Hey Penn guys,
I need a freshwater rod and reel combo to give as a gift.
My brother in law fishes a few lakes in the Poconos with his son for bluegill, small pile, bass to 4 or 5 lbs max.
He likes to go light so not too heavy of a rod and reel.
I want looking at the penn battle II 2000. Is this too much for what I'm looking for?
Also, he likes a 6'6" rod for 6 lb test.
Thanks in advance,
Dom
I use Battle II 1000 reels for bass, they are .7 oz lighter than the BTLII2000 and work well. I also have a BTLII4000 I use for albacore, people told me it was too small but several dead albacore tell me it was a good choice.
As for rods Fenwick makes some nice mid range rods, I have 2 Elite walley rods that I like for bass. Both are extra fast action.
One ofe these would work, www.fenwickfishing.com/fenwick-freshwater-rods-fenwick-hmg/fenwick-hmg-spinning/1363884.html#specifications (http://www.fenwickfishing.com/fenwick-freshwater-rods-fenwick-hmg/fenwick-hmg-spinning/1363884.html#specifications)
Does he fish modern gear or vintage? For bass and 'gills a small Z series Spinfisher would make a vintage guy very happy. For a modern gear fan...a new Mitchell 300 combo is hard to beat...price wise and performance wise. I have a new Mitchell 300X(actually 5+ years old...about 3 models ago) and it has been fished hard, like a daily driver, caught hundreds of fish and never a hitch. If he's a guy "in the know" and likes a little pricier reel, a Pflueger President is one of my favorites. 8)
I purchased a couple of Prion combos a little while back for me and my son, I wasn't crazy about the reels, I sent those to Lee :).
The rods feel nice though, I believe they're 6' / 6-12 line. We use those with 430ss and 716's, nice and balanced.
There are many combo's out there, he has to like the feel. Take him shopping wiyh you. ;)
Quote from: Alto Mare on December 08, 2016, 01:55:31 PM
I purchased a couple of Prion combos a little while back for me and my son, I wasn't crazy about the reels, I sent those to Lee
One was given to a friend of mine's grandson for trout, the other is on my shelf. Nice reels but small, just right for creek trout.
Lee, thanks for the quick reply. I thought the 2000 was the smallest so now that I know I'll be looking into the 1000. A skilled angler can do amazing things with inferior or undermatched gear ;)
Mo, I'll give a look see at your recommendations but was kinda trying to stick to Penn. I should've been more specific. I also like the Mitchell 300's though I don't own one I have used one.
Sal, I'm sure lee could catch a salmon or salmon shark on those little puppies.
I know I should be going shopping with him but we see them about 3 times per year so that's a tough one. I'm sure with all of your help I can get close to what he would pick.
Good call on the fenwicks, Lee.👍 I'll also check out the prions, Sal.
Other suggestions are welcomed.
Thanks guys
Dom
Hey Dom,
You could also go Conflict 1000 for an even lighter setup, pair it with an ultra light Ugly Stik and it will be a blast.
http://www.uglystik.com/uglystik-rods-spinning-rods/ugly-stik-gx2-spinning-rod/1363867.html#start=6
tony
I also have a Conflict 4000, it is worth the extra $ but the Battle II is nice for the price.
just penn combos?
tight lines!
IMHO, light F/W rods are not Penn's forte
VINTAGE: for that type of fishing, if your B-in-L doesn't need Fast Action, old-school premium "tobacco" or "honey" glass is AWESOME (Fen, Lami, Croix, Conolon, etc.)... rebuilt w/ modern guides is even better... get the rod first, then ask Fred for an appropriate reel
MODERN: too many options to be guessing what will suit another angler's preferences, unless you do that type of fishing, yourself, and KNOW what works well. a good gifting strategy would be to get the brand & specs of his go-to favorite from sis/nephew & go a notch or two higher -- e.g., if he likes Fen. Triumph/Eagle get him Elite/Legend w/ same specs.
my 2 cents get a salmon/steelhead rod...longer better for UL gear.
