Penn International 4G-AR

[GraciesDad]

Greetings from Oregon!

I'm geting ready to upgrade my 12-weight reel...I've been looking at the Pate, Abel and Ross reels and thought that I was maybe too limited in my search...So I was looking at Fin-Nor and Islander when it occurred to me that Penn International might be an option, particularly the 4G-AR...

Has anyone fished with this reel?...the size and capacities all look good and I can get one for about $100 less than the Ross or Abel...is this a steal or is it a waste of money?...My budget for my new reel is max'ed out at $500-$550 (although less is very good too!)...am I missing any other good brands/models that I should consider?...

Any help would be greatly appreciated.... :-%

[peter mac]

Hey,

Check out ebay, you can get a new Penn 4G for less than that, $300-375 usually. I fished a Penn 4G with Capt. Steve Moore in CC Bay for schoolie BFT. The reel is outstanding!! drag to stop a truck, and a very user friendly drag setting knob, 500+ yds. of 50# yel-spun backing (all you need) handled everything the 65# BFT had to dish out and preformed flawlessly. Its a great choice, and unbeatable bang for the buck (for boat fishing)

Peter Mac

[riptide]

I had one and sold it before using it. For some reason it near seemed right to me. the drag was not as tight as I felt it should be. I sent it to Penn and they said it was fine. I ended up with Hayden Broadbills instead. Nuch nicer reel. It may have just been the Penn I had that was a little "off" they sure are hussling them on Ebay though.

[kujo24]

As my dad and fellow fishing buddies say, "stop messing around and just get a Pate." I am still using a Precision Reel, but would probably buy a Pate in the future. Income tax return is on the way...my wish could come true.

[GraciesDad]

I know better...I have a Pate Salmon that I LOVE for summer steelhead...I only get to the saltwater/bluewater a 2-3 times a year and I'm hoping to do much more in the future...

kujo, are you thinking the Tarpon A/R?...that's the one that seems to match what I want to use a 12-weight for....

Skip

[kujo24]

Scratch the Pate. Gilmore reels has a 12 weight anti-reverse for $499 and extra spools are only $99. I saw them at the Marlboro show and was impressed. I never fished or cast with it on a rod, but it would be worth looking into them. Take a look.

[GraciesDad]

Gilmore huh?...not sold on the idea of cartridge reels for freshwater, less so for saltwater...between the two reels, I could spend another $30 and get the Pate Tarpon A/R...

kujo, what is your opinion of the Precision reel?

Skip

[ikan besar]

Tibor Gulfstream. On eBay it won't run that much more than the Pate and is made by the same company. Then again, the Pate would be fine as well...

[Slamdance]

While I could certainly rattle off the names of several other reels that would do the job, I won't because you asked about the Penn 4G AR. Here's my opinion, having landed many species from Blue Marlin to Tarpon and Bluefin Tuna on the reel (mine's direct drive but I've used the AR without issue). Get the reel and be done with it. It's a great reel and will tackle anything you'll want to throw a fly at.

[kujo24]

Skip,

I have a 8/9 precision and it is great. I have used it for salmon and spawning browns and have had no problems. The drag is really smooth and the quality of the reel is great. I never used a precision reel larger than the 8/9, but think that the drag would be just as smooth on the 12. Only one problem- I think Precision is no longer in business (I could be wrong).

[LandlockedinMI]

Had one and sold it. It is very heavy. It has a very nice drag. It is very heavy. If you are doing ANYTHING other than site casting for tarpon or tunas, save your shoulder and get something lighter. It is also a complete pain in the rear to change spools, - screws washers the whole crappy mess. It is heavy. Did I mention it's weight? ;)

[GraciesDad]

I had the occasion to play around a little with the Old Florida Nautilus 12 and man what a nice reel...lighter and simpler...granted it's not A/R, but a mighty nice reel, especially for the price... --127-3-

Any captains out there who fish with Old Florida reels???

Skip