View Full Version : Penn Prion Spinning Reel
Honest John
05-01-2001, 11:51 AM
Any thoughts or experience with this reel (the small one) for a jigging rod? Is it made in USA?
Thanks.
Phil T.
05-01-2001, 01:13 PM
I think all Penn products are still made in the USA. The Penn reels have a rare thing to recommend them, real bronze gears and stainless steel shafts. No forged aluminum inside.
I bought three of the lower-priced Penns last year, and am pleased. The 4200SS is a bit small, the 4300SS is my idea of what a jigging reel should be. Compare your reel's weight to those models.
sweetP
05-01-2001, 02:04 PM
I bought one of the Penn Prion reels last year. I also own many Shimano reels. There is no doubt in my mind that if I were to buy another reel it would be a Shimano Stradic before a Penn Prion. What I didn't like about the Penn was when I would flip the bail over by hand after casting, it would't engage.
The Prion is made for Penn by Ryobi in Japan. It is a very good reel.
The Cabela's Platinum ZX is the basically the same reel with a better handle and at a lower price.
JRS is correct. The Prion is made by Ryobi and they are excellent products. The Cabelas Platinum ZX is the same reel with a better handle and a couple of other minor advantages. I think the only way you can get Cabelas Platinim ZX is with the XML rod combo on their website. It is a great deal at $149.00 for the combo (I have 2). The Platinum ZX alone sold for $169.00 and the XML rods are $140.00 rods.
Cabelas customer service is 2nd to none. Go with the Platinum ZX combo. (or snap like I did and get two)
As a side note: These ZX reels are as smooth as Shimano Stradics, but under a load the Stradics crap out and lose power. the ZX stays smooth and strong.
Honest John
05-04-2001, 03:56 AM
The information I get from this board is always helpful and sometimes amazing. On this topic, the information is ironic because I bought two of the Platinum ZX reels at Cabelas and gave one to my wife. Since that means I still need another reel, I started thinking about the Penn Prion because I thought it was probably American made. Ironic that now I learn that: 1. It is made by Ryobi and 2. I all ready have a very similar reel that I like very much!!!
The beauty of this situation is that once I get the combo from Cabela's, I will still need another reel....
Thanks.
Honest John