The PENN Spinfisher line of spinning reels has a protracted historical past of being one of many go-to spinning reels for inshore and surf fishing courting all the way in which again to April 1961 with the unique PENN Spinfisher Mannequin 700. Now over 60 years since that authentic PENN Spinfisher was launched we now have the PENN Spinfisher VII reels. These new reels had been initially introduced final 12 months at ICAST 2023 with the goal to proceed the lengthy legacy of excellence that anglers have come to know on the subject of PENN reels. I acquired this PENN Spinfisher VII Bailess Spinning Reel 6500 that November and since then have been fishing with this reel wherever I might, chasing Striper, Catfish, and Sturgeon within the river, redfish and sharks from the seashore, and king mackerel and tarpon from the piers. So lets see how this reel has held as much as a 12 months of use and see if the brand new Spinfisher VII hits the mark of continuous the legacy.
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Specs – PENN Spinfisher VII Bailess Spinning Reel 6500
The PENN Spinfisher VII comes with a totally sealed HT-100 carbon fiber drag system, which produces loads of drag. The gearing of the Spinfisher VII has been upgraded to all-brass gears which are CNC reduce, no sintered steel or forged gears right here. These gears are then mated with 5+1 sealed stainless-steel ball bearings for a pleasant tight lockup, in its full steel physique. Lastly, the reel itself is IPX5 sealed, so it is protected against water intrusion from a low-pressure water stream at any angle.
The Spinfisher VII is on the market in 18 fashions, ranging from a lightweight sort out 2500 measurement as much as an offshore huge sport 10500 measurement reel for taming the most important of sport fish. There may also be extra varieties as nicely akin to lengthy forged, liver liner, and bail-less variants. The max drag throughout all of the variants will vary from 15 kilos to 50 kilos relying on the reel measurement.
- IPX5 Sealed physique and Spool Design
- CNC Gear Know-how with a Brass Essential Gear
- Keyed HT-100 Carbon Fiber Drag Washers
- Full Steel Physique
- Superline Spool
- Bailess
- Gear Ratio – 5.6:1
- Retrieve – Proper or Left
- Line Retrieve – 42 inches per flip of the deal with
- Max Drag – 30lb / 13.6 kg
- Weight – 21.8 oz
- Ball Bearings – 6
- Mono Capability (lb take a look at/yd) – 12/390, 15/ 345, 20/205
- Braid Capability (lb take a look at/yd) – 30/485, 40/410, 50/335
On the Water – PENN Spinfisher VII Bailess Spinning Reel 6500
Like I mentioned earlier than I fished about anyplace it was applicable for a reel of this measurement. I had the reel spooled up with 30 lb braid tied on to the spool, the superline spool ensuring the road by no means slipped even below heavy drag stress. More often than not I had this mounted on a custom 9ft king mackerel rod and the remainder of the time I had it on a 7ft Ugly Stik boat rod. The massive line capability with 30 lb braid, 485 yards, made the Spinfisher VII Bailess Spinning Reel 6500 very able to dealing with huge fish. I had a number of tarpon hookups prior to now 12 months on the reel with the fish dumping line off the reel with no points. Even when a grasping dolphin obtained a hook in it whereas stealing a dwell bait, the reel held up whereas I locked down the drag. Even below heavy pressure I didnt see any cases of flex within the rotor or slipping of the antireverse.
The reel itself did nice on the water, be it throwing plugs or meat. The road retrieve charge of 42 inches of line per flip of the deal with offers you loads of velocity for working plugs or spoons, however not too quick to comfortably fish bait. The road lay was constant from proper out of the field, producing a really even line lay without having for shims below the spool. Even after a 12 months of fishing, I’ve not had an points with my braid shifting up or down the spool.
I do want to notice a few issues in regards to the 6500 Bailess Spinfisher VII. First, for those who haven’t dealt with numerous sealed reels you’ll be stunned on the stiffness of the reel while you crank it. That is the associated fee you need to pay when coping with numerous sealed reels, I’d say it runs fairly center of the pack for the texture although. Second, is the peak of the road curler on the 6500, in comparison with an older PENN 706 it does really feel a bit excessive. Giving the reel a bit extra of a studying curve to get used to the placing line on the curler with out it. Nonetheless, I’ve heard that this isn’t a priority with the 4500 sized bailess reels, so take this with a grain of salt and see for those who can deal with each of the reels first earlier than coming to your individual resolution.
