I've bought Penn Spinfisher IV 2500 and a Shimano Stradic CI4+ 2500 at the same time. I fished them both equally off a jetski and gave them the same after use rinse. The shimano stradic had to go for repairs (under warrantee) then it died the following season and is now in a landfill somewhere. The Penn Spinfisher is still perfect and hasn't even had a service yet. I was so impressed with Penn Spinfisher that I went out and bought 3 different sizes of the next model up (Penn Slammer). I've been so impressed with them that I've now sold my Daiwa Saltist 4000 LTD and Shimano Saragosa to get a Penn Authority. I fish a lot here in New Zealand and I like Shimano, I have Talica 8ii and I've even just bought a Beastmaster 9000A electric, but when it comes to spinning reels, I now only fish Penn IPX rated reels. I also had a Shimano Stella 2500 FE which cost me over $500 in servicing in 3 years!! WTF. Sold it! I'm told it was an older fresh water reel, but never again. I'd rather have a slammer than a stella
I love many reels from both companies. My Shimanos are a real treat - smooth, high tech reels. The Penns are built like tanks. I’ve never had a failure with a Penn, even though I had a few Shimanos fail me. The Penns are easier to maintain, especially if you’re not mechanically inclined. Both companies have reels that are outstanding, and reels that are absolute dog chit. Spinfisher, Slammer and Authority are reels that will last you a lifetime without failure. Spheros, Stradic and Saragosa are great for the money, and are very pleasant to use and geek out over.
On the comment on Shimano (Vanford) roller bearing getting noisy, I can't disagree. Mine got noisy within a few weeks of fishing. However, super simple fix. Remove the screw holding the roller, clean the bushing and just put a bit of reel grease on all sides of the bushing. Voila. I wipe my reels down with a microfiber cloth quick after spraying down and go over that roller bearing quick. Zero issues since. I think that bushing just gets salt build up quick and gets noisy. I have a BG that did the exact same thing. All said, having owned Penn, Daiwa and Shimano reels at multiple price points, I'm a Shimano fan. Quality, performance, durability and weight are key differentiators.
I haven’t had the chance to use Shimano yet but after feeling those out in person, I’m intrigued to get one. I have the Penn Pursuit IV 4000 reel. It’s solid. But I will admit, my wrists and arm get sore after reeling and casting all day. I mainly fish lures and soft plastics inshore. So my next reel, being Shimano or Penn, I’m sizing down.
Penn Clash II used a stronger aluminum body and cnc cut brass gears along with carbon drag washers. Shimanos are composite body and forged aluminum gears with felt drag washers. IMO Penns will be more durable.
I’ve never used any of the Shimano reels that you mentioned so, I can’t comment on them. However, I bought a Penn Slammer last year and it has turned out to be a great reel. For the cost: great, smooth reel.
Brother has a slammer and he said it was solid. They seen built like a work truck where shimanos often feel more like a smooth racecar. I've always like the feel of shimano better but lower cost ones aren't the toughest reels.
I've had my penn 750ss for 25 wears and it has never let me down .biggest fish 43 lb yellow fin tuna 20 or so kings 2 tarpin .I've purchased my 1 st shamano 8000 this year I like it we will see in a few years
I use a 40$ big penn for my gar fishing and reals them in no problem all day with a 35$!abu Garcia for my smaller fishing have no complaints I got my setup from Walmart I use 40lb test red Cajun with a 3ft steel leader and smaller 20lb braid with a foot and half steel leader works for what I need all in preference and what you wanna spend
The Penn anything like from 760 liveliner & up to 6500 liveliner & Penn 8500 liveliner is a huge reel & 40 pounds of drag which pretty impressive & has 4 settings on the live liner drag & my 760 Penn liveliner reel & has 20 pounds of drag & have brought in a 19 1/2 pound snapper with the 760 reel & has the same drag as the 6500 Shimano bait runner reel & I've just been given a Penn 6500 liveliner as a Christmas present & this also has 4 live liner settings & has 30 pounds of drag which pretty impressive to & my 760 penn reel works really well to & have had it a few years now & it's a Bloody good reel to & my son brought the Penn 8500 live liner reel & having 40 pound of drag would certainly beat the Shimano 6500 bait runner as the Penn 8500 Live Liner has big spool & it will a lot longer than the Shimano 6500 spool & Penn have come a long way in making these live liner fishing reels & have a lot better control settings on the Penn Liveliner fishing reels than the Shimano 6500 bait runner reels also have a lot better sealing when fishing in salt water than the Shimano 6500 bait runner fishing reels Kind Regards
Looking at overall products, I would say I prefer Shimano although my favorite spinning reel as of now is the Certate. That reel belongs on my Mt. Rushmore of spinning reels its so good lol
I was a big fan of Penn pursuit. Had a 3 then got the new 4. Month later the pinion gear broke with a fish on couldn’t even reel it in. Only caught like 5 fish total on the new reel. I know things happen but no more PENN for me sorry. I just ordered the Shimano Ultegra 2500 that has cold forged aluminum gears and a bunch of other tech for $175 after tax. I loved PENN but after reading in forums a lot of people have the pinion gear break. I think their gears are just junk honestly.
Shimano Nasci has felt drag system that will wear out faster the the Penn battle 3 reels which have carbon fiber drag washers. Plus penn you can service yourself. Shimano can too but a pain in the ass. Also penn has plenty of spare parts you can purchase even the older Penns like 30 years ago, easy to get parts. Shimano stops make parts for there reels after 10 years. Good luck getting parts for your Shimano reels after that.
