers will then become soaked with lubricants. Since the drag operates on a friction principle with one type of washer against another type, excess lubricant can defeat the efficient operation of the star drag system.

REPLACING NYLON IDLER GEAR

The nylon idler gear (#64) is what drives your level wind device back and forth across the spool. It is purposely made from nylon so it will operate as a fail-safe device: should your line (and reel) suffer from a sudden pull or shock, the nylon idler gear will break first, thus saving more valuable Level Wind gears and components.
To replace the nylon idler gear, follow directions for removing the right side plate as detailed above. The nylon idler gear (#64) is located in the left side plate. The click spring (#62) will have to be removed prior to installing the new nylon idler gear. Remember to lubricate the nylon idler gear bushing before reassembling your Level Wind.

REPLACING DRAG WASHERS

Depending upon use, the drag washers on your Level Wind will need replacement sooner or later. If you decide to replace them yourself, remove the right side as detailed in the Internal Lubrication section.
Once the right side is removed, remove handle lock screw (#23A), handle screw (#23), star wheel (#10), sleeve (#9) and tension spring (#8). Now remove the bridge screws (#1 6 and #17) located in the center right side plate.
The bridge and sleeve (#3) will then work free, thereby exposing the main gear (#5) and drag washers (#4, #6 and #7) needing replacement. The pinion gear and eccentric assemblies will also be set free, so be careful to note their position while removing to avoid any mix-ups when re-assembling.

REPLACING LEVEL WIND WORM AND PAWL

The level wind components work hard and are subject to wear, depending upon use.
To replace the worm on the 109 Level Wind models, unscrew left side worm bearing (#44) and remove worm (#42). Replace new worm with flat end going into right side (handle side) plate. Replace bearing and oil worm.
On all other Level Wind models, remove right side bearing (#43) and follow same procedure as above. Replace new worm with flat end going into left side plate and replace bearing. Oil new worm.
To replace the pawl in all Level Wind models, unscrew the pawl cover screw (#48) from the line guide carriage (#46). Remove the old pawl and drop the new one in, with the knife edge down. Be sure the edge fits into the groove of the worm. The back of the pawl should be flush with the line guide carriage. Replace pawl retainer screw and oil worm.

SPECIFICATIONS

LEVEL WIND TIPS

Your local Penn dealer can fill your reel properly with the right line for your type of fishing. If you want to wind the line on yourself, first mount your reel on a rod. Thread the line through at least one guide and through the level wind. Tie the line onto the arbor of the spool, making sure your line is centered on the knurled section. This will prevent your line from slipping on the arbor.
Be sure the line comes off the bulk spool in the same direction (rotation) as it goes on the reel spool. This procedure is most -important to avoid twists and kinks. Either you or someone else should apply heavy finger tension while winding. A properly filled spool will approach the edge of the spool flange from 1/8 to 3/16 of an inch, depending upon personal preference.
If you expect to be catching very large fish or fishing with very heavy weights and long lines, you could back your spool with Dacron or some other non-stretch line. Monofilament, when subjected to heavy pressure, stretches and compacts. This causes tremendous pressure on the spool, and can cause damage to the spool or reel. About 1/4" of backing is needed to properly absorb monofilament pressure. if you are fishing under heavy conditions, it is also wise to pay out the amount of line you were fishing with (without weight) and reel in using finger tension.
When playing a fish, remember to let the rod work for you. If the fish is taking line from the drag, keep your rod around 11 o'clock position. When bringing a fish in, "pump" the rod from a 10 o'clock up to a 12 o'clock position and back down again, cranking in slack line only when you lower the rod.
Turn star wheel clockwise to increase drag and counter-clockwise to decrease drag. Set drag tension well below breaking test of line. Remembering to do this will build in a safety margin should you hook a large fish or snag. Better for your drag to slip than your line to break. Check drag tension occasionally by manually pulling line from rod and reel. When storing reels, back drag off all the way to relive pressure on internal springs and washers.

HOW TO ORDER PARTS

1. By mail, please list model for which you are buying parts and order parts by name and number.
2. Include your legible, printed name, address and daytime telephone number with your order.
3. Penn will then send you an invoice, showing part prices plus shipping and handling charges.
4. There is a minimum part order of $2.00 and a shipping and handling charge of $3.00 on a minimum order.
5. Upon receipt of your payment(check or money order only),your order will be shipped to you via parcel post or U.P.S.
6. For faster service, you may also use your MasterCard or VISA credit card to mail in parts orders. Provide name on card, account number and expiration date when ordering parts. Be sure to include information requested in Steps 1 and 2.
7. You may also use your MasterCard or VISA to place parts orders over the telephone. Call Penn Parts Department at (215) 229-9415 between 9 am and 5pm U.S.East Coast time.
8. For fastest service, see your local Penn dealer. Check telephone directory for dealer nearest you.

Order Parts Online!
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Penn Fishing Tackle Mfg. Co.
Factory Service Department
3028 West Hunting Park Avenue,
Philadelphia. PA 19132-1121, U.S.A.
Telephone: (215) 229-9415
FAX: (215) 223-3017
Intemet: www.pennreels.com