Shimano Saragosa or Penn Slammer???

[J.Johnson]

I'm going to be purchasing two new reels, and would like your opinion on which one is better, and why. I'm leaning towards the gosa, but would like your input. If there is something you like better please let me know and why.

[hammer4reel]

Check out a bunch of the reel break down videos done by independent people.
you will find its pretty tough to beat the reviews on the Penn Slammer 3.
Its a super solid reel

[J.Johnson]

Thanks, I'll check them out.

[Generations]

Personally I would go with the Shimano Saragosa. I have 6 of them ranging from sizes 6k-25k. They are as smooth as butter still even after seasons of abuse. All I ever do is give them a good rinse with freshwater. I cannot give you a review or my opinion on the slammer because I’ve never owned one. I almost exclusively fish Shimano products and I have nothing bad to say about my experience with them. I have also recommended the Saragosa series to a handful of friends, all of them thank me to this day for helping them make that decision. Hope this helps.

[RAMMFISH66]

I have owned and still do, PENN SS spinning reels. They have never failed me. I have the smallest 4500SS to the largest 9500SS and everyone between. Each one has a specific purpose and they all get used during the season. I recently purchased PENN PURSUIT II and use it along the surf for smaller fish(snapper blues, Fluke) They are all great reels..See ya later, RAMMIE

PS: My conventional reels are also PENN...2/0 to 14/0...Long Beach 65, PENN Surfmaster 200, 320GTI and some others....

[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.

[J.Johnson]

Thanks for your information guys, I appreciate it.

[hammer4reel]

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.

Check out the reels Penn is currently making.
The issues they had habe been corrected. And the new reels are 5 times better thsn the origional ones.
They needed to step up their game and did

[the directa]

as another Penn customer for too many years to mention , I have to agree with Rumster

[rumster]

Check out the reels Penn is currently making.
The issues they had habe been corrected. And the new reels are 5 times better thsn the origional ones.
They needed to step up their game and did

I appreciate your opinion, but Penn has already received more than enough money from me.... Too littlet to late.

[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.



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.