Opinions on Penn International Bait Casters

[RedskinFan228]

Anyne own a Penn International Bait Caster eiher the levelwind or preferably non-level wind? What do you all think about them? Any good

Ken

[RuddeDogg]

Hey Ken,

I personally don't have one yet (thnaks for the idea), but a couple a guys I fish with sometomes have them. They seem to like them.

[Fishman]

Dang Ken dont you have enough fishing gear. LOL

Id stay away from the Penn right now especially if you are planning on buying a new reel, Penn has had some problems since the switch over. You do well getting either a Shimano Calcutta or the new Diawa Luna.

[emanuel]

I used to sell tackle so I'll tell you my opinion. Over-priced and over rated. For the same price, or less, you can get the Shimano Calcutta and it's nice reel. I stay away from Penn. Look at my collection and all I have is Shimano and one old Daiwa which was given to me.

[RedskinFan228]

last year I sold off most of my "extra" stuff. However new job=pay raise=time for some new toys LOL. I have always been a penn fan from way back. I have some spinning reels (prion, and several in the ss and ssg class) and have had no problems with them. Just take the apart and clean every now and then.

I like the calcutta too. Do they come in nonlevel wind?

I just had a parent of one of the boys that I coach baseball give me a new slosh 30. At our team party we were talking about fishing and he was asking me what type of reels I liked and I was telling him what I had/have and said I had sold my slosh 30 but was going to get another because they were bullit proof. Next thing I know he had walked accross the street to this bait and tackle shop and bought me one. He said thanks for coaching my son and gave it to me. Nice guy (he is also rich) Heck I should have told him I liked the Stella LOL.

ken

[emanuel]

I like the calcutta too. Do they come in nonlevel wind?


Yes, you can get the Calcutta 400S or 700S, those don't have the levelwind on them.

[darrel]

nothing changes in Philly! Its all good there.

[bmcox86]

penn=junk

[bmcox86]

ive owned 8 penns including a 955 international, and all of them have broke, ive had the sames shimanos for 5+ years and have never had much as a squeak(with regular oilings of course)

[rockhead]

I have a penn intnl 975 LD, the leverdrag one, It doesn't cast all that great but it seems really tuff, I have abused it some but it keeps working fine I've have had it about 3 yrs w/ no problems.
I also have a shimano calcutta 400 TE which is the good one, I have only had it for about 1-2 yrs and have had to get it repaired once already, it's just not that tuff, I haven't really abused the calcutta either just flounder fishing from boats thats all. In general I'm not that big on penn anymore, but as stated the intnl's are made in the usa and seem to be good quality

[Railroader]

penn=junk

BS...:popcorn:

[emanuel]

penn=junk

I'll second that. :popcorn: I'm actually in another forum fighting with someone about the same thing. At least people here are nicer. Think I'll sit back and watch the inevitable $h*te storm erupt.:beer:

[clpoudnine23]

Great reel in my opinion. Have used it on the boat to troll with, live bait fishing and yes surf casting. Not the longest casting reel out there but if you are a good caster it will put baits out there for you. Low gears in that reel will bring the big ones in too. Notice the 975cs in the pic.:D
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s27/cloudnine23photo/2007030.jpg

[jlentz]

They are great reels. I know of people catching large fish on them with no problems. I have customers who have caught 50lb stripers and salmon up to 70lbs. The biggest fish that I heard and saw photos of was a 289lb grouper on the 975LD, quite an accomplishment. The rod broke but the fish was still landed using 50lb braid. It is not a great casting reel but is an awesome small boat reel. I have had one for about 4 years and have no complaints about it. It blows away any of my calcuttas.

[Railroader]

ive owned 8 penns including a 955 international, and all of them have broke, ive had the sames shimanos for 5+ years and have never had much as a squeak(with regular oilings of course)

Well, I guess that I better throw away all 19 of the various Penn reels that I currently have in use...

Even though some of them are over 25 years old, work/look as new, and have never had a part replaced.

But what the hell do I know? I've only been fishing since 1972, and I only make about 80 trips a year.

If anyone wants my Penn stuff, which I doubt since it's all junk, there's a large trash can somewhere in South Ga. full of primo Penn reels.

Starting today, I'm replacing them all with Shimanos...:rolleyes:

[John81]

Well, I guess that I better throw away all 19 of the various Penn reels that I currently have in use...

Even though some of them are over 25 years old, work/look as new, and have never had a part replaced.

But what the hell do I know? I've only been fishing since 1972, and I only make about 80 trips a year.

If anyone wants my Penn stuff, which I doubt since it's all junk, there's a large trash can somewhere in South Ga. full of primo Penn reels.

Starting today, I'm replacing them all with Shimanos...:rolleyes:

send them my way ill pay shipping :D