I'm looking to pick up a spinning reel to use while wading the beach for stripers off the Connecticut coast.
My current reel is a Shimano Stradic 4000 with 20# braid which is fine for shore fishing but I'm looking to get into wade fishing so I need an upgrade.
I'll only be using the reel once a year or every other year so I'm not looking to spend a fortune but understand I will need a reel that is sealed/partially sealed and can take a saltwater dunking or two....
What should I look at?
I think Penn just won something at icast for their new spinning reels. Might be worth a look
Oh I'm getting out the popcorn for this one. What are you targeting?
Quote from: JasonGotaProblem on July 27, 2022, 04:51:30 AMOh I'm getting out the popcorn for this one. What are you targeting?
It's in the original post....schoolie stripers
A Spinfisher Greenie or Z series. They're trustworthy, dunkable, designed precisely for the conditions you describe and will not need any service until you get home. They are very affordable compared to the Stella and Van Stahl alternatives. It is important to keep up appearances, you know. One that is stripped and drilled would be a nice touch, but not necessary.
Quote from: pjstevko on July 27, 2022, 05:32:12 AMQuote from: JasonGotaProblem on July 27, 2022, 04:51:30 AMOh I'm getting out the popcorn for this one. What are you targeting?
It's in the original post....schoolie stripers
It was late. :cf
I'm here for the "rubber seals vs better metal gears" debate.
Quote from: oc1 on July 27, 2022, 09:25:29 AMA Spinfisher Greenie or Z series. They're trustworthy, dunkable, designed precisely for the conditions you describe and will not need any service until you get home. They are very affordable compared to the Stella and Van Stahl alternatives. It is important to keep up appearances, you know. One that is stripped and drilled would be a nice touch, but not necessary.
What's one of those cost?
Quote from: pjstevko on July 27, 2022, 12:38:01 PMWhat's one of those cost?
Just for starters, lots to choose from:
https://www.ebay.com/sch/180001/i.html?_from=R40&_nkw=penn+704&_sop=10
https://www.ebay.com/sch/36175/i.html?_from=R40&_nkw=penn+ss+650&LH_TitleDesc=0&_sop=16
https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p2334524.m570.l1313&_nkw=penn+750ss&_sacat=36175&LH_TitleDesc=0&_odkw=penn+750ss&_osacat=36175&_sop=16
And, our very own Fred the Great has an extraordinary stock of parts if needed. :)
~
A~
Quote from: pjstevko on July 27, 2022, 12:38:01 PMWhat's one of those cost?
That's a solid choice. Definitely on team good gears but no seals.
Penn still makes the 704z and i think they still make the 706 too (these models are still made in USA, I believe). You can get them new for $200, and I see them used a lot on CL, ranging from $20-$100 depending on physical condition of the reel and mental condition of the seller.
Anyone here have a greenie or Z series they wanna part with?
Here are a few —-
Green 700 —- new spool, crank, drags, freshly serviced.
Black 704Z with PUM (manual pick-up, no bail) —- also new spool, crank, drags, freshly serviced.
Might not be available too much today —- installing a new 4-stage power converter in the Six-Pac camper.
Along with a 2.5 gallon gas can and rack.
Many of the Striper guys on the East Coast use reels like these —- all reels will get saltwater intrusion when surf-fishing —- even if they are touted as "waterproof". Believe me, and I service a lot of these for guys in the Northeast, Carolinas, and Georgia.
The experienced anglers want a reel that the SW will run out of —- then can be rinsed and oiled after a fishing trip.
Plus, the more small parts —- the more complicated and finicky they become.
Metal, steel worm drive with bronze main, oversized main bearing, overbuilt components inside and out.
You should find this is a solid way to go.
