PENN

[cape_rover]

Larry, if the Penn model has a "V", I would question its low gear reliability.

[tom s]

interested in what or whos "kid"took over the co?No internationals are made overseas at this time.Tom

[backman]

3 50SW's; 3 30 TW's; the 50's sometimes "stick" in low gear and refuse to shift back to high with pressure on the reel but I have never ever ever had a gear slip. I've locked reels when sideplate screws I did not tighten correctly loosened on me and when the handle assembly was not put together correctly but the reels themselves have never failed.

On the other hand there was a whole slew of Avet failures under load 4-5 years ago; Terry used to use them and does not anymore. I believe the issue was overloading 30's at the high end of its drag range.

I have also lost a blue marlin and a giant bluefin back to Shimano Tiagra drag cap's backing off under the speed of the initial blazing runs.

My experience is all reels have issues and if a reel is put under abuse of a fish its time to take it apart and check things/preventatively maintain before a failure occurs.

[On The Edge]

Dan,

You are in good hands now that Tom is involved. He helped me out last year on an issue I had with a new reel. He will get it done and in a timely fashion.

Just Pluggin

X2 what Plugging said. Tom is a good guy. Very responsive and extreamly helpful.. GL

[stew]

I quess I am just lucky then. I have been fishing the Penn 70VS since the first year they came out. I have had zero failures or issues with that reel or my Penn 50vsw's. I landed the 775lb bluefin on a "used" Penn 70vs and had the reel taken apart after the 5 hour fight and the drag was still in great shape. When I say "used", I mean that reel had caught well over 150 fish and had fished several seasons on my charterboat. Just lucky I quess. I keep hearing all the bashing about losing jobs, and overseas crap, well just remember that Penn is still building the Internationals here in the USA and they will continue to do so. I still believe in the Penn reels because they still work for me. Some of my "buddies" always seem to bash me for this and to them I say catch as many fish as I do and then I will listen to your assesment of a reel. There are guys on here that bash people for being "baby" killers and they themselves have never even caught a true giant bluefin tuna on there own. So wow. WTF. I don't care what brand you buy, they all have had failures. Shimano and Penn build great reels and you can't go wrong with either of them. I have heard the same things being said about a certain brand "S" reel that was having a drag issue last year. The brand got bashed all over the web last year too. One model, one problem and it got fixxed. Don't through out the baby with the bath water. One model problem doesn't mean the whole Company is no good. Go easy. I have always fished Penn since I was 13 and I will fish them until they start blowing up on my boat and costing me fish. When that happens I will be done and I will move on to another brand. That has yet to happen, not even once. Ask any of the thousands of customers who have fished on my boats for the last decade what they think of the Penn's and their performance. Like I said at the beginning, I quess I am just lucky. I can tell you that Penn needs to step up and work out problems like these and do it sooner, they are still going through some major growing pains since they have been bought by Jarden. There are alot of great American men and women working everyday at that Company trying to get it done right, and I believe that they will fix some of these minor issues. Just how I see it from my bridge. Happy New year. Capt. Eric

[striper swiper]

Larry how come Terry could not duplicate his "failures" at the shop. Could it be that when half or more of the spool of line was in the water he didn't back off the drag. He was using the LX correct me if I'm wrong. So rather than learn how to manipulate the drag in a fight he moved up to 50's because you "need it". Now that he's an "expert" with spinning gear he's moved from penn to his killer rig with a stella. Wonder if he changes pack to the P9 torque spinner?
Before I hear how great this guy or that guy is with a spinner. I was catching bfts on a spinner when I was in high school I'm 45 now. Knowing how to manipulate the drag was learned long before most on this or any other forum even knew we had a bluefin fishery here.
My point is this if Penn had upgraded their product line to remove outdated or under performing products. You would not here of most of the competition. Accurate was an up grade aftermarket supplier. Tibron, Newell and most of the others from the US. Just look at the handles on the VS series cheap junk!!!

[ElMar2530]

I still believe in the Penn reels because they still work for me. ......Shimano and Penn build great reels and you can't go wrong with either of them. ........I have always fished Penn since I was 13 and I will fish them until they start blowing up on my boat and costing me fish. ......I can tell you that Penn needs to step up and work out problems like these and do it sooner, they are still going through some major growing pains since they have been bought by Jarden.

I agree, part of my problem is I am also a diehard Penn guy,mostly older stuff which speaks for the durability, I hate to see my favorite brand go down the tubes.

Hopefully they pull it back together.

[rabcoman]

i fish nothing but 50,80penn and thats all thats on my charter boat.shark and tuna,love them

capt.trif