I have seen this discussed in here a little, but just wanted to get another opinion. I have two sargus reels, a 4000 on a teramar (sp?) and a 3000 on a Clarus. I live in Greenville so I only fish about 25 or 30 days per year (inshore). I have never had any problems with either reel and I really like them but everyone seems to think they are junk compared to the battles. I plan on picking up another 3 and 4 and maybe a couple larger that I could use for cobia. Should I spend the extra on the battles?
198 Carolina Skiff
90 Honda
yes.
>=<((((o> Wando High School Angling Club >=<((((o>
I just got a new Battle but have only fished it one time (got skunked). I really like the look and how it feels. Very smooth and a bit heavier than the Sargus. The bail is visibly bigger and overall, the reel seems like it might hold up a bit better than the Sargus. That being said, I have a Sargus 3000 and like it. MY only complaint is regarding some corrosion at the tail end which has caused the paint to peel off. I clean them good after every use so this was a little disappointing. As of now, I would spend the extra $20 and get a Battle.
I have a couple Battles and love them. I have also had corrosion on the stem even with careful maintenance incl wipe-down with Penns own reel cleaner. Also disappointed with that but it doesn’t seem to affect the reels performance. They are a great value for a reel
2000 SeaPro 180CC w/ Yammy 115 2 stroke
1966 13’ Boston Whaler w/ Merc 25 4 stroke “Flatty”
www.sswaonline.com
if you’re only fishing that amount and do not forsee yourself fishing inshore more, then check out the fierces.
the battles are great and I fish them almost exclusivley now. the reels are fished upwards if not well over 200 times a year and I have fished them 2 years. They’ve taken a pretty solid beating so far and have maintained their asthetical and interal integrity
PM nasty dawg if he does not respond on here soon. he’s a knowlegeable fella when it comes to the penn stuff.
xHCFCx
Fish are too valuable to be caught only once.
both the battles and the sargus seem to have the exterior corrosion problems… I do like the battle better than my sargus. Just hope it holds together
Is there something you guys like Better in that price range?
198 Carolina Skiff
90 Honda
quote:
Originally posted by StretchArmStrong
if you’re only fishing that amount and do not forsee yourself fishing inshore more, then check out the fierces.
the battles are great and I fish them almost exclusivley now. the reels are fished upwards if not well over 200 times a year and I have fished them 2 years. They’ve taken a pretty solid beating so far and have maintained their asthetical and interal integrity
xHCFCx
Fish are too valuable to be caught only once.
Like Stretch said check out the Penn Fierce
>=<((((o> Wando High School Angling Club >=<((((o>
fierce! the fierce is basically last years model of the battle. If you look around you will find them for cheaper than the tackle shop hint hint walmart.
A small fish in hand is better than big fish in promise
Support your local tackle shop, not Walmart.
I’d go with the Battles for sure. I have 2000, 3000, 5000 Battles and have been pretty pleased. I have had 3000 and 4000 Sarguses and was not terribly impressed. The Battles have handled a mess of nice fish and I can’t find much to complain about except for the paint peeling on my 3000, I thoroughly clean them every time so it shouldn’t have that corrosion but it stills works flawlessly.
yella bote
black motor
Battle
19’ Seapro 150 Yamaha
12’ Hydrocraft 25 Evinrude
If that’s all I have to worry about…there’s nothing to worry about.
I was thinking of a 6000 reel in this price range also. Anyone prefer the Battle over the Shimano Spheros or the Quantum Boca PT?
Thks.
Alex V
Maybe Penn will look into why their reels seem to have such a corrosion problem. In addition to my Sargus, I have a Shimano Symetre and a Sedona. All are about the same age, have been fished about the same amount and get cleaned up the same. I do have to say, the Shimanos look better cosmetically. Time will tell how my Battle will look in a year or so. For inexpensive reels, I have found a couple of Okuma Avengers that for the money seem like pretty good deals. One is a 3000 that I have caught a 31" red on and the other is a 5000 that I have caught reds and sharks they both have performed well.
Haddrells had tht Symetre on sale not long ago for $79. 20 bucks off the regular price. It had just gone off sale but they sold it to me at that price anyway. Of course they spooled it for me and will give you all the info you need. You will not find that at Wal Mart.
19’ Seapro 150 Yamaha
12’ Hydrocraft 25 Evinrude
If that’s all I have to worry about…there’s nothing to worry about.
just for the record i hardley ever buy stuff at walmart. i support any local business! but sometimes their is such a price difference you cant skip. i do buy my arties tackle line rods reels and bait from local stores.
A small fish in hand is better than big fish in promise
I’ve fished the Penn fierce, sargus, and battle and did a review on the F,S B a while back. All three are built on the same frame. With each step up in price, you get a step up in features. THe Sargus has and addltional bearing over the fierce, and the battle has one more than the sargus.
Nasty Dawg can anwer which step up has the improved drag, I think it’s the Sargus. THen the next “top end” drag goes into the conquer…
All three have some issues with corrosion unless you hit them after every other trip with a fresh coat of Penn Corrosion inhibitor.
If you and a TOUGH reel with exceptionally good drag for the price, you need to check out an Okuma Trio.
Who’s Ready for a Sleigh Ride? www.KayakFishSC.com
I was actually wondering about putting braid straight on the battle instead of backing with mono does this work as it is supposed to and make a difference? Im looking at the same thing between battle and sargus and think its time to upgrade from the Pursuits even though I have loved them. They have really been through it but still in good condition except for the mentioned cosmetics. All the positive talk I believe just sold another battle and cant get that at walmart. Those guys at the local shops do more than sell tackle you have to support them. Walmart does have some good people watchin though.
straight braid tends to spin on the spool so the drag system doesnt work properly. You can put some duct tape on the spool and that will help,but most opt for a mono backing
1 wrap of tape will give the braid something to bite into. Lots more reels are “braid ready” now with a small piece of rubber compound on the spool.
If you’re good with knots, then mono backing is a better choice than tape because moisture will get trapped under the tape.
Who’s Ready for a Sleigh Ride? www.KayakFishSC.com