Penn Surfmaster 850

I recently purchased the above because I wanted a long distance fixed spool reel.

I find it isn't great -- any opinions?

i have the surfmaster 70 for years great reel ...all i hear about the 850 is bad?
Not much help!!
Why did they change a good reel???

i have the surfmaster 60 and its a crackin reel, couldnt get the 70.

havent really heard anything good about the 750 or 850.

[round_ourway]

I have the 60 & 70, brute of reels. great reels

One of the fellas on here had the 850 and it grinded to a halt. I havent heard any thing good about them

Last edited by round_ourway on Tue Aug 11, 2009 1:08 pm, edited 1 time in total.

tell yea a secret....i bought a 70 and stored it away brand new in a box.....
It's goin ta be my retirement fund ...ebay in 25 years time!



I'm not joking.

the gearing in the penn surfmasters isnt u to much from what ive seen. the newer versions also seem very 'plasticy' in comparision to the old ones..

hi big phil, ive had one of them--pure rubbish -it wont last long no matter how you look after it.ive got the old surfmaster but with a slight difference, its got a bait runner on it! it was the american version known as the surfmaster lever drag (ld) if you can source one of these its a great reel..

I must have the only pair of 850s in the country that are any use. Love them to bits.

I must have the only pair of 850s in the country that are any use. Love them to bits.

do you ever use them???
only kidding!

i have the 750 and i think its lovely to use no probs yet (fingers crossed)

Picked one up in the shop when them came out 1st the 850 was 50 sterling at the time. I could not belive how toyish they felt, just didn't feel like a solid piece of kit after hearing so much good stuff about the old penn 70's. I walked away. listening to this I'm glad I did.

i have the 750. it was nice when it was new but take it apart and you'll see how poor they are.

Have 2 of the 850's, they came with combos that i got but they are very very poor, parts are plastic e.t.c i am just waiting to strike into something and for the reels to just crumble