Has anyone tried or taken the new Battle for a test drive?
I question the max drag that's listed and wanting to hear
a review. I went looking and wanted to fondle one at Bay Tackel over the weekend,
but there still waiting on the big mega marts to get there fill first.
I'm curious and thinking about picking up a 4k or 5k for throwing
hair raisers and lures for local stripers in the bay and delta.
Model Mono Braid Gear Bearings MaxDrag Weight
BTL4000 230/10 - 275/20 - 6.6.1 - 6+1 13# 12.6oz
BTL5000 220/15 - 305/30 - 5.6.1 - 6+1 20# 20.3oz
I have heard a little bit about them on another forum, though not much. I was considering the 7000 for a light popping set up for over here the GOM. Now Shimano just came out with their Saragosa 10000F I maybe changing my mind. The 10000 would be right down my alley, even though the price is about double, I do like Shimano spinners.
I am Buying a 7000 on Thursday, i will be using it for Tarpon. We will see how she holds up to a 150 pound Tarpon. ;D
Will you be cracking it open and alan-izing it or use it straight out of the box?
I will Open it, does he have a Tutorial on these?
I don't think so, that is one of the reason why I asked if you were going to open it, the other reason is that I would like to see what the reel looks like on the inside, I'm hearing good things about it, but I haven't been impressed by Penn's newer models. I have a bunch of Penn SS models that I use exclusively ( not SSM) and I haven't seen anything come close to them as in dependability and value for the money. Let us know what you think about the battle after you take it for a test drive. Thanks! Sal
i have already Test Drove the Reel, It is nice. Not sure how it will hold up on the long term, we will see. Maybe we can (Hint-Hint) get Alan to do a tear down. The reels are already getting hard to find, people are scooping them up quick.
Hey you guys, you cannot say hint-hint to Alan. He's gone on record that he is giving Spinning Reels a wide berth. Too many parts, too many changes, too many models. Dominick
Alan May Do this For Me, Come on man. The Tarpon are Calling Your name ;D
i took a quick look at the schematics. the reel is almost embarassingly simple. the first thing i would do is pull the drag washers and grease them. after that, it's all about the bearings. for now, just grease the drags. we can get the rest of it later. still swamped!
I also just looked at the schematics on the battle, nice reel it reminds me a lot of my favorite reel the SS serie, this one has 3 additional bearings. I agree with Alan, it's about the bearings. I like the beefed up bail wire, but I'm not too crazy about the 3 retaining screws on the spacer at the spool assembly part # 51A, one of my reels (not a Penn) has the same design , I remember that I had to drill two of the screws out to get to the drags, in my opinion that design doesn't make any sense, who ever buys this reel better pack it with grease at that area. I was almost tempted to buy one until I noticed that it had one thing missing that I was hoping for...USA. I would still like to know how it holds up with saltwater usage :-\, Sal
Can someone post up the schematics for the Battle
Sorry, this is the only way I'm able to do it. Google PENN BTL6000 REEL SPECS and then click on ordering parts below and the schematic will come up:
Thanks
After 20 years of not buying a spinner in anything larger than a 6# trout outfit,
I threw in the towel lastnight and ordered a 5000. I'm going to take one for a test drive
and post reviews and pic's when I get time.
At this price and free shipping what's not to lose?
http://cgi.ebay.com/PENN-BATTLE-BTL5000-Fishing-Spinning-Reel-FREE-SHIPPING-/350454014976?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item5198afe400
-gary
Beside the price, what made you decide on this reel after so many years? I know you didn't try it yet, what are some of the features that you like on the reel? Just curious, Sal :)
The price for an easy to open three screw Metal body - HT 100 Drags - Braid ready (fitted rubber band on spool :D) SS main shaft - Heavy bail
What I don't like that the mid sized 5-6-7 are all very close in size ???
If the 5000 ( I plan to run 20# on it) works out I"ll pick up a 7000 (30#) for Baja firecracker Dorado this summer. -g
Thanks for your input! I ;)appreciate it, Sal
I picked one up a few weeks back and finally got around to puling on it this past weekend.
I got a 6000 and packed it with 40 pound braid, 560 yds worth of diawa jigging line. Ended up catching about 25 amberjacks to 60 pounds and a few Blackfin tunas to 15 pounds on it. So far, I like it, and Ive already got another on order.
It feels like a much stronger reel than the 6500 and 7500 penn ss reels that they replaced.
Hopefully this is a turning point for Penn.
