Best Fishing Reel, Penn, Shimano, Daiwa or ?

Question

This question is probably more of a poll on your opinion.
I am based in the Pacific Islands and we can get some sinister fish hook ups.
I use Shimano equipment for Landbased Game Fishing and Penn for My Offshore Sport Fishing.

Some people say just pick one or the other!

I'm quite fond of the Penn HT100 Drag System. I think it is vastly superior in stopping power and life to the Shimano.

What are your findings?

Answer 1

From your description of where you are fishing the is nothing that can beat a Penn reel. If I was going to be fishing in an out of the way place the two reels I would want is a Jigmaster 500, and 113H 4/0. They are simple, easy to fix in the field, and parts for these reels if needed can be found almost anywhere. These two reels were the most in demand from foreign tourist that I came into contact with when I was in the retail tackle business.

I agree with your feelings about the HT 100 Drag System. They last and don't fade under pressure and heat.

Answer 2

I prefer Shimano for any freshwater fishing, but usually grab the Penn for any saltwater fishing I do. Don't really have a good reason for the Penn except that it's always done a fine job. Seems like I've owned that reel forever, and I do so little saltwater fishing I guess I never got excited about buying any other.

Answer 3

For years, the Penn green machine, spinfisher, was the toughest reel known to mankind. It only had few parts and it withstood everything nature threw at it. Then Penn switched over to the Z series. Another top notch reel. Tough and durable. Few parts to break down. After Penn did away with the Z series, I switched to Shimano Baitrunner. Great reel. As far as offshore fishing, Penn International reels rule.

Answer 4

I have to say that the deeper water shimano reels in gold are very good in their drag system actually better than penn but that depends on the model of course. For some of my fishing have to say abu is the best never jammed on me yet and has a smooth drag system

Answer 5

For my surf fishing I goto 2 reels both on 15 foot rods. The first is a Diawa 5050 Sealine reel and the other is a Penn #9. As for deep sea fishing I go with Abu Garcias 7000, 9000 and 10000. Fishing from a pier I switch to spinning outfits.

Answer 6

Using Penn for saltwater and shimano for freshwater is the best way to work it,

if you take care of the Penn for saltwater it will last a long time....

I don't know how you fish in saltwater, but try looking at the shimano spinning reel baitrunner series

Answer 7

i have been bass fishing for 25 yrs,to me for bass fishing diawa is the best by far.but i like the shimano reels to.never tried a Penn,but i have heard they are good.as a matter of fact the reel i use a plastic worm on, for bass is a 22 year old diawa bait caster.in all that time it's never gave me any kind of trouble.going to have to get me a Penn and try them.

Answer 8

For bass fishing I like Shimano or Quantum reels and All Star rods. We use Penn reels for snagging flathead catfish(biggest so far is 87lbs.)we use 12' Daiwa Terminator rods

Answer 9

I am an Abu Garcia fanboy. But I definitely like the feel of the Shimamo more.

Answer 10

i always use shimano