Opening it Up – PENN Spinfisher VII Bailess Spinning Reel 6500
Throughout this 12 months of fishing with this 6500 Bailess Spinfisher VII, I didn’t service this reel as soon as. Essentially the most this reel ever obtained was only a spray down with a hose after journeys. I didn’t wish to child this reel, as a result of let’s be actual a great portion of anglers will greater than possible by no means open up their fishing reels. Hell, I’ve seen loads of individuals stroll straight off the pier or docks with out rinsing any of their gear off after a day within the salt. I additionally didn’t add any grease to the reel as I used it through the 12 months, every thing in there’s from the manufacturing facility.
For probably the most half, proper off the bat, I used to be impressed with what number of seals the Spinfisher VII had all through. With there being a rubber gasket nearly in every single place water might intrude into the reel at the least for what you may take aside with out instruments. I did discover although the reel deal with itself doesn’t have a seal behind it just like the deal with cap does. I additionally observed a bit of little bit of corrosion across the base of the stem of the reel deal with the place it screws into the physique of the reel. That is extra beauty than anything because it doesn’t have an effect on the reels operate however it’s one thing to bear in mind.
Now to open the reel up when you take away the reel deal with, you solely need to take the three screws holding down the aspect plate off. You don’t need to take away the bumper or the rotor of the reel to open it up. It is a huge plus in my e book, this offers you simpler entry with much less screws to lose. I do wish to notice, one of many three screws did have some floor corrosion, as did the screw gap. This was simply cleaned off with a cotton swab and a few heat water.
Taking the aspect plate off you may actually see all of the efforts put in to maintain water, sand, and salt out of the reel. With a strong gasket punning completly across the rim of the reel physique. It’s also possible to see under the sealed ball bearings, which is an enormous enchancment over extra historically discovered shielded ball bearings. These sealed ball bearings maintain moisture and salt out whereas being even simpler to service than conventional shieled ball bearings. Moreover you’re nice by these good yellow gears, machined out of brass. Whereas brass gearing was once the usual these days its usually been changed by cheaper materials choices.
However simply because the gearing is brass doesn’y mechanically imply its good, we have now to take a more in-depth have a look at the gears to get the complete story. The tooth of the drive gear present nothing out of the odd displaying minimal put on. This goes for the pinion gear as nicely, the damage is just not completely even however for the worth level of the reels I wouldn’t count on them to be. If that is what the gears appear to be after a 12 months, I’m not gonna fear about them for years to return. Additionally notice the
With the principle shaft take away, which is held in place with two screws for added stablity, it’s time to take away the rotor of the reel. The rotor nut is locked in place however three screws and a safety lock. This retains the nut from backing off and letting the rotor wiggle below stress. Underneath the safety lock there’s one other rubber seal, to maintain water from getting in by the reel’s essential shaft.
Underneath the rotor nut, there’s one other gasket to maintain water out from below the rotor nut. Trying on the pinion gear you may see an artificial bushing contained in the pinon gear, this to cut back friction between the principle shaft and pinion.
Shifting on to the pinion of the rotor, I went to open up the road curler of the reel. Inside I discovered one other sealed bearing, which is all the time nice to see. Typically now you discover reels with bushings as an alternative of ball bearings for the road curler. Whereas bushings work, they’re a poor alternative for a correct ball-bearing line curler. Once more using a sealed ball bearing makes for a idiot proof line curler system.
Whereas I didn’t point out it earlier than, however each screw I eliminated whereas opening up the Spinfisher VII had a wholesome little bit of blue threadlocker, making certain not one of the screws will again out as you fish.
Last Ideas – PENN Spinfisher VII Bailess Spinning Reel 6500
After a 12 months of utilizing the Spinfisher VII 6500 Bailess, I’ve to say I’m fairly pleased with this new era of Spinfisher. Like many different PENN reels, these are tremendous rugged and solid-feeling reels with a superb end. It’s been a problem-free reel this entire 12 months, with no odd noises and a great line lay on the spool. The one “downside” I had with the operate of the reel was a wind knot at some point on the pier, however greater than possible that was person error whereas throwing gentle dwell baits into the wind. The brand new CNC machined brass gearing, the sealed bearings, gasket seals, and keyed HT-100 drag washers are all nice options on the reel, however there’s something I want to say in regards to the Spinfisher VII. If you’re wanting a glassy easy reel this isn’t it, the seals on the reel do give it a little bit of resistance while you begin reeling. However I really feel the trade-off is value it for the added sturdiness of the reel, I see this as a reel that can final for a very long time similar to my trusty ole PENN 706z. The construct high quality and options that PENN has put into this reel make for a strong worth if you’re wanting particularly for a contemporary bailess reel choice that doesn’t break the financial institution.
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