I am trying to decide on which one of these two reels to buy for an 11" Penn Spinfisher Heavy Action rod. I want to cast plugs, toss some 2oz buck tails, and every now and then toss some clams bellies or chunks. I like the idea of a bailess reel and I understand that the 704 has a bailess kit that I can purchase. What is your opinion?
704 -vs- 706Z?
1 - 20 of 24 Posts
704/706
I think personal feel is going to come into play. If the rod is VERY heavy, the 706 might be fine. That is one animal of a reel. Definitely try both the 704 and 706 on the stick before making your purchase. I've had a 706 in the cabinet forever, just haven't had the use for it as none of my surf sticks feel quite right with such a beast.
I think personal feel is going to come into play. If the rod is VERY heavy, the 706 might be fine. That is one animal of a reel. Definitely try both the 704 and 706 on the stick before making your purchase. I've had a 706 in the cabinet forever, just haven't had the use for it as none of my surf sticks feel quite right with such a beast.
I am game but if the 706z is too big it does not make sense to get one. I want a reel that I can match to my 11' Penn Spinnfisher Heavy action rod. Mmmmm! I think I am going to have to look further into this. In any case if you want to sell that 706Z let me know. I will defenitely consider it.
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901 Posts
size matters
cobra - think big.the 706 is slightly larger-the spool and rotor are a little bigger,otherwise they're the same.the 706 holds more line,will help distance and holds more backing,and comes with a better line pick up, and weighs the same.they're basically the same reel. and the 706 is positively NOT too big for that rod and many rods smaller than that.the 710 would definitly be small for that rod and you would have an imbalanced setup.it's a mistake to think the 706 or 704 as oversized surf reels.
cobra - think big.the 706 is slightly larger-the spool and rotor are a little bigger,otherwise they're the same.the 706 holds more line,will help distance and holds more backing,and comes with a better line pick up, and weighs the same.they're basically the same reel. and the 706 is positively NOT too big for that rod and many rods smaller than that.the 710 would definitly be small for that rod and you would have an imbalanced setup.it's a mistake to think the 706 or 704 as oversized surf reels.
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4 Posts
"706z"
I HAVE AND USE AN 11'PENN SPINFISHER BIG GAME...SURF ROD WITH A 706Z BAILESS REEL AND VERY HAPPY WITH BOTH OF THEM.I'VE HAD THE REEL FOR 7 YRS. AND SO FAR SO GOOD.GREAT FOR CASTING DISTANCE.EVEN THOUGH IT'S A MONSTER REEL IT'S NOT HEAVY WITH THE PENN ROD JUST F.Y.I.COBRAKAYAKERGOOD LUCK
I HAVE AND USE AN 11'PENN SPINFISHER BIG GAME...SURF ROD WITH A 706Z BAILESS REEL AND VERY HAPPY WITH BOTH OF THEM.I'VE HAD THE REEL FOR 7 YRS. AND SO FAR SO GOOD.GREAT FOR CASTING DISTANCE.EVEN THOUGH IT'S A MONSTER REEL IT'S NOT HEAVY WITH THE PENN ROD JUST F.Y.I.COBRAKAYAKERGOOD LUCK
I use a 704z with a 10ft St.croix.
I converted it to bailless and use 20lbs test fireline. The reel works great. I toss only lures with this set-up and cast anything from 3/4oz and up.
With a 11ft rod that 704 or 706z will fit like a glove!
704 & 706 are almost the same reel.
704 weighs 23 oz and holds less line
706 weighs 21 oz and holds more line.
You cant go wrong with either.
I like the 704 because it holds less line. Since I toss lures only no need to jam pack the spool with mono backing.
The only line I'm using is 125yds of fireline anyaway.
There both work horse of a reel and have plenty of Ballz and will reel in whatever you might catch out there.
I converted it to bailless and use 20lbs test fireline. The reel works great. I toss only lures with this set-up and cast anything from 3/4oz and up.
With a 11ft rod that 704 or 706z will fit like a glove!
704 & 706 are almost the same reel.
704 weighs 23 oz and holds less line
706 weighs 21 oz and holds more line.
You cant go wrong with either.
I like the 704 because it holds less line. Since I toss lures only no need to jam pack the spool with mono backing.
The only line I'm using is 125yds of fireline anyaway.
There both work horse of a reel and have plenty of Ballz and will reel in whatever you might catch out there.
