Penn 704z Spinfisher Reel

[das5moto]

Anyone have any experience with these reels?

I am looking for a do everything surfcaster and pier reel and the no-nonsense classic look of this reel appeals to me.

Thanks for any info.

[FirstShot]

The 704z and 706z are old style spinning reels whose design hasnt changed in over 30 yrs. The 706 manual pickup has been the favorite reel for king mackerel and cobia fishing on the piers of the Fla panhandle since it first came out. The 704 is basically the same reel with a smaller spool and a full bail. Theyre not as smooth as some modern reels but the drags are great and they are nearly indestructable. I still see lots of the old greenies (the oldest ones) out on the pier. But penn has stopped producing these reels once again and this time they may not be back, as the new owners of penn reels have moved almost all production overseas.

[das5moto]

I still have a Mitchell 302 that was my dads go to reel in the late 60's / early 70's that gets used every so often.

The 704z is $124.

Is there $124 worth of reel out there that could provide the increased modern smoothness and not be an overly complex shiney dodad?

I am so turned off by how cheap even expensive reels look and in some cases feel.

I guess the fact that the 704z looks so old school I figure it will last. There are at least 6-8 diawa and garcia reels from the 80's and early 90's in the basement right now that should be tossed, but can seem to make my self do it. But they are not worth using or fixing.

[rattler]

diawa emblem pro is a good reel...i just "retired a pflugar 927" i got in 78...just can't get parts...don't toss your "crap"reels...i may need parts...