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Take a look into the Fin Nor OF series.I do own a few Penn 950ssm's and they work. I landed a 200lb fish in 20min. That being said I am looking for more drag... The Fin Nor offers just that. Output around 60lbs! This will be for a jigging setup. Also it holds more line than the 950's
Bass pro had one last week, but I would rather buy it at a local shop. They are around $180. So far I like the Fin Nor from a design perspective but just picked it up so no fish on it yet. It compliments my Spheros 18000 and Penn 950.If you go with the Fin nor I strongly advise a complete tear down and lube. The drags are already greased, but the innerds are dry as a bone but for a little grease on moving parts. It takes about 40 minutes or so. Will help keep the innerds from corrosion. I would also put 65# on this reel. I went with 80, 420 yards and 80# wind on.
If there is a local tackle shop I would go there and give them your business. But if you must Cabellas.com Sometimes they have a get $20-30 off with purchase over $100.00.
Falmouth Bait & Tackle - is a registered dealer.
Fair price is around $180.00
As far as line goes... Depends what size you are going for. What rod you plan on buying. I plan on using 80lb Power Pro. If you string it yourself do not forget to put mono on first.
I have 2 set ups that are paired to 950SSM reels. Both are loaded with 80 lbs. braid with 80 lbs. floro leader. Both rode are St. Croix Permier one is SW70MHF and the other is a SW76MHF. I only had one take down this year with it. But was unable to get the hook really set as the fish took the plug as soon as it hit the water. Did not have enough time to get the bail shut.
If you really want cheap. Okuma EB 80. 10 ball bearing over sized waterproof drag. I have abused, beat, loaned out and been spooled by large sharks with this reel. I have 2 thunnus 1200 that I have serviced every year and neither one has been as reliable as this cheap (less than $80) reel. It is 4 years, old never been serviced, has a severe case of boat rash and still works like new.
If you Google "Bait N Hook" tackle they have the best prices on Fin Nor OS series reels. They are about $25 cheaper then most.
If you are looking to get 60lbs of drag out of the reel I'm not sure you will get it. It may say it on paper but my experience with the reel says you won't. Still a great drag and a great reel for the money.
If you Google "Bait N Hook" tackle they have the best prices on Fin Nor OS series reels. They are about $25 cheaper then most.
If you are looking to get 60lbs of drag out of the reel I'm not sure you will get it. It may say it on paper but my experience with the reel says you won't. Still a great drag and a great reel for the money.
That and you will never be able to hold a true 60lbs.
Nice to say it can do it but another thing to be able to use it.
Thanks again for all the info. The Fin Nor sounds like a good "step up" from the Penn 950.
One question on rods. Are people using this reel with jigging rods or casting rods? I have no first hand experience with jigging rods.
I use the reel on both jigging and spinning rods. It's a little heavy especially the 85 and 95 models for spinning but for the amount of time your casting to fish it's not much of an issue. The 75 is lighter then the 85 and 95 if you are looking for a lighter reel.
I use the reel on both jigging and spinning rods. It's a little heavy especially the 85 and 95 models for spinning but for the amount of time your casting to fish it's not much of an issue. The 75 is lighter then the 85 and 95 if you are looking for a lighter reel.
Thanks. I don't think I'm looking for a lighter reel, so much as I want to make sure I get the right reel and rods in the right combinations for casting and jigging.
Right now, I'll jig for blues and stripers with my casting rods if I'm marking fish 20 or 30 feet down. I assume the jigging rods are just a lot stiffer than the casting rods and would not work well for casting. Is there a "corss over" rod that does both reasonable well for Tuna, or is it just a better idea to get dedicated rods for one type of fishing over the other?
Have to get a custom rod. I have two Tsunami's and they are good for what they are but if you are serious about landing fish 150+ (even 100+) on occasion you will be kicking yourself later. The Tsunami's (about $80.00) I have are great production rods but I highly advise spending another $100-150 and getting something with a little more oomph.
What size fish do plan on catching? Have you decided on a reel? Drag numbers will be a factor in rod selection.
As far as getting a multifunctional rod for both jigging and casting... If you plan on jigging a good amount do yourself a favor and just buy a jigging specific rod. You will be able to jig all day with 1/4 the effort.
I will be buying this (below) rod for jigging. It is a 600 gram. It will be paired with a Fin Nor OF 95. I highly recommend these rods. A few buddies have them and I have used them on occasion. What a difference!
The customer service sucks. The selection isn't the widest. But if they have what you are looking for the price is the best. They ship quickly too.
Do not be fooled by the line ratings for the Fin-Nor. I bought the 9500 and tried spooling 500 yards of 100# Power Pro. Not even close. It was more like 300 yards. So I bought 80# Jerry Brown hoping to get 400 yards and I broke the handle off while spooling it. I guess it was my fault as I am used to conventional reels. I was putting a lot of pressure on the handle while spooling. Just an FYI.
The customer service sucks. The selection isn't the widest. But if they have what you are looking for the price is the best. They ship quickly too.
Do not be fooled by the line ratings for the Fin-Nor. I bought the 9500 and tried spooling 500 yards of 100# Power Pro. Not even close. It was more like 300 yards. So I bought 80# Jerry Brown hoping to get 400 yards and I broke the handle off while spooling it. I guess it was my fault as I am used to conventional reels. I was putting a lot of pressure on the handle while spooling. Just an FYI.
I got 420 yards of 80# izorline which is pretty consistent with the manual. This leaves plenty of room for a wind on. The advertised capacity on their site is plain wrong and misleading.
Yeah, right! That is NOT going to happen. 
