Really? The Torque was the best Penn could come up with?

[Mike P]

For another $150, you'd be nuts not to go with a Stella SW instead.

Once you get into the $700 range on reels, go with the proven commodities. Van Staals have been around for almost 20 years, and Saltigas prove themselves every night in the Canal.

There is nothing innovative, or even an improvement over the proven high-end spinning reels, about this fugly thing. Unless you consider that goofball button that switches from automatic to manual bail closure--what looks to me to be a sand jam in waiting for surf guys--an "innovation". Penn is late to the dance with a clunky looking entry, IMO.

[numbskull]

Seems premature to bash the Penn other than on looks.
Has anybody actually fished one?

[likwid]

The drag curve also seemed EXCESSIVELY steep due to the coarse drag knob clicks. Kinda odd.

The machining seems very rough, some holes were smooth, some not so much (probably enough to cut your leader with if you needed to. feature!)

[Mike P]

Originally Posted by likwid

The drag curve also seemed EXCESSIVELY steep due to the coarse drag knob clicks. Kinda odd.

The machining seems very rough, some holes were smooth, some not so much (probably enough to cut your leader with if you needed to. feature!)

I noticed the same thing about all of those rough edges. If what you can see and feel outside has evidence of shoddy workmanship, how is one supposed to feel confident about the inside workmanship?

[JohnR]

Originally Posted by numbskull

Seems premature to bash the Penn other than on looks.
Has anybody actually fished one?

Haven't fished one yet but from what I've seen with it in my hands I'll likely not bother. IMO, not anywhere near VS or ZB. Nor Saltigas (which I don't have experience with)

[likwid]

Originally Posted by numbskull

Seems premature to bash the Penn other than on looks.
Has anybody actually fished one?

Ok, gimme $700 and I'll beat on it for fall run at Montauk.
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

[Frankiesurf]

Originally Posted by likwid

Ok, gimme $700 and I'll beat on it for fall run at Montauk.
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

Make it $1400 so you have a back up.

[Surf Caster]

Originally Posted by numbskull

Seems premature to bash the Penn other than on looks.
Has anybody actually fished one?

Haha, you're right there, it is pretty d*mn ugly.

[Surfinator]

I went to my local shop today with money in hand for either the Penn or a VS 150...Picked up the Penn cranked it a few times and put it back..not even close...for that much money it felt like crap..it felt loose and there was a lot of play. .Needless to say I went home with a silver VS 150.

[Mike P]

If the final products aren't machined any better than the models I've handled in the past, it would be a good idea to wear a glove on your hand, because the edges of the reel stem are rough and sharp. And the stem is way too wide--and I have pretty big hands.

[numbskull]

What size Penn torque were you looking at that is the equivalent of a VS 150?
Seems to me you would be considering the Stella 5000sw or Catalina 3500/4500 instead.

So why did you go with the VS over those reels? Not criticizing your choice, they are all nice, just curious.