Shimano Saragosa or Penn Slammer???

[Jigman13]

Saragosa. Period. You will NOT be disappointed.

[damnyankee]

I have used both and the saragosa is the winner hands down. I may have gotten a dud from Penn when i bought a slammer a few years ago, as it blew up on me in the middle of a fishing trip. Seized and never got it working properly again. I opened it up and there was a metal shim that was floating around and got jammed up in the gears preventing the handle from turning. I have had 0 problems for 5 years with the saragosa that replaced it, it's an outstanding reel in the price category. If you want a step up, the shimano twin power is an absolutely fantastic reel. I bought one this year and it outshines the other 2 by far.

[bigfish1011]

Kinda like my Ford pickup friends who converted to Toyota- I agree the new penn reeels are much better than the old ones- still use Shimanl though

[cohiba3]

I use a Saragosa to throw poppers at tuna, handles them no problem. Smooth reel.

[seazu]

Go saragosa !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Capt. Debbie]

I can't agree on my experience. Every Penn reel I've ever owned still works.

I know they moved off shore in assembly back in the 90's. That was supposed to be the cheaped down version of the legendary Philadelphia based reel company.

I've jigmasters, SS's, 30 & 50 International, 6/0, 9/0's and a 930 have all served me fine. My 9/0 was used in s shark tournament 2 weeks ago and is 35 years old


However, my Penn 930 Level Wind is 15 years old and gets the sh*t beat out of it using weekly on the tow boat. Aside from some lube and new line, the drag washers are still original.

Originally Posted by rumster

Been using Penn reels for 45 years... Personally they have gone way down hill. Recently purchased 2 Saragosa`s 25000 and a 10000. Used both of them in Panama over the month I was there and I was very impressed with how smooth they were. Handled tuna no problem.

[crookedbucktail]

Penn have issues in past but they made adjustments nothing beats a penn and a lot tackle shops service them too.

[Pauls1976]

Never used the Penns to be honest and a bit of a Shimano mark. I’d go shimano, they have always stood by their product for us. We constantly over match their reels and never had a problem, I think they are superior in the spinning reel department.

[tunajoe]

Both are good reels. BUT - be prepared to send your Penn every year or two. The GOSA won't need shit. They just keep working. Same manufactures - different reel....I have a 3 Penn International 50's and one Shimano TLD50. To this day, after 17 years I have NEVER had my Shimano in the shop for anything. The damn Penns, yep... they end up in the shop more often than not. Penn has had too many owners over the years and their quality control sucks.