Penn Fierce

[thepolitburo]

I am looking for an economical spinning reel and saw the Penn Fierce looks pretty good. It has solid reviews and the price is about right. Will this fit in a conventional spinning reel? I notice on the reel there is a "bump" or "bulge" on the top of the handle. Other reels dont have that.

[Stasher1]

Yes, it'll fit on a "standard" spinning rod, but I would strongly encourage you to go to a store and handle one in person before plunking down the cash. I had an opportunity to handle one yesterday and was immediately turned off by the size and shape of the knob on the handle. It's much, much larger than I had expected, and just felt weird.

[thepolitburo]

Thanks, Stasher. I think I will do that.

[thepolitburo]

If I do choose to get this reel, or the Penn Battle, what size would be appropriate for a Medium Heavy 6'6" rod?

[SirSnookalot]

That's a saltwater reel, nothing wrong with but for bass fishing a more traditional reel like a Plueger president may be a better choice.

I personally would not buy anything less than a conquer in the Penn lineup.

[Bassn Blvd]

That's a saltwater reel, nothing wrong with but for bass fishing a more traditional reel like a Plueger president may be a better choice.

I personally would not buy anything less than a conquer in the Penn lineup.

X2, and will more than likely weigh more than traditional spinning reels. I bought my dad the small, black Penn (forget the model). It's a great reel but heavier than standard spinners of its size.

Penn spinning reels rule saltwater reels, (or used to?) and are very good reels.

[SirSnookalot]

I had to check out Penn's web site and to my surprise the 2000 Fierce weighed in at 8.8 oz, pretty much in the middle of the pack for a reel in that price range. IMO a smooth operating drag is more important than the listed max drag, but Fierce is on the low side of that coming in at 7#. Penn's are great in saltwater and I think they are better suited for open water fishing.

[thepolitburo]

Thanks All.

[trevor]

Penn reels used to be (and still are) highly respected in the saltwater arena. But the Penn reels of late have given rise to a lot of quality issues. One of the main complaints with their spinning reels is the use of very cheap metal for the gearing. Here is a very in-depth review of the Sargus, a spinning reels that sells for around $80. http://www.stripersonline.com/t/623193/penn-sargus-8000-the-review

What the review has to say about the gears? - "This is the biggest fault of this reel. Gears range in material and construction methods from moulded plastic to ultra sophisticated cold forged surface treated ones. This cast aluminium of the Sargus is positioned near the bottom of the list The gear is neither strong nor durable, and being a cast makes its ductility and shock resistance highly questionable. Other than plastic and sintered aluminium gears, I can't think of a poorer gear construction. The way Penn makes spinning gears now leaves a big question mark, especially with the reported stripped gears in the more costly SSM series."

[SirSnookalot]

I've read a lot of information posted by Alan Hawk, he's probably as good as it gets. Had I read one of his reviews first I may not have bought one of the reels I did.............too late, lol.

Some people may find this useful..........

http://www.alanhawk.com/reviews/reviews.html