VanPenn

[bloocrab]

nah, don't rush into further debt....be patient, keep life in order and enjoy your NEW 704 !
It's a reliable reel and with the new face lift, the fish will be fooled that you have a VS and will bite more often....

Happy

[piemma]

Hey Mike, that's a sweet setup. As an old B*&^TD who has fished 704's and 06's for 40 years I can honestly say I love them. I had a VS 250 for 3 years. Great reel. Sold it and when back to my old standby 704 and don't regret it. VS are nice but 704's get the job done and "airation" can only help. Plus I took the $550 I sold the VS for and bought a dandy color Garmin GPS for the boat.

[The Dad Fisherman]

Do what I did to get your VS.......save your change. I saved change in a couple of old scotch tins for 2 years (think about it, if you can average just a dollar a day in spare change thats a VS in less than 2 years)....rolled it up and got a VS.....a lot better than taking that big of a hit to a budget.

[1dozenraw]

Originally Posted by Rockport24

I fish penns (bought them right before they stopped being made in the US)
although I don't dunk them regularly, they have been dunked on many occasions and I've never had an issue, I rinse them off and take them to surfland to be serviced maybe once every couple of years!

Those 704's are supposed to be bulletproof anyway, so drilling them probably makes them more so because the water just has more chances to escape before getting in there are screwing the reel up.

I pretty much agree. I don't treat my 704z or 706z reels any differently than my VS200. I think I have a bit more confidence in the VS, but my first VS broke... had to be rebuilt. Never had that happen with the Penns.

Originally Posted by maddog2020

Sorry - I'm gonna rain on your parade.

Waste of time & $ IMHO. All those holes do is weaken the cast aluminum pot metal. I LMAO every time I see the "Van Penns". Drilling holes to save weight is an even BIGGER joke. To help get the sand out is a little more valid, but over kill. Few years back I posted (on SOL) how much weight each hole would save in a certain size range.

Penn's drag isn't waterproof nor is anything else on the reel. Sorry - I just don't get it.

Van Staal & Zeebaas are machine from SOLID pieces of aluminum. Big difference in strength AND cost. For what a VS costs they should wind line better than they do (seems like larger sizes are OK, many of the smaller ones are coned real bad!). At least the ZB winds the line on evenly.

Hey - some one has to speak some truth. I have no agenda and I'm not paid to promote any one's product. I just tell it like it is.

I like to use my older Penn spinfisher reels without any modifications and have MONO on the spools. I still like fiberglass rods even thought 90% of my rods are graphite or graphite blends. Bucktail jigs catch a lot of fish and STILL work once the paint is chipped off. Live eels always seem to catch larger and more fish than any lures I have ever used. Don't get me wrong, I love using PowerPro and Fireline on the newer buttery smooth by Shimano, Daiwa & etc.
.

I have a rod rack on the hood of my truck and when I drive into my yard there is a hose right there and I thoroughly rinse everything before I even walk up the steps. Having the reel rotor drilled is a great advantage when rinsing... it also allows a wave to pass through quickly and not leave a bunch of crap trapped. I do agree that too much drilling on a Penn does weaken it, but just enough to allow for flushing is an improvement and I don't think it weakens the rotor enough to have it be any more susceptible to failure than stock. Admittedly the drags aren't water proof, but so far it hasn't caused a problem. Packing with blue marine grease is what I do also.

As for weight saving... just not of any importance.

Also I use my Penns with Fireline 30lb and they spool the stuff fine.

Truth is, I only own a VS because I spent an hour or so with Steve McKenna and decided I had some reels I had bought very reasonably and if I sold them I could get enough cash to grab a VS200. I paid $550 for the VS NIB. I had about $325 into the reels and sold them for quite a bit more than I paid for the VS. So it made sense to give the VS a shot. Would I spend $650 to own one knowing that I have 3 706Zs and a converted 704Z that are all working great and doing everything I ask of them.... NOPE. I'm not saying they aren't worth it... just not worth it to me.

As for the ZB at $1000, well in the words of the great bowler, Jesus Quintana..."Laughable, man. Laughable." As I say, that's for me in my financial reality and my fishing habits.

quintana.jpg

[Crafty Angler]

Originally Posted by maddog2020

Sorry - I'm gonna rain on your parade.

Waste of time & $ IMHO. All those holes do is weaken the cast aluminum pot metal. I LMAO every time I see the "Van Penns". Drilling holes to save weight is an even BIGGER joke. To help get the sand out is a little more valid, but over kill...

Penn's drag isn't waterproof nor is anything else on the reel. Sorry - I just don't get it.

Hey - some one has to speak some truth. I have no agenda and I'm not paid to promote any one's product. I just tell it like it is.

I like to use my older Penn spinfisher reels without any modifications and have MONO on the spools. I still like fiberglass rods even thought 90% of my rods are graphite or graphite blends. Bucktail jigs catch a lot of fish and STILL work once the paint is chipped off. Live eels always seem to catch larger and more fish than any lures I have ever used...

Hi Ray -

Very well said all the way around - I just didn't want to be the first grumpy old phart to say it, that's all...I'm trying to rehabilitate my reputation as a cantankerous coot...


Hey, good seeing ya around these parts - if ya get special dispensation from the boss and get a chance to get down this way, give me a shout - remember the place where the eels worked - well, they still work there last time I checked...

Originally Posted by piemma

Hey Mike, that's a sweet setup. As an old B*&^TD who has fished 704's and 06's for 40 years I can honestly say I love them. I had a VS 250 for 3 years. Great reel. Sold it and when back to my old standby 704 and don't regret it. VS are nice but 704's get the job done and "airation" can only help. Plus I took the $550 I sold the VS for and bought a dandy color Garmin GPS for the boat.

