Conference wahoo::fishing-v2

    
    
    	I just checked my 93 Offshore catalog and they have it listed as
    4.6:1 with line capacity of 275/12. The only reels that they have
    listed with higher rating are the 4400SS and smaller with a 5.1:1
    ratio.  I will check tonight to see if the 94 catalog is any different.
    
    	George  (JOY III)

    I checked the Offshore '94 catalog:
    
    The 5500SS is listed as:
    
    4.6:1	capacity: 275 yds 12#	$68.99
    
    The fastest reel in the Spinfisher SS Series is the 4200SS at 5.3:1.
    Sounds like Penn misprinted the boxes.
    
    Art
    

Art,

You won't be sorry with that reel.  I've caught many stripers, several over 10#
and a bonito of about 8# on it, using 8# test line.  Drag is smooth as silk and
I was able to buzz the lure fast enough to get the bonito to explode on it (I
still remember the strike as if it was yesterday, and it was 1.5 years ago)

Tim

Well, the only thing I'm sorry about is that it was 6 degrees this
morning, and my new toys are still leaning in the corner of my family
room, rather than out casting Mirrolures or Hopkins...

A new BassMaster catalog came in, and the 5500 is indeed listed with a
4.6:1 ratio. I'm still going to write to Penn...

8# test, eh? I ought to be able to put a bezillion yards of 8# on that
spare spool.

Thanks for all the info.

Art

    
    
    		I have an older model of the same type one size down. (440)
    	It has been my primary schoolie striper reel when its windy. It
    	has stood up very well and has not ever let me down. The drag is
    	great for 10 to 15 lb fish. ( I use 12lb test ). If it ever wears
    	out I think I would go up one to the 5500. ( great gear , PENN)
    
    						Neil.
    

    You can put a bizillion yards of 8# on it.  Why do I do it? There
    is a good reason.  When I fish the Vineyard for bonito, there is
    always the chance of a little tunny, especially in late Aug into
    Sep.  I watched a little tunny spool a smaller reel of 150' of 
    10# test *without* stopping. zzzzzzzzzzzzz-snap.  Since they are
    extremely line shy, I go with 8# test to increase the chance of
    a hookup.  The bonito are not too shabby either, but they probably
    won't spool you.
    
    Tim
    

Penn used to make the 450SS and 550SS, both of which had metal bodies 
and 5.1 to 1 gearing.  I have had one of each for 12 or so years of hard 
saltwater use, and love them.  They are really tough.  They both have the 
same outstanding drag.  It lasts forever, doesn't overheat during long 
fast runs, and is very resistant to gumming up from saltwater exposure.  
The spindle that the spool is mounted on is also very stout, allowing 
them to stand up to much more force than other reels.  

Take the spool off a Daiwa or the like of a similar size.  The spindle is 
wimpy.  So is the rest of the reel.  I have several friends whose foreign 
reels have failed while fighting long-running powerful fish like bonito 
and false albacore.  Either the drag burns up or the gears break from the 
force.

Back then Penn also introduced the 440SS, which has a graphite body and 
a different drag.  It also has 5.1 to 1 gearing.  The drag is more exposed 
and is very prone to gumming up in saltwater, so you have to take it apart 
and clean it every day or two.  My wife has one and lost a really huge 
false albacore when the drag seized up.  The disks were caked with salt.
By the way, when I say saltwater use I mean getting hosed down from waves 
breaking against the end of a jetty.  It's fine under less severe use, but 
I think they should have used the other drag.  Other than that it's built 
the same as the larger ones, and lasts forever.  Hers is 11 years old and 
is in great condition.  

Three or four years ago Penn replaced the 450SS and 550SS with the 4500SS
and 5500SS.  These were identical to their predecessors except for having
a graphite body.  My wife has had a 4500 for 3 years.  I turned the crank 
on it and verified that it does have 5.1 to 1 gearing like it says.

Just this year the catalogs like Bass Pro and Cabellas started listing the
4500 and 5500 with 4.6 to 1 gearing.  Maybe the force from the higher gear
ratio keeps the larger graphite reels from lasting forever.

By the way, after all the rosy talk about these Penn reels, I have had two
other problems with them.  One, the 440/450/4500 bail springs are prone to 
breakage after about 2 seasons.  You need to get some spares and learn how 
to replace them if you can't afford any down time, like on a fishing trip.  
Most shops send them out for repairs, so it takes 2 or 3 days.

Second, when it's windy the line sometimes wraps around the bail roller 
mechanism and catches, so you have to learn to feel when it has happened 
and flip it free.  This never seems to happen on newer foreign reels.

Indeed, Tim, a 12 or 13 lb false albacore (little tunny) can easily spool 
your 5500 even with 275 yds of #12 on it.  You've got to try to turn them 
before they get too far away for turning to work.  Even an 8 pounder can 
take over 200 yds of #12.  I say #12 because I don't think either bonito 
or false albacore are all that leader shy except when the water is real 
flat and the sun is bright.  Otherwise I always use #12.  I've seen them 
taken on #17 when it's blowing hard.  If they're mixed in with blitzing 
bluefish they get real aggressive and will even take 3 oz ballistic 
missles with wire leaders!

Tom

 The first little tunny I ever caught was in Florida; I caught it on
a rental outfit on my honeymoon and it had 40 or 40 lb test on it.
Those little fish are extremely strong for the size. :-)

    	I caught some of those from a private charter down in N.J.. I have
    never since caught a fish that fights so well for the size. We didn't
    use spinning outfits for them. We were trolling for them at a fairly
    fast clip.
    
    	Even with a properly set-up spinning outfit I would think that
    you'd have to start the boat and chase them if you got a big one.
    They're not like stripers that do a long run and tire out. They're like
    the Energizer Bunnies of the fish world ;-)
    
    	Being that I found no possible way to cook them and have them taste
    good, I guess it's no big deal if you lose them due to minimal tackle,
    unless you have an expensive lure hanging off the line.

Little tunny are not edible.  Period.  I've never caught one, but I've seen them
caught.  Awesome.  I've only seriously fished for them at Menenemsha Pool on 
Martha's Vineyard.  The water is anywhere from 4 to 15' and quite clear and
calm.  I imagine that at Oak Bluffs, where there is more wave action, you could
get away with heavier line.

Tim

    My Shamamo (Sp) spinning reel died on my lass surf trip last year, 
    main cranking gear stripped a few teeth.  And, on the same trip
    my 10 foot (cheapo) rod broke in two (two inches above upper reel seat).
    So I was thinking about a 10 foot penn slammer rod with penn S750 reel
    with 20 pound test.  Mostly I want a good reel that can take the salt
    water and sand.  I do clean my rods and reels after every use.  I think
    the S750 is a little bigger then other penn reels mentioned, anybody
    use this set up in the surf?  I usally wade up to my hips/waist
    so the reel gets a real soaking during the course of the evening.
    
                                               Stewart

    re: 11
    
    	My brother in law uses a 650 with a custom 11ft rod. He has 
    	caught them up to 48+lbs with this rig . He loves it and has
    	had it for at least 4 or 5 years.
    
    						Neil.
    

    Thanks for the reply.  650SS Looks like it would do the job.  48+lbs
    is right in the ballpark (GOAL) for this Year.  Just 11 more weeks
    until the big boys show up around the cape, can't wait.
    
                                          Stewart