[615329]

Ever since I started surf fishing (about 6 years ago) I've bought and used nothing but Penn spinning reels. I currentlty own two 6500's and one 8500. I think they're great reels but I have had trouble with the anti-reverse on two of them, as in the anti-reverse stopped working. When I took them in for service the guy shook his head and said it was the "dogs" and that Penn reels are notorious for that problem.

Has anyone else had this problem and is true that it is typical for Penns? I'm considering buying a new surf set up and am wondering if I should be thinking about a different reel. Since I don't want to go for the Van Staal, I was thinking about the Daiwa Black and Gold series or the possible a Stella. Any suggestions?

Tight Lines and Happy Holidays
AtomAnt

 

[bassman909]

I have a 5500 hundred and have had the same anti reverse problem more than once. For the surf, if you don't want to go for the Van Staal, try either the Penn 704z or 706z. They are both very reliable sturdy reels.

Good Luck and Tight Lines

 

[Jaiem]

I've heard the same thing.

I've had the AR fail but only when the underside of the bail housing has gotten very dirty. Then it's just an issue of taking it apart and cleaning it up. Sometimes I also have to squeeze down a little on those "jaws" (not sure what they're called) that grab the rotating start cam under the bail. Not too tight so it effects the turning however.

Jaiem
ArtsNFlies.com

 

[Gamakatsu]

This is a common problem on the SS series. As stated earlier, go with the 706z or 704z if you don't want to invest in a Van Staal. I prefer the 706 as it does not have a bail, which is just one more thing to break.

Gamakatsu

 

[614347]

The Daiwa BG-30 and the Penn 704Z are much alike.
The biggest difference is availability of spare parts.
The Penn 706Z is the best value in todays marketplace.

The SS series sure are pretty, but anti-reverse is only ONE of their problems.
Sand is another. There are more.

YOUR money, YOUR choice.

Flounder

Tight lines!

Flounder

 

[mattyblazer]

706Z No Bail , No B.S.

 

[mattyblazer]

I dont want to open up a can of worms here but, has anyone seen the liveliner from penn. I picked one up to leave on the boat, the model I picked up is "4600 ss", and it has a light weight metal case. Could this be starting an old trend for penn? The unlimited anti reverse feels great and the reel doesnt wobble at all. I think a lot of penns problems lie in the graphite construction of the last models.

 

[615329]

Thanks everyone for the replies. Regarding the 704 and 706, how do they macth up size-wise with the 6500 and 8500 SS and which one should I use with a 10 ft St. Croix?

Tight Lines

AtomAnt

 

[mattyblazer]

The 706 and 704 are the same body with diffrent cup and spools the 706 has no bail and is a little more capacity, either should be fine

 

[617363]

I was considering a Penn 750SS, Do they have the same problems as the other Penns? I have had a Daiwa for a long time,but I thought Penn was a better way to go?

 

[615329]

I think the problem is the same for all the SS reels. It's really a shame, they're really great reels the first season you use them, after that they can be annoying.

AtomAnt

 

[wader]

Have had the same problem with the 5500 I use. There's a little "widget" that controls the AR. Took it to Smithtown B&T - they fixed it by replacing it with something else. That was two seasons ago - hasn't happened since.

Using it on a 8.6" St. Croix - good match up.

 

[617363]

Thanks for the info,maybe I'll have to re-think that 750

 

[nails98]

try the tica taurus 6000 from the surf caster simaler to the stella and half the price.

 

[613595]

Had the same problem with a 5500, had to rip it apart after every trip

 

[Jaiem]

Definately go bailless for the SS and Z series reels.

As long as you keep the underside of the bail housing clean the AR shouldn't be too much of a problem on the SS series.

Jaiem
ArtsNFlies.com

 

[611906]

The 706 has about the same capacity as the 8500, and it weighs a good 3 oz less.

The 704 has about the same capacity as the 7500 and again, is lighter.

For any application you'd want the 6500 for, the 704 will fit and be more reliable. The 6500 also has a tendency to have the bail flip over, as the bail wire will not fully clear the external bail trip on the reel stem unless the line roller is perfectly vertical.

A newer reel that is comparable to the 6500 in capacity is the Mitchell Nautil 7500 Pro.

 

[616893]

Stop wasting your time with those "dogs" (Penn) and exert some effort procurring some Diawa Silver series reels. Mainly the Diawa 7000. Best mass produced, inexpensive, discount department store, spinning reels ever made.

 

[614112]

Hey flyrad...tell us more about those Diawa 7000
series reels....how long have you used
them....maintenance tips...etc...you know the
drill....thanks in advance....gre

 

[617494]

I have the Penn Liveliner 5600L spooled with 30lb Fireline, been using the reel for approx 4 months, so far no problemes - love the reel

Iceman