Okuma Salina or Penn Spinfisher

[Mulv80]

I'm looking for a new reel for my Ugly Stick Lite 6'6" spinning rod. I'm looking at the Okuma Salina SA-40 and the Penn Spinfisher 550SSG. I would like to spend under a $100 and will use this set up for everything from back bay flounder to croakers and weakfish in the Bay. Any opinions on these two reels or recommendations for another model under $100?

[Duke of Fluke]

I am a die hard Penn fan, so I have to say the 450 or 550 ssg spinfisher. If your only in the bay get the 450 ssg because the 550 is just real big. I just bought my dad a 550 ssg for his birthday and compared to the piece of junk Penn Captiva he had he loves the spinfisher. Penn Spinfisher is a great reel, better when they were still made in the USA, now made in china they are still good. It is a Great reel for the money only about $89. The penn Slammer reels, the Spinfisher reels and the Internationals are the only PENN Reels I would buy because they have been around forever despite their ugly looks they are the best peen reels Penn ever made. If You know where forked River is in lacey township, there is a new bait shop. It is called Fish Bonz, located on Lacey Road just before Route 9. He has the cheapest price around for the PENN Spinfisher 550 SSg ($86.99). Everywhere else I looked was $89.99, even on the internet.

[Mulv80]

Thanks Duke, I agree the Penn Captiva Live Liner is junk. I will check out the 450ssg as I mostly fish 10lb test and prefer the lighter feel. I saw the Okuma last night at Dick's and thought it looked like a well built reel for about the same price as the Penn.

[boostedcpe]

The Okuma has been being highly praised for its durability and capability. I was holding one up @ Cabelas a few months ago when they released them, felt like a very nice reel, seemed very well built. I have had luck with all my Okuma reels to date, and there customer service is VERY GOOD. I am not a fan of the Penn spinning reels, have had a few go bad on me in years past (probably my fault not maintaining them properly, or thats what I was told, i am much better with this now than I was years ago). That is a hard decision though because I have used the Spinfishers on the Adambomb & liked the way the felt in action. The Fishermen mag did a review on the Salina a few months ago and it got the good nod!!

Good Luck...I dont think you can pick a bad one here.


Mike.

[Duke of Fluke]

When my pop bought the Penn Captiva, he bought it for the looks. It looked like a nice reel, all shiny, nice looking, etc. within a year it was falling apart. Remember looks aren't always the best, that is how companies get you to buy junk. Also the cheaper the reel, the worse it usually is, one thing i found out. I go with what has been around forever which for me is the Penn Slammer, and the Spinfisher (two reels that are ugly looking, but last a lifetime if you maintain it). I have also seen the Okuma reels, they look and feel real nice without a load, it feels different when there is a fish on. Also when looking at reels, try to flex the shaft by holding onto the spool and twist it. If the reel shaft flexes or twists, put the reel down and don't look back at it. Also, look and see if the spool wobbles. Another thing I learned is hold the reel upside down so the drag knob is pointing to the ground, if the frame of the reel is really slim and not big and wide like the Penn spinfisher, that reel with the slim frame is usually junk. I would try the Okuma just to see what else is out there these days, for all I know it could be better than a Penn. One thing I like about the Okuma is the Big fat T handle knob, that is what sells me, i have to have a big handle, my fingers cant fit on one of those little tiny knobs, it is just uncomfortable.


If there are any other questions just ask. By the way what bay will you be fishing in?

[mdub1226]

I'm not familiar with the salina, but I do have several other okuma spinners(aria's and avenger's). They seem to be built good, except the bail roller bearing is crap on all the ones I have. Noisy and rusty. Otherwise they have held up good after 2-3 years.

[Ryan Hurd]

I have the 550 penn on my 6' med/heavy ugly stick and LOVE it! Had a spare 550 and put it on the 6'6 Intercoastal Ugly stick I have and its a tad big..but They are great reels and will last if you keep them in shape!!

[Mulv80]

Ryan, I saw those Intracostals last weekend they look real similar to my Ugly Stick Lite. I was worried that the 550 would be too big, I gues I'll go with the 450. I would like to find someplace local that carries the Okuma and the Penn and compare them side by side. I like the Okuma because its all metal, the graphite on the Penn worries me.

[Duke of Fluke]

Don't worry about the graphite, it is a great reel, you should have no problems. Anyway I think PENN come with a Limited Lifetime warranty. If you want metal, go with the 460 Penn Slammer reel. It is a little more expensive, but it lasts forever.