Thread: New Penn Spinfisher V

Found this June 29, 2012 post from one of the Penn guys on Stripers Online discussing the new Spinfisher V. Found it very interesting and thought I'd share it:


SOLers - just got back from Costa Rica with C-Fish and the boys....here are the answers to some of your questions....

Gears – main gear is Al/Zn alloy, the pinion is brass. Same materials used in the SSm, Slammer, and Conquer. We believe the current gear material to be more than adequate in terms of strength and durability at these price points, and when compared to the competition. The reality is that to offer a machined brass or stainless main gear would drive the cost through the roof, increasing the retails by roughly $75-$100. Increasing the retail on one of our best selling spinning reels by this margin does not make sense….we need to keep the retail on this reel within reach of our core PENN customers. That being said we have heard the feedback loud and clear on the desire for an upgraded main gear, and we are researching this option for future projects. Just so there is no misunderstanding…the retail on a spinning reel with a machined main gear will be somewhere in the $250-$300 neighborhood.

Gear ratio – 6.2:1 is a high speed retrieve, when combined with a smaller spool like we have on the 3500 size (13.4oz)…30” is close to the industry standard. Check any other reel in this size range and you’ll see what I mean. You may see 31-33” from the competition, but keep in mind they measure IPT (inches per turn) from the outside diameter of the spool, we measure it by the definition of a full spool of line (our 3rd line capacity ring), which is noticeably less than the full diameter of the spool...so to be fair we are not comparing apples to apples. Our definition is much more realistic, nobody can fish a spool that is 100% full (90% is much more realistic), and we refuse to embellish our specifications (IPT, Max Drag, Weight, etc).

Seals – this is a watertight system, not a fully sealed system like the Torque, there is a difference. The Spinfisher V has 6 seals, the Torque has 7. The Spinfisher V has a seal on the handle cap (bearing cover), the Torque does not. The Torque has a seal on the main shaft and under the rotor, the Spinfisher V does not. The Spinfisher V can be dunked, splashed, or submerged without accepting water into the gear box and drag system. If the handle is turned or the drag is engaged (with line going out) underwater then there is the possibility for water to enter the gearbox and drag system…but it will be minimal. If you plan on fishing underwater please check out the Torque spinning reel.

Country of Origin – this reel is made overseas, if it was built in the US it would cost well over $300 retail. We are committed to building product in the US as we have shown through new product introductions over the past couple years, but to remain competitive in this industry overseas manufacturing is a necessity at certain price points. We are commited to building a quality proudct overseas by choosing the correct partners and investing heavily in quality control.

Pricing:

SSV3500/4500 - $139.95
SSV4500LL/5500/6500 - $159.95
SSV6500LL/7500/8500 - $179.95
SSV8500LL/9500/10500 - $199.95

Slammer and Spinfisher (SSm/SSg) are being discontinued….there will be deals out there over the next couple months so if you really like the current models you need to get them while you can. Conquer is staying in the lineup, no change to the pricing.

The Conquer will continue to retail at a higher price point….if you take a close look at the internals you’ll see why. The EAS (Easy Access System) makes the design complex ($$), as does the slow oscillation system. The drag design is also more complex ($$). Take a look inside both reels, or have your local tackle shop do it, and they will explain to you why the Conquer costs more to build than the Spinfisher V. One of the keys to the Spinfisher V’s design was to keep it simple so the everyday angler could maintain/repair there reels as needed.

[size=18pt]Bailess (manual) 6500 and longcast 7500 models – will be available in Sept 2013. Kits for the bailess will not be available but if you are determined to modify your reel you will be able to buy parts through the PENN parts department.[/size]

This reel has a crosswind block, as do all other currently manufactured PENN spinning reels.

Anti-reverse bearing is stainless steel, ball bearings are stainless as well as shielded.

Line roller is substantially larger than SSg/SSm and Slammer models.....50% larger on average.

Mike



I was going to put a 6500 on my Christmas wish list but I believe I'll wait for the manual to come out next year.

I'm waiting for it next month when the 650 is out some of the smaller ones are out but gotta order em

I might get one of the smaller ones this year but gonna wait for the 6500 with manual pick up to come out next year for my king rig.

may be a stupid question but does anyone know if its gonna have the dual pickup or single ive never used the dual pickup just like to see what its like

[quote author=back bone link=topic=2067.msg19536#msg19536 date=1349217130]
may be a stupid question but does anyone know if its gonna have the dual pickup or single ive never used the dual pickup just like to see what its like
[/quote]
Seeing how the bail-less version isn't due to come out for another eleven months, someone would have to have some inside knowledge to answer that question. These reels have been promoted for a few months now, so if someone here had that inside knowledge they would have either come forward with some insight or they aren't at liberty to discuss it.

Based on the statement from Penn that kits won't be available but the parts will be available to convert it if you are determined, tells me that the rotor, roller arm and possibly other parts will be manual reel specific. I think that would be the smart way to do it for many reasons. Cost, balance, reliability and durability are the main advantages of making a reel with interchangeable manual specific parts.

As far as a dual pickup is concerned, it would be just like using a single. In other words if both a single and double were designed correctly you'd be hard pressed to notice any difference other than being able to put the line on the roller after less movement of the reel handle and then only sometimes. With the higher gear ratios of newer reels, this would be even less noticeable. Dual roller arms make it easier for a manufacturer to balance the rotor. This comes at the expense of an extra roller along with the bearings and hardware associated with it.

I got to check out some spinfisher V's today. Montgomery Bass pro has got a 3500 and 4500 on the shelf. I'm no reel expert but I liked them. Reminded me of my slammers.

Iam geting one in the next month or two...

i asked the penn page on Facebook and they said it would be single

i got a 650 V on the way now waiting for the USPS then im gonna go fish it

Ordered a 6500 from Tuppens Marine and Tackle, Lake Worth, Florida, on Monday. Should be here tomorrow. Free shipping. If anyone is looking for one, Tuppens has all sizes in stock from 3500 to 6500; I just checked their web site. Good fishing.