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Penn Surfblaster, Surfmaster- licensed or real Penns?


wader-dad

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I see that there are spinning reels sold in the UK and other European websites using the name Penn. Such as the Penn Surfblaster, Penn Surfmaster, Penn Affinity and other models. Does Penn merely License the name Penn to pacific rim manufacturers to place on their products or does Penn have some input into these designs?

 

Are they any good? They are all around $120- mostly long cast spool designs- we could use a genuine Penn long cast spool design here.

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wader-dad - thanks for the question.

 

We do not license our name overseas, we have a separate PENN division in Europe that reports to the home office here in the US. Most of our products are developed and marketed globally, however in the case of the Affinity and Surfblaster Longcast reels, these were specific requests from the surf and carp markets.

 

Are they any good - yes they are good reels, they were fieldtested extensively in Europe, if you decide to purchase one let me know what you think about it.

 

I hear you loud and clear on the need for a long cast surf reel here in the US....stay tuned.

 

Mike

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I started a thread looking for a TOUGH long cast style reel a few weeks ago.

The goal was to find a reel to replace my Daiwa Surf Saltiga, which in my opinion, is too delicate and easily damaged, and can not handle getting even a little wet.

Perhaps you could chime in with some info on anything Penn might offer overseas or could possibly be offering at some point in the USA..

 

http://www.stripersonline.com/t/830090/what-is-the-toughest-long-cast-reel

 

Posts #83, #93, and #96 mention the SurfBlaster and/or Penn Europe.

 

I just wanta play everyday despite small nagging injuries --

and go home to a woman who appreciates how full of crap I truly am. ~ Crash Davis

 

Social Distancing since 1962

 

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Sudsy - to be honest I can't recommend a long cast spinner at the moment, I would need to do my homework. I've personally never thrown a long cast spinner if that tells you anything. The new Surfblaster and Affinity are new, time will tell how they hold up. In my opinion the fishing over here is much "rougher" than the fishing over there....and keep in mind those reels were designed for the UK surf market and European carp market.

 

In regards to the future, all I can really say is that you guys have my attention. Two things I need to get my head around first are weight and capacity, can you give me your ideal specs for a long cast surf reel?

 

Mike

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The simplest way to put it is, go get a Daiwa Surf Saltiga, hand it off to your engineers and find a way to make it tougher. It casts great and has a fantastic drag, two of the key things we're looking for.

 

If it could handle the occasional quick dunking and didn't break down after fighting a few large (the worm and pawl level wind assemble is a weak point) it would have the final requirements and we wouldn't be having this conversation right now.

 

Speaking for myself, I can accept some more weight if it meant that the reel met these four requirements

 

1. Long cast

2. Smooth strong drag

3. Able to handle the surf and the occasional dunking. If we could pack the body with grease the way we do our 706's that would more then solve the issue

4. Strong enough that the reel doesn't need to be repaired after a few large fish - no pot metal and as few plastic parts as possible - for that mater as few parts as are absolutely necessary (aka the Daiwa SS Whiskar Tournament series)

 

Want to see a reel with too many parts ?

 

http://www.stripersonline.com/t/517971/daiwa-surf-saltiga-initial-impressions

I just wanta play everyday despite small nagging injuries --

and go home to a woman who appreciates how full of crap I truly am. ~ Crash Davis

 

Social Distancing since 1962

 

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  • 1 year later...

I'm reviving this thread because I'm in the US and purchased a Surfblaster 8000 from overseas. I LOVED casting with this reel. Very noticeable improvement in casting distance and only had a wind knot once after months of use and admittedly due to my own error in working out a snag.

 

The problem I'm faced with now is that it needs repair. After fighting some large fish in the surf, it appears that the gears are stripped. On retrieve, only half the turn of he handle spins the bail and the other half makes a grinding noise while the bail remains motionless.

 

Now I need to figure out the cheapest and fastest way to get this UK reel repaired.

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"The problem I'm faced with now is that it needs repair. After fighting some large fish in the surf, it appears that the gears are stripped. On retrieve, only half the turn of he handle spins the bail and the other half makes a grinding noise while the bail remains motionless."

 

Glad you loved casting with it. Too bad it couldn't handle the results of the longer casting. European fishing is obviously different and that's probably why it wasn't made for the American market.

