OK, looking to build one or two spinning rods this winter and considering reels. I own a 6500SS which is in excellent shape but I'm wondering if I should use that and somehow modify it, get a 704/6, go bailless? Anyway, I will be fishing braid and will use this setup primarily for throwing lighter lugs (bombers and the like) and occasionally throwing bigger stuff in nasty winds. Not looking to replace my conventionals at all but just looking to be more diverse...

Any suggestions? Do the make a large diameter manual pickup roller for the 6500SS?

Thanks

John,
After all the problems you hear about Penn 6500's and from my experiences as well, and if you can afford it, I would recommend Selling it on E-Bay or something and pickup a Shimano 4500 baitrunner or Stradic 8000. In my opinion they are much better reels, in their durablity, their weight, line capacity, and their drags. I have been a Penn man my whole life (inherited from the old man), but I have just become fed up with my Penns breaking down.

-Sell the Penn 6500. This was my first saltwater reel ever. While it initially worked okay I had problems later on with the anti-reverse.

-Replace it with a 704z (w/ manual conversion kit). Sports Authority has the reels for like $75 and the conversion kit is an extra $5.00. I'm sure you could get used even cheaper. Spool up with 20 lb. Fireline and you have yourself a nice Rhody spinning setup. I have some extra reels if you are interested.

-Think I saw Weekapaug B&T with a nice chromed 706z in the display counter.

-WW

I don't think that the 6500ss is a bad reel for people who fish occasionally. I have the manual conversion kit for mine but I have never put it on because I let friends use the reel. The kit I have does not have and oversized roller.

I think that the 706z is the best reel that I own. I never understood why someone would choose the 704z, converted to manual pickup, over a 706z. The 706z is lighter and holds more line. I don't buy that because the 706 spool's diameter is larger than the 704's that it will affect casting distance significantly.

OK. Dumb question from the new guy: What's a manual conversion kit, and what are the advantages of converting?:confused:

GoFish,

You take the bail of the reel and you screw on a line roller that has a piece of wire coming off it. When you cast, you grab the line with you index finger and manually place it under the wire. If you look at a Penn 706 or Van Staal, you will see what I mean.

The advantage is that you will never have a bail close on you mid cast. I also eliminates the moving parts in a bail and saves on weight.

Steve

Shimano 4500 baitrunner or Stradic 8000.



I own Stradic 4000 which gave me a lots of trouble on the handel and instant anti-reverse. I ended up buying three cheaper Shimano 4000 reels for the parts. The part of the handle on cranking side which fits onto the reel body is made out of plastic and the lock washer on the nut side gets loose. So if you keep on tightning the nut, eventually the plastic part on the handle will beak. Please buy a reel made out of all metal. My favorite reel so far is Fin-Nor .8.

I paid $115 for Stradic 4000 from Bucko's and Fin-Nor for $190 from Capitol.

:smash: :smash: :smash:

Thanks for the info. I'll go see if I can find a photo online. Getting tired of fighting the bail on my 6500.

I have a 7500 that I have almost taken a hammer to because of the f#$#@))******% bail. So one night on the beach out came the wire cutters and off went the bail. No more problems . I filed down the stub of the wire thats it. I bought the 7500 thinking I was moving up from the 704 boy was I wrong . Once I got rid of that bail it's been a great reel - no drag problems or with the gears I use a synthetic grease. I think it holds a good amount
of line ( 50 lb whiplash) and I've taken several fish that really tested it. It just needed to be trained

penn reels suck

shimano 4500B is the best reel in the world

Originally posted by Washrat
penn reels suck

shimano 4500B is the best reel in the world Ahem... Uhh, don't think so, but I guess its OK to have your favorites (whatsa wind knot?)

I like my Stradic 4K a lot but I'm looking for something that will takes some abuse, more capacity and is a little better "wet" reel. Unless Zebco is kind enough to forward a VS for long term testing or I come across a cheaper Nautil, I'm not going to drop baitrunner weight or Stradic coin on a part time reel. I have 2 many Calcuttas and 6500 Abus to continue to use and abuse. I'm also on the fence about buying another Shimano product. As much as I really like alot of their stuff I REALLY HATE their price fixing and it has probably already stopped me from buying more of their stuff, including Loomis, on principle.

