new reel - suggesstions? - Striper Talk Striped Bass Fishing, Surfcasting, Boating

BrianS · 06-10-2003, 02:50 PM

I havent bought a new reel in a LONG time.
In fact my spinning reel is a 20 year old penn that my father gave me. Its served me well for 10 years..So Ive NEVER bought one.

So... Im looking for a new spinning reel... Dont have too much to spend.. Roughly $60ish...

Any suggesstions for that price range?

Mike P · 06-10-2003, 03:02 PM

Uh---you have a 20 year old Penn reel that's served you without any problems for 10 years. So---why not a new Penn of the same model?

Bells and whistles are nice, but reels that have a gazillion bearings, smooth aluminum gears and all the other toys break more often than those older Penns.

I have 4 Penn 704s and 2 Penn 706s and I've never lost a minute's fishing due to problems with any of them. Once you get rid of the bails on the 704s and get used to using the manual pick-up, they're pretty bulletproof.

Anything else that you buy in the $60-$80 price range won't last you a full season.

BrianS · 06-10-2003, 03:05 PM

your probably exactly right....
off I go to price!

rockonjim9 · 06-10-2003, 03:06 PM

PENN 704Z...MEETS THE PRICE..HARD TO DAMAGE..XTRA REEL BOUT 27 BUCKS...30LB..BIG GAME...15LB..IRONSILK..YOU'RE IN THE GAME...DON'T WAIT ANTHER 10 YRS FOR ANOTHER ROD..GL

Raven · 06-10-2003, 03:23 PM

http://www.capecodtackle.com/Merchant/merchant.mv?

Raven

jugstah · 06-10-2003, 05:06 PM

I love my Penn 9500SS... it's treated me well, caught me many a striper, and I also got a penn boat reel, i forget the model but the point is, penn's rule...

what do u guys think of those shimani bait runner reels?

either way, im sticking with penns...

macojoe · 06-10-2003, 05:52 PM

I have about 15 reels and they are all Penn's some new and alot old some as old as 1957 and still ticking. You can buy parts dirt chep and with a little patinces fix them you self.
Go Penn Young Man!!

BigFish · 06-10-2003, 06:45 PM

The Penn Powergraph line is dollar for dollar fantastic. If you are looking for a reel in the $60.00 range, look at the Penn Power Graph 4000, 6000, or 7000, depending on your type of fishing. You will not be disappointed.

Joe · 06-10-2003, 07:03 PM

704Z - I just put them up for sale yesterday....
The difference between a 704Z and a 70 dollar reel is about the same difference between a Kia and a Toyota. You save 33% in the short run and lose 5 times what you saved in the long run. The long run will be here sooner than you think.

http://surfcasting-rhodeisland.com/Store.htm

All you need to do is wash it after each trip and lightly spray it with WD-40 and check the screws. About every third trip clean the drag washers. One major cleaning a season will suffice if you do not submerge it. I would have stocked the 706 but I could not find any.

Fishpart · 06-11-2003, 05:48 AM

Glad to see there is now a reasonable alternative to Korkers.

ragfly · 06-11-2003, 05:48 AM

I choose the shimano baitrunner reels any day over the Penn reels. Two reasons 1. shimano has a water proof drag system, so you don't have to take it apart all the time to clean the corrosion out like you do in the Penn. 2. The Penn reels have this problem with the bail flipping over while casting. If you can't afford one new try EBAY. I have purchased some nice shimano reels for $60 - $80 (new).

P.S. I own 3 penn reels & 3 baitrunner reels so I do have a good comparison between the two makes.

capesams · 06-11-2003, 06:32 AM

the 704z should only run about 75.00 new. good luck.

fishweewee · 06-11-2003, 09:08 AM

Van Staal 200.

BIGSWELL · 06-11-2003, 09:37 AM

If your going to buy a new spinning reel, go with the Shimano Baitrunner. The money is well spent and you will get perfomance out of it for a long time. Waterproof drag for those wet days and its smooth as silk.

Dont waste the money buying junk......go with the quality.

redlite · 06-11-2003, 11:02 AM

I have been fishing Penns my whole young life and just bought a Shimano 4500 bait runner Friday. Must say that I like it so far better than my Penn 6500's. The bail not flipping shut is a major bonus, and I like the baitrunner function for live lining and it is a lot lighter than the Penns. The verdict isn't in completely yet. We'll see how it holds up to the surf and sand this summer. My buddy has been using his for several years and had no complaints, so I have big expectations for its performance.

MountainBreeze · 06-11-2003, 11:09 AM

I know it's about double the 60 bills you wanted to spend but I would look at the PENN Slammers.

I have a 360, 460, and 560 SLAMMER and they work like a champ. The 460 even took a swim in the surf/sand (accident).

I took the spool off, cleaned out the sand and it kept on "ticking!"

Good luck,
Rob

redlite · 06-11-2003, 11:23 AM

I had seriously looked at the Slammers when they came out, but I didn't like the lack of an anti-reverse switch. With the Penn 6500's, I know I need to have the handle at the bottom of the turn when casting to prevent the centrifical forces of the cast bringing the handle around and closing the bail. Not sure if the Slammers are inherient to the same problem. But I found that with the anti-reverse, it is a lot easier to adjust your line down from the rod tip/ barrel swivel to have the handle at the bottom of the turn for casting, especially at night.

rwilhelm · 06-11-2003, 11:56 AM

I have a Penn Power Graph 4000 and I love it. Have had it for two years now and have not had any problems. I think it was sixty bucks.

NilsC · 06-11-2003, 12:01 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by MtnBrz1
I took the spool off, cleaned out the sand and it kept on "ticking!"

The ticking part could be a grain of sand there Rob. lol

BIGSWELL · 06-11-2003, 03:01 PM

I have 3 baitrunner 4500's and cannot believe the performance Ive got out of them. One is nearly 10 years old and still kicking, the second is nearly 5 and is in great shape.

Both reels have been to hell and back and withstood some wild wetaher and many beatings from slippery rock falls.

My Penn 750ss hasnt seen the light of day since I bought the BR (and it had the bailspring prob too)

Most retailers will honor any catalog or online price and watch the sales at the local chains.....they always go onsale for $99

Good Luck

backlasher · 06-11-2003, 09:03 PM

Think global, act local. Buy Penn and God Bless America.
Think conventional too...if you have been spinning for nigh on 20 years then might be time for a different type of casting.

Nothing against Shimano-land...but...how easy is it to take them apart to service?

B.L.

maddog2020 · 06-11-2003, 10:16 PM

Lots of the Penns will be going offshore soon due to nasty price market (they get killed since labor here is high compared to say China).

Daiwa Hardbodyz are great buys IMHO. Kastor locally is $70, Laguna is $80. Support your local shops! I like mail order prices, but they won't tell ya the hot spots to fish at.

Shimano Baitrunner 'B' series are rugged. I wouldn't want to take one apart thought ..... lol. Waterproof drag and baitrunner feature are nice. I use my 3500B & 4500A for plugging.

I' ve found some used 704 & 704z under $35.

LOTS of solid reels out there now for reasonable $. Rods are way nicer than they were 5 yrs ago.