Answers
I have been thinking about purchasing a new surcasting rod for bluefish and occasionally stiped bass surfcasting. I would like to get a 10'-11' rod depending on the price. I have been looking at the Penn Power Stick 11' and the Tica 10'6" surf casting rod. Any Opinions
tHE NAME pENN HAS BEEN AROUND SO i'D GO THAT ROUTE
I'm normally a conventional reel type of guy but lately finding myself hurting too much at the end of the day. Arthritis is creeping in me bones. I want to buy a 9 foot surf rod ( spinning, M/Hvy ) but need help with a reel. I'm checking out the Tica reels but heard too many complaints about the bail closing prematurely during a hard cast. I need some help here, which reels are good with huge line capacity. Model #'s would be a plus. I normally wouldn't ask this but I'm more conventional rather than spinning so I may not be up to par and this is why I ask. Thanks guys. ~Chimp Dancer
~By the way, I'm not looking for the high priced stuff. My daughter's school is milking away that fun so please, moderately priced but decent.
~I want to thank every one for answering and giving me some insight on the larger spinning reels out on the market.~chimp.
Nice answer Shop! (Thumbs up)
Penn Spin-fishers are good/great reels and hold-up well under extreme conditions. I managed a major tackle store in the early-mid 90's and (to be honest) I was very proud to sell "certain" Penn equipment.
The problem with the "New" Penn outfits?
About 98' they began trying to compete with Shimano/Daiwa, (they needed reels that had instant anti-reverse, ETC). They started "farming out" misc parts of their new line of reels to China. Thats when Penn started to go down-hill.
HOWEVER, (in my opinion), if you stay with the "old style" Penn (Metal body Spinfisher) reels you should be alright. (Shop, don't you think an 850 is a bit much? An 850 is a VERY heavy reel generally used for offshore fish! Using a braided-line and downsizing the reel will greatly affect the WEIGHT of the outfit! In my opinion, try a 650 SSM and some braided line if you go the Penn route.......)
CD, your in Fla aren't you?
If I were you I'd look at the Daiwa Black Gold series too. Neither the Penn SSM OR the Black Golds have all the newest "bells & whistles", (instant anti-reverse, 14 ball bearings, ETC) and they've changed very little in 40 years; they just last FOREVER.
BG's are built like tanks and can be easily fixed at your local reel shop. I have one from the late 80's that still works perfectly and it's caught tons of fish!
I'd rig up with a BG15 or BG20 (depending upon what type of line you intend to use; Braid or Mono).
Black Golds are $79.99 at Bass Pro Shops. You should go and read the reviews regarding them. A Penn 650 SSM is $119.
The reason I'm partial to the BG's (over the Penn) is because of "wobble". A Penn Spinfisher "wobbles" like a top when you retrieve it. Whereas, the BG's are "smoother" on the retrieve.
Either way- Penn SSM or Daiwa Black Gold would be 2 good inexpensive reel choices that will last a LONG time.
Hope this helps ya bro?