710z

[JohnR]

What are people's opnions on using 710Zs for stripers and bluefish. What mods are available? How does it compare with the 704/6?

Thanks,

John

[MAC]

That's a spinning reel ya know...

[Bedford Blues]

i have used a 710Z Penn for 25 yrs. 15 Lbs Berkley Trilene.
On a 9 Ft. Pole. Best for Plugging 3/4 oz to 2 1/2 oz.
Blues and Bass in the teens. It is not a reel for the Canal or
Heavy plugging 3 oz or more. There are also better casting reels . But it is very durable.

[Mike P]

It's a pretty strong mid-sized reel. I never had one myself, but I had an old green one that belonged to my cousin apart once. If I remember right, it has the same type (tho smaller) gear set-up as the 704/06, bronze main and stainless pinion.

Best used with 15# mono or 14# Fireline.

There was a guy named Chris Richard, who used to be one of the regulars on WMI and SOL in the early days, who designed a manual pick-up conversion. Haven't seen him around in years. That was the only mod I'm aware of.

Bottom line--it's the reel that holds the all-tackle bass record

[Pt.JudeJoe]

The 710 is the little brother of the 704. It is durable and a nice little reel for schoolies and small blues. I wouldn't put more than 15 lb. mono on one ,but with the braids I guess you could go to a higher test.

[Pt.JudeJoe]

One more thing....they don't make them anymore , but there are still a lot of them around.

[Karl F]

John, my son has had one on his 9 footer for 10-11 years. He won it in a kids casting contest when he was 8. It's been a great reel for him, typical Penn, minimal service. He's got 15 #mono on it, he loves to fish eels, bombers, mambo's, and Kastmasters on this set-up.
What everybody else said, basically, a smaller version of the 704.

[gadabout]

It's a great reel. Basically the same design as a 704 but smaller. I use mine on a nine foot rod that casts lures averaging about 1 1/2 oz. (with 12#mono). I believe Penn has (stupidly) stopped making them, but you should have no trouble finding one on eBay or whatever. The only mod I would consider making is a manual bail conversion but you will have a tough time finding the conversion kit.

[Crafty Angler]

Nice no-nonsense Penn - I've got a couple and use 'em occasionally in the spring for 10 and 12# -

Like it's bigger brothers the 704/706 it easy to maintain although parts just rose dramatically (for Penn, anyway) - of course, parts prices are relative if you consider the cheese you'll have to dish out if your VS goes south.

Basic, reliable, easy to self-service - and a good dollop of Super Lube in the gear case will shut up that &#**#%& anti-reverse clicker

I got back into the old bail-less 704 for eeling this season with the chromed one I got from Senor Habs - used it last nite in fact - and it's like an old pair of shoes, plenty comfortable

You oughta be able to get a used one in reasonably good shape for short money I would think, John - but I don't know how braid friendly they would be if that's what you're thinking since I'm an old mono die-hard.

If you do pick one up and want to convert it to bail-less give me a shout - I've got a coupla conversion kits hanging around somewhere in the tackle bunker.