Hope PENN comes through-Broken reels

dport

Two weeks ago, I hooked a 34 inch Red on a Penn 4000 Captiva. The reel is about 4 years old, but has had limited use since I was living out of state at the time. Over this summer, I have landed several bottom slot reds, and 7 in the 26-27 range, and then this beast. This one weighed in at 14lbs! Well, as soon as he made his first run, the reel frame twisted about 30 degrees. I ended up with the rod butt in my armpit, holding the front face of the reel housing with my right hand, while working the pole, and cranking with my left. This went on for over 10 minutes, and I was STRESSED beyond belief about losing this fish. The fish was landed, and then released of course. All this occurred only two hours after I my dad had a Penn 2000 completely fail him. His event was almost funny, since his battle only lasted 10-15 seconds. However, it was his first snook hook up since the mid-70's, so I couldn't laugh. Today, I dropped both reels off at a new outdoor store in Inverness (Mcpherson's), who offered to contact Penn for me. The gentleman stated that Penn is aware that they have some quality issues right now, and that he believed they would "make it good". I am really interest in the Penn Battle, but only if they make it right on these two failures. I was also told the owners of Penn divorced, and that the wife took over the company for some time. It has now been bought back by the ex-husband.....? maybe Penn is coming back?

Germ

I dont even think they make the Captivas anymore so i think its a moot point if you expect them to fix a 4 year old reel they dont make anymore. I wouldnt have trusted those reels personally anyway. They looked more like Penn licensed their name out to someone to make a reel. Ive never owned a Penn up until a year ago when I got a Battle and have been very happy. I have 5-6 battles in various sizes and now also own 2 Conquers.

monoxide

i only buy old penns. they were actually good back then. my buddy has a battle and the reel foot actually broke in half on it.

dport

I would understand if they wouldn't want to fix the average 4 year old reel, but this one has been barely used since I got it to fish with during vacations. But, when a frame breaks, it needs to be addressed. The other reel that broke was purchased this year.... I hope Penn is on their way back to the quality they used to have.

Pipefitter

Plastic bodied reels really have no place in saltwater. I had one given to me when my stuff got stolen and it lasted a season with reds.

Prop Blast

Penn is now owned by a corporation called Pure Fishing, a subsidiary of Jarden Outdoors -- the sale from previous owners related to a divorce is ancient history.

Not sure what you can expect from Penn -- the Captiva was discontinued and I'm not sure what they can do for you.

PB

dport

I knew I wasn't buying top of the line, but I did expect it to survive better than it did. If the internals failed, I would chalk it up to a good fishing trip..lol. But, when the frame breaks, I have a problem. The reel that failed first that day was only 7 months old.

carolinafisher

The guys at ****' used to call them Craptivas because they took back so many. Lots of times the foot of the reel would just snap off.

Spineyman

Almost all of their reels are made in China and do not hold up. I have two friends up here that work at tackle stores and Penn overall is the number one returned reel due to damage. They simply do not hold up. Don't know about the new battle reels but never will either. Penn used to be the standard all reels were measured by, now there the scrap heap of the bunch.

Pipefitter

I have had equally as bad luck with any brand's plastic. If the reel didn't bend while putting it under a load, the gears strip out. An exception would be the Baitrunner.

Most people these days are taking 8 pound class reels and using them for 15# and up duty. If you are going to be tusseling with big shouldered fish, best to get at least the main frame of the reel with metal. Otherwise, get used to relying on your drag a lot more and the handle less. With plastic bodied reels, the drag should be set to slip before the tension tweaks the reel housing. If you need more than that, palm the spool as this also helps support the reel when a big fish is breaking bad on it.

Popeye

Pipefitter wrote: »

I have had equally as bad luck with any brand's plastic. If the reel didn't bend while putting it under a load, the gears strip out. An exception would be the Baitrunner.

Most people these days are taking 8 pound class reels and using them for 15# and up duty. If you are going to be tusseling with big shouldered fish, best to get at least the main frame of the reel with metal. Otherwise, get used to relying on your drag a lot more and the handle less. With plastic bodied reels, the drag should be set to slip before the tension tweaks the reel housing. If you need more than that, palm the spool as this also helps support the reel when a big fish is breaking bad on it.

::Rockon x2

Spineyman

Pipefitter wrote: »

I have had equally as bad luck with any brand's plastic. If the reel didn't bend while putting it under a load, the gears strip out. An exception would be the Baitrunner.

Most people these days are taking 8 pound class reels and using them for 15# and up duty. If you are going to be tusseling with big shouldered fish, best to get at least the main frame of the reel with metal. Otherwise, get used to relying on your drag a lot more and the handle less. With plastic bodied reels, the drag should be set to slip before the tension tweaks the reel housing. If you need more than that, palm the spool as this also helps support the reel when a big fish is breaking bad on it.

And that is precisely why I don't use graphite reels any longer. They do not hold up to pressure nor do they last as long.

dport

The one that did it, my personal best! I have landed two 32 inchers since...woohoo!

tarpon9wt

Penn graphite reels, the 4300SS ultra light for trout up north, the 440SSG, 550SSG and up; great reels from jack, snook, kingfish, sailfish, tarpon, etc...never had a problem. They don't rust and never had any frame problems.