penn 320 gti lever drag

waynesworld · 11-06-2002, 04:04 PM

has anyone seen the new penn 320 gti leverdrag? seems like a quality built reel and for under $120.00 seems like a deal...

drogerso · 11-07-2002, 04:13 AM

I saw one yesterday while getting a star-drag version spooled with wire. I especially like the button under the lever that will prevent you from going to full drag accidentally. I also noticed that the spool was shaped differently on the lever drag in that it is not cylinderical (sp) like the star drag, but kind of shaped like a half moon. Another thing about this reel is that you cannot change spools like you can with the star drag. One thing that did suprise me was the amount of drag this thing can generate. The salesman at the tackle shop said that he would not be suprised to see some rods coming in for repair work due to people setting the pole in a rod-holder, then have a big fish hit it and end up whacking the pole as a result of the drag setting. All that being said, I gotta figure out how to budget one into the mix and try it out.

NewMoon · 11-07-2002, 05:53 AM

I use this reel to live line baitfish for stripers in New England, I spool it up with 20lb Berkley Trilene and it works beautiful! The free spool is great (smooth), and the level wind is nice on this reel. Two years of use and no problems at all. (Whoops I have the old version)

202 Scout Sportfisher, mainly fish Point Judith, Block Island, and Charlestown, Rhode Island.

WEEKEND HONEYMOON · 11-07-2002, 02:18 PM

The guy that built my wire line rods wanted me to put them on....they were sweet! However, the idea of a "rookie" using the reel with wire put bad visions in my head. I ended up with the star drag.

Tim

Denmark Paul · 11-17-2002, 07:39 PM

Guys,
I've trolled with wire for years here off Long Island, but always used reels without level wind. The conventional wisdom is that they would tangle up easily. I also have used gti reels for almost all my fishing, but with mono or braided. Now it seems I can combine my favorite reel with wire line. Do you have any problems? It sure would seem a lot easier to use a level wind. Any shared experience would be helpful. Thanks
Paul