what do you want to see in a reel

[Mike P]

If we're asking for all of what's been posted, with a price under a deuce, we might as well ask for the moon--it ain't gonna happen.

Take the basic Penn 704/706. Add a one way roller bearing to get rid of the handle slop and the click that so many seem to find annoying. Beef up the 704 bail springs. Add a ball bearing line roller to the 704. Drill the 704 cup and add 3 drain holes to the 706 cup. Find a better ball bearing for the 706's line roller, one that doesn't sound like it's full of sand new out of the box Add a small rubber gasket between the reel body and the side plate. That'll do it.

If it's too costly to make in the US, then at least have the decency to make it in a democracy, like Korea or Taiwan. I'm sick of supporting mainland China's slave labor and unfair trade practices

[Back Beach]

Hickory stick and a piece of kite string. Empty coke bottle for a reel.

[Stewie]

I was gonna say a Squidder with a 5/1 retrieve, but the hickory stick trumps me.

[Backbeach Jake]

Penn 700z series speak to me. I haven't found a reel that I like better. Instant anti reverse can be a pia when you overcrank. Ya gotta flip the friggin' bail and try again. In the dark. I like the way that you can back pedal them to keep a lure swimming in the wash. I've had no problems with windknots with them either. I've tried bail-less, it's just not for me, trying to catch the line. Just too much time looking at the reel and not the water. This is just me, I'm not trying to sell Penns.

[basswipe]

Originally Posted by Mike P

Take the basic Penn 704/706. Add a one way roller bearing to get rid of the handle slop and the click that so many seem to find annoying. Beef up the 704 bail springs. Add a ball bearing line roller to the 704. Drill the 704 cup and add 3 drain holes to the 706 cup. Find a better ball bearing for the 706's line roller, one that doesn't sound like it's full of sand new out of the box Add a small rubber gasket between the reel body and the side plate. That'll do it.

That'll do it for me.I'd be more than happy with that.

[stripadan]

That all sounds great , but I'd prefer three waterproof Abu's. 5000, 6500, and 7000. And they need to have better drags. That would cover all my bass fishing from small to large. My 6500's and 7000's spend a lot of time under water with little maintenance. I'm not wetsuiting, just heavy surf. A good grease makes a big difference in how a convench handles the water.

[Flaptail]

Light and well balanced, dunkable and braid super friendly. Skirted spool, ventilated so you can hose her down. Bail assembly made of solid components ( including screws and such) maybe Titanium manual trip over bail with cast lock. Nice gripable handle not made of the same metal as the reel body itself, you know space age rubber non slip. Silent instant stop anti reverse and silent drag, no clicking, clickers or ratchets. Ceramic drag washers, impregnated and the best bearings you can find on the planet. Oil filled with port for filling as lubricant. User friendly for at home maintenance of parts and cleaning. Parts availability locally. Flat balck or Pewter powder coated. A roller that rolls no matter what. Quick change spools that do not cost an arm and a leg. Pro rated guarantee. 150.00 tops and made in the USA.