Penn Spinfisher ?
-
MirrodineEC
- Posts: 294
- Joined: Wed Jun 12, 2013 6:44 pm
- Location: Cypress or Jamaica Beach
Penn Spinfisher ?
I have had 2 battle ( 2000 for marsh 4000 for surf ) and they both treat me very well. But is the spinfisher V worth the upgrade from the battle. I really like that the gearbox on the spinfisher is sealed and can see how this would benefit me.
-
jefferymac
- Posts: 96
- Joined: Fri Jul 06, 2012 12:14 am
- Location: Houston
Re: Penn Spinfisher ?
I had high hopes for this reel and I bought two of them not long after they came out -- a 5500 for one of my surf rods and a 3500 for a kayak rig. Honestly I have mixed feelings about the reels.
The good:
- The 'water tight' gearbox seems to work. I've dunked my 5500 a couple of times, and never had a drop of water in the reel.
- The drag is super smooth
- Parts are easy to find
The bad:
- Very heavy
- Some of the materials used in the reel leave a bit to be desired. For instance, the first time I took my 5500 apart, the screws that hold the plate and seal near the handle were so soft that I couldn't get them out without seriously stripping them. Had to order a new set of screws from Penn Parts. I've read other reports of folks stripping the gears on these things with the drag clamped down.
The ugly:
- The smaller reel quickly developed a 'click', once per crank, that is only apparent when the reel is under load. I've looked around on the net for a solution and apparently this is not uncommon. It doesn't affect the function of the reel, and I haven't gotten annoyed enough to send it back to Penn yet, but it's not something I would have expected considering the price I paid for this thing.
The good:
- The 'water tight' gearbox seems to work. I've dunked my 5500 a couple of times, and never had a drop of water in the reel.
- The drag is super smooth
- Parts are easy to find
The bad:
- Very heavy
- Some of the materials used in the reel leave a bit to be desired. For instance, the first time I took my 5500 apart, the screws that hold the plate and seal near the handle were so soft that I couldn't get them out without seriously stripping them. Had to order a new set of screws from Penn Parts. I've read other reports of folks stripping the gears on these things with the drag clamped down.
The ugly:
- The smaller reel quickly developed a 'click', once per crank, that is only apparent when the reel is under load. I've looked around on the net for a solution and apparently this is not uncommon. It doesn't affect the function of the reel, and I haven't gotten annoyed enough to send it back to Penn yet, but it's not something I would have expected considering the price I paid for this thing.
-
surfpunk
- TKF 2000 club
- Posts: 2846
- Joined: Mon Mar 22, 2010 9:04 pm
- Location: Wilderness Systems Pro Team
Re: Penn Spinfisher ?
Penns are made in China now. The gears are weak, the hardware is weak. USA made Penns are amazing. Chinese Penns are doo doo.
-
SAHunter1983
- TKF 2000 club
- Posts: 2975
- Joined: Sun Mar 17, 2013 10:25 pm
Re: Penn Spinfisher ?
Love my spin V it handled the salt well this season. I rinsed it and that's it.
Re: Penn Spinfisher ?
shhh wrote:Penns are made in China now. The gears are weak, the hardware is weak. USA made Penns are amazing. Chinese Penns are doo doo.
The Penn International, Penn Torque Spinners & Conv, and the Baja Specials are still made here, love them, for offshore blue water boat fishing, I have the older Made USA Penn Spinfisher 8500 SS and 7500 SS, I use fro Tuna Popping they are rock solid reels....
I use my Made in Sweden ABU Garcia Ambassadors inshore in my yak...