PENN VS. SHIMANO

DTATASM

I would like to know what brand you prefer over the other and why. I prefer Penn and here is a comparison of the Penn Clash 2500 to the Shimano Stradic Ci4+ 2500

MONO CAPACITY YD/LB - 255/6 175/8 140/10
BRAID CAPACITY YD/LB - 240/10 220/15 160/20
BEARING COUNT - 9
MAX DRAG LB - 12lb | 5.4kg
GEAR RATIO - 6.2:1
RETRIEVE RATE 33"
WEIGHT - 8.50oz
REEL SIZE - 2500
REEL HANDLE POSITION - Right/Left
DRAG TYPE - Front Drag
DRAG MATERIAL - HT-100
COLOR - Black Gold
ANTI-REVERSE FEATURE - Instant Anti-Reverse
PRICE - $179.95


MONO CAPACITY YD/LB - 6/200,8/140,10/120
BRAID CAPACITY YD/LB - 10/170,15/145,30/95
BEARING COUNT - 7
MAX DRAG LB - 15
GEAR RATIO - 6.0:1
RETRIEVE RATE 34"
WEIGHT - 7oz
REEL SIZE - 2500
REEL HANDLE POSITION - Right/Left
DRAG TYPE - Front Drag
COLOR - Black Red
KEY FEATURE - X-SHIP
PRICE - $219.99

CONCLUSION - The Penn Clash hold around 70 more yards of braid compared to the Shimano. The Penn has two more bearings then the Shimano. The Penn is 40 dollars cheaper than the Shimano and you get two more bearings that means a smoother reel for cheaper! The Shimano has three more pounds of drag than the Penn but the new wave spring incorporated in the Penn Clash keeps the drag as smooth as it would be when applying 2 pounds of drag all the way to max drag but with a coil spring you end up loosing about 30% of your max drag therefore nowhere as smooth as the Clash with the wave spring. The Shimano is 1.5 ounces lighter than the Penn Clash which I believe two ball bearings and 70 more yards of braided line is worth 1.5 ounces and it doesn't hurt when it is 40 dollars cheaper as well.

PENN Clash pros:
Line Capacity
More bearings
Price

Shimano Stradic Ci4+:
Weight
Max Drag

Let's hear what you you guys prefer and why. :grin

Pescatoral Pursuit

:Popcorn

Though I think the Stradic would be a closer comparison.

Snookman77

I've always bought Penn, so I guess I can't compare. However, their products are high quality and affordable.

Jack Hexter

You missed the boat when you forgot to include the Daiwa Ballistic in your comparison.

MONO CAPACITY YD/LB - 6/210, 8/170, 10/140
BRAID CAPACITY YD/LB -
BEARING COUNT -10
MAX DRAG LB - 15.4
GEAR RATIO - 5.6:1
RETRIEVE RATE 33.2
WEIGHT - 8.6 oz
REEL SIZE - 2500
REEL HANDLE POSITION - Right/Left
DRAG TYPE - Front Drag
COLOR - Black Red
KEY FEATURE -Mag Sealed, Air Rotor, Air Bail,
PRICE - $199.99

Austins26

X's2

Jack Hexter wrote: »

You missed the boat when you forgot to include the Daiwa Ballistic in your comparison.

MONO CAPACITY YD/LB - 6/210, 8/170, 10/140
BRAID CAPACITY YD/LB -
BEARING COUNT -10
MAX DRAG LB - 15.4
GEAR RATIO - 5.6:1
RETRIEVE RATE 33.2
WEIGHT - 8.6 oz
REEL SIZE - 2500
REEL HANDLE POSITION - Right/Left
DRAG TYPE - Front Drag
COLOR - Black Red
KEY FEATURE -Mag Sealed, Air Rotor, Air Bail,
PRICE - $199.99

johnD

loving my 2500 ballistic also , probably the best inshore/flats reel I've ever had.

bonephish

johnD wrote: »

loving my 2500 ballistic also , probably the best inshore/flats reel I've ever had.

:Agree

Observation: Can't really compare two reels (Penn vs Shimano) by the number of bearings. The Pflueger Supreme also has 9 bearings and MSRP is $99.99 but I'd buy the Stradic (or another Ballistic.) I have never been a fan of Penn spinners.

mara5

The only thing I compare my Shimano's too is my opinion of them. They have always worked well, and I have had no problem with any of them. Nor am I so naïve that I think they make the best, and that no one else does, or can compare. Started with Shimano, and have great success with them. Why change? But, I do get a kick out of others who claim "whatever" is the best, and don't back it up with any info, or facts.