Best, Fred
PJ, in terms of dunking a couple times per year, you can fully flush that Penn housing and spool and new lube in prolly less than 10 mins. There's just not a bunch of fancy stuff and springs and crap to break. At the risk of raising the ire of the AT faithful, I might do this when fishing for the week: if dunked, pull off the side plate and spool, dunk in fresh water, spray Corrosion X inside housing, light wipe of grease on gears and shafts. You should already have pre-serviced with light grease coat on innards and carbon drags, and ya might be able to fit a thin, oiled, felt seal between drag knob and top of stack. This is my 0.02 on a combat service, and realistically if you count pre-service, this likely constitutes more owner-service than 99 percent of reels, genrally speakin'. I just came by some Symmetres that actually had green corrosion on the plastic trim parts. Didn't know you cud corrode mylar....
Quote from: foakes on July 27, 2022, 04:16:16 PMHere are a few —-
Green 700 —- new spool, crank, drags, freshly serviced.
Black 704Z with PUM (manual pick-up, no bail) —- also new spool, crank, drags, freshly serviced.
Might not be available too much today —- installing a new 4-stage power converter in the Six-Pac camper.
Along with a 2.5 gallon gas can and rack.
Many of the Striper guys on the East Coast use reels like these —- all reels will get saltwater intrusion when surf-fishing —- even if they are touted as "waterproof". Believe me, and I service a lot of these for guys in the Northeast, Carolinas, and Georgia.
The experienced anglers want a reel that the SW will run out of —- then can be rinsed and oiled after a fishing trip.
Plus, the more small parts —- the more complicated and finicky they become.
Metal, steel worm drive with bronze main, oversized main bearing, overbuilt components inside and out.
You should find this is a solid way to go.
Best, Fred
Fred if you're willing to let one of those beauties go to a new home and get used I'd love to have one! I'll let you pick the best one for schoolie stripers from the beach wade fishing on 20# braid. I'm not familiar with using a manual pick-up if that helps form your choice.
Fred I'm not in a hurry so if you're willing let me know what I owe ya!
Thanks
PJ
Since you are not familiar with the PUM Bail-less system — I think the greenie would be the best.
It will handle 20-30 lbs Linesides easily, also the occasional 30 to 50 pounder, as well as a great sight casting reel for your Long Ranges out of SoCal.
I will also include a complete 10 piece Tune-Up kit at N/C consisting of commonly replaced wear parts that are basically not available anywhere else, just in case I am not around to service it in 30 years. I just sell these for $10 to members.
If even available anywhere else —- the one-by-one prices would reach around $35 + shipping. Maybe more if they needed to be sourced from different sellers.
Will PM info and send off likely tomorrow or Friday morning.
Best, Fred
IMO, too much reel for playing w/ schoolies & baby blues, once-a-year
if you also use it for cats/carp in F/W, then it makes sense
otherwise, go down a size AND go up to 30#, or even 40# braid, despite distance loss
too many places skinny 20# braid could sneak into, in older rotor-cup designs
OPTION B ;)
if your stradic 4000 is older w/ bigger bearings of equal size on both sides of main gear
(RD-0930,8553,10320,13241 & BR-0047... all same size)
keep an eye out for a cheap MLX 200/300 or MLZ 20/30... not to use (horrible reels, IMO) -- TO STRIP!!!
some GREAT individual parts in there, that predate modern parts numbering system, so nobody knows ;)
primarily, each has 2 solid bronze bushings on main gear, w/ same dimensions as all above modern(ish) BB's
if you get lucky & lone pinion BB also fits, it will be unshielded or single-shielded for easy cleaning
also, most likely, there is a cheaper, later Shimano 4000
that uses same rotor & compatible spools as your Stradic
and cheaper body/gearbox w/ disk oscillation (simpler, less-partsy)
possibly, there's a 5000 that uses 4000-size body w/ compatible rotor
you see where I'm going: a dunker that's inter-compatible w/ existing Stradic
and many, many usable spare parts when either reel dies
I think 700 is too large as well, especially if using braid. I'd go with 712 or 716 for school bass.
If you want to throw it down in the sand then get the PUM. Otherwise the full bail is more convenient.
