The worst mid-priced reels ever

[mick2360]

I had some great Mitchells back in the 70's and 80's, always had a softspot for the company. I've tried a few since. Junk. Pure junk. No other word for it.

[DarkSkies]

Someone said to me the other day: Now that you're running the site, you want to be careful not to knock products, because they might become your advertisers one day.

OK, point taken, but if I have to be beholden to an advertiser so I can't speak freely about the good and bad things about their product, then I guess they wouldn't want to advertise here.

I can't hide something if the product is crap, it's not in my nature.

So I gotta add the Penn 550 and 650 series to this list of poorly produced reels that don't hold up to repeated fishin.

I have tried to maintain my loyalty to Penn products. But I think my loyalty, and that of thousands of other anglers, comes from the quality stuff they produced 20 years ago, like Mick said. They just ain't producing that quality at this time, IMO.

There are those who will disagree. I know the OFFC (where are those guys anyway, are ya fishin yet, OFFC??? ) uses those reels all the time, they're happy. But they never dunk em, and clean them off every time they're done fishin.

If you take care of a reel like that, God Bless they'll last a few good years. I had the rotor cup go elliptical on me for the 2nd time on my 550, I'm done tryin to make excuses for it.

I'll get it replaced as a warranty replacement, but I won't buy another one until the quality improves greatly.

As Monty's pics show in another thread, there are some good Penns around, the OLDER ones.

But for they new ones? They ask you to pay between $60-120 for a reel that won't stand up to repeated fish or fighting fish in current? You're better off betting your $$ at the casino.

[mick2360]

Dark, As you know, I'm a Penn guy; my old 704 has been a steady friend and after twenty years is still going strong. I take care to wash it and lube from time to time but this reel has been a warhorse. I wouldn't have the same confidence in Penn products today and this is something it hurts to say. I'll be in the market for another reel soon and I'll likely look at another line. A penn reel for me is a short term investment. Somebody PLEASE say I'm wrong!

[fishjay]

HI dark;

We did survive the winter and will be fishing soon. Yardville got his house rebuilt and if we can talk him out of buying and rebuilding another house we will be fishing by the end of the month.

have to agree the new penn reels are not any bargain. have had problems with the chinese made slammers.

don't know what else to buy in this price range. any suggestions?

[DarkSkies]

HI dark;

Yardville got his house rebuilt and if we can talk him out of buying and rebuilding another house we will be fishing by the end of the month.

Poor guy, simple bathroom remodel turns into the job from hell. I'm glad it finally came together for Yardville. Never hire an "experienced" contractor who asks you for construction advice as the job unfolds, but of course that's impossible to know at the start. The best move you made was to get rid of that guy and move on, before your wife ended up burying him in the basement.

have to agree the new penn reels are not any bargain. have had problems with the chinese made slammers.

don't know what else to buy in this price range. any suggestions?

I was fishin the other night with a hardcore saltwater guy who swears by the Quantum cabo and boca spinning series.

Price ranges at $110 - $190 put them a step up from the Penns. I have no experience with the Quantums.

Anyone else have anything good or bad to say about them?

[plugginpete]

You can add the fin nor reels to this list. I had one and it lasted 6 months.

[Rip-Plugger]

as anyone here should know,a reel that has a plastic body is a blowup just waiting for a place to happen.
daiwa had some that were not bad and lasted a long time but in general,plastic is throw away.

quite honestly,if I were looking for a low budget spinner right now,I would try an aqua.
my idea is,it has a 2 yaer warranty,the seller of thisreel will refund your money if you don't like it and since it has stainless stuff inside,it is worth a decent try especially since choppers are on the way!
besides all that,they cast well,have smooth powerful gearing and are pretty too,you an try one and not regret it.
just stay within the return policy and you are golden.


R-P