PENN

Anthony,

Those are some of Penn's great selling points. They are simple (there is less to break and they are easier to fix) and reliable (therefore they don't break that often). Plus, almost any tackle shop carries a supply of replacement parts.

You suggest he go for a fancier reel, with more "bells and whistles" that is not as reliable. So then there is more to break, it is easier to break and it is harder to fix. I would rather have the reel that will last than a reel that costs the same but will have to be replaced after every season or two.

All I do is rinse the reels down after every use and oil it after every few. Penn's are great reels. If you can name ten manufacturers that make a reel as good as Penn, and are the same price, please do because I am interested.

I have tried others, that have failed, and had to come back to Penn. They may seem like they are a little expensive for the features you are getting, but they're unbeatable feature is their reliability.

OK sorry for the delayed response fellas but here goes! Geez where should I start!

OK mattyblazer I have held the penn slammer and it seems to be a solid reel. It is much smoother than the penn SS models with features the penns should have been updated with. On the other hand its new and its relibilty is unknown as of yet. I would go with a Shimano Baitrunner 4500 before a slammer. The Baitrunner has just been updated as well and will cost the same as the older models. I have owned and abused mine for the past 5 years with NO problems. I never rinse them and treat my reels like crap and not one thing has gone wrong. Not to mention all the fish I have caught on it. I owned a Penn 650 and the main gear stripped while reeling in a 12lb blue.

Next up doughboy! Ok most of my reels are more expensive and I buy my reels to fit my fishing applications.

Light Tackle plugging Shimano Sedona 4000

Pluggin Daiwa Emblem-Z 5000A and Daiwa Emblem-X 5000T

Chunkin/Livelining Shimano Thunnus 16000

eels/secondary chunkin Shimano Baitrunner 6500


Those reels are for my main applications for stripers. I have many other reels but those are the main for stripers.


"You suggest he go for a fancier reel, with more "bells and whistles" that is not as reliable. So then there is more to break, it is easier to break and it is harder to fix"

Personally I expect my reels to give me five years of faithful service without being repaired even once. After that most of the models are updated and I buy new reels. Just because the model has better features doesn't mean they are more prone to failure. Not for nothing but my reels are less likely to fail due to superior technology. I don't care how easy a reel is it fix I never want to fix them I want features and technology that will help maximize my fishing experience.

Matt17 check out the Shimano Baitrunner. I am guessing your gonna be using 20lb or 17lb mono for stripers and blues so go with the 4500 if you want something a little more beefy go with the 6500 model. When chunking they have the secondary drag which lets the fish run without feeling it. So it gives you more time to set the hook and a better hookset. Also, works great for live lining and you can use it for pluggin. I do not suggest going over 20lb mono for any pluggin setup as it will hurt your distance when casting.

Good Luck!

I had a shimano for ultra light fresh water that was a hunk of junk. However it was not a high end model, so I am not counting that. Like I said, I have tried some other reels that never held up. The Penn's always were stronger with great drags. I have not tried the Shimano's you mentioned so I cannot speak from experience. What I have heard from tackle shops and a friend of mine who had one, is that the Penn's have stronger gears and drags. On a bonefishing trip my father's friend's expensive shimano reel blew out somehow, while my father's trusty Penn performed flawlessly.

I am aware that there are possibly some better reels out there. Van Staal or Fin-nor might be better, but that is another discussion that always leads to great debate. If you can truly abuse your reels by not ever washing or oiling them and have them last even five years then I would stick with them too. I have always had good luck with Penn equipment so I will stick with them for the money. And with simple maintainance, they could last a lifetime.

Matt,

I would definately check out the Liveliner or Slammer to compare before buying an SS. You should even check out the Shimano, if it is as good as Anthony says it is. Then, buy the best you can afford, because it is even more enjoyable and satisfying to fish with nicest equipment you can.