In my (long-vanished) youth, I used greenies (filled with mono) to surf cast for stripers, blues, even an occasional weakfish or fluke. That gorgeous 700 of Fred's will never let you down... it's a venerable golden oldie, tough as a rhinoceros, and coming from Fred, as good (if not better) than new. I cannot imagine any scenario where you'd be disappointed. :)
~A~
PJ - I think Fred has you covered, that looks like a sweet rig. In looking at your original post:
Quote from: pjstevko on July 27, 2022, 04:18:44 AMI'll only be using the reel once a year or every other year so I'm not looking to spend a fortune but understand I will need a reel that is sealed/partially sealed and can take a saltwater dunking or two....
I almost want to say you are looking at two related challenges.
Dunking - that will encompass all of the unpleasantness of salt water, along with whatever sand/shells/grit that was in it. And a good "AT Ohana Approved" service with appropriate lube and service, followed by rinsings, will pretty much help you with the saltwater part of the equation-
Sand and Grit A reel doesn't have to take a swim/dunk to incur sand and grit. I have found enough wind driven sand in "personal" places after a surf trip to ask "how the heck...." Hey, it's part of the environment. I am not discouraging you from any path above; I am only saying that a "dunk", while serious, may not be the biggest issue. But then again, you are also talking about "once or twice a year" so while it would make most of us on this forum cringe, with quality gear you may very well be able to go for years with NO maintenance and it will continue to work just fine. - john
I kindly took Fred up on his offer of the Greenie!
It'll get used for a couple days a year mostly shore based but might go for a wade or two....
It is in excellent condition, PJ —-
However, I will break it completely down, evacuate and clean out all old grease, replace the bail spring, bumper and spring, main bearing, relube liberally with Yamaha Marine, oil with synthetic WRL191S, fine tune, and send it off with the future tune-up kit.
The thing to remember, IMO is —- while fishing for 20 lb. Schoolies —- we always hope for a beast to take the bait.
If fishing with a lighter reel —- oftentimes permanent damage will occur —- and either lose the fish of a lifetime —- or tweak a reel —- or both.
That will not happen with this reel. If you set the hook well —- the fish will be brought to shore.
With no drama —- and ready for the next cast.
Best, Fred
PJ, IMO, that reel is so sweet it is worthy of a custom travel rod at some point. That's an heirloom set up given condition.
Quote from: thorhammer on July 28, 2022, 01:05:11 AMPJ, IMO, that reel is so sweet it is worthy of a custom travel rod at some point. That's an heirloom set up given condition.
The reel and rod will stay at my mom's house in Connecticut. For now it'll go on a 9' two piece Tsunami Airwave rod just due to transport issues in her vehicle. In the future I may upgrade the rod but for now the rod will do
Good stick.
Quote from: pjstevko on July 28, 2022, 03:47:15 AMQuote from: thorhammer on July 28, 2022, 01:05:11 AM........For now it'll go on a 9' two piece Tsunami Airwave rod just due to transport issues in her vehicle.
thats a great rod, I love mine, I have the 1st gen with the Hardloy guides, I really dont feel like customize it or re-wrap it and also its not on the list of my factory rods to sell ;)
I dont think I can build a good surf fishing rod like this for the $100 or less I might get for it.
errr in my case I use it with a Van Staal 275 reel 8) but the reel its kind of too heavy for the light rod, so, I normally use a small shimano sonora 4000 reel with 30# braid
Did a quick full service and replaced a few key parts with new in between doing a few other restores this morning. A couple of DQ 265 Microlites, 110 Microlite, a 220, & a SW68 Standard.
Also doing a JC Higgins old plastic 500 that a client sent me disassembled in a box. He was having trouble getting it back together due to the unique parts operation and fragile 60 year old plastic.
Your Penn 700 Greenie is set up Salt ready.
May not be able to ship until Monday, PJ —-
Have a Church remodel project down in Fresno tomorrow —- but may not make it to the Post office on limited Saturday hours.
Best, Fred
Looks great Fred! No hurry on the shipping, I don't home until December. Thanks again
I don't think you'll be wading the sound in Dec!
Quote from: MarkT on July 30, 2022, 12:59:16 AMI don't think you'll be wading the sound in Dec!
Sure I will with plenty of layers and some waders but it'll only be knee high