Table of Contents
About Penn Fishing
As much as people won’t admit it, fishing is as much of an art as painting. Both require patience, technique, and the proper tools for the job. Just like you can’t paint a portrait with a toothbrush, you can’t fish with an improper rod.
Now while the fishing industry is filled with gear and companies, there aren’t many brands that possess the same levels of customer loyalty as Penn Fishing. Their reels have been used to help people set more than 1,400 International Game Fish Association saltwater world records.
With over 90 years of experience in the market and an impressive Instagram following of 268k fans, it’s worth seeing what all the hype is about. You’re going to learn exactly that in this Penn Fishing review as I’ll cover the brand’s history, their products, customer reception, and more.
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Overview of Penn Fishing
Penn Fishing emerged from Otto Henze’s mind and hands in 1932. He developed the first two fishing reel designs in a Philadelphia loft and worked with regional distributors to send them out. The company helped people during the Great Depression as money was tight and folks needed reels that were affordable and dependable.
They flourished during this time but it wasn’t until the 1950s that Penn Fishing grew from a big fish in the small pond that was the Philadelphia region. In that decade, they expanded their operations to a national scale, granting them customers across the United States and building a reputation that’s endured since then.
As you read later in this Penn Fishing review, many people return to the brand after acquiring their first product. This is because their reels, rods, and other items are nearly universally considered among the long-lasting in the industry.
However, before I tell you about those, let me break down some of Penn Fishing’s highlights.
Highlights
- Affordable reels and rods
- Durable products
- A long history of customer satisfaction
- Available at a variety of stores
- Free shipping on all orders over $50
I’ll only be looking at a few items in this Penn Fishing review. Their other products fall into these categories on their website:
- Reels (for off-shore, inshore, and saltwater fishing)
- Rods
- Combos
- Apparel
Penn Fishing Reels Review
Let’s look at some Penn Fishing reels first since they’re what made the brand famous.
Penn Fishing Slammer® IV Spinning Review
This is one of the Penn Fishing reels that’s held in exceedingly high regard by buyers. One customer went as first as to say, “I bought this reel and it has become my go too, I love the quality, workmanship, and excellent casting, my first Penn was purchased many years ago and this recent purchase has brought me back to PENN.”
The Penn Fishing Slammer® IV Spinning balances drag and smoothness for an item that can do it all. You can pick it up for $260.
Penn Fishing Fathom® II Star Drag Reel Review
The next reel in this Penn Fishing review was made with angling in mine. The Penn Fishing Fathom® II Star Drag Reel epitomizes power with its metal plates and frame.
As one buyer put it, “I got the fathom2 15 to use while surf fishing and so far like it a lot. Jawbreaking drag, big handle knob, a clicker sound, is lightweight and looks good. Mag brake reduces the learning curve for those new to Casting conventional reels.”
You can pick up the Penn Fishing Fathom® II Star Drag Reel for as little as $240.
Penn Fishing Rods Review
Unless you’re fishing by spear, a good rod is the most important tool in your arsenal, which is why I’m going to tell you about one of the most exciting Penn Fishing rods now.
Penn Fishing Squadron® III Inshore Casting Review
The Penn Fishing Squadron® III Inshore Casting has a stainless steel duraguide for rigidity with a cork base and EVA grip so that your hands feel right at home.
This is what one buyer wrote about this Penn Fishing rod. “Great rod for a day fishing for redfish or even jigging for snapper. Solid all-around stick for the money. Throwing smaller jigs & topwater for inshore species, or tying on a jig for near-shore this rod got the job done. Even caught a Bonita and a small AJ on this rod and it did great. Very strong and reliable.”
This item is available for $50.
Penn Fishing Combo Review
Lastly, let’s look at a Penn Fishing combo that hits like a Mike Tyson 1-2 punch.
Penn Fishing Squall® II Star Drag Combo Review
The final item in this Penn Fishing review balances speed, castability, and durability to distinguish itself as a go-to combo for conventional fishing.
One customer wrote that the Penn Fishing Squall® II Star Drag Combo is “Perfect for trolling. It’s rugged and performs well; the reel is easy to use and seems superior to my older Penn reels. The retrieve is smooth and will handle large stripes. The combination of the rod and reel is perfect.”
You can pick it up for $230.
Who Is Penn Fishing For?
The products in this Penn Fishing review, and those on the brand’s website, are great for people who don’t have the most expendable income to put towards their fishing hobby.
Penn Fishing Reviews: What Do Customers Think?
Here are all the customer review scores from Penn Fishing’s website for the products I’ve written about.
- Penn Fishing Slammer® IV Spinning: 5/5 stars based on 5 pieces of customer feedback
- Penn Fishing Squall® II Star Drag Combo: 4.9/5 stars based on more than 10 pieces of customer feedback
- Penn Fishing Squadron® III Inshore Casting: 4.9/5 stars based on 8 pieces of customer feedback
- Penn Fishing Fathom® II Star Drag Reel: 4.6/5 stars based on more than 25 pieces of customer feedback
Those scores indicate an overall positive reception, something that Penn Fishing reviews on other websites also presented. Here are those numbers from a few more websites.
- Amazon: 4.4/5 stars based on more than 800 pieces of customer feedback on the PENN Fishing 309MCP Level Wind 309M Fishing Reel
- Pissed Consumer: 4.4/5 stars based on one piece of customer feedback
- Knoji: 3.9/5 stars based on more than 55 pieces of customer feedback
I’ve included a couple of customer Penn Fishing reviews to show what people loved the most about their purchases. Overall, it was the brand’s reputation as a stellar producer of products. Their reels and rods were considered to be among the most durable.
- “I was very pleased with my order. Was shipped fast and on time. Penn spinning reels are all I use when spin fishing. Great product as always and my Penn reels have never let me down.”
- “Compared your tackle to other brands and it’s just as good your prices are fair I’ve used your reels and they hold up great. Thank you.”
- “Penn General Purpose Reels will always be my favorite reels for trolling for salmon. I have a couple of newer reels and several that are 20-30 years old… These reels are simply the best, most durable reel you can buy.”
While the majority of Penn Fishing reviews were crackling with praise, there were some customers who took umbrage with the company’s customer service. A couple of folks mentioned that for as good as the brand’s products were, their communication was less than satisfactory.
Now, this was only a minority of the Penn Fishing reviews that I read, so I can’t extend this notion to everyone who has ever shopped from the brand.
Is Penn Fishing Legit?
Beyond those few notes about customer service, there wasn’t much else that made Penn Fishing appear to be sketchy.
Is Penn Fishing Worth It?
Due to their overwhelmingly positive customer reception, I think that Penn Fishing is worth checking out.
Penn Fishing Promotions & Discounts
The company has a for sale section on their website wherein you can pick up items for much less than their regular asking price.
Where to Buy Penn Fishing
Penn Fishing’s products are available at many major retailers and fishing stores like Walmart, Amazon, and Bass Pro Shops.
FAQ
Who owns Penn Fishing?
Sycamore Partners is their owner.
Does Penn Fishing ship internationally?
I couldn’t find much information about international shipping on Penn Fishing’s website.
What is Penn Fishing’s Shipping Policy?
They provide free shipping on all US orders over $50. They also provide 3-day shipping to all US locations in the lower 48 United States, although this service comes with a fee.
What is Penn Fishing’s Return Policy?
If you bought an item on Penn Fishing’s website then you’ll have up to 30 days to return it in unused condition. You’ll receive a refund minus the cost of shipping.
How to Contact Penn Fishing
You can contact Penn Fishing by calling (800) 892-5444.
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