PENN Spinfisher V Spinning Reel Review
So after fifty years of great spinning reels Penn is going to blow your mind again with, yes you guessed it, the Spinfisher V series of spinning reels! I know; why fix something that’s not broken, it is more like taking what is good and making it great! Penn has really put together one versatile line of spinning reels with the new Spinfisher V series. From the Flounder catching SSV3500 size to the Sailfish kicking SSV10500, yes that’s right a 10500 size reel with a max drag of forty pounds!
You asked what makes this line different from the older Spinfisher series? There are a lot of very good features in this new line and I will lay them all out for you soon, but one that really gets my attention is the water tight design of these reels. There is a total of six seals (nine on the live liner models) used to create the new Water Tight Design in the Spinfisher V series. Whether you dunk the reel in the surf or let it ride in the spray all the way home, you don’t have to worry about saltwater getting in the gear box or drag system.
Here are some of the other great key features of the new Spinfisher V series:
• Full metal body, sideplate and rotor
• Sealed HT-100 Slammer drag system
• Superline Spool-No backing needed because of the rubber gasket keeps superline (braid) from slipping
• Friction trip ramp prevents premature bail trip when casting
• Heavy-duty aluminum bail wire
• Five (5) Shielded stainless steel bearing system
• Infinite anti-reverse (Back up ratchet on 7500-10500 sizes)
• Line Capacity Rings
• Live Liner Feature available on sizes 4500, 6500 and 8500.
Reel capacities etc:
Model Mono Cap Braid Cap
| SSV3500 | 390/4 • 250/6 • 210/8 | 230/10 • 215/15 • 165/20 | 5+1 | 20 lbs | 6.2:1 | 30(in) | 13.4(oz) |
| SSV4500 | 300/8 • 250/10 • 185/12 | 365/15 • 280/20 • 200/30 | 5+1 | 25 lbs | 6.2:1 | 34(in) | 14.0(oz) |
| SSV4500LL* | 300/8 • 250/10 • 185/12 | 365/15 • 280/20 • 200/30 | 5+1 | 25 lbs | 6.2:1 | 34(in) | 16.2(oz) |
| SSV5500 | 360/10 • 270/12 • 240/15 | 425/20 • 320/30 • 250/40 | 5+1 | 30 lbs | 5.6:1 | 35(in) | 20.4(oz) |
| SSV6500 | 330/12 • 300/15 • 210/20 | 430/30 • 340/40 • 280/50 | 5+1 | 30 lbs | 5.6:1 | 39(in) | 21.3(oz) |
| SSV6500LL* | 330/12 • 300/15 • 210/20 | 430/30 • 340/40 • 280/50 | 5+1 | 30 lbs | 5.6:1 | 39(in) | 23.8(oz) |
| SSV7500 | 440/15 • 300/20 • 210/30 | 430/40 • 360/50 • 320/65 | 5+1 | 35 lbs | 4.7:1 | 36(in) | 26.9(oz) |
| SSV8500 | 440/20 • 300/30 • 250/40 | 650/40 • 540/50 • 470/65 | 5+1 | 35 lbs | 4.7:1 | 42(in) | 29.5(oz) |
| SSV8500LL* | 440/20 • 300/30 • 250/40 | 650/40 • 540/50 • 470/65 | 5+1 | 35 lbs | 4.7:1 | 42(in) | 32.2(oz) |
| SSV9500 | 360/30 • 300/40 • 220/50 | 630/50 • 540/65 • 490/80 | 5+1 | 40 lbs | 4.2:1 | 39(in) | 38.3(oz) |
| SSV10500 | 415/30 • 350/40 • 255/50 | 750/50 • 670/65 • 580/80 | 5+1 | 40 lbs | 4.2:1 | 42(in) | 39.8(oz) |
I was very lucky to be on the test team for these new Spinfisher reels and I can truthfully tell you I was impressed with these reels right out of the box. They have a very clean, powerful and traditional, yet new, Penn look to them. The reels are smooth while turning the handle, but still have the power to crank in big fish. The drag system is super smooth even on the highest drag settings. I put some very high drag pressure on the larger Redfish I caught with the SSV5500 and larger sharks on the SSV6500LL; with that said the drag kept its setting through the length of the fight and stayed smooth! I caught loads of keeper flounder and Speckled trout on the SSV3500, over fifty Bull Redfish on my SSV5500 and some large Sharks and Cobia on a SSV6500LL (live liner). And after all that work the reels are still smooth and ready to go another day on the water of hard fishing!
If you enjoyed the Spinfisher series of the past or you’re ready to purchase a reel that will last a long time; take a good look at the new Spinfisher V series. I believe that this reel is going to turn quite a few heads in the fishing world and you’ll be happy you have them in your arsenal of fishing tackle.
Check out Penn’s full line of great Rods, Reels and Accessories at www.pennreels.com
Thanks for reading and if you have any questions about any Penn products just let me know.
Capt. Jot Owens
www.captainjot.com
captainjot@captainjot.com
PENN: Let the Battle Begin!
