Opinions & Experience with these 2 reels

[Zeuss]

SRG14000F
xxx.SRG14000F
$ 299.99


41" Line Retrieve
20/350, 25/290, 30/220 Line Capacity
44 lbs Max Drag
6 Ball Bearings + 1 Roller Bearing
4.9:1 Gear Ratio
28.4oz

750SSm
xxx.PENN750SSm$ 129.99

250/20 Line Capacity
4.6:1 Gear Ratio
25.5oz

I own the 750 and I like the real, its simple, very reliable, nice smooth drag, but I am having 2 new rods built both 11' 6", 1 of them being a spinning so I need a new real on each on the conventional I am going with another Abu but on the spinning I am not sure if Im going the the same reel I own now the Penn 750 SS or this new Shimano SRG14000F.

Does anyone have any experience with this Shimano SRG14000F? Its a little on the heavy side which can wear me out faster than a lighter real, but the Penn 750 SS is not light neither, a tad lighter than the Shimano SRG14000F, but not by much.

I will be fishing with braid

[Zeuss]

SRG8000F
xxx.SRG8000F$ 229.99

Line Retrieve
10/390, 12/320, 14/270, 16/220, 20/160 Line Capacity
27 lbs Max Drag
5 Ball Bearings + 1 Roller Bearing
5.2:1 Gear Ratio
20.6oz

This smaller version of the Saragosa 14000 looks very appealing to me as well, light weight, plenty of line capacity, I could fill this reel with 300 yd's of 50 lb PP, or 200yd's of 65 lb sufix
This would be about the size of a Penn 650 SS.

I just found out that the new Penns are made in China, and are of poor quality, compared to the old American made Penn reels, so I am leaning more towards the Shimano Saragosa. The question is should I get the 14000, or the 8000? As I mentioned before they the new reel will be going on a 11' 6" rod, so I want it to be properly balanced as well.

[Pat Battle-ship]

FYI you can get a bailess kit for the Shimano but have never fished one.
That is a big reel maybe you can step it down to the 8000, closer to the size of the Penn about 8oz. lighter then the 14000, and will hold 300+ yards of 50lbs braid.

[Zeuss]

Thanks Pat for the link, and suggestion. Yes the 8000 looks like it could handle big fish without a problem, plenty of line capacity, and lighter.
I have never used these reels so I m not sure how well they perform, and how well they can take the punishment of surf fishing in nasty weather.

[Zeuss]

Shimano Stradic ST8000FI
xxx.ST8000FI$ 199.99


Line Retrieve
12/345, 16/250, 20/185 Line Capacity
29 lbs Max Drag
5 Ball Bearings + 1 Roller Bearing
5.7:1 Gear Ratio
20.5oz


This reel looks promising, definitely a battle between this Shimano stradic FI 8000, and the Shimano Saragosa 8000

[Pat Battle-ship]

It is a much more sizable investment more then double the 14000's price but if you are fishing the RI surf have you considered a Van Staal 250, 22oz close to 500 yards of 50lbs braid, and should give a really smooth, far cast on a custom 11'6", you can even go to a 275 on that rod.

[Zeuss]

The Van Staal is a VERY nice reel but Im not paying that much money for a reel, 300 is as hi as I will go. I fish mostly in the Cape, but do fish in RI as well. Im gearing up with all new tackle rods, reels, line, you name it for my Montauk trip with the guys from this site. I have a gut feeling the bass of the lifetime will be caught while we are there, so I dont want to use anything used, it will all be brand new just cant let the "boss" know how much I'm spending on all new gear on top of what I already have .

[Sudsy]

Get a 706, have it for life.
Perfect fit on a 10' + rod.
Works great with 20# Fireline.
Waterproof and dunkable when packed with grease - longtime standard at Montauk.

Out of production and getting more expensive. You should be able to score a solid one without box for around $125 to $150

Use it for the fall season then send it to the Reel Restorer who will bring it back to new condition for about $50.

Once it's like new again fish the reel until you're too old to cast anymore.

[Sudsy]

And none of the reels you've mentioned above, the Shimanos and Chinese Penns, will survive a single trip to Montauk. Any reel used there has to be able to handle being, not just dunked, but completely submersed. Except for the $800 Stella, Shimano's are notorious for not handling dunkings.

[Zeuss]

Thanks Sudsy...... I guess the shimano's are out of my list. My first reel was a Penn 704 I had it for years until someone stole my rig, nice reel I loved it I have been looking for one but I cant find one anywhere. Do you know were I can get a 704 in good condition? Ill sent it to the place you suggested before the Montauck trip so I can have it back on time.

[NYCBassMan]

you can get penn greenies on e bay may not be the 704 but... 706 710 712 they are all basically the same reel I got 2 of them for under $50 each they were well used but work fine I will be sending them to the reel restorer also

[Zeuss]

Thanks NYCBassMan, I just scored a 704 from a friend of mine in trade for one of my fresh water rigs. I just found some on e bay definitely going to get at least 1 more

[Sudsy]

Chuck Hell (yup, his real name) aka the Reel Restorer is way behind on orders right now. If the reel is fishable I'd use it for the fall run and send it in immediately after.

[Zeuss]

Thanks for the heads up

[kenyee]

What about the Daiwa BG60? Workhorse reel and built like a tank...