Penn Take Down Today

[Graceland]

Unless you are going to use your 50's for something really big like blue fins or blue marlin I wouldn't sweat it until the ones you have need replacing. Of course if you don't like the way the drags perform now or want higher drag settings while maintaining free spool you'd want to go ahead and get them now.

[Sea Draggin]

With the new drags and the stronger finish on the Penns, they might start to take back some of the market share they have lost to Shimano.

[Graceland]

Well Shimano just changed the Taigras. They are suposed to have a better anodizing, click adjustment drag like the 12's and 16's do and I am not sure what else they have changed.They haven't shipped any Taigras since the middle of December and were supposed to start with the new ones at the end of February, but still haven't shipped any. It will be interesting to see just what they did to them.

[Lil' Tunny]

TT, I wouldn't use any kind of spray on the insides of the reel. Stick with a goood grease, I've been using cal's universal reel and drag grease. Top quality stuff, doesn't break down after repeatedly getting heated up. Works excellent on gears and drags, if you want a wet drag. Cost is the same as shimano grease $5/oz. $25/pound.
Make sure you degrease the bearing, and lube them with rocket fuel or similar oil.

The new tiagra's have thicker anodizing, ratcheting drag lever like the 12 and 16, lower viscousity oil for better freespool, chromed sideplate screws to prevent electroysis, and a sweet looking new handle! Can't wait to get one in my hands!