Penn Slammer Reel info - Striper Talk Striped Bass Fishing, Surfcasting, Boating

AnthonyN · 01-12-2002, 12:48 AM

I know someone here was looking for information on the penn slammer. Well while searching the net I came across it on penns site. It is the same as thier baitrunner minus the baitrunner. It looks generic to me for some reason. Maybe its the big red letters that says slammer on the side of the reel. Not something i would want to buy but than again I am not a big fan of penn. Heres what penn has to say about it and an enclosed picture.

Oh yeah this thing costs $130 and has a line capacity of 325yds of 12lb mono on the 560 (biggest model) and a gear ration of 4.6:1 I think this is over priced for the features that are offered like most penn reels.

Two models (560 and 460) for light and medium tackle fishing.

Durable die-cast aluminum housing, side plate and rotor.

Machined, gold anodized aluminum spool.

New Techno-Balanced™ rotor for wobble-free retrieves.

Single large HT100® drag washer that's protected under the spool.

Large diameter stainless steel spool shaft supported in three places.

Six bearings for smoothness and support.

Penn's exclusive Leveline™ feature for even line wraps, stainless steel ball bearing line roller for smooth retrieves.

AnthonyN · 01-12-2002, 12:54 AM

Here is a picture of thier "baitrunner" model. Is it just me or does this look generic as well??? Looks like something silstar would make.

bluefish · 01-12-2002, 06:58 AM

I don't mind that you aren't a big PENN fan. I was just curious as to why. To me it seems that the company offers terrific tackle at reasonable prices that can be repaired ANYWHERE ....ALMOST INSTANTLY because parts are so readily available. They seem to be "blood and guts" tough with very simple designs.....As you can tell I am a fan of PENN. The squidder being the reel that gets the most use from me and I have NEVER had a problem with it. I service it regularly and it repays me unfailingly....In fact, the only problem I ever had with any PENN reel was due to my own negligence.....While on a BLUEFISH head boat using my Jigmaster, the sideplate (handle side) came off during the heat of battle because I didn't tighten the "take down" screw.
I don't know about the SLAMMER because I haven't even held one in my yet, but I have to say PENN gets a huge thumbs up from me!

GBOUTDOORS · 01-12-2002, 08:06 AM

Im with you Mikey I have always had good luck with my penn reels.Thats not to say they couldn't do better.Last fall as I was looking to get all new gear I did pass over the penn spinners for a shimano stradic 5000 and have no real problems yet.But I did buy two penn 320 and a 330 for my boat rods.Now with the slammer out I would like to check it out but have not been able to find them in any local shops around New bedford area.Has anyone seen them yet????

TheSpecialist · 01-12-2002, 09:20 AM

I only own one Penn I think it is a 712 or 707z. I have used a 320gti on numerous fishing expeditions and I like them have never had a problem with them.

bluefish · 01-12-2002, 09:59 AM

GBOUTDOORS, Don't get me wrong....Shimano makes a great product that are easily serviced as well. In fact, I wouldn't trade my Baitrunner 4500 for anything in the world, which is probably why I haven't bothered to look at the Live Liners yet either. I'm the kinda guy that figgers "if it ain't broke, I ain't gonna fix it." If something performs well and doesn't give me alot of problems I hold on to it......new fangled gadgets and bells and whistles are fun novelties, but when the luster wears off ya gotta be happy with what ya purchased years from now.

specialist....what are the main reels in your arsenal?

TheSpecialist · 01-12-2002, 10:40 AM

Don't think I am kissing up to you, but I have 2 4500 baitrunners also.

I also have a Mitchell 398ALU on a 9' Daiwa Sealine X. It has a smooth drag. I think I may get a Nautil for the 10' Sealine my wife bought me for Xmas. So many choices so little time.

GBOUTDOORS · 01-12-2002, 10:40 AM

Your right and thats why I always liked the Penns. No frills just basic hard working.Specialist I will call you later to get the air brush to you. Is anyone you you live near going to East Bay show?

AnthonyN · 01-12-2002, 02:37 PM

Penns are just to plain jane for me. They don't offer any of the features i want in a reel. They are clunky reels. I want a reel with technology packed inside. Something that fits my fishing applications not a good plain reel to use for everything. My shimanos and daiwas are just as reliable as penn reels. I give all my reels a 5 year life expectancy. Who cares if parts are easy to find. I don't plan on fixing any of my reels within 5 years after 5 years i buy new ones. If i do have to fix them shimano and daiwa have an authorized repair center in fall river so its no big deal. As for reasonably priced penn are not. For the features and the technology thats offered they are not worth the price. I own a few penn reels which are the 4500SS, 650SS (broke main gear is all stripped) and a 320GTI. My 4500ss is just an all prupose reel i use for flounder and other types of saltwater fish i rarely target. I have the 320GTI just in case i ever go out on a boat and I use it from the Barrington/Warren Bridges. The penn international 975 is worth the money but than again i would buy a calcutta first. Penn makes good conventionals but I don't care for thier spinning reels. They have the if its not broke don't fix it policy which i think should change they are to lazy to change designs because of the massive amounts of parts in inventory.

The only thing i like about penn is they are easy to fix, reliable, made in a America.

Oh and novelties wearing off? I am sorry to say the smoothness in my reels isn't going to wear off. The fact that I have instant hooksets with no back play isnt going to wear off. I get further casts off my long cast ABS spools is not going to wear off, the fact I have 50% less line twist will wear off??
I don't think so. Not novilties but practical things expected in new spinning reels.

GBOUTDOORS · 01-12-2002, 05:30 PM

Guess you told us but I still like the no frills no fix on the Penns I have had. And I have had good luck with the Stradic but I think it too is way over priced.

JohnR · 01-13-2002, 08:37 AM

Some solid people, inluding the commercial guys, won't use anything but an older Penn when fishing the beaches because they are near indestructible, impervious to sand, and easy to clean & fix.

You'll also find some that do the same with Daiwa and SHimano but Penn has probably the most sturdy reels made over the past 40 years.

As far as the technology bit goes, I like it too but I won't deny how reliable a simple Penn can be. As far as other variables like casting distance and fish fighting - a well balanced spinning rod with a penn is going to cast in the same range as any other similar spinner. Just because some people with Penns can't cast doesn't mean the reel is weak.

I have a few 30+ year old 940 levelwinds that I don't use because I have better & newer reels, but my grandfather used these reels. He probably last cleaned and used them in the late 70s when they were last used a lot. Today, they are still smooth. My ABU 6000 reels that were his cast further and smoother and are more technically advanced but are bit more worn and need more overhaul than the Penns...

So while I fish other reels (although I would like a Penn 965) I won't knock the Penns. For someone that chooses them may be choosing ease of use & durability other than that extra smoothness or sweet roller bearing...

Just my opinion though

I like the Stradic (I have the smaller 4000) and it's overpriced too. So are a lot of the Penn Reels too. Very few reliable bargains out there....