I'm considering picking up one of these old school Penn reels to restore / use occasionally . I'm not very familiar with either of these apart from the online-documented caveats with line lay and the quirky bail.
That said. which of these would perform better and be easier to live with? My criteria are - ease of maintenance / availability of spares, performance / enjoyable to use.
These are still fairly common but might not
be in a few years . If there's something else that I should consider , please share . My usage is mostly surf casting around the beaches of south Texas
Thanks
I can think of more folks than I can count on one hand that have a pile of parts for these. I'm one of those folks, but that's an aside.
Both are excellent and very similar reels for surf-fishing.
Parts are not an issue.
I have little kits I made up for folks —- of 10 or 12 of the most commonly needed tune-up parts.
Great reels!
Best, Fred
Get the Penn 704z for the better ht-100 drags on the spool and parts are easier to find because the reel is still available. The 700 got a few parts that are expensive and not interchangeable with the 704z. You can buy used 704z cheaper than 700 on fleabay.
Thanks , I read the same about the 704z being easier to find drag upgrades for .
Ok, I guess I can have my cake and eat it too. I made an offer on these a while back and I just now saw that it has been accepted . Hopefully , I haven't picked up a pair of paperweights :)
From the auction description
"The 700 is marked on the side with "Spinfisher" and the number 700. It needs to be cleaned, greased, and will probably need a bailspring. The anti-reverse works.
The 704 has a round badge with the number 704. Also, needs cleaning, greasing, and a bailspring. Again the anti-reverse works.
Both have Bakelite handles.
I assume the drags will also need to be looked at"
Congratulations! ;) You bought both. I have both reels. ;D
Still have a fisher 700 in the kit that dad bought in the 60's, way uglier than yours, and just can't wear it out. Good score!