The conflict is a bit too pricey. We're looking to spend about $150 and it doesn't need to be penn but if possible I always try to go that way. ;)
Thanks for everyone's help,
Dom
Dom,
Battle II 1000 paired with an Ugly Stik ultra light will fit within your budget. I only brought up the Conflict because it is slightly lighter.
tony
paid $39.99+tax for my Okuma salmon/steelhead rod... :o :) ::)
Quote from: Potiguar - AKA MeL B on December 08, 2016, 03:37:50 PM
my 2 cents get a salmon/steelhead rod...longer better for UL gear.
X2
I was sticking to Broadway's 6-footer parameters, but I love my old tobacco glass Feralite & modern IM-6 12' Noodle Rods & shorter L/ML Steelhead rods... If that's the way you want to go, here's the DEAL OF THE CENTURY:
http://www.fish-united.com/products/Cortland-ProCast-Noodle-Rods.html
Cortland is out of the non-fly business (and floundering, in general, despite decent products); their ProCast/Endurance Noodles got good reviews at the original $90 MSRP; then FishUSA was blowing 'em out for $50; then, $35; then, GONE... so $21+extra S/H directly from Indonesia is most likely a genuine super-bargain -- not a scam! ...probably way better than low-end Okuma
that would leave well over $100 for a reel
Yeah, he fishes with a 6 and 6.5' rod so somewhere between 6-7'. What do you guys think about the penn battle 1000 with the lamiglas x-11 7' ultralight?
Will this be a good match?
Thanks
Dom
IMHO, Dom --
At the expert level of most of the individuals on this site -- anything we think is extrordinary will not be appreciated by the average fisherman -- who is likely knowledgeable -- but are not Penn Nerds like us.
So get him something new -- decent on sale -- and call it a day.
Knowing full well that you will be asked to work on it at sometime a few years down the road.
Few appreciate our passion -- and should not be subjected to our weirdness.
Last week, I was putting together 3 fresh water set-ups for a friend of mine and his two sons. He said he knows a lot about reels -- so when I asked him what he preferred -- he said something in RED.
So I am giving him (3) rods and reels as a gift -- with the requirement that he accompanies his two sons to my shop (10 & 13 YO) to pick out their own setups -- and we will take about 30 minutes to show them how the reels operate, and how to properly care and lube the reels for maximum operation and pre-service by using the screwdrivers in their own hands.
Perhaps they will have a little more appreciation for the mechanics of a reel -- and learn something that may last their lifetimes -- and they can pass it forward to their kids.
If we try -- we may be successful half the time -- in imparting new knowledge and skills.
If we do not try -- the knowledge failure rate is near 100%.
Just my opinions.
Fred
That selection will be just fine Dom...and I agree with Fred...I've never received a rod&reel as a gift that I wasn't pleased with. Sometimes I even end up adoring something I walked past a hundred times and never stopped to appreciate. No such thing as a bad gift. 8)
Any reel under $50 to me would be considered disposable, not worth fixing.
He could get a 716Z, or maybe a 420 or 430ss for around that amount. he could then hand it over to his kid when done with it.
Just my 2 cents.
Sal
Quote from: Alto Mare on December 08, 2016, 10:12:54 PM
Any reel under $50 to me...not worth fixing.
X2 and i am sure Dom will help when it's time to do a pre-use and preventive maintenance...;) :)
Quote from: broadway on December 08, 2016, 08:15:32 PM
What do you guys think about the penn battle 1000 with the lamiglas x-11 7' ultralight?
hard to say if they match without putting the reel on the rod unless somebody has the combo here. if the reel is much much heavier than the rod most likely it's a good match. my 2 cents!
Quote from: Alto Mare on December 08, 2016, 10:12:54 PM
Any reel under $50 to me would be considered disposable, not worth fixing.
He could get a 716Z, or maybe a 420 or 430ss for around that amount. he could then hand it over to his kid when done with it.
Just my 2 cents.
Sal
You are absolutely right, Sal.
The problem I have, is that not knowing the folks involved -- besides Dom -- generally the reels and rods we know are long lasting and durable -- are not appreciated by the recipient.