Does this reel have a back-up dog in addition to the IAR bearing? In the schematics/part list, these two guys appear:
4 1190937 4-5000SG A/R DOG
5 1190966 5-5000SG A/R DOG SPRING
But I can't make out their function from that pdf. And schematics have been known to be inaccurate...
Sounds almost too good to be true if it has double anti reverse. Would be great if someone who has this reel would take the rotor off and confirm this.
Full metal reel, double anti-reverse, HT-100 drag. You would pay a lot more to get the same functionality from a Japanese manufacturer. I would have to get one, I think :)
It feels like a much stronger reel than the 6500 and 7500 penn ss reels that they replaced.
Hopefully this is a turning point for Penn.
[/quote]
I'm glad that the Battle is working out for you but the test will be on the long run. I've been using Penn's newer models and I'm hoping that I'm wrong, but I don't have any doubts that the older SS models(not the SSM) will prevail. ;)
I recently had a friend who is a rep for a large Sporting good co in So Cal. Give me a Daiwa Opus 6000.
It was dropped and handle was broken.
I replaced the handle for like $8 from Daiwa and donated it to a Fishing club garage sale along with 9 other reels.
I did a 'Pre-use Service' on it first...
I dont do large spinners (left coaster) but was very impressed with it for several reasons.
Strong as heck.
Amazing drag 'reported' 30# or so..
Rated for 30# line & braid..
Felt & looked very well made & solid.
Best part it goes for around $50...
I almost kept it to try on paddy fishing, but didnt want to buy a new rod to go with it!!!
.
Well my 5000 arrived on the door step today and was larger than I thought it would be.
And there's grease in them thar drags ;D -g
(http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f134/gkolokousis/Battle002.jpg)
(http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f134/gkolokousis/Battle003.jpg)
(http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f134/gkolokousis/Battle005.jpg)
(http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f134/gkolokousis/Battle006.jpg)
(http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f134/gkolokousis/Battle007.jpg)
(http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f134/gkolokousis/Battle008.jpg)
C'mon G you can do better than that, crack that thing open. That reel does appear to be nice and solid,I would replace that teflon washer on the spool shaft with a HT-100 and also any other teflon washers in the drag stack.... if any. Thanks for the pictures, very nice. ;)
I was waiting for the 7000, but is on backorder for another month. Had to go with the 8000, not a big deal as i will use it for AJ, Grouper and Snapper. I am going to do a tear done on it this weekend and see what i see. i would like to get a bit more drag out of it, but don't know if i can beat 25lbs stock. It would be nice to have more, as i will be using it on 150lb Tarpon that i need to get away from Bridge pilings. We will see, Pics this weekend.
can a 150lb tarpon pull 25lb of drag?
I pulled the Reel Apart at work today, Like Alan said. The Reel is very simplistic. One thing i can tell you is to grease all the screws, including the 3 that are holding the Drag Washers In. I also added some more to the Internals of the reel and Bearings. It seems to be a Solid Reel, time will tell if it holds up to abuse. Just to note, all the outer screws had no grease on them at all, so that would be priority #1
thanks, chris! hey. mike lansing dropped by yesterday. from the description, it sounds like you guys live in fishing heaven!
Yes Sir, and King Of The Beach this Weekend. It is going to be Fun getting Bait for this weekend. :-X
http://oldsalt.sociallymediated.com/tournaments/spring-king-of-beach
Well my Battle 5000 worked very well on dorado for my July Baja trip loaded with 25# mono,
casting to dorado. All I did was grease the drags.
It had all of the drag I needed for a 15-30 rod and boasts having 20# of drag.
I can't confirm that or needed it.
I just opened up a new 3000 this past weekend and took it out of the box and greased
the drag washers. I put some PowerPro braid #65 on it and took it out in the delta
near the mothball fleet for some striper action. All I can say is I like the reels a lot.
I"ll post battle pic's and results on fall striper trip#2 next weeked... when I remember to take a camera.
-gary
you know, for all the grousing that we sometimes do about penn, they actually make GREAT reels. still, i would love to be president of penn, just for a day!
Alan, I think that you have repaired enough Penn reels to
have at least achieved the title of Goodwill Ambassador :o ::) :o
-gary
Quote from: Gman_WC on October 11, 2011, 04:17:13 PM
Well my Battle 5000 worked very well on dorado for my July Baja trip loaded with 25# mono,
casting to dorado. All I did was grease the drags.
It had all of the drag I needed for a 15-30 rod and boasts having 20# of drag.
I can't confirm that or needed it.
I just opened up a new 3000 this past weekend and took it out of the box and greased
the drag washers. I put some PowerPro braid #65 on it and took it out in the delta
near the mothball fleet for some striper action. All I can say is I like the reels a lot.
