Penn Fierce 4 2500 or Daiwa Fuego LT - What would you get with Ugly Stik GX2

[xguy16]

I'm a new fisher and got a Ugly Stik GX2 combo medium rod start of the year and I just broke my reel trying to clean and unseize the bearing. The gear making the shaft go up and down, the plastic inside the frame broke and the plastic centerpin holding the gear broke to and now the gear moves all over and won't do it's thing. I only fish freshwater big lakes and will have 10lbs mono line. 

 

So I need a new reel. At first I was just going to get a Shimano Sienna because I did not want to spend a lot, but then I figure I fish a lot and might as well "get what you pay for" and spend a bit more on a reel. Now after learning a lot on reels, I settled on either these 2 in the title. Why? Because my price range is ~ 150$ Cdn$ (110USD) and admittedly, I also want a reel that matches the colors/design of my rod lol. 

 

I guess really my dilemma at this point is, metal aluminum body VS the carbon fiber reinforced plastic of the Daiwa. After my poor experience with my plastic body reel (that broke the gear hold pin), I'm on the fence on getting another plastic or graphite body... but maybe I am freaking out to much. I also tested at home and the 3oz weight savings feels really not significant to the point I would notice it, and figured why not go for the metal body that would feel more stout/solid? The only thing is I don't expect to salt water fish, so getting a salt water marketed reel feels like a waste eh? 

 

I assume the Daiwa would feel better overall. I'm just worried about the quality of the "plastic" and like, flexing or feeling solid in your hand? 

 

Any advice? I am going to buy it tonight thanks. 

 

 

[casts_by_fly]

I have a fierce 2 (maybe 3?) in the 6k size as my light surf reel. Its a pretty solid reel and I've had no problems with it for the trip or two a year I was doing with it.  That said, it wouldn't be my first choice for a bass/freshwater reel.  Its heavy and has fairly loose tolerances.  

 

if you can tollerate just a little more price, you can get a JDM Stradic for $145 shipped.  That's getting you into the upper eschelon group of reels for not much money.  You just missed the sale on them at digitaka that had them in your price range.  If you can't go higher, then a Nasci for $90 shipped is probably your best for the price.  Still a much nicer reel than the fierce.

[xguy16]

3 hours ago, casts_by_fly said:

I have a fierce 2 (maybe 3?) in the 6k size as my light surf reel. Its a pretty solid reel and I've had no problems with it for the trip or two a year I was doing with it.  That said, it wouldn't be my first choice for a bass/freshwater reel.  Its heavy and has fairly loose tolerances.  

 

if you can tollerate just a little more price, you can get a JDM Stradic for $145 shipped.  That's getting you into the upper eschelon group of reels for not much money.  You just missed the sale on them at digitaka that had them in your price range.  If you can't go higher, then a Nasci for $90 shipped is probably your best for the price.  Still a much nicer reel than the fierce.

 

Ahh okay. Yeah the Stradic almost 300$ here. The Nasci was out of stock. But yeah I ended up with the Daiwa Fuego LT. It defiintely felt nicer smoother than the Penn although I liked more the way the Penn looked and felt like with the metal body. But figured the carbon fiber plastic body of the Daiwa also didn't felt to cheep and I was ok with it. 

 

That said though.... I had a bad experience at home. Unbox it at home, try to remove the handle cap as I need to swap it (am lefty). I notice it is extremely tight and took a lot of work to get it off, whatever. Then I notice I also need to swap the rubber grommet held in by a philips screw. Well, that screw was also extremely tight and my screwdriver just stripped out the phillips head. I also cannot use flathead it didn't fit. Now it's a nice cricle, great!! So ticked off at this.

 

I hope the store will let me swap it for another one or I might just get the d**n Penn I don't know anymore. And the store is 36mins away lmao. 

[xguy16]

Lol alright guys, that was total user error.... you don't need to unscrew that screw, the rubber grommet literally just comes off with a knife... ffs. I googled a video and saw how to. This is why you write instructions in the owner's manual. It had nothing about swapping the handle and this was the first time ever I saw this design and I'm a new fisherman.... 🤦‍♂️

 

Oh well, I don't ever expect to need to disassemble that portion of the reel so I'll just keep it and save myself a trip to the store. But I absolutely love the reel and how smooth it feels and how it looks. Can't wait to try it out.

