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Posts: 202
Location: Angola, IN | I read a lot of good stuff about the Penn International series reels. The Saltwater guys seem to love 'em, and the Musky market is too small for this big company to market to us, I'm sure.
I was thinking of throwing a 965 or 975 on an 8' rod. Does anyone use these reels regularily?? What do you compare them to, in terms of smoothness and castibility.....an Abu, Calcutta, or something else??
I'm leaning towards the 975, because I like "7" series sized reels, and that power handle looks killer as well.
Thanks for your input in advance!! |
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| you can put the power handle on all the models...You may like the 975 better as the gear ratio is on the lower side in these model reels...The power handle on the 965 would work as well though...they are bullet proof...Ben |
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| I have used just about every reel on the market and the Penn is most deffinatly the most durable I have found. It has by far the strongest and smoothest drag system of any musky reel. They are very smooth reeling but not as quiet as a Calcuta or Millionair. I used to only get a season or two out of reel before having somthing break on me. I have useded my Penns now for 4 or 5 seasons and have not had any problems. I would not recomend them to a beginer because the casting break system is not very sensitive. Well worth the money IMHO.
Duane
Bulletproof Tackle Co. |
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| I have a 975 & use it for casting.
Gear ratio of 965 & 975 is 4.75:1 if I recall.
The 975 had a power handle, the 965 did not but I think Penn has one available for the 965.
The 975 is a tank! 100% dependable. Never had a problem. Some guys I know use them for trolling including huge baits.
As far as casting goes, I use the 975 for big spinnerbaits & big bucktails & the odd crankbait . Smooth reel casting & retrieving; I think the drag is excellent.
The 975 is a tad smaller then an abu 7000 and it is lighter.
I think you would buy an abu 7000 for casting for the same reason you would buy a 975.
Think abu6500 vs 7000 if you are comparing the 965 to the 975.
The only thing I hated on the 975 was the clicker placement; right where it dug into my thumb web.
A quick call to Penn verified that the black clicker button was solid , not hollow. A little work with the little yellow hook sharpener filed it down so it was not a problem. |
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| I forgot to mention that the abu 7000 with the 4.3:1 (I think) gear ratio is the easiest to use for retrieving very hard pulling lures, the 975 is very good too but requires a bit more effort then the 7000 (not a lot) but the 975 is way,way easier than an abu 6500 say.
If I was tossing mainly huge bucktails/spinnerbaits and cranks; and if I was going to be reeling in at a moderatel speed, the 975 would be great.
The 975 & the 7000 I find are tiring after a full day of slinging big stuff. You trade weight for ease in retrieve I believe.
If you don't need that size, get the 965.
The other possibility if you need a 7000 sized reel is to get two old red 7000's for less than the cost of a new reel...with bushings maybe; recondition them and they will last forever; you don't 'need' the ball bearings when casting heavy lures & bushings are cheap |
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| Penn 965 is 4.7 to 1, 975 is 4.5 to 1....7000's come in either 4.1 to 1 or 5.3 to 1....
975 is THE reel for grinding spinnerbaits....
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Posts: 202
Location: Angola, IN | Thanks guys!!! Looks like a 975 might be a reel to try out. I like the Abu 7000's, but my brother (fishing partner) already has a few and I'm always looking for something different.
Any more input would be greatly appreciated. |
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| I've used both 975 and 965. I was not really impressed with the 965 for the $, dumped it and went back to the calcutta.
As far as smooth: Penn drag is awsome, but I get better casting distance out of the Shimano and even some abus.
I still use the 975 for big stuff, and am happy with it--but you can pick up a 7000 for about 1/2 the price usually. |
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