Penn cleans house - Striper Talk Striped Bass Fishing, Surfcasting, Boating

mikecc · 04-03-2005, 08:38 PM

I would but this is a family board

But then what do I know been only listening the the consumer complain over their reels fro 20 years.

beachwalker · 04-03-2005, 08:53 PM

mike,

three four years ago penn sends two prototype slammers to Bill Pew (Fishers) out here. I bet you got a couple or more.

Bill gives the medium one to me (which would become the 460) and the smaller one to Captain Tom M. and tells both of us to NEVER rinse and give it back in November.

The friggin thing was the greatest reel I had ever used and worked perfectly all season. I dunked, sanded it, puked on it and it still worked great. It broke my heart to give it back but the season was over.

So the next year I buy the 360, 460 and they are so so. The drag is good, if you maintain it but the components overall work so so.

I wish I had that proto still it was the best reel ever. number 80 hand inked on it....

mikecc · 04-03-2005, 09:10 PM

20 years of selling penn reels they have never brought in proto types nor asked my opinion of their reels.
The only time I have ever seen the peolpe from penn other that the local rep is when they were having a photo shoot with Atlantic boats. For new at the time international reels. Some one shipped their rods up and they were damaged in shipment.They had me stay late about 4 hours after closing and repair all the rods.

PurpelNoon · 04-03-2005, 09:14 PM

I remember as a kid(not too long ago) when items were all made in Japan and that was considered cheap/low quality. Things have changed with Japanese products since then. Resume now with China, but a big problem with China is that they do not respect any type of patents. They have hundreds and hundreds of law suits against companies that replicate cars, and other products. Worse yet, is that the Chinese government has done nothing about all of this.

When I have the chance to buy similar products, whether made in USA or another country and China, even if I have to pay more, I will always buy the American or other country's part. China's tactics are a disgrace!

Nebe · 04-03-2005, 09:20 PM

I have to agree, if Penn made a better version of the 704 or 6 that was priced around 200 or 250 bucks, VS would be in big trouble. annodized, sealed drag... i'd buy one.

Pete_G · 04-04-2005, 08:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eben

I have to agree, if Penn made a better version of the 704 or 6 that was priced around 200 or 250 bucks, VS would be in big trouble. annodized, sealed drag... i'd buy one.

The only flaw with this is that VS already tried it. US built, US assembled, built like we want it to be (not counting an easy way to get inside) and look where it got them. Starting from day 1 it's apparently never exactly worked, at least in terms of the company making money. I guess Penn could learn from the mistakes and give it a try, but there is already a business model out there for built to last, built in the US reels and it's not encouraging.

In the past I've had several engineers stop by the shop, look at the VS, and be surprised they sold for what they did a few years ago. Which makes sense considering the company ended up being bought by Bradley Company. It's just an expensive reel to make, there's no way around it.

Lastly, not listening to customers is a reminder that the surf casting community; especially hard core surf casters, is a very small group. Many of the products we use weren't built with surf fishing in mind, they just happen to work there. I doubt the Saltiga was built with the surf in mind but it apprently works there. Support those who DO listen. Besides VS there aren't many reel makers, but Aquaskinz and your local plug builders certainly do.

beachwalker · 04-04-2005, 08:20 PM

yep, well said

capecodder · 04-06-2005, 09:10 AM

So what is my alternative to a Penn Senator for wire line??? I have switched on the spinning side to shimano due to many of the poor quality/feature issues with Penn, but what about for wire??

ProfessorM · 04-06-2005, 10:20 AM

For wire or for trolling I feel Penn is still the way to go. Simple and effective reels. I am not sure if any other manufacture's offer a stainless, or chromed cast bronze spool. Aluminum spools just don't hold up to wire or leadcore for that matter, corrosion. I still like the old Penns before they went to the plastic bodies. There are millions out there. I have asked many times why they do not make anymore bronze spools for any of their reels, jigmaster, 112H, etc. except for the 113HSP. I guess they just want to sell you a new spool every year. I buy all my Penns on E-Bay and then have the old corroded spools stripped and chromed. All replacment parts are still readily available. Good as new. Paul

FormerUser · 04-06-2005, 07:47 PM

I said this once before if Shimano offered the Stradic with a waterproof drag and a sealed housing for under $250 they'd be the balls.Will they do it...probably
not knowing that the hardcore surf guy will pay huge dollars for a VS.

Until then I'll to stick with my Spheros and 704z.Or possibly an Okuma VS reel depending on how well IT works out.

beachwalker · 04-03-2005, 09:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikecc

20 years of selling penn reels they have never brought in proto types nor asked my opinion of their reels.
The only time I have ever seen the peolpe from penn other that the local rep is when they were having a photo shoot with Atlantic boats. For new at the time international reels. Some one shipped their rods up and they were damaged in shipment.They had me stay late about 4 hours after closing and repair all the rods.

then they really do suck.

i came through your shop once a couple of years ago. it was impressive. incredible looking rods, great conversation going on (I must have hit a lucky moment

) everything organized. all the good stuff....

Bill sold out last Fall. He's done. no one picked up his shop. i wish i was more experienced...

this is gonna be the best season ever....

lurch · 04-03-2005, 10:02 PM

sorry guys but if a quality reel comes from overseas I will buy it. However, if there is a quality reel within the same price range as the overseas reel I will buy the american reel.

i hope Penn is seeing this post from Mikecc!! Let it rip big fella!!!

rwilhelm · 04-04-2005, 08:26 AM

Is Penn changing the design on the 704Z and 706Z? I went to their website and they have the 706Z weighing at 25.5 ozs and the gear ratio at 4.6. I remember the weight being 21 ozs and I think the gear ratio was 3.7 or 3.8. They have the 704Z listed at 22 ozs, before the 704Z was heavier than the 706Z?

PurpelNoon · 04-04-2005, 08:48 AM

I noticed the same thing. Maybe if we are lucky they will improve the anti-reverse and limit all that play.

JohnR · 04-04-2005, 08:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by beachwalker

Bill sold out last Fall. He's done. no one picked up his shop. i wish i was more experienced...

this is gonna be the best season ever....

So who is goign to sell all the honey lamis and Penn reels to the tourists? And will the tourists finally stop flipping the reels over and backwinding when they see some of us with conventionals

Interesting to hear that about Bill. Very nice guy and I wish him luck (though I've often wondered if he has poured too much lead over the years without a mask)...

What does that leave for a decent shop on the island? The gas station?

Penn - they have screwed the pooch. Anyone have any method for them to come on and engage some of their customers? No, I'm not holding my breath