 

https://i.imgur.com/OBfLnJl.jpeg

 

 

[JJP]

 

I would go with a Shimano in your price range. Sedona, Sahara, nasci they’re all good and they last a long time as long as they are taken care of (not dunked, dropped etc.) I have a first gen nasci that is 7-8 years old and has never been serviced and I have no issues.
 

I would stay away from Penn. they’re clunky, heavy and geared more towards the saltwater angler. besides pflueger, Penn is the last spinning reel I would want to bass fish with

[casts_by_fly]

14 hours ago, xguy16 said:

 

Ahh okay. Yeah the Stradic almost 300$ here. The Nasci was out of stock. But yeah I ended up with the Daiwa Fuego LT. It defiintely felt nicer smoother than the Penn although I liked more the way the Penn looked and felt like with the metal body. But figured the carbon fiber plastic body of the Daiwa also didn't felt to cheep and I was ok with it. 

 

That's why I said Digitaka.  get it shipped from japan directly to you.  The stradic is $145 USD with free shipping.  The NASCI is $90, also free shipping.  

[GetFishorDieTryin]

The whole AL frame vs composite small frame is really overblown IMO, especially in FW.  It takes a good amount of pressure for that stem to flex and way more for the frame to flex.  If your drag is set right, 2 or 3lbs max, you won't have any issues.    

[xguy16]

1 hour ago, GetFishorDieTryin said:

The whole AL frame vs composite small frame is really overblown IMO, especially in FW.  It takes a good amount of pressure for that stem to flex and way more for the frame to flex.  If your drag is set right, 2 or 3lbs max, you won't have any issues.    

 

Yeah I concur this was my conclusion as well and why I settle with the Daiwa Fuego LT. Everything about the Daiwa felt better in terms of using it VS the Penn felt better in terms of like build quality and feeling it in hand. But at the end of the day, performance/using it is what you do the most so I went with Daiwa. But yeah in practise, that's exactly right as well, I use 10lbs line and drag is right around 3lbs so I don't think I will ever have flex that will bother me. Especially not with freshwater lake fish here. And furthermore, the flex I was reading seemed to affect the previous 2023 model. 

 

Just came back now from a fish hike and absolutely love the reel, feels great.

[xguy16]

10 hours ago, casts_by_fly said:

 

That's why I said Digitaka.  get it shipped from japan directly to you.  The stradic is $145 USD with free shipping.  The NASCI is $90, also free shipping.  

 

Oh okay yeah, I can't order it needed it yesterday. 

[GetFishorDieTryin]

1 hour ago, xguy16 said:

 

Yeah I concur this was my conclusion as well and why I settle with the Daiwa Fuego LT. Everything about the Daiwa felt better in terms of using it VS the Penn felt better in terms of like build quality and feeling it in hand. But at the end of the day, performance/using it is what you do the most so I went with Daiwa. But yeah in practise, that's exactly right as well, I use 10lbs line and drag is right around 3lbs so I don't think I will ever have flex that will bother me. Especially not with freshwater lake fish here. And furthermore, the flex I was reading seemed to affect the previous 2023 model. 

 

Just came back now from a fish hike and absolutely love the reel, feels great.

Fuegos are great.  I have a bunch of the older 17 LTs.  I dont think there is much difference between the older composite and zaionV, its just a typical Daiwa marketing buzzword.  I have one that has had the hell beat out of it in sand and salt, it doesn't feel new, but its runs fine.  I bought it to be sacrificial, fishing in the surf in summer and fall and FW all winter and early spring.  I always liked Shimano over Daiwa, but the LT line beats Shimanos budget reels handily.  

Penns have gotten much better in terms of line management and smooth operation.  I have a spinfisher 45 thats pretty good on a 8-9ft M power surf rod.  The ARs have a little more tolerance than japanese reels and theyre heavy, but generally they hold up well.