Suggestions for a penn reel for a 9ft st croix mojo surf rod

[pcrawford87]

Hey Everyone,

I'm looking to get a penn reel for my 9ft st croix mojo surf rod. I do already have a penn conflict 5000 and love it but I'm using that for another rod. I'm going to use this rod for plugging for stripers from the surf in nj. I prefer braided line typically on my reels.

Questions:
1.) looking at the penn conflict or penn clash. I was leaning towards the 4000 series? What would you suggest and why? Would penn clash 3000 work well?

2.) is there another penn reel you would suggest instead for this use?

I appreciate all the advice!

[Ry609]

I have a Conflict 5000 and have used it in all applications from surf to inshore to offshore jigging (maybe a stretch for offshore jigging). It's also nice because once you bump up to the 5000, you get the all metal body rather than a mix of metal and plastics. Haven't had a problem with it so far and it has served me well for all those uses that I listed above. Good luck

[Gerry Zagorski]

Don't have a specific suggestion for you but if you are making long casts and plugging/reeling a lot, you want something as light as possible and a higher gear ratio to reduce fatigue. Since you are also fishing the surf, the real is more susceptible to getting wet so a sealed reel would be a plus.

At a moderate price point, that brings you to the Spinfisher or Clash both are sealed and both available with 6 to 1 gear ratio with the Clash being a bit lighter.

I would also suggest going and seeing them in person and mounting them on your rod to see which balances the best.

[pcrawford87]

Thank you both! Definitely a leaning towards the clash. Starting to wonder if I should get the 5000 or 4000. 4000 is about 6 ounces lighter.

[Gerry Zagorski]

If you are using braid then line capacity is not an issue and I would consider the 4000 since as you said, it's lighter and it also has a higher gear ratio. Both of these things are going to cut down on your fatigue if you are casting and reeling a lot.

5000 has 20 lbs of drag and the 4000 is 15lbs. You're hardly ever going to need that additional 5 pounds of drag unless you are planning to fight a Tarpon.

The 5000 would be my choice if you fish mono since you are not going to get enough line capacity out of the 4000 if you use mono.

Throw all this out the window because you are comparing specs and theory here. What you need to do is visit one of our sponsor shops and see how the reel matches up with the rod in terms of size and balance and comfort. If all things are equal here and you are using braid, I'd lean towards the 4000.

[CancunPete]

Crawford87, Stop in the shop and I will let you try one out.......Pete.....

[njflyfisher]

Originally Posted by Gerry Zagorski

Don't have a specific suggestion for you but if you are making long casts and plugging/reeling a lot, you want something as light as possible and a higher gear ratio to reduce fatigue. Since you are also fishing the surf, the real is more susceptible to getting wet so a sealed reel would be a plus.

At a moderate price point, that brings you to the Spinfisher or Clash both are sealed and both available with 6 to 1 gear ratio with the Clash being a bit lighter.

I would also suggest going and seeing them in person and mounting them on your rod to see which balances the best.

i don't think you can dunk the clash into water like you can with the spinfisher

[Irish Jigger]

Van Staal 150 first and last reel you will ever purchase!!

[MVP]

Stop by Petes place and check out options he has and see what balances Best on rod. Look into the Penn Battle as well