PENN REEEEEELS!!! - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

Holy Mackerel · 07-02-2009, 06:25 AM

For the price, that is a great deal, especially if you are on a budget, or just starting out! Jigmasters, work good enough for me, but for a little more money, I prefer Sealines, and TLD 15's.

-scallywag- · 07-02-2009, 09:44 AM

i'm a poor sap and i have a few 500's, but the day i spent 70bucks on a new shimano TLDstar my whole world changed....i was hooked then came the speedmaster IV, and the TLD 15 leverdrags (both under 120 at squidco!!!).

The first time i had to tear them down to clean/lube the bearing and replace the drag washers i knew i would never buy another 500 again, IMO they (the TLD series) are; just as easy to tear down
easier to service (the bearing are open, not shielded)
they weigh less
where else are you going to get a compact leverdrag that can put down 22lbs of pressure for under 150bucks??)
not to mention mechanically superior (larger shafts, gears, dragwashers, bearings, all made out of what looks like a brass/nickle alloy or stainless as opposed to the all brass gears found in most 500's) infact the shafts and gears in the TLD series reels are beafier than the stuff in the torrium reel that i have (was a waste of money IMO)

I also have one sealine on my iron chucker, i havn't opened it up but it feels as rugged as the shimanos but it fee-spools a little better.

BUT, where are you going to get a tried and tru reel (penn500) and a rod for under 70bucks??? that does sound like an awsome deal for a loner rod for the kids or friends that way you can just laugh when they dunk it or loose it at the landing, but if you fish alot you probably better off spending the extra 30 or 50bucks and getting one of the shimanos TLDstars and mathing it to one of the shimano Voltaeus rods (an awsome stick for around 30bucks)

Jim Sammons LJKF · 07-02-2009, 10:13 AM

The TLD 15 lever drag is a great troller and The Sealines are bullet proof and cast like a dream.
Was not trying to bash Penn, I used them for years as a boat fisherman but killed way to many of them on the kayak to be worth the even low price for me. Guys who take better care of their equipment would likely do better with them than I.

Siebler · 07-02-2009, 11:29 AM

I dont know if youve notced but I beat the hell out of my gear. The 500s just need a decent cleaning every once in a while.

While I agree that Sealines and such are better they are not on sale for dirt cheap with a rod. Personally I fish Avets and Newells most the time but I still have a stash of 500's and squiders

JrBasser · 07-02-2009, 12:33 PM

Thanks for heads up man! I'm on my way to pick up another one of these great combos. I bought one one of these combos at full retail a couple years ago as my bait rod for the kayak and would love to get another. My friebds can use them easily when I take them along, and they hold up really well. I also like the "stiff" clicker on the penn 500. It makes it harder for big macs to pull line. And it has lasted twice as long as my TLD 20/40 with half the maintnance.

Good lookin out man, seeya on the water.

fryguy · 07-02-2009, 12:54 PM

Just picked one up. Thanks for the info.

Does anyone have any info about the rod?

SeaDog · 07-02-2009, 02:08 PM

For what it's worth, the Shimano TLD15 is going for $99.97 - $25 from the coupon = $75. They were on clearance at mine.

07-02-2009, 10:13 AM	#3
Jim Sammons LJKF Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: San Diego CA Posts: 947	The TLD 15 lever drag is a great troller and The Sealines are bullet proof and cast like a dream. Was not trying to bash Penn, I used them for years as a boat fisherman but killed way to many of them on the kayak to be worth the even low price for me. Guys who take better care of their equipment would likely do better with them than I. __________________ Jim Sammons La Jolla Kayak Fishing The Kayak Fishing Show JimSammons.com

07-02-2009, 11:29 AM	#4
Siebler Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Richland Oregon Posts: 1,547	I dont know if youve notced but I beat the hell out of my gear. The 500s just need a decent cleaning every once in a while. While I agree that Sealines and such are better they are not on sale for dirt cheap with a rod. Personally I fish Avets and Newells most the time but I still have a stash of 500's and squiders __________________ CJ Siebler

07-02-2009, 06:25 AM	#1
Holy Mackerel Señor member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 1,627	For the price, that is a great deal, especially if you are on a budget, or just starting out! Jigmasters, work good enough for me, but for a little more money, I prefer Sealines, and TLD 15's.

07-02-2009, 09:44 AM	#2
-scallywag- Banned Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: on the road... Posts: 598	i'm a poor sap and i have a few 500's, but the day i spent 70bucks on a new shimano TLDstar my whole world changed....i was hooked then came the speedmaster IV, and the TLD 15 leverdrags (both under 120 at squidco!!!). The first time i had to tear them down to clean/lube the bearing and replace the drag washers i knew i would never buy another 500 again, IMO they (the TLD series) are; just as easy to tear down easier to service (the bearing are open, not shielded) they weigh less where else are you going to get a compact leverdrag that can put down 22lbs of pressure for under 150bucks??) not to mention mechanically superior (larger shafts, gears, dragwashers, bearings, all made out of what looks like a brass/nickle alloy or stainless as opposed to the all brass gears found in most 500's) infact the shafts and gears in the TLD series reels are beafier than the stuff in the torrium reel that i have (was a waste of money IMO) I also have one sealine on my iron chucker, i havn't opened it up but it feels as rugged as the shimanos but it fee-spools a little better. BUT, where are you going to get a tried and tru reel (penn500) and a rod for under 70bucks??? that does sound like an awsome deal for a loner rod for the kids or friends that way you can just laugh when they dunk it or loose it at the landing, but if you fish alot you probably better off spending the extra 30 or 50bucks and getting one of the shimanos TLDstars and mathing it to one of the shimano Voltaeus rods (an awsome stick for around 30bucks)

07-02-2009, 12:33 PM	#5
JrBasser Senior Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 260	Thanks for heads up man! I'm on my way to pick up another one of these great combos. I bought one one of these combos at full retail a couple years ago as my bait rod for the kayak and would love to get another. My friebds can use them easily when I take them along, and they hold up really well. I also like the "stiff" clicker on the penn 500. It makes it harder for big macs to pull line. And it has lasted twice as long as my TLD 20/40 with half the maintnance. Good lookin out man, seeya on the water.

07-02-2009, 12:54 PM	#6
fryguy Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: san diego Posts: 33	Just picked one up. Thanks for the info. Does anyone have any info about the rod?

07-02-2009, 02:08 PM	#7
SeaDog Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Orange County Posts: 47	For what it's worth, the Shimano TLD15 is going for $99.97 - $25 from the coupon = $75. They were on clearance at mine.