Penn "SS" Spinfisher (Pre-"00" Series ) vs. Daiwa "BG" Spinning Reels

Started by ez2cdave, July 02, 2014, 09:06:43 PM

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ez2cdave

Guys,

Since this involves a comparison of two different brands, I wasn't sure where to post it . . .

I'd like to hear "feedback" on Penn "SS" Spinfisher reels ( 420SS -850SS, not the Graphite 4200SS-5500SS + 6500SS-9500SS metal reels ) versus the Daiwa "BG" Black Gold reels ( BG10-BG90 ), in terms of durability, fish-ability, sevice-ability, etc.

It's OK to compare them to "current technology" reels . . . If it's only about being "braid friendly" or "complaining about their weight", I fish MONO and "soak bait", so those two abilities have little impact on my fishing.

Thanks !

ez2cdave


akfish

These are both good, reliable, albeit dated reels. One thing I will say is that getting gears and handles for the older Penn SS reels is almost impossible.
Taku Reel Repair
Juneau, Alaska
907.789.2448

foakes

The older SS series Penns are tough to beat.

The materials both on the exterior and interior are of a higher quality.

After cleaning, replacing the drags, maybe a bail spring, and adjusting to proper drag lbs. -- there isn't much else to do.  They are built to last.

However, I also personally love the Daiwas.  But they are a little more finicky, have more parts for their design (more to go wrong, IMHO), and some of the materials are not of the Penn quality (some pot metal interior parts, etc).

On a slightly different note --

I use, collect, and sell a lot of the older silver and gold Daiwas from the mid to late 70s.  Most people don't appreciate these spinners.  They are simple and durable.  The main difference between a Daiwa gold and a Daiwa silver outside of the color -- is the fact that the gold series have bearings at the pinion and crank shaft -- the silvers have a bushing.  One can change out the silver bushings for ball bearings very easily -- it is a factory straight swap -- and bearings are readily available through Daiwa or Boca.

Next time you want to try some Microlite reels, get a Daiwa 500C, 700c, 1000C, or a Mini-Mite with the spring loaded folding crank.  If it's a silver series -- just switch out the two bushings for bearings, upgrade the drags to wet greased.  Great for back-packing, and they will handle the occasional large fish.  Load up one of these with 4 pound test, an old Fenwick 5' brown fiberglass rod -- and you will truly appreciate the experience.

Like many reels,between the Daiwas and Penns -- they will both perform well.  But on my opinion, the Penn will hold up better in the salt when fishing in waves or weather -- for larger fish.

Maybe a few others will have some different ideas -- looking forward to hearing other viewpoints.

Best,

Fred
The Official, Un-Authorized Service and Restoration Center for quality vintage spinning reels.

D-A-M Quick, Penn, Mitchell, and ABU/Zebco Cardinals

--------

The first rule of fishing is to fish where the fish are. The second rule of fishing is to never forget the first rule.

"Enjoy the little things in Life — For someday, you may look back — and realize that they were the big things"
                                                     Fred O.

ez2cdave

Quote from: foakes on July 05, 2014, 09:23:56 PM
The older SS series Penns are tough to beat.

The materials both on the exterior and interior are of a higher quality.

After cleaning, replacing the drags, maybe a bail spring, and adjusting to proper drag lbs. -- there isn't much else to do.  They are built to last.

However, I also personally love the Daiwas.  But they are a little more finicky, have more parts for their design (more to go wrong, IMHO), and some of the materials are not of the Penn quality (some pot metal interior parts, etc).

On a slightly different note --

I use, collect, and sell a lot of the older silver and gold Daiwas from the mid to late 70s.  Most people don't appreciate these spinners.  They are simple and durable.  The main difference between a Daiwa gold and a Daiwa silver outside of the color -- is the fact that the gold series have bearings at the pinion and crank shaft -- the silvers have a bushing.  One can change out the silver bushings for ball bearings very easily -- it is a factory straight swap -- and bearings are readily available through Daiwa or Boca.

Next time you want to try some Microlite reels, get a Daiwa 500C, 700c, 1000C, or a Mini-Mite with the spring loaded folding crank.  If it's a silver series -- just switch out the two bushings for bearings, upgrade the drags to wet greased.  Great for back-packing, and they will handle the occasional large fish.  Load up one of these with 4 pound test, an old Fenwick 5' brown fiberglass rod -- and you will truly appreciate the experience.

Like many reels,between the Daiwas and Penns -- they will both perform well.  But on my opinion, the Penn will hold up better in the salt when fishing in waves or weather -- for larger fish.