I"ll post battle pic's and results on fall striper trip#2 next weeked... when I remember to take a camera.
-gary
Very nice Gary, I'm glad that you finally got out to try it. Thanks for sharing. Yes, do remember to bring the camera next time, we would love to see some pictures. Take care. Sal
Quote from: alantani on October 11, 2011, 05:37:53 PM
you know, for all the grousing that we sometimes do about penn, they actually make GREAT reels. still, i would love to be president of penn, just for a day
You got my vote ;) but not just for a day.
Okay, so I have yet to actually use a Battle. However, I do own two Penn Sargus models in the 5000 and 8000 size. The Battle is a Sargus with the HT-100 drags and a beefier bail wire. Otherwise, the reels are practically identical to the tune of many part numbers are the same. In fact, I just ordered HT-100 drags for the Sargus using the Battle part number.
I have torn apart and rebuilt both of my Sargus' and I was rather impressed with what I found. All bearings were the sealed type with the plastic/rubber type seal that can be popped out and reinstalled. The other nice feature is the backup anti-reverse. The reel has the IAR bearing like all modern reels, but it also has a plastic arm that will come out and ratchet against "teeth" that are cast into the inside of the rotor (if the IAR fails). While I'm not thrilled that the backup is a plastic piece, it should be sufficient to land the fish. Plus, what other reel out there has the nice sealed bearings and dual anti-reverse for the 100$ price point of the Sargus/Battle?
Once I serviced the reel with fully greased bearings and replacement HT-100 drags, I started to consider replacing all of my spinners with the Sargus/Battle. I've already landed LOTS of fish on my Sargus reels and they have both held up great. I recently purchased a Saltist 4500 due to the dual anti-reverse and quality components used and yes, it's a very nice reel. But it's also double the price of Sargus/Battle and the Battle already comes with carbon drags.
In my opinion, Penn has done a good job producing a quality reel with some really nice features and at a great price. I still haven't decided if I'm going to go all Penn yet, though....
Dear all
Any updates on the battle?
I plan to get a battle 8000 to use it for medium Jigging/popping (GT & Tunas up to 50lb & AJ up to 35 lb is the strongest we may fight), I don't go more than 1 trip/month, 2-3 days that's mixed:trolling, bottom fishing, jigging, popping
It will be spooled by 80lb braided
Most seem to agree that teh Battle is an upgraded Sargus, and I've seen a report on the Sargus that critisized the inferior cast Aluminum gear.
So any news on that?
It seems people don't like talking about their battles ;D ;D
May be that's for good ;)or for bad >:(
But this is not helping me ???
Come on fishing lovers
Regards
Inspiro
i think there are simply not that many of them out there. plus, most of the guys here work on conventional reels, not spinners. :-\
I have had my battles for about a year 4000 and 5000 series. Both for small to medium game. Smooth drag out of the box IMHO. I will need to try grease the drags to see the difference. I really like mines.
Quote from: Alto Mare on April 12, 2011, 08:11:51 PM
I don't think so, that is one of the reason why I asked if you were going to open it, the other reason is that I would like to see what the reel looks like on the inside, I'm hearing good things about it, but I haven't been impressed by Penn's newer models. I have a bunch of Penn SS models that I use exclusively ( not SSM) and I haven't seen anything come close to them as in dependability and value for the money. Let us know what you think about the battle after you take it for a test drive. Thanks! Sal
I have to agree about the SS models. Simple, Strong, and Reliable.
Quote from: basto on November 08, 2011, 02:52:52 AM
I have to agree about the SS models. Simple, Strong, and Reliable.
The proof is in the pudding! ;)
I have used a Battle 4000 and 2 6000's this last season on the east coast. They performed well with not 1 problem. Largest fish caught was 40lbs. I did hear of some catching small tuna (to 60 lbs) with them.
The Achilles heel of the Battle appears to be the inferior cast aluminum Main Gear (#8-5000SG) and Crosswind Gear (#231-6000SG). These same cheap gears are apparently used throughout Penn's lower-end salt water spinners: Conquer, Slammer, Battle, Fierce, Sargus, etc.... although I haven't personally verified that. I think if you only go fishing a couple of times a month, you'll be fine for the most part, but there have been reports of frequent surf casters having to replace the gears more than once in a single season. In contrast, I replaced the gears in my Penn 650SS two years ago for the first time in over twenty years, and I go fishing all the time.
There are many good things about the Battle, but the gears are not included, unfortunately. I think if Penn can do something to address this issue, they'll have a winner with the Battle, and a bargain to boot.