[golfinjoe24]

All I use is Shimano and all I ever plan to use is shimano. I love the reels and have never had a problem with any freshwater or saltwater. But I have had a lot of people keep trying to get me to switch to Penn. WHY!!! Does anyone use both? How do you think they compare?

Joey

 

[spynet000]

search my posts. i asked this same question a few moths back. shimano for spinning and penn for my trolling

 

[Thoroughbred]

I have both in spinning reels and only Penn trolling reels. You can't beat Shimano's smoothness but I do like the Penn Slammers so far (1 year). My Shimano spinners are Symetre's which are very smooth with a good drag. For what it's worth the Shimano rods are excellent and worth every penny.

 

[golfinjoe24]

I dont do any trolling. I have baitcasters and a whole bunch of spinning. Im getting a Cardif in a few weeks when they can get them in. Im going to put it on a "St Croix Tidemaster"

 

[Francis]

Good answer. . .

Shimano makes great precision lightweight reels that in my opinon have pretty much revolutionized light tackle fishing. Competitors are starting to catch up but I will still probably only buy Shimano for finesse purposes.

But, when it comes to big heavy tanks of reels to crank in fish, Penn gets it done. I like the SS series for bottom fishing, and their Senators for trolling. Replacement part are cheaper, and DIY repairs are far easier due to less moving parts.

 

[Thoroughbred]

I dont do any trolling. I have baitcasters and a whole bunch of spinning. Im getting a Cardif in a few weeks when they can get them in. Im going to put it on a "St Croix Tidemaster"

I know a lot of people like St Croix but have you looked at the Shimano Teramar? Really nice rods.

 

[golfinjoe24]

no, i will look into them though

 

[rocksteady]

Like Francis said , Penn Senators and GTIs for bay trolling but I really like the Shimano TLDs and TiagraLSRAs for offshore . As far as spinning I use Stradics , Symetres , Spheros and Saharas . I also keep Sedonas and Sonoras for the less experienced anglers to use on my boat . Still decent reels for the money . I also have a few Baitrunners for fishing live eels .

 

[rocksteady]

I know a lot of people like St Croix but have you looked at the Shimano Teramar? Really nice rods.

I have some very nice Tidemasters but did buy a Teramar last year and love it . I also got a very good deal on a Tsunami Classic Inshore rod that compares very nicely to rods that cost twice as much .

 

[snoopy]

Stick w/ Shimano. For trolling I use Tekota TEK 700 or 800 and for spinning Stradic reels. Can't beat it for the money and performance.

 

[Thoroughbred]

no, i will look into them though

Bass Pro carries them. I know two people that have bought them after trying mine.

 

[blue lou]

Come now, we're in the post 2 party, A vs B era, Older Penns, Newer Shimanos, and most Daiwas, as well as some Newells, and Avets, Time for a change.

 

[27 sailfish]

I use mostly Penn but have a TLD 25 and a charterboat special (similar to a 320LD). The Penn reels like to laugh at the Shimanos .The Shimano Tallus rods though are sweet for trolling :yes:.

Most good quality reels are well built and will hold up fine with proper care.

I like having a lot of the same reels so it is easy to work on them.
I grew up with Penn reels and have had very few problems.Parts are only a phone call away and arrive in 2 days :thumbup:.

Buy the best reels you can afford and take good care of them - all will serve you well. Neglect the care and any will fail - no matter which brand.

 

[Megabyte]

Shimano, Shimano, Shimano, and... Shimano

 

[catman]

If you fish left handed, you'd be using Penn for trolling..............

 

[aafinest]

Second what Skip said and I use Penns for most of the same reasons he stated. Having said that I love the Shimano TLDs if only they made a levelwind model. I have a good friend who I fish with ocassionally and uses mostly all TLDs. They are a fine reel and he swears by them.

 

[Megabyte]

I love the Shimano TLDs if only they made a levelwind model.

They do. It's called the Charter Special.

 

[Thoroughbred]

If you fish left handed, you'd be using Penn for trolling..............

I don't troll much but the two I do have are Penn's because I fish LH

 

[rocksteady]

They do. It's called the Charter Special.

Won't hold up to bay trolling and are only available in 2 sizes that were designed for Great Lakes and long , limber salmon rods .

 

[Megabyte]

Won't hold up to bay trolling and are only available in 2 sizes that were designed for Great Lakes and long , limber salmon rods .

All the more reason to have these.

Level winds are for beginners.