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618 Posts
The 706 is far superior. It is two ounces lighter but has a larger spool diameter. Another key feature is the line roller. It is a ball-bearing roller that turns constantly when line is moving over it. This turns out to be very important if you're going to be using braided line. There's another important difference buried way inside the reel on the ones that have been made since they came back on the market about 8 years ago. Where the main gear/handle shaft goes through the side of the reel there is a bearing. On the 704 it's a bushing. The problem with the bushing is that after a lot of use, it wears down. This causes a slight misalignment of the dog and ratchet which results in an anti-reverse system that's extremely prone to failure because the ratchet strips. This drove me out of my mind as one by one the anti-reverse systems on my old 706s failed. Even after replacing the usual parts, they would continue to fail. The problem is not cheap or easy to correct because the bushing does not come out. You have to replace most of the reel case. So anyway, the bearing that they added to the current 706s eliminates that problem, and also make the reel smoother.
I very strongly suggest the 706 over the 704.
I very strongly suggest the 706 over the 704.
The 711 is the left-handed version (right side crank) of the 710. Both are smaller than either the 704 or 706--holds about 200 yards of 15# test if I remember right. Both are also now out of production, but there were thousands sold and you ahould be able to find a good used one.
Ditto on what surfeditor and IBEW said.
Ditto on what surfeditor and IBEW said.
Thank you for your advice guys. You've really helped me in making my choice. I've purchased a 706Z reel and it does really work nice. The only thing I am not really hot about is the sound that it makes as I reel. The criket is pretty loud particularly when I am used to the International 975 and the Daiwa 5500. These reels don't make noise. However, I gather that I am not going to be unhappy with the reel since everything I heard about it so far is good.
Again, Thank you all for your help.
Again, Thank you all for your help.
706Z noise
CK,
I'm with John on this one a 100%. To deaden antireverse noise and partially waterproof the the gearcase, I pack it full of "The Surfcaster reel grease" . The clicker will not be as loud, and the grease won't allow water most water to enter the gearcase. This is even when swimming in Montauk. Of course since my 16 year old son bought me a Van Staal 250 for Christmas I'll be swimming with a completely waterproof reel from now on. My 706's will always be there as backups and a great reel for you as well. I think John used one to whip that 50+ fish, so they can take it. One other thing is, I use a 706 on a custom lami gsb120 m and it has been mmy go to combination for most conditions, so that 11 footer will be fine.
TL
Shag
CK,
I'm with John on this one a 100%. To deaden antireverse noise and partially waterproof the the gearcase, I pack it full of "The Surfcaster reel grease" . The clicker will not be as loud, and the grease won't allow water most water to enter the gearcase. This is even when swimming in Montauk. Of course since my 16 year old son bought me a Van Staal 250 for Christmas I'll be swimming with a completely waterproof reel from now on. My 706's will always be there as backups and a great reel for you as well. I think John used one to whip that 50+ fish, so they can take it. One other thing is, I use a 706 on a custom lami gsb120 m and it has been mmy go to combination for most conditions, so that 11 footer will be fine.
TL
Shag
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618 Posts
Congrats Shag on the VS. Not just the reel, but having such a great kid! Careful though, the VS will spoil you.
Penn vs. Shimano
Its obvious that many of you have the Penn Z series. But i've heard many mixed review's of the Penns-but you guys are much , much more experienced than I am! In some of the B&T shops I've visited the Shimano name keeps coming up as being more reliable and smoother. I did purchase a Stradic 2000 and 4000 for some lighter work- have only had them out 2 or 3 times and they seem like really nice reels to a newbie. I don't know if its a commission thing at the B&T's. I'm uncertain what to purchase for a 10' surf rod to use with lures. Advise is greatly needed. Should I go with the Penn, Shimano? Thanks,
Neophyte
Its obvious that many of you have the Penn Z series. But i've heard many mixed review's of the Penns-but you guys are much , much more experienced than I am! In some of the B&T shops I've visited the Shimano name keeps coming up as being more reliable and smoother. I did purchase a Stradic 2000 and 4000 for some lighter work- have only had them out 2 or 3 times and they seem like really nice reels to a newbie. I don't know if its a commission thing at the B&T's. I'm uncertain what to purchase for a 10' surf rod to use with lures. Advise is greatly needed. Should I go with the Penn, Shimano? Thanks,
Neophyte
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