Which fishing reel brand should I go for?

[AFKASAP]

I would like to get some opinions on which brand I should go for. I don't know much about the different brands. I know of Penn, Abu and Shimano. Is there any reason I should choose one over the others?

I am looking specifically at reels for trolling.

I am thinking of going for a Penn Senator.

[Terra Nova]

You are much better off with a simple hand line with heavy shock cord. Troling, the fish will be skipping along the surface and easy to bring in. Hand line is cheap and simple to store and maintain.

But if you must use conventional gear, I'd recommend something heavy duty, like the Penn Senator series or equivalent.

[Captain Bill]

Originally Posted by AFKASAP

I would like to get some opinions on which brand I should go for. I don't know much about the different brands. I know of Penn, Abu and Shimano. Is there any reason I should choose one over the others?

I am looking specifically at reels for trolling.

I am thinking of going for a Penn Senator.

I've owned all three brands. The Penn is a good real and so is the shimano. My Abu Garcia's have never held up well in salt water. The Penn Senator is really good internally but is subject to external corrosion if not rinsed with fresh water regularly after use in salt water. Mine is 20 years old now so they do last. I also have a 10 year old shimano that has held up well. These of course tells you how good they were in the past., not how good the ones they are making now. The lever drag on the Shimano is easier to manage than the star drag on the Penn IMO.

[AFKASAP]

Thanks guys. I appreciate your feedback.

Beneteau Oceanis 40 - 2008
Netherlands

[StuM]

Trolling for dinner, hard to beat an Alvey:

Product Categories Boat Fishing Reels Archive | Alvey Reels Australia

I've seen quite a few mounted straight on a pulpit.
No need to mess around with a rod or handline yoyo and shock cords


Edit: Here's the US site http://www.alveyusa.com/

[reed1v]

Penn is the best for salt water. Can buy them off ebay for a third of the price. Will last for generations. I used my granddad's Penn for decades.

[Maka]

The pros mostly use Penn International trolling Reels for Salt Water fishing.

Shimano Tiagra Reels are also popular.

I have used both and they are worth the big bucks you spend on them.

Personally I like Shimano for all my reels, trolling and spinning.
That is because of Shimano's exceptional customer service.

Spinning for Tuna once, 20 to 30 pounders in that school, I put up my rod and reel w mono line, with out running the line free 1st to take the tension out of it.
The stretched tight line crushed the bail on the reel after sitting a few days.
My fault.
I called Shimano to order a new one. They took my order on the phone, refused to let me pay for it ,,,, then sent me TWO new ones.

I explained to them it was my fault, and their bail broke due to my negligence.

I only use Shimano reels since.

Penn Senators are good reels, but will burn up if you inadvertently get a BIG fish on.
If there are no Marlin, Big Tuna or sharks where you will be fishing they will be fine.

[akprb]

We use Penn Senator with a ton of specta line. Have had the same two reels for over a decade and both still in service and working great! The
"Crusiers Handbook of Fishing" is our bible.

[Terra Nova]

ak--beautiful kids.

[YARGESOL]

Okuma Soltera+the mono and...right Lure?? is also good for trolling.And good luck

[reed1v]

Originally Posted by Maka

The pros mostly use Penn International trolling Reels for Salt Water fishing.

Shimano Tiagra Reels are also popular.

I have used both and they are worth the big bucks you spend on them.

Personally I like Shimano for all my reels, trolling and spinning.
That is because of Shimano's exceptional customer service.

Spinning for Tuna once, 20 to 30 pounders in that school, I put up my rod and reel w mono line, with out running the line free 1st to take the tension out of it.
The stretched tight line crushed the bail on the reel after sitting a few days.
My fault.
I called Shimano to order a new one. They took my order on the phone, refused to let me pay for it ,,,, then sent me TWO new ones.

I explained to them it was my fault, and their bail broke due to my negligence.

I only use Shimano reels since.

Penn Senators are good reels, but will burn up if you inadvertently get a BIG fish on.
If there are no Marlin, Big Tuna or sharks where you will be fishing they will be fine.

.
Well that is BULL S&*T. Have been involved with the old Billfish tournaments out of Kona for decades. Penn Senators have reeled in marlins weighting over 600 pounds. Now that is big. Not perhaps the idea reel to do this but some folks have their "lucky" reels, and Peter would let them go with what they desired.

[Terra Nova]

During a tournament I caught and released a marlin on 20 lb line. But that would be very difficult trolling behind a sailboat.

[TeddyDiver]

Another vote for Okuma. Penn's are ok in bigger sizes (with drag lever) but the smaller models are PITA. That's of course just IMHO.

[Terra Nova]

Penn's star drags are among the best.

[TeddyDiver]

Originally Posted by Terra Nova

Penn's star drags are among the best.

thou I got to admit haven't used any of them since -90's but then they were the worst of all. The problem was the brake resistance which was not constant. If you wanted to reel some line in you had to tighten the brake until it was too tight for the fish to run.. Not good