Thread: Fin-Nor Offshore Spinner?

[quote author=back bone link=topic=1852.msg17387#msg17387 date=1345132359]
my point is you dont need a reel that big and almost any LOCAL will tell you that from what i understand you dont fish the pier all summer you even said you even said you consider yourself a googan
[/quote]

I don't see what it matters how often he fishes the pier or what he calls himself. There's plenty of ways to hold a rod n reel without holding the actual weight of the setup all day.

Everyones strength and endurance is different, there's some guys that stand on the rail all day and some that observe most the day. To each it's own.

I still want a king on a 35ft cane pole that grows close to my house but can't figure out how to get it from here to there.

Pescador is one of the few that fishes a FN and I consider him one of the best out there.He's caught hundreds of fish on it without any issue that I know of.

What do you want to use the reel for Chile? Think that would be the most important question. Spinning reels that large are really built for offshore fishing, usually jigging, but doesn't mean there aren't tons of other uses for them. I've been seriously thinking about getting one for shark fishing off the beach and loading it with a lot of braid. A 7500 OFS Fin Nor will catch most anything off the pier, and could double for offshore use. Everything I've heard about them is pretty good.

I got an email yesterday from Academy Sports Online and they had quite a few Penn models on Clearance Sale. Included 750SS and 850SS as well as others. If I recall properly the 750 and 850 models were about $119.

Wow... Where to start on this can of worms?

[quote author=DRH]
Why does anyone want a spinning reel that big? By the time you get that beast spooled with line it will be pushing two and a half pounds. A Penn 9500SS isn't much lighter and at a bare weight of 27 ounces a 8500SS is still a honking big reel. If you're looking for a reel capable of handling the size line these reels are designed for look for a conventional. Conventional reels are superior in terms of weight, capacity and affordability.
[/quote]Too late, 8500SS is already on it's way.
Already having and very much liking my 7500SS, it didn't take much thought to move on it.
Why the big spinner?
1) Casting, I've just never been able to manage much distance with conventionals, without making some hell'acious eagle's nests.
Just never gained proficiency and not for a lack of practice. :-[
2) Line weight and capacity.
3) Some Googan blood in me?

[quote author=tofer]
What do you want to use the reel for Chile? Think that would be the most important question.
Spinning reels that large are really built for offshore fishing, usually jigging, but doesn't mean there aren't tons of other uses for them. I've been seriously thinking about getting one for shark fishing off the beach and loading it with a lot of braid. A 7500 OFS Fin Nor will catch most anything off the pier, and could double for offshore use. Everything I've heard about them is pretty good.
[/quote]Alright! tofer asking the reel question... Which I suppose I should've stated to begin with :-[
This is going to be for Sharking in the surf.
I was thinking of mounting it either a...
Offshore Angler Ocean Master, OFS12S, 12'-2pc, 20#-50#, 6oz-12oz
or perhaps
Penn Torque TS2040S12, 12'-2pc, 30#-65#, 4oz-10oz.
Unless someone has any other good suggestions... John G?


I would not, and very likely could not, hold this beast for very long, definitely not all day at the pier.
Not even if leaning on the rail, which I already do like a pro.
And I'm not the least bit interested in lifting weights, not counting fighting, netting/gaffing fish.

[quote author=back bone]
I made the mistake of getting a 9500ss and I hate it, its tiring to have to hold that thing all day.
An 706 or a 704 or a 7500 will handle just about anything on the pier.
Just save some money and go ahead and get one of the reels I mentioned.
Or some other, like a Mitchell 302.
[/quote]Thanks, already have the 7500SS and 704Z.
Yes, the 7500SS handles anything that is usually decked at the pier, and then some.
I using it for everything, pier, surf and boat.

Rod, Seeker 7' medium action with Penn 7500SS reel
Rod, Penn Fierce 6'6" with Penn Fierce 2000 reel.
Rod, Silstar-Big Water 6'6" with Penn 155 reel.
Rod, Daiwa VIP Saltwater 7' with Penn 505HS Jig Master reel.
Rod, Master-Custom Striker 6'6" with front/rear rollers, and a Penn Senator 114H reel.

@ John G,
I just picked up both the 704Z and 8500SS, both primarily for surf.
I thinking about the 704Z on a 10' surf rod, perhaps getting it an 9' for the pier too.
So I'm looking at two possibly three rods in the very near future, 9' pier/surf, 10' surf and 12' surf.
Suggestions from your stock, with a price range up to $125. per rod?

[quote author=oldfisherman link=topic=1852.msg17401#msg17401 date=1345154814]
I got an email yesterday from Academy Sports Online and they had quite a few Penn models on Clearance Sale. Included 750SS and 850SS as well as others. If I recall properly the 750 and 850 models were about $119.
[/quote]I'd rather have the older 'Made in the USA' Penns.

yea a little large and heavy....bulletproof.... very well built though

I have the 2 of the 9500 fin nors and a 6500..The 9500 is a monster reel that can haul in just about anything the swims the coast (maybe not a full grown bull shark)...The 6500 reel is a little easier to handle bt its still a big reel...If you want to shark fish these are the reels for you....If you want to save some cash on big reels look for the Diawa df100a giant, $40 ..Not bad compared to the fin nor price at $180

[quote author=saltfisher1 link=topic=1852.msg17635#msg17635 date=1345569429]If you want to save some cash on big reels look for the Diawa df100a giant, $40 ..Not bad compared to the fin nor price at $180
[/quote]Yeah, I've looked at the 'Big Uglies' as some folks affectionately call them.
They are popular amongst a good number of sharkers on the TSF forums, considered disposable, but good while they last.
They hold a metric ton of line and sport a pretty good drag... But they say it is the drag that goes out first after a couple of medium-large sharks.

I think the 8500SS on a 12' rod is going to nicely fill the slot for casting in the surf for sharks.
My next rig is going to be a Penn 9/0 to compliment my 6/0 114H for fishing the big'uns.
But before that, I need to get a inexpensive secondhand yak for dropping baits.

After you get that yak let me know...I need someone to drop some baits for me while I sit and sip on some sweet tea... ;D