So if that is the case -- get a Penn combo on sale -- or if you really know they would use, take care of, and value a 716 or a 420 -- that would be appropriate.
Just hate to see a 716 on a rod, hung in a garage -- not appreciated or valued -- just because they do not know how good it is.
Just my opinions...
Best,
Fred
Quote from: foakes on December 08, 2016, 08:38:44 PM
Few appreciate our passion -- and should not be subjected to our weirdness.
Uh oh, I think I may be overselling my hobby to my spouse.
Plenty of great responses already, I can only add that I prefer a Battle II 2000 size reel for 6-pound, and use the 1000 size for 4-pound and 2-pound [mono line, but the 1000 easily handles even 10-pound braid].
I generally go with Fenwicks for FW use, and as a long-rod [surface iron] aficionado, I look for the steelhead-style 8-9 footers, even for non-steelhead applications, but if you are bank-walking on brushy streams, as short as 5 1/2 to 6 feet may be more practical.
As with any rod, decide what line test you will use most often, that number should be as close as possible to the "middle" of the chosen rod's rating.
As mentioned, this is pretty flexible and low-key gear selection compared to the extreme specificity needed for tuna and other SW whoppers.
Man, you guys are the best!
Fred, I like your style and can appreciate everything your saying. That story of your friend who likes "red" reels reminds me when I bet on horses in my early 20's and went by the color combo of the jockey to pick the winner. Needless to say, I'm not picking horses any more. ::)
Mel, Yes, I will do the AT pre-checklist and wind up taking care of it I'm sure, which was why I posted this in the Penn section. I don't work on spinning reels other than the pre checklist, but I know a few good men for the job;)
TunaNorth, I think I'm going for the battle 2000 because he likes using 6lb mono and I like Penn. He doesn't need much line for what he does (surf casting off a lake or pond bank with his kids and an occasionally trip for bass and pike (5 lbs and less) with his friends.
Sal, my wife wants met get him a "nice" set up, so that's the route I have to take, but a $40 disposable was my first thought too. ;)
Mo, Thanks for all your help and all the other members who came to the rescue as my salty butt knows nothing about the sweet stuff.
Stay fishy and I'll let ya know what I decide on for sure.
Dom
Steve is right on the 2000 and mono, my 1000s are filled with 10# Spectra. 30# on the Battle II and Clash 4000s.
Not precisely applicable to this thread, but BASS just made 10 foot rods legal for tournament use [former limit was 8 feet], so word about the advantages of long rods even for FW bass fishing is getting out there.
I sort of agree with Sal. The only small Penn reel worth having are the older 716's. Maybe an SS, but the greenie and Z series can't be beat.
Thanks philaroman. I have been wanting to try a long noodle but was not willing to risk the usual price. A 10.5 foot graphite noodle for $20.65 including shipping on a slow boat from Indonesia was too much to resist.
-steve
Fenwick Eagle from Dick's sporting goods .
I have the 7 foot in medium, love it.
$59-$69 free shipping😎
Best,
Jonathan
Quote from: oc1 on December 09, 2016, 07:05:10 AM
I sort of agree with Sal. The only small Penn reel worth having are the older 716's. Maybe an SS, but the greenie and Z series can't be beat.
Thanks philaroman. I have been wanting to try a long noodle but was not willing to risk the usual price. A 10.5 foot graphite noodle for $20.65 including shipping on a slow boat from Indonesia was too much to resist.
-steve
are you serious -- the S/H is FREE?
PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE let me know how it works out, as soon as it arrives!!! I heard good things about this rod years ago when it was called Endurance @ $90 (now it's ProCast) -- not quite as good as St. Croix Wild River, but now that it's 90% cheaper than Croix, who could pass it up??? I especially like the 2-10# line rating, instead of the common 2-6# Noodle, which suggests a little backbone... I just have too many L/UL rods in the 8'6"-12' ballpark, so couldn't justify buying another even for $50 & missed the $35 FishUSA final blow-out :'(
GENERAL ADVICE: if it's really windy or there are low overhanging branches, LEAVE THE NOODLE AT HOME -- it ain't worth the aggravation