I dunno, Paul...you're making too much sense...obviously another old guy...

Hey, Gunpowder - I don't think anyone's bustin' ya - that's a real sweet looking job on the Penn...

704's and 706's are like old M-1's - simple, bullet-proof and you can field strip them with a pocket knife if you have to - and I have

I always like to see Penns tricked out, always reminds me of old custom Harleys, American classics - I've got a dozen or so of them but one of my favorites is still the chromed 704 that was given to me by Habs, I'm getting it re-chromed for this season - got my personal best on it from shore so it's got some mojo on it -

If I can find the pix, I'll post them

Enjoy your Penn, man...

Here's another tricked out 704 I thought was well done - looks like it was anodized

[piemma]

Chuck, that reel is beautiful.

BTW, hope to splash the boat Friday. Get ready brother!!

[Crafty Angler]

Originally Posted by piemma

Chuck, that reel is beautiful.

BTW, hope to splash the boat Friday. Get ready brother!!

I'm locked and loaded, Paul...

[Jumpin Minnow]

You can't polish a turd.

[Gunpowder]

I appreciate all your guys thoughts and comments, both for and against the use of the reel as a "some what dunkable" alternative to the VS. I knew when I put this here that everyone would agree it would look nice, but I was also hoping to receive input on other peoples experiences with how and if they performed any differently now drilled out and I am happy I got that information from both sides. I was gonna fish it either way Some of you other guys have some really nice looking ones as well! Thanks for all the advice again. Cant wait to get out on the beach

[ThrowingTimber]

Its like putting this M5 badge:

On a Yugo.


But hey by any means possible whatever gets it done for ya.

[sean curry]

Gunpowder,

Very Handsome Reel!!!! 704 is a classic. Take good care of the manual bail and torpedo handle, they are hard to get.

sean

[MAKAI]

a cougar wearing fredricks. . . . .

[BillM]

Ingenuity - I like it

[Crafty Angler]

Originally Posted by ThrowingTimber

Its like putting this M5 badge:

On a Yugo.

But hey by any means possible whatever gets it done for ya.

Hey Vic - I always figured a Beemer and a VS had one thing in common - they're mostly used to make up for other...uhhhh...personal short-comings, if ya get my drift..........

Hell, I know one short-peckered bastage who swears by VS...

No doubt they're both confidence builders - but neither one automatically guarantees a longer Johnson or a longer fish...

[fishingaddict]

nice reel and i think van staal are a joke just buy a bunch of penns for the price of one of those. is 600 bucks gonna make it so you don't bang it of the rocks on accident i don't think so lol.

[afterhours]

nice reel!

[The Dad Fisherman]

Originally Posted by fishingaddict

nice reel and i think van staal are a joke just buy a bunch of penns for the price of one of those. is 600 bucks gonna make it so you don't bang it of the rocks on accident i don't think so lol.

Why not just buy one VS......instead of going through a bunch of Penns.

I wouldn't call it a joke...its a pretty solid reel

Every reel has its application....if you are standing on the rocks and not getting wet then, Yeah, then maybe a VS isn't for you. But if you are in the water or wading a lot then a VS shines. Its nice to wade amongst the boulders and be able to use your rod as a walking stick and not do the "Don't Dunk the Reel" Dance when you lose your balance.

Mine must have been submerged a couple of dozen times last year...never had to open it, clean it, or have it serviced.....and it runs as good as the day I bought it.

I use a Penn 7500 when I fish the canal, I don't get wet there so its a good choice for me.

and no reel.....or rod for that matter, is "accident proof" if you take a header on the rocks something is probably going to break.....hopefully not me

[Rockport24]

I think most guys on this board that have the VS actually see the advantage of having one. If you consistantly dunk a penn and never take it apart and service it or pack it with grease, you are going to go through a lot them!

I don't have a VS, but I imagine you can just fish the hell out of and dunk it all night and never have to worry about the thing just blowing up one day

[johnny ducketts]

Originally Posted by Jumpin Minnow

You can't polish a turd.

oh, but you can, they did it on mythbusters

[beaver]

Nice reel. I have a few old ones that I'd like to spice up sometime. I don't have a VS so I can't say anything about them besides; hell ya I want one, but I cant' afford it now. If the Van Penn is capable of getting somewhat wet and can tolerate it with the proper care then it may be worth it to do that. I bet drilling may tamper with the strength but those things are tough, and I doubt it would ever weaken it too much.

I've accidentally dunked a few reels that shouldn't be dunked and with the proper care they've been fine. I don't advise it though.

[Pete F.]

Best thing about the 700 series penns is you can pull the side cover off and have it back on in a couple of minutes. Try that with another reel.

[Steve K]

Originally Posted by Nebe

Attachment 33319

Those workers are way too old. Divide their ages by 3 or 4 for a more accurate photo.

[Bocephus]

Ive had a couple spheros and a couple penn 650's since i started, and I had them rebuilt after using them for 3 years straight, totalling about $200 bucks. I got a VS200 as a wedding gift last year from the wife, and its the best reel ive ever used. Not everyone that has one is rich, and having one doesnt mean your making up for insecurities. Shrinkage doesnt count!!! Tell her about the shrinkage, Jerry!!!!!!!!!

[GonnaCatchABig1]

Originally Posted by The Dad Fisherman

and no reel.....or rod for that matter, is "accident proof" if you take a header on the rocks something is probably going to break.....hopefully not me

that pretty much ended my season last year. had to dive at my plug box which got washed of the rocks. landed on my reel. handle snapped off. just moved, so no money to replace. perfect timing too.. just found some fish.