Who here uses Penns and likes them???


Tell me pros and cons of them.

I got a N.9 peerless that I just got cleaned and got put together (finally) put some line on it and wow it cast so good!!! The only penn I ever had to cast was a 209. It does not cast so good (by no good I mean not at all!).

If there is a good reel out there that I don't know about would like to know. Lol


Thanks for any info.

I got a few but use em when I go down to the coast.

Ive got some. I really wanna find a way to swap the bushings to bearings. My 9m spool bushing got locked up

The 9 has a max drag of 10lbs which should be plenty on catfish. I've used penn 309's all my life saltwater fishing. Never thought much of them for casting reels. Penn does make some bigger reels intended for casting like the Squall, fathom, and the Torque. If you can make it cast then it sounds like it ought to work for you.

I have 2 ....both open faced ...
the light reel gave it up twice
its hangin on the garage wall ....
the big saltwater version has been in use for years
its my salmon reel ....
she never let me down
and she got abused beyond imagination
them "reds" (sockeye) flat tear up regular tackle

Pro: Bigmike got a hold of a Penn reel and now likes them
Con: it doesn't say Abu on the side plate. *poke poke*

That sums it up. Going to send it down the road!!! Lol

Recently purchased a Penn Fierce FCR6000 and put it on a 10'PA rod.Hauled in a 39# Blue no problem.Love it.

And you saw how far it was casting!

I can cast a 330 GT pretty well! It's just different from abus. With that huge spool you gotta use your thumb more.

I'm a fan of Penn 500 Jigmasters. I have several that I have used for many, many years in the ocean. They used to be my grandfathers and they have hauled in more than their share of rockfish, barracuda and shark off the California coast. I have used them a few times catfishing before I got all of my Abu's. I can cast it a good distance but it takes some work. In my opinion the 500 is a "jack of all trades".

I used to use penn reels. I've had most all of them up to and including the 14/0. I won't buy a new penn EVER again. I've had pour customer service from them not to mention the went to china. The newer style clickers are designed to fail and destroy your sideplate, unless your crafty. To me its sad because they made the ak47 of fishing reels but now just poor quality stuff.

They still produce some of their reels here but they're spendy. My large reels are all moving to Avet for a quality saltwater reel.

Jig master or squidder

Penn 209 are good reels. Part are easy to find. The reels are a bit on the heavy side so I don't want to throw one all day. They work good with a med to heavy Ugly stick. If the get one with a black spool its made out of aluminum they will cast a little better. The chrome or silver are made of brass and don't cast quite as well. You can take off the level wind and it will help with distance. They have a slow retrieve than most reels, but the handle can be replaced to improve comfort. The 209 will work well with braid or mono, But backing is recommended. If you put braid on I put it on wet. Put the line in a bucket of water and reel on. This keeps the line tight and keeps it from bunching up. You can pick a Penn 209 up on line from EBAY for $20 to 30 or so. New they are around $50 or so. I just bought one (got it today) for $18 off EBAY.