Now getting back to the topic of fixing up my extra super clean 6500SS or going with a 704/6Z :D :hihi: ...

I think you sell the 6500 and get the Z. Do the bail conversion and drill the housing with drain holes. Anyway , that seems to be the Crack/Luxor/VS knockoff method.

I love my 704z. That thing has been going and going and going and has only had one problem in 8 years of hard fishing. I snapped the bail in 2 pieces as I fell off a rock. The thing's a tank!

Fin-Nor Ahab reels are great reels. Easy to maintain and durable. But they are more money (I think triple the price of the Penn 704z) and are HEAVY...

Ahab reels SUCK even more. I went thru they're CRAPPY customer service 4 times and gave up in DISGUST. Guy told me the reel wasn't in warranty even though I sent a copy of the sales receipt with it....that was the 4th time a reel had been sent in for service. I told him fix it and send it back or just throw it in the trash bucket cuz I had no interest in playing games with these guys after all I had been through. I got the reel back a week later....fixed...and sold em all on freekbay the next day!

Penn has a NEW reel coming out....called a "Captiva" I seen them and played with one last week, looks very well made and some cool features that no-one else has...Price looks to be decent too.

SaltyB, I've had a Fin-Nor Ahab reel for 8 years now and never had to have anything looked at other than regular maintenance which I do myself. So, I've never had to deal with the company. Other than the fact that they are very heavy reels, I can't say anything but good things about it. Very easy to maintain. Love the extra large drag (very smooth), no wobble (nice balance).
Like I say, it's been flawless for 8 years so far.:huh:

yea I liked the reels too but had ALOT of problems with them I'd say with 4 reels going back to the factory in 5 months. PLUS I bought spare handles for them too cuz the handles are light. I don't beat my stuff but I FISH it....

I've got both a 7500SS and the 704z, both converted to manual pickup, and although I've only had it a short time, I prefer the 704z for surfcasting.

One thing that I didn't like about the 704z was that you couldn't close the bail w/out reeling like you could with the SS. Converting to manual pickup was a necessity.

Decathlon is closing the store near me and has all fishing inventory at 25% off. They had 704z for ~ $65. Don't know if the stores down south are offering the same.

http://www.decathlon-usa.com/us/magasin/store_index.asp

Check with Mike at M&D's first if you want a 704z.

Comming in 2004

Captiva Spinning Reels
6 Models 11BB
$29.99 - $69.99

Captiva Free Liner Spinning Reels
3 Models 11BB
$64.99 - $75.99

Originally posted by macojoe
Comming in 2004

Captiva Spinning Reels
6 Models 11BB
$29.99 - $69.99

Captiva Free Liner Spinning Reels
3 Models 11BB
$64.99 - $75.99

From the prices, I'm betting they aren't gonna be "Made in USA" Penns :(

Some third-world OEM company is gonna make them out of recycled Kias :laughs:

yea but they not bad reels from what I've seen and played with....time will tell...

Yeah---Tica reels look and feel pissah when you pick 'em up and play with 'em, too.

When you fish with them, however, it's another story :wall:

I know why everyone on the internet raves about their great customer service---they get a lot of practice at it :D :laughs:

I don't care what the name is on the reel,,, i think none of them are built to last,,,two or three seasons if you are lucky,,,go on the price is what i say,,,don't spend too much

Save your money, get the 704/6 and give the 6500 to your kid when he's ready. I rebuilt my 704 at 12 years old and it runs nice and smooth, and I get new spools when they get dinged. The shimano's and VS's are nice but I'd rather build a bitchn' rod with the xtra $. I only paid 45$ new for the Penn. Still gettin my money's worth.

I talked to Mike at Bucko's today and he has the conversion kits for Penn reels.

From my experience with Penn reels...throw them in the trash or use them as sinkers when Tatoug fishing. They are crap!!! I switched to Shimano and haven't had any problems.:af:

Old Penns are great

I got a couple Senators that are probably as old as the grumpy old pharts here ;)

The 700 series spinners have treated me well on the boat and beach.

Still need to save some bills and get a couple squidders.