Westwall01

I went from all Stratics to all Penn Conquers a few years back because my Stratics (which I am a fan of) just were maintenance pigs after a while. Since then I've only bought Penn Conquers and Battles and other than one minor issue with a bail spring I couldn't be happier. That being said, I wouldn't hesitate to check out Daiwa as well.

MH79

I have no brand loyalty. I own a stradic ci4 3000, penn battles, conflict, conquer, fierce, Diawa lexa, Saragosa sw, shimano saros, quantum Cabo ptse 80.... I have found all of them to be quality reels. Shimano makes, by far the smoothest reels, but Penn in my experience makes more durable reels. Everybody has an opinion and bias towards different manaufactures but I think all of the major manufacturers put out quality stuff once you get to a certain price point. My stradic ci4 is the smoothest reel I have ever used but have had to have bearings replaced 3 times now because of accidental dunking while wade fishing (my fault)... My battle 4000 is about 4 years old, has been through hell and high water...caught tons of fish, been dunked, dropped in the sand, not serviced once and still going strong. Pros and Cons with each reel on the market. I would hold off on buying a Penn clash until Alan Hawk reviews it. Have a feeling that reel is nothing more than a glorified battle with a little less metal in the frame, plastic rotor and a couple extra bearings...and not worth the jump in price from the battle II. Just my 2 cents...

superduper

i dont even know why penn put a 2500 reel in their line up.

shimanos will still be smoother and cast better regardless. they have the best spinning reels, and diawa has the best plug reels, penn probably the best big game reels, but its all a matter of opinion and my assh ole stinks like everyone elses

fishing-guy

I fish with Shimano ,penn and Daiwa all of this reels are good reels, I prefere the ballistic daiwa,is stronger on drag, very large line capacity ,and i have less problem ,with them,try the daiwa ballistic

bonephish

mara5 wrote: »

I do get a kick out of others who claim "whatever" is the best, and don't back it up with any info, or facts.

There are a few Daiwa Ballistic owners on the forum and we all believe it to be the best inshore reel made to date. If you have at least fondled a Daiwa Ballistic EX2500 and spun the handle, then you know it has to be the smoothest spinning reel there is. Daiwa uses a magnetic lubricant which reduces friction and seals against water intrusion. The drag is smooth and has plenty of stopping power. The first fish I caught on mine was a 30#+ jack using 8# P-Line CXX and a bucktail jig.

reel stamas

I don't think my Daiwa Ballistc EXs can compete w/Stellas or Saltigas, but in the <$200 price range it's the best reel available...

250sav

I love this forum, learning a lot. just moved to Venice from "way" north and love the saltwater fishing. You guys are the best!

Ol'DirtyCaster

reel stamas wrote: »

I don't think my Daiwa Ballistc EXs can compete w/Stellas or Saltigas, but in the <$200 price range it's the best reel available...

In its class, the ballistic stands alone as far as I'm concerned. I've seen it dunked, buried in sand, and since its release its maintained a flawless track record at the shop where I work (where they outsell stradics). I'm in the process of building a new plug rod, I can put any reel I want on it, and there's a very good chance it's getting a ballistic (possibly an isla, we'll see).

ccrider

Hands down the best spinning reels I've owned are my Shimano Twin Powers, that being said I love my Penn 450 & 550ssg's. I've had bad luck with the Penn Battles and Conflict, both models have had failed bail springs and on the battles the crosswind block screw backed out and got caught in the main gear and destroyed it and the pinion gear as well. I always thought the Sargus was a steal, I've had very good luck with them don't know why they discontinued them?

duckmanJR

The reel you use does not matter....as long as you wear Costas and own a Yeti cooler...with a salt life sticker on it.... :wink

When you are hitting the salt 260 - 280 days a year....they are all just temporary tools.....but Penn stuff will last a while longer.

Davehuz

duckmanJR wrote: »

The reel you use does not matter....as long as you wear Costas and own a Yeti cooler...with a salt life sticker on it.... :wink

When you are hitting the salt 260 - 280 days a year....they are all just temporary tools.....but Penn stuff will last a while longer.

Spinfishers for me. Penn have been bullet proof for many years but buying a reel is like ordering ice cream and picking horses at the track. What flavor do you prefer.