Can anyone help me with the difference between the Penn 320 GTi and GT2 reels? I'm considering these for drum and rock fishing in the bay, but only know what I've seen posted here on TF. Any feedback and/or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks - Brian
Penn Conventional Reel Question
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Penn Reels USA Versus China
Be very careful when buying Penn 320 & 330 Reels. IE The original 330GTI was a USA Made Reel and was very reliable & good overall quality. It seems to me that all of the GT2 330s are made in China and may not hold up as well. Not 100% sure if this applies to the 320s, but it might!
Kevin
Weekend Mistress
Be very careful when buying Penn 320 & 330 Reels. IE The original 330GTI was a USA Made Reel and was very reliable & good overall quality. It seems to me that all of the GT2 330s are made in China and may not hold up as well. Not 100% sure if this applies to the 320s, but it might!
Kevin
Weekend Mistress
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320 vs 330
Brian,
Something else to think about. If you are considering 320s, depending on the type of fishing, you may want to buy 330s. IE I use 330s for trolling.
I have a lot of friends that have 320s and they are in the shop every year for repairs. I use 330s and almost never have to take my 330s in and they are about 10 years old. In fact, I am trying to buy 2 more older US made 330 GTIs.
Kevin
Weekend Mistress
Brian,
Something else to think about. If you are considering 320s, depending on the type of fishing, you may want to buy 330s. IE I use 330s for trolling.
I have a lot of friends that have 320s and they are in the shop every year for repairs. I use 330s and almost never have to take my 330s in and they are about 10 years old. In fact, I am trying to buy 2 more older US made 330 GTIs.
Kevin
Weekend Mistress
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Good bang for the buck
I have a bunch of Penn's 230',330, and 345's all about 5 to 6 years old. They are very good reels for the money. you can get a better reels i.e Trevalas or TLD's but you will pay twice what you pay for a Penn. I find that a good fresh water cleaning each time they are used will prolong the life of any reel. I personely can't afford to buy the high end stuff. specialy when you have to buy 2 at a time (boat rods) also, my boats to small to go off shore. most of my trolling / fishing is for striper and spanyards, fatties, drum and Cobia. I also prefer lite rod,s for much of my jigging and casting. Greentops got some Sadona's on sale for $39 ( last years model ). Pared up with a Medium, Heavy action rod and 30 lb braid makes a killer casting tool.
A nother note about Greentop, They have many items on sale right now. All striper stuff 10% off and many rod and reels have big discounts. Its worth the drive
I have a bunch of Penn's 230',330, and 345's all about 5 to 6 years old. They are very good reels for the money. you can get a better reels i.e Trevalas or TLD's but you will pay twice what you pay for a Penn. I find that a good fresh water cleaning each time they are used will prolong the life of any reel. I personely can't afford to buy the high end stuff. specialy when you have to buy 2 at a time (boat rods) also, my boats to small to go off shore. most of my trolling / fishing is for striper and spanyards, fatties, drum and Cobia. I also prefer lite rod,s for much of my jigging and casting. Greentops got some Sadona's on sale for $39 ( last years model ). Pared up with a Medium, Heavy action rod and 30 lb braid makes a killer casting tool.
A nother note about Greentop, They have many items on sale right now. All striper stuff 10% off and many rod and reels have big discounts. Its worth the drive
Penn 320ies & 330ies are for people who do not fish much and do not catch a lot of big fish. I recommend the Penn 113ies & 114ies and the 2 speed Shimanoes foe serious striper trolling. Talk to a guy who is in the reel repair business full time and you will get the same answer.
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Not sure I can buy in to that. Lots of 330's out there with folks who don't want to break the bank for a boat full of basic trolling setups, fish a lot, catch a lot of fish and have their share of pigs on those reels. Plus sending the basic $99 330GTI Slammer combo in to the shop for reel repair probably does not happen that often nor make to much sense.
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Its not the rod and reel that catches the fish, it the fisherman.
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the Chinese Penns leave a LOT to be desired. I have started buying 2nd hand American made Penns online and refurbing them. I just bought 2 309s for $28 each. One needed a new handle ($9) and one needed a graphite drag washer ($6) I guess if you don't know how or don't want to mess with fixing them it isn't such a great deal. Personally I don't mind since I repair mechanical devices for a living.