 

Good luck getting it economically serviced.

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I'm reviving this thread because I'm in the US and purchased a Surfblaster 8000 from overseas. I LOVED casting with this reel. Very noticeable improvement in casting distance and only had a wind knot once after months of use and admittedly due to my own error in working out a snag.

 

The problem I'm faced with now is that it needs repair. After fighting some large fish in the surf, it appears that the gears are stripped. On retrieve, only half the turn of he handle spins the bail and the other half makes a grinding noise while the bail remains motionless.

 

Now I need to figure out the cheapest and fastest way to get this UK reel repaired.

 

Techjunkie,

 

We do not stock spare parts for the Surfblaster reels in the USA, you would have to contact Penn UK for spare parts or repair.

 

tony

 

 

Service Centre

 

PENN reels service and spares:

 

Contact: Mick Simons

 

Tel: 01386 552949

 

Address: 33 Farleigh Road, Pershore, Worcs

 

WR10 1LF

 

Email: pennservicing@hotmail.co.uk

 

 

 

 

 

Contact: Quentin Millman

 

Tel: 01752 603001

 

Address: 23 Willow Court, Parkway Ind Est, Plymouth

 

PL6 8LQ

 

Email: reelrepairs@qmservice.wanadoo.co.uk

 

Southern Ireland

 

 

 

 

PENN Reels Service:

 

Contact: Jaap-van-Dijk

 

Tel: 00353 872753820

 

Address: Portnard, Cappamore, Co-Limerick, Ireland

 

Email: jaapvd@hotmail.com

 

 

 

Penn customers can also access a dedicated SERVICE CENTRE. This facility is owned, managed and operated independently by Kevin Pearce, and is based close to the Pure Fishing Offices in Redditch. Kevin brings a wealth of experience and knowledge within the fishing industry and will provide a first class service to all Penn customers.

 

The main focus will be to provide repair work and spares to key Purefishing brands and products (excluding reels) that will be despatched and invoiced from his independent business.

 

All enquiries to :

 

KP SPARES

 

APPROVED SPARES & SERVICE CENTRE

 

01527 854756

 

kpspares@live.co.uk

 

www.kpspares.co.uk

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FWIW, I spent several months trying to get parts for the UK version of the 525 from Penn Parts UK. I got bounced around to numerous people until someone gave me Mick Simons contact information. One call to him and my parts were on the way. Save yourself a lot of trouble and start with him.

AMSA, NCBBA, OBPA, VSSA

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This has been a problem with the UK reels for a long time. The Surfmaster spin had the same white metal gears and they would strip. I had a an old Power Graph ( Japan made) that the insides were very close to the Surfmaster. If Penn was to make a long cast surf reel I would like to see it made here and have bronze and stainless inner parts. It won't be a big seller anyhow so make it in USA and price it at $300-$400. Just make it dependable and simple!!! KEY WORD : SIMPLE

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I just got home and opened the box it came in and found inside an exploded parts view, complete with part numbers.  I also found the 1 year limited warranty information which included some US (NY even) authorized warranty centers.  Maybe if I'm lucky, I can walk it into one of those shops and get it all taken care of for free under warranty.  If not, I can probably order the damaged part and install it myself.



 



In the mean time, I picked up a Penn Fierce 10' combo with the Fierce 8000 reel to hold me over while the SurfBlaster 8000 is out of commission. 



 



I'm wondering out loud about the Penn Affinity 8000 LC, which appears on the outside to be the same reel as the SurfBlaster, but is advertised as more rugged.  Specifically, I'm wondering if the gears are stronger (ex. brass instead of white metal), and also one for one replacements for the SurfBlaster gears.  That would really be something if I could "upgrade the guts" to keep this from happening again.

 


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This has been a problem with the UK reels for a long time. The Surfmaster spin had the same white metal gears and they would strip. I had a an old Power Graph ( Japan made) that the insides were very close to the Surfmaster. If Penn was to make a long cast surf reel I would like to see it made here and have bronze and stainless inner parts. It won't be a big seller anyhow so make it in USA and price it at $300-$400. Just make it dependable and simple!!! KEY WORD : SIMPLE

My favorite saying KISS-Keep It Simple Stupid :D

Live for something or die for nothing. 

HateBreed

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