What's the difference between a 704 and a 704z?

[g2h]

Other than the obvious color change? What are the differences? Were both of these available at the same time or did the black one replace the greenie? What's the black one have that the green one doesn't?

[Lou574]

The 704 was the greenie, replaced by the black and gold 704z...Everything in them is interchangable..Pretty much a matter of which one you like...

[Ditch Jigger]

The only difference to even talk about is that since the mid-90s, until they were discontinued, the Zs had a stronger, machined spool. The greenies and the early Zs had a cast spool.

 

The machined spools are all gold and like every other part on a Z, they'll fit a greenie.

[whtkdtn1401]

704z looks alot nicer and stronger. Its like an old fashion looking Penn SSm spinning reel

[tradrodz]

704z looks alot nicer and stronger. Its like an old fashion looking Penn SSm spinning reel

 

 

I'm no reel expert but besides the z's spool how's the z stronger than the greenie? I have both if anything I'd say the greenie is stronger all greenies come with a metal sideplate most z's didn't with the exception of the earlier ones. But other than that the housing, the rotorcup (with the exception of the indentation on the z's cup) and all the and internal parts are identical.

[NYNistler]

The greenies and the early Zs had a cast spool.

 

 

In addition to what Ditch says, I believe all of the early Zs with the cast spool were black spools rather than the anodized aluminum.

[Ditch Jigger]

In addition to what Ditch says, I believe all of the early Zs with the cast spool were black spools rather than the anodized aluminum.

 

 

Well, considering that the spool on my first green 704 has almost no paint left on it (from grinding sand out of the cup), and hasn't yet shown a speck of corrosion, if they weren't anodized, Penn used some other very effective means of corrosion-proofing on them

[tbyrne]

Yeah, it's cool how much more easily sand clears out of the rotor cup once all the green paint on the base of the spool and the inside of the rotor cup is gone. I saw some corrosion on it once (in the '80s, I think) but some steel wool and a touch of Turtle Wax cleaned it up has prevented any further corrosion. Lon Wanser was right when he said it would last forever!

[Sgt Striper]

Last produced 704Z's also had the rubber paddle handle and the 750 Power Drag Knob......

[Ditch Jigger]

Yeah, it's cool how much more easily sand clears out of the rotor cup once all the green paint on the base of the spool and the inside of the rotor cup is gone. I saw some corrosion on it once (in the '80s, I think) but some steel wool and a touch of Turtle Wax cleaned it up has prevented any further corrosion. Lon Wanser was right when he said it would last forever!

 

 

The gold comes off the new spools, too. That was the beauty of the 704s--get some sand in there, turn the handle, grind it out, keep fishing

[woodwker99]

to Z or not to Z that is the question. whether it is nobler to suffer the ridicule of VS owners or keep fishing with one of the best American reels ever made, or fall trap to the call of the elitist. The Z and the greenie are IMHO are the best reel ever made. why Penn stopped production to try to follow the folly of VS and ZB is beyond my understanding. (mind you I have bent to the Penn/Staal calling). But then this is just my opinion.

[lichum]

The gold comes off the new spools, too. That was the beauty of the 704s--get some sand in there, turn the handle, grind it out, keep fishing

 

 

Imagine that!

Those 704s were lathes too!

[Ditch Jigger]

Imagine that!

Those 704s were lathes too!

 

 

More like mills

[BigBellyMan76]

It's a damn shame Penn has done away with many of the 704 parts! Before VS and before Zeebaas; There was Penn!!! BRING BACK THE PENN 700 SERIES!!!!!!

[whtkdtn1401]

I'm no reel expert but besides the z's spool how's the z stronger than the greenie? I have both if anything I'd say the greenie is stronger all greenies come with a metal sideplate most z's didn't with the exception of the earlier ones. But other than that the housing, the rotorcup (with the exception of the indentation on the z's cup) and all the and internal parts are identical.

 

I do not own any 704 reel. But I said "It looks alot nicer and stronger" I never guaranteed the performance. Right?