SPINNING REELS - PENN
A whole load of these Penn spinning reels seem perfectly suited to our lure fishing and I find myself using them more and more these days.
penn slammer iv 2500
The new Penn Slammer IV 2500. Take one of the best and toughest spinning reels out there, make it a bit smaller to suit a lot of our lure rods and fishing styles, and keep all that Slammer goodness. Welcome to the brand new Penn Slammer IV 2500, essentially my ultimate spinning reel for the majority of my UK and Irish lure fishing. Perfection? Pretty damn close. Review here.
Affiliate links (my sincere thanks if you choose to buy via these):
All Penn Slammer IV spinning reels:
Penn Slammer IV 3500 and 4500
When the going gets tough and I’m expecting to ship plenty of reel-destroying saltwater, then this awesome Penn Slammer IV 3500 or 4500 comes out to play (same size reels, spool is larger on the 4500). It’s a machine, I love fishing with it, and they keep on getting smoother the more I fish with them. Review of the previous generation Slammer III 3500 here.
Affiliate links (my sincere thanks if you choose to buy via these):
All Penn Slammer IV spinning reels:
Penn Authority 2500
Not remotely cheap but damn this reel is stunning. The top of the range Penn Authority 2500 weighs about the same as the same size Penn Slammer 2500, and as much as I love the Slammer, this somewhat more expensive Authority 2500 is a definite step up in smoothness and line lay and sheer cranking power. Way more than enough spinning reel for our bass fishing but wow I love lure fishing with this thing. Review here.
Affiliate links (my sincere thanks if you choose to buy via these):
All Penn Authority spinning reels: Veals Mail Order or Glasgow Angling Centre
Penn Authority 3500
Take the already amazing Penn Slammer IV 3500 spinning reel, add a whole dose more smoothness and drag and so on, and now you’ve got this top of the range Authority 3500. I know that the Slammer is already perfect for much of my lure fishing, but fishing with this far more expensive Authority 3500 is even more sublime. It’s as smooth as a spinning reel has ever felt in my hands. Weighs about the same as the same size Slammer IV 3500. Review here.
Affiliate links (my sincere thanks if you choose to buy via these):
All Penn Authority spinning reels: Veals Mail Order or Glasgow Angling Centre
Penn Clash II
If you take into account the various idiosyncrasies built into Penn spinning reels then this lightweight and very tough Penn Clash II is a bit of a peach. Essentially the same size as a 4000 Shimano spinning reel, this Penn Clash II just makes me feel so confident when I fish with it. Review here.
Affiliate links (my sincere thanks if you choose to buy via these):
Penn Spinfisher VI 2500, 3500 and 4500
The Penn Spinfisher VI range, and specifically the 2500, 3500, and 4500 sizes. I am really starting to like these tough as hell spinning reels. Further info in a couple of blog posts here and here, review here. The 3500 feels like the sweet spot to me.
Affiliate links (my sincere thanks if you choose to buy via these):
The new Penn Spinfisher VII version: Veals Mail Order or FishingMegastore.com