Penn Long Beach 60 Multiplier.

[MartonPete]

Hi Guys, I didn't have any time to do any research on this reel before deciding to buy as time was against me on Ebay. I have been using a cheap Lineaeffe Vigor 70 reel to set my self up but after my first sea bass on Sunday night I wanted to upgrade to a multiplier. I bought this reel on impulse as it was £15 and I know Penn do good reels. I have just tried to do some research on it and due to the age can't find out that much. Does any body on here have opinions on this Penn reel, ie have I made a school boy error and bought a boat reel rather than what I wanted which is a beach casting reel? Also is a cheap modern reel (Vigor 70) better than a vintage Penn (long beach 60)? I don't mind what the answers are as I knew I was taking a gamble when being so impulsive without the facts. Thanks for any advice.

[Blanko]

Hi,I think there was a similar thread recently I think Grandadruss bought one of them too!

I think the price is about right for one if its tip top, they don't bring huge money. Probably best suited to light boat work, it will almost certainly be completely unbraked (no blocks or magnets) so with a heavy metal spool like that carrying a large line capacity itll run like mad and backlash easily so would be really hard work as a starter multi. It'd not cast fabulously,ignore the devils advocates I've seen on other sites trying to say they can do 180 yards with theirs, but would be castable to a reasonable extent in experienced hands

I've watched and bought/sold on eBay for years and fishing tackle is a STRONG market. Especially beach gear, there are rarely ever bargains on popular mainstream gear,there's such a following. So if looking at a reel in good condition you'll pay fair money for it on that site,if it looks cheap and a bargain then its probably going for its market value and isn't a high end item,there are few mega bargains on beach casting multis.

I'd be inclined to say to anyone buying gear for the 1st time that a cheap rod will still cast and pull fish in but if the reel's causing problems then the rod's up against it. Spend the money on the reel,anything cheap will generally not be magnetically braked,centrifugal braking is very good but mags are much more controllable and user friendly. An ABU 6500C3 CT (the CT means open frame -no level wind) Mag Elite should set you back £50-70 in good used order and will give you a smooth intro to multis.

Id say a cheap modern reel will be fair,the age of the Penn is against it but it may well still prove more durable than a modern cheapie,either way I'd be inclined to try to hang on for magged ABU or Penn 525 (The ABUs are easier to start on) . I can't begin to put into words how much of an easier life a 6500 mag elite would give you opposed to the Penn or something cheaper. You get what you pay for with multis and the cheeap end are the main cause of people giving up in despair and returning to FS reels.

Have a look at Gerrys site or these-you don't have to buy new but if after a multi Id say these will make for an easy life. Polish the Penn up and stick it on display-might be worth £20 some day Or bung it back on eBay and put the money toward a solid casting reel like these

http://www.gerrysfishing.com/daiwa-mill ... 7ht-mag.ir
http://www.gerrysfishing.com/abu-6500-c3-ct-mag.ir
http://www.gerrysfishing.com/abu-6500-c ... g-elite.ir
http://www.gerrysfishing.com/abu-6500-c ... i-speed.ir
http://www.gerrysfishing.com/penn-525-mag-2.ir
http://www.gerrysfishing.com/akios-656- ... edition.ir

Theyre all open cage reels without the top bar and level wind-you really don't want one ~ it doesn't take more than a few casts to get the line laying down and its a million miles better for casting, no chunky leader knots clattering through the level wind-they take many yards off the cast too.

Well done on the 1st Bass by the way!!!!

[MartonPete]

Thanks so much for the advice Blanko. On your suggestion I managed to get out of the sale and will check out some of the reels you mention above. It was great feed back.