[maintainerman]

I am going to invest in some offshore gear this year and I'm looking to get 6 50's. I have narrowed my selection down to Penn int. 50 2 speed or Shimano Tigra . I know this must have been asked a few times be for, but I am interested to see what most of you guys are using now.Just by a side by side comparison at the tackle shop, it looks like the shimano feels a bit smoother and the handles feel better in my hand. The Penn's I can get for about $80 less. I like to by American when ever I can, but are the Penn's even made in the US still?

 

[Wahoo-26]

You cant go wrong either way. The Penn's are stronger but the Shimano's are more refined.

Also consider Avet reels, also US made. If you go the Avet route just make sure you keep them clean and pay attention to the fasteners, they seem to have more problems with galvanic corosion where the stainless screws pass throught eh aluminum than Penn or Shimano for some reason but they are great reels.

And yes the Penn Internationals are still made in the USA.

Good luck.

Brett

 

[BAD HATTITUDE]

We fish all shimanos on the bad hat and are very happy with the performance .we have 30,50 and 80s all are awesome.

 

[JerseyHookerRich]

Shimano all the way ...

 

[pelagic2530]

Like my Tiagras much better than my buddy's Internationals.... guess thats why theyre mine cant go wrong either way. which gold anodization do you like best?

 

[flyerphan13]

Penn for me

 

[Big Bucks]

Shimano. :thumbsup:

 

[Bob ECT]

Avet topless 50's will feel much smaller then regular 50's

 

[Fish Poison]

6x $400-500 ea is a lot of money. Which reel will you get better 'service' from. If I sell the reel I offer in house warranty. It's July, a reel acts up, I can get you back in the water within 2-3 days. If it has to go in abox, out to California, do you realy know when you will see the reel again?

 

[HIGHTIMES]

I like the Penn 50 wides better then the tiagras 50s. But when you move up to 130s I like the shimano better.

You will have a good reel whichever way you go.

 

[Seh34]

I'm actually making the same decision now.

I have 8 50VSWs and I'm getting 4 more 50s. I've been looking at the 50VSW but i don't really like the new gear switch, the tiagras and the penn 50VW.

The last really intrigues me the most. I've never had a problem with one of my two-speed penns but we rarely use the 1.3:1 gear. The VW also retails for 180 less than the tiagras..

I'll probably stick with penn since I'd rather have 12 reels with the same spare parts...

IMO, Tiagras win in the clicker department.

If I were buying reels and didn't have any other 50s I'd probably flip a coin.

I think you'll be happy with whatever you pick.

 

[mucho clams]

agreed w/ Pez Machine

I currently fish all Penn's and the clickers a little rough to say the least. The drags are awesome and the reels will last a life time with proper maintenance.
If you have the extra $$ I would say go with Shimano, but really a coin toss

 

[Fighting Irish45]

Go with the Shimano Tiagras

 

[zar2754]

you'll be happy with either, and we use both, but its my personall opinion that the tiagras have the edge.

 

[Moe]

Take a Penn 50's side plates off and look at the construction, rock solid. I remember when I first started to service my own internationals and I was really impressed with the guts of the reel. Penn Internationals all the way.

 

[Bird of Prey]

I prefer the Tiagras. My experience with Shimano service in CA has been excellent.

 

[fishhard]

I fish all Shimano Rod and Reels, i just sent two reels in for maint so we will see how good they are. they told me 2.5 week turn around.

 

[Double Play]

penn internationals

 

[maintainerman]

Go with the Shimano Tiagras

Hey FI45, My boat is dry docked next to the 38 Blackfin, When I was down checking on my boat last week I saw that you starboard outrigger was bent up bad from the snow, looks like the rigger is shot. Just wanted to let you know if you didn't already. A lot of the bigger boats at Minmar had rigger damage. I was going to jump on the blackfin and take the rigger down before it did more damage,but I don't know you guys and didn't know if you would get pissed if I jumped on and took it down.

 

[Sweet Melissa]

PENN INTERNATIONALS for years --- starting to phase out the older ones for the newer vsw series.

EASE OF MAINTENANCE AND AVAILABILITY OF PARTS .
PHILADELPHIA BASED USA