Maybe a few others will have some different ideas -- looking forward to hearing other viewpoints.

Best,

Fred

Fred,

Excellent post and info . . . We share the same sentiments about the 1970's reels !

Thanks !

Alto Mare

Forget about all the reasons why something may not work. You only need to find one good reason why it will.

Aiala

I absolutely revere the first-generation SS reels... putting together a complete collection of the entire line... taking my 750 tuna fishing next week.  :D

Popper time! (Targeting football YFTs, but with my luck, a bluefin will eat it... gahh)  :P

~A~
I don't suffer from insanity... I enjoy every minute of it!  :D

Newell Nut

I just added an 850SS which gets me almost complete with a 550, 750 and 950.

Good luck on the tuna trip.

Aiala

Quote from: Newell Nut on July 06, 2014, 01:40:38 AM
I just added an 850SS which gets me almost complete with a 550, 750 and 950.
Good luck on the tuna trip.

Thanks, Dwight!

I've got a 420, 430, 550, and 750 so far...  :)

~A~
I don't suffer from insanity... I enjoy every minute of it!  :D

ez2cdave

Of the Penn "SS" reels, I have a 430 SS, 450 SS, 550 SS, 650 SS, & two 750 SS .

Of the Daiwa "BG" Black Gold reels, I have a BG-13, BG-15, BG-20, BG-30, and a BG-90 .

I also have a "GS" Gold Series GS-60, that I got brand new ,in 1976, for my 15th birthday ( Looks and works like new ).

One last item is my Penn 704Z . . . Tough workhorse !


Alto Mare

Quote from: Aiala on July 06, 2014, 01:52:12 AM
Quote from: Newell Nut on July 06, 2014, 01:40:38 AM
I just added an 850SS which gets me almost complete with a 550, 750 and 950.
Good luck on the tuna trip.

Thanks, Dwight!


I've got a 420, 430, 550, and 750 so far...  :)

~A~
Aiala, I see you got your hair done and you're all set to go, good luck on your trip and take lots of pictures.
I'm not sure you did this already, but cutting washers into octagon will increase your drag by a good 5lbs on that 750.
http://alantani.com/index.php?topic=6597.msg56103#msg56103
if you didn't, shoot me a PM and I'll try to make you some and hoping that they'll get to you on time.
Forget about all the reasons why something may not work. You only need to find one good reason why it will.

foakes

Have a great trip, Aiala --

Looking forward to some good pics and reports.

Nice lineup of reels, Dave.

Best,

Fred

The Official, Un-Authorized Service and Restoration Center for quality vintage spinning reels.

D-A-M Quick, Penn, Mitchell, and ABU/Zebco Cardinals

--------

The first rule of fishing is to fish where the fish are. The second rule of fishing is to never forget the first rule.

"Enjoy the little things in Life — For someday, you may look back — and realize that they were the big things"
                                                     Fred O.

Aiala

Quote from: Alto Mare on July 06, 2014, 05:19:02 AM
Aiala, I see you got your hair done and you're all set to go, good luck on your trip and take lots of pictures.
Absolutely, Sal! My stepson, whom I'm introducing to LR fishing with this trip, was a photography major at school and he is bringing everything including a GoPro to dunk underwater, so I am hoping we'll have some good photos. The ROYAL STAR says she has WiFi, so I might be able to post pics while I'm out there... we'll see.  :)

Quote from: Alto Mare on July 06, 2014, 05:19:02 AMI'm not sure you did this already, but cutting washers into octagon will increase your drag by a good 5lbs on that 750. if you didn't, shoot me a PM and I'll try to make you some and hoping that they'll get to you on time.
I don't have any, actually, but I'm delighted to accept your kind offer! I will not be leaving home until a week from tomorrow (Monday), so I'll PM you my address and we'll hope for the best.

Thank you so much!  :D

~A~
I don't suffer from insanity... I enjoy every minute of it!  :D

Alto Mare

Forget about all the reasons why something may not work. You only need to find one good reason why it will.

Aiala

Quote from: Alto Mare on July 06, 2014, 02:57:20 PM
Great Aiala, I will send them out tomorrow.

Sal, I received the hex washers --thank you thank you THANK you-- and I installed them in the spool just as you showed me, and the drag feels smooth and tight and strong... awesome! Now all that's left is to test my 750SS out on a nice fat tuna or YT... woohoo! 

Again, my gratitude knows no bounds... you and the other experts here are the best.   :D

Molte, molte grazie!! (Um, no, I can't really speak Italian; I used a translation app.  ::))

~A~

I don't suffer from insanity... I enjoy every minute of it!  :D