I have both 320s and 330s and find both to be just fine for anything that swims in the bay or relatively close to the coast line. They may not be deep water reels for Tuna, etc, but I have caught 70+ lb Cobia and 45+ lb Stripers and large Red and Black Drum on both sizes. Have not ever had any trouble with either; with a little of TLC they will last a very long time. On two 320s I have wire line, on two other 320s braid line and two 330s with mono. I also have three Shimano Tekota reels in the 600 and 700 sizes. These are great reels but cost somewhat more than the Penn reels.
I have all those Reels
and have caught Fish on all those Reels.
The 320gti still feels the best in my palm, lighter and more compact makes fighting the fish more personal.
But will admit while trolling with 50lb. mono, they are little shy on line capacity. so load'em with power pro instead.
and load the 330's with the 50lb.
then make the 113's and 114's for the wwwwfb rods.
Les
and have caught Fish on all those Reels.
The 320gti still feels the best in my palm, lighter and more compact makes fighting the fish more personal.
But will admit while trolling with 50lb. mono, they are little shy on line capacity. so load'em with power pro instead.
and load the 330's with the 50lb.
then make the 113's and 114's for the wwwwfb rods.
Les
The TLD's are high quality, have lots of ball bearings and have smooth drag systems.
the Lever drag is practicaly a must for live bait fishing.
It assures just the right amount of drag will be applied for a fight with the flip of a switch, while also providing enough resistance for the initial strike.
Les
the Lever drag is practicaly a must for live bait fishing.
It assures just the right amount of drag will be applied for a fight with the flip of a switch, while also providing enough resistance for the initial strike.
Les
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The main difference between the gti and gt2 series of reels is the clicker assembly and the levelwind assembly. Both were updated to newer styles. The levelwind was previously revised under the gti series...also the gt2 sports a more modern looking frame style.
It's a decent reel for use in the Bay and light trolling...it's not designed for heavy use especially heavier trolling tackle like umbrella rigs and mojos.
The 330 is basically a bigger version of the 320 with the 330 having more line capacity and a slightly slower retrieve ratio....it is a little better suited for heavier tackle since it has the slower gear ratio. For heavier umbrella rigs and mojos you will need a to step up to a higher reel class such as the 4/0 or even 6/0 reels.
I do reel repairs and have seen many of these reels...the ones that take the abuse are the ones used for trolling heavier tackle like umbrella rigs...many people put a larger powere handle on them to increase leverage while reeling, which it does...what happens though is the larger handle puts alot of strain on the gear stud (the part that the handle screws onto) which ends up rounding off the end of it, causing it to strip...another problem I see on occasion is the pinion gear or main gear strips due to the added strain of heavier tackle.
If you have any questions feel free to give me a call...443-848-1074
It's a decent reel for use in the Bay and light trolling...it's not designed for heavy use especially heavier trolling tackle like umbrella rigs and mojos.
The 330 is basically a bigger version of the 320 with the 330 having more line capacity and a slightly slower retrieve ratio....it is a little better suited for heavier tackle since it has the slower gear ratio. For heavier umbrella rigs and mojos you will need a to step up to a higher reel class such as the 4/0 or even 6/0 reels.
I do reel repairs and have seen many of these reels...the ones that take the abuse are the ones used for trolling heavier tackle like umbrella rigs...many people put a larger powere handle on them to increase leverage while reeling, which it does...what happens though is the larger handle puts alot of strain on the gear stud (the part that the handle screws onto) which ends up rounding off the end of it, causing it to strip...another problem I see on occasion is the pinion gear or main gear strips due to the added strain of heavier tackle.
If you have any questions feel free to give me a call...443-848-1074
I have to disagree. I have caught many BIG fish on my 320's and 330's over the past 6 years and they are ready for another 6 years. One thin is that I am anal about washing and lubing my reels regularly! I rinse them with "Saltaway" every time and lube them 3 time a year! My thoughts are the following: I entertain "Non regular" anglers on alot of trips and don't like to turn them loose with my high end reels. The more money I can save on tackle (without giving up some quality) the more I have for bait and fuel! That equates to chasing and finding bigger fish! (especially this winter)....
Just my 2 cents.
Capt Wayne
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