Customer Reviews

Penn SSG Graphite Series Spinfisher Spinning Reel

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

The handle does not work. It does turn but it doesn't move the spool, brand new reel right out of the box. Don't buy it, avoid penn reels, their quality is going down the drain every new reel they make. Their new name is penny reels and fishing rods because that is what they are worth...

Well, this looks nothing like the review I wrote at the time I bought the reel. I used to be a big penn fan, but now I'm sticking with shimano or maybe even branching out and trying some other brands. This reel is not all that smooth and doesn't really cast that well for the price. It's probably comparable to most $30-50 reels at best in my mind. The rest of the price is for the name, which it seems has become the selling point of these reels over the actual quality. The screw that holds the bail on this reel broke in half and the reel is basically worthless to me now unless I can find a way to get the broken off part out and feel like spending $5-10 on a new screw from Penn. Already bought a $30 shimano to get me by for the time being and I'm not sure it wasn't at least an even trade. Disappointing product to carry the Penn name.

I have 2 of these reels and they are great. We use them with 6# line and ultralight rods for salt water sport fishing. Parts are readily available at most tackle shops if you need any.

The 420 Ssg spinfisher Graphite reel bar code 3132404203 is a reel with manufacturing problems. As manufactured it is missing part 95B Penn #095B420, which is a retaining plate, and 46B Penn # 046A420, which is the retaining plate screw. Because these parts are missing the "Rotor Cup Nut," comes loose such that thr entire rotor comes loose with first symptom of the problem being the bale does not function properly. Penn warranty person told me to bring it back to the store I purchased it from, yet this reel was part of a custom built rod set. I will try Locktite, if that does not work I will design a retainer plate, and worse case will be to epoxy #38, penn part number 038420G rotor cup nut to the #19 0019 420G pinion. I should have purchased a Shimano Stradic Ci4, 1000. Retailers should note these problems with this reel.

I've two 550 ssgs that i've had my young sons using for several years. They work great. Like all Penn reels they are easy to maintain and built fine. Use them with 8foot med action rods and 10ft fast actions for surf fishing atlantic kings spot snappers blues and the occasional striper (switch to heavier reels when stripers and big blues heat up in fall). Had them for about 5 years with no problems despite little guys dunking them in surf and dropping in sand. Not the same quality as my Penn torque or slammer but price is great and knowledge that I can order parts and service myself plus the weight make them a great buy. Very durable for a graphite body. Find myself using them all the time when kids have called it day. An earlier reel from when Penn first moved manufacturing to china did have issues but they' seemed to have cracked down on specs and at least profits stay in USA. The ht100 drag is flawless. These reels led me to buy a 7series torque, 2 750ssm, an 850 ssm, a 760 live liner, and a 2000 battle. I have a few daiwa, shimano, pflueger, and accurate reels but it seems it's always the penns that we grab, they're not as sexy out of the box but they're just solid performers and the drags are perfect. Check out Scotts bait and tackle for schematics and parts.

I though penn reels were made in USA. I have several and they are all made here. No more penn reels for me.