Penn Torque?

[Striper_Haven_03]

Seems like this could be the start of a debate, which is cool because before I shell out $600-1100 I want too be sure I made the right choice.

Mike: I understand your argument and understand VS is a top quality reel and most of Penns older products cant compare to a VS in terms of longevity and quality. Is this reel different? Has Penn stepped up to the plate and finally made something that take a pounding year after year? I found this posting on SOL after doing a google search for reviews on the Penn Torque.

Just finished field testing the final upgraded Production version of the Penn Torque - SurfTalk

It was a good post and made some good points. I understand the author probably works/affiliated with Penn so I dont believe everything I read when it comes to articles like this. I trust opinions from folks that are here on SB, who used the products and have tested them in real life under high stress,long duration fishing situations.

I guess my reason for sticking with Penn (I haven't totally made up my mind yet) is because I have had a very good experience with the 560 (well the exception being this morning, and the fall I took would have smashed/broken any I reel I think) , although maintenance is key, particularly during very rough NE blows when I take wave after wave on a few of the rocks I fish or I fall into the water, both happen more often than not. I have "thrown" this reel many times when I have to use 2 hands to handle,and not hurt, the larger fish... at that point the reel doesn't matter, then fish does, and the reel ends up in 3 feet of water getting smashed against the rocks. I understand I dont wet-suit or skish (I know and have seen what swims in the ocean I fish!!!) but my reel does take a beating and would def. by-pass an entry level reel. I need something completely sealed.

I should ask Mike at MDs for his opinion, last year after breaking a $320 Lami he pointed me towards a TICA and I LOVE this rod...very,very powerful and has a great feel to it.

I guess the question stands: Has any one fished a Torque? Or know someone that has?

John R: Could you explain the benefits of going bailess? I mostly fish rigged and live eels and needle-fish plugs.

Thanks Guys. I truly value all your opinions which is why I created this post in the first place.

-Aaron

[Mike P]

Originally Posted by Striper_Haven_03

I found this posting on SOL after doing a google search for reviews on the Penn Torque.

Just finished field testing the final upgraded Production version of the Penn Torque - SurfTalk

It was a good post and made some good points. I understand the author probably works/affiliated with Penn so I dont believe everything I read when it comes to articles like this. I trust opinions from folks that are here on SB, who used the products and have tested them in real life under high stress,long duration fishing situations.

Awesome John is far from the most objective person when it comes to this reel. He considers it to be "his baby", even though he has no formal ties to Penn..

I would wait until either Alan Hawk or Alan Tani posts a review of it before accepting any third party's judgment. Or wait for first hand user feedback.

But--speaking as objectively as I can without ever having fished one--it's a pretty simple reel. One thing that many people have commented on so far is that there's no secondary anti-reverse if the IAR bearing slips or fails outright, as there is in a Stella SW or Saltiga (and even the $200 or so Daiwa Saltist has one). People have commented that the bearing looks on the small side. I think the switch on the bottom of the rotor that allows for a choice of manual or automatic bail closing is a dumb idea and likely to have sand issues. Other than that, there isn't much inside the reel that looks like it can go wrong. From the pictures that I've seen, the main gear and the pinion gear look like they're machined stainless steel, and the crosswind gear looks like it's some kind of bronze alloy. Some of the $700+ reels mentioned here have white metal crosswind gears, although failures haven't been reported. And it should be an easy reel to fix yourself if the need arises. Penn parts are generally available.