Penn Battle Review

Penn Battle Review

I have had the Penn Battle Series reels for over 2 years now. Contrary to what some might say and everyone has their own “opinions” these are great reels and in my “opinion”, the best bang for your buck. I currently own the Battle 3000, 4000, 5000 and 6000. I lost my 2000 and St. Croix rod in a turtle accident that should not have happened.

Some of the features of the Battle Series are as follows:

·      Machined and anodized aluminum spool (Superline Spool for Braid)

·      Infinite anti-reverse

·      Techno-balanced™ rotor gives smooth retrieves

·      Stainless steel main shaft

·      6 shielded stainless steel ball bearings

·      Machined and anodized aluminum handle with soft touch knob

·      HT100 Drag Washers

BTL1000	180/2 • 115/4 • 80/6	160/6 • 130/8 • 115/10	6+1	7 lbs	5.2:1	20(in)
BTL2000	260/4 • 210/6 • 140/8	260/8 • 225/10 • 170/15	6+1	7 lbs	6.2:1	29(in)
BTL3000	250/6 • 170/8 • 140/10	275/10 • 205/15 • 170/20	6+1	10 lbs	6.2:1	31(in)
BTL4000	280/8 • 230/10 • 170/12	335/15 • 275/20 • 205/30	6+1	13 lbs	6.2:1	34(in)
BTL5000	250/12 • 220/15 • 190/17	405/20 • 305/30 • 250/40	6+1	20 lbs	5.6:1	37(in)
BTL6000	320/15 • 280/17 • 220/20	445/30 • 365/40 • 310/50	6+1	20 lbs	5.6:1	39(in)
BTL7000	390/17 • 310/20 • 280/25	505/40 • 430/50 • 360/65	6+1	25 lbs	5.3:1	39(in)
BTL8000	390/20 • 350/25 • 260/30	550/50 • 450/65 • 390/80	6+1	25 lbs	5.3:1	41(in)

Courtesy of http://www.pennreels.com/

I have used Penn products since I was a young child of five. The Battle Series  is great and while they are not made in the USA, they are damn good reels.I religiously use the 3000 and 4000 series for all my inshore applications from Reds and Specks to pulling out those big cow nose rays. I took on a 50lb Cownose Ray with the 3000 and it didn’t break a sweat. The ray kept ripping drag and the little 3000 just kept on cranking it in. I was actually really surprised.

Each size reel has its own applications and over the past 2 years Ive only had to clean and grease the internals once. Ive always just rinsed them off and stored them in the car, then off to the next spot for my next adventure. They just keep going and going. While there may be some control issues and some reels may not be what you expect. All in all I believe them to be a great deal at under $100. I myself got them for around $79.99(2k-4k) , $89.99 (5k-6k). 

The Battle has one minor setback in my opinion. That is the line lay on the spool needs to be tight, otherwise, the line will definitely get wind knots. So far the models that are prone to this that I have experienced are the 3000 (30lb braid) and the 6000 (65lb braid). The Battle may be a tiny bit on the heavy side but I like having the weight of a solid reel when fishing, doesn't feel as cheap.

I take pretty good care of my fishing gear. I fish hard and do my best to clean up my gear. Most the time I rinse them off but I haven't had to clean the internals for quite awhile. Ive only had to clean the 3000 and 4000 once in the last two years. The only issue I have with my 4000 is a slight grinding but I cleaned it up and it’s as good as new. The 5000 and 6000 I haven't even had to clean the internals. I value these reels as a major part of my arsenal and as I have been a Penn man my whole life I plan to stick with them.

Overall the Pros are: The longevity of the reel, The price tag, The smooth drag and The Ease of Braid

The Cons are: Possible control issues and slight grinding on one of my reels. 

Mind you these are all my opinions, so take them as you will.

A Few Pics of the Fish Taken on the Battle Series

TIGHT LINES!!!

~~~~MAKO~~~~

2013 TKAA Annual Tournament benefiting Heroes on the Water.

Well everyone here we are again. The 2013 TKAA Annual Tournament benefiting Heroes on the Water. This is the 3rd largest kayak tournament in the Nation. This year there were over 200 participants who braved the wind, rain and chopping ocean water.

 Some places had excess of 15MPH winds and I was one of the "smart ones" that decided to fish in those conditions. I launched at safe light, 0630, with Joe (Archer82) and hit the Back River Flats and creeks. 

Although it was rough fishing it was fun. We headed out into the wind which was tough, white caps rolling and wind gusting. We hit up a creek that was somewhat protected and I set out some cut bait (peelers, pin fish I caught that day and squid) on a fish finder rig. I hooked up to something big 20 minutes in. Whatever it was, it was stripping drag off of my Spinfisher V 4500. I put down my jigging setup and grabbed the rod, next thing I know its off. Damn, whatever it was, it peeled the drag like nothing. Wasn't a ray though, it was shaking its head before it got off.

I next hooked up into a sweet flounder about 15-16 inches. Of course I get it under my leg and it decided to spaz out and slip out of the inch gap between my leg and the kayak.

 Throughout the day I caught many species. Pufferfish, Flounder, Reds, Speckled Trout, Pin Fish, Croaker and Spot.

 I caught my 20 inch Red in 2 feet of water on a popping cork with cut spot on the end. Saw that guy busting up baitfish and cast right to him. 

The speckled trout was my first of the year and a whopping 6 inches lol. It was a sad excuse for a fish but a fish nonetheless. I had hoped I would get a nice size one since I heard of citations coming out of the area but I just didn't have the luck. 

We had a blast and a great time when we got back to the meeting for dinner and the awards ceremony and raffle. There were some great prizes this year. I didn't win this year but got some awesome raffle items. I mostly do it for the fun but would have been great to win. 

The captains bag was awesome too. Bass Assassins, Power Team Lures(Click for 10% Discount), Cablez, dynabait and tons of others. 

I also picked up a new TKAA hat.

It was such an great tournament that benefitting Heroes on the Water. Great time, great people, food, fishing and fun. I hope to see you all again next year, since it will most likely be my last time to fish Virginia.  

Tight Lines!!!!

~~~MAKO~~~

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