A premium saltwater spinning reel from the respected Penn brand, featuring IPX5 water resistance
Perfect for both beginners and more experienced anglers looking for a decent fixed spool spinning reel at an affordable price
Featured in our guide on the best sea fishing reels
Feature | What This Means |
---|---|
IPX5 Sealed Body and Spool Design | The reel is protected against water jets from any direction, making it highly resistant to saltwater spray and splashes. This protection extends the reel’s lifespan by preventing corrosion of internal components. |
CNC Gear Technology with Brass Main Gear | Computer-controlled precision manufacturing ensures perfect gear alignment. The brass main gear offers superior durability and smoother operation compared to standard materials. |
HT-100â„¢ Carbon Fiber Drag Washers | These specialised washers provide consistent drag pressure throughout the fight. The carbon fibre material offers better heat resistance and longer life than standard drag materials. |
5+1 Sealed Stainless Steel Ball Bearing System | Five ball bearings plus one anti-reverse bearing, all sealed against saltwater. This system ensures smooth operation while fighting fish and prevents reverse rotation of the handle. |
Full Metal Body | The entire body is constructed from metal rather than plastic, providing better durability and gear alignment under heavy loads. |
Superline Spool | Specially designed spool that prevents braided line from slipping, eliminating the need for backing material when spooling with braid. |
“The PENN® Spinfisher® VII Spinning features IPX5 sealing so whether it gets hit with a wave, or you let it ride in the spray all the way home, you don’t have to worry about saltwater getting into the gearbox or drag system.
Our HT-100â„¢ drag washers are housed in a fully sealed spool to give the stopping power needed for big saltwater fish.
A Full Metal Body and sideplate keep the CNC Gear System in precise alignment under heavy loads. Available in standard, Live Liner, and Long Cast models.”
When we assess the build quality of a fishing reel, we test and review the materials used in manufacturing the reel and how it all comes together in the finished product.
This part of the review is fairly self-explanatory and focuses on how well the reel casts and how smooth the retrieve is.
Distance isn't a factor in this assessment whereas accuracy and efficiency is.
On top of the actual, physical performance of the reel we also look at the number and type of ball bearings, the spool, line lay and the gear ratio in comparison to its required use.
When reviewing the drag system on a fishing reel we are testing how smooth the drag is and how convenient it is to use.
There is no bias as to whether a reel has a front or rear drag system, it is solely judged on how smooth it can take out line relative to the amount of pressure that is being applied.
Self-explanatory in terms of an assessment but yet an important part of the review process. This is because it creates more of a level playing field.
Of course, the more expensive a reel is the more quality components it will have and as such will generally score higher.
Having value for money as a criterion allows us to recognise good-performing reels at bargain prices.
The Penn Spinfisher VII continues the proud legacy of one of fishing’s most trusted names in saltwater reels. With its full metal construction and IPX5 rating, this reel represents Penn’s commitment to creating gear that can withstand the harshest fishing environments.
The latest iteration brings several refinements to an already impressive platform, making it a compelling choice for serious anglers.
In our extensive testing, the Spinfisher VII’s build quality immediately stands out. The cold touch of the full metal body inspires confidence, while the sealed construction provides peace of mind when fishing in wet conditions.
The brass main gear, precisely manufactured using CNC technology, delivers notably smooth operation under load.
However, we found that optimal performance requires careful attention to line capacity, as filling the spool too close to the rim can lead to some line management issues, particularly with lighter braided lines.
The reel’s versatility truly shines through its size range options. The 3500 size strikes an excellent balance for most UK lure fishing applications, though we found it pairs best with rods in the 8-9.5ft range.
The HT-100 drag system performs exceptionally well, offering consistent pressure throughout the fight, with the 6.8kg maximum drag providing more than enough stopping power for most species encountered in UK waters.
While the reel’s weight might feel slightly heavy compared to some competitors, this trade-off for durability makes sense for anglers who frequently fish in challenging conditions or need equipment that can withstand occasional rough handling.
Here is how the Penn Spinfisher VII compares against other products in its category. This table shows the overall rating based on the average of the key attributes that go into making a top fishing reel.
Name | Overall Rating | Price | |
---|---|---|---|
Wychwood Agitator S1 Baitcasting Reel | 8 | £59.99 | Sold Here |
Okuma Surf 8k | 8.5 | £84.99 | Sold Here |
Penn Spinfisher VII | 8.6 | £99.99 | Sold Here |
Daiwa Legalis LT Reel | 8.5 | £70.69 | Sold Here |
Shimano Bullseye 9120 | 8.9 | £377.99 | Sold Here |
Penn Fathom II | 8.4 | £149.99 | Sold Here |
Shimano Tyrnos | 8.8 | £209.99 | Sold Here |
Daiwa BG Spinning Reel | 8.3 | £106.55 | Sold Here |
There are four key attributes that form the basis of our reviews on fishing reels. These include the following:
Build Quality: – When we assess the build quality of a fishing reel, we test and review the materials used in manufacturing the reel and how it all comes together in the finished product.
Cast & Retrieve: – This part of the review is fairly self-explanatory and focuses on how well the reel casts and smooth the retrieve is. Distance isn’t a factor in this assessment whereas accuracy and efficiency is.
Drag System: – When reviewing the drag system on a fishing reel we are testing how smooth the drag is and how convenient it is to use. There is no bias as to whether a reel has a front or rear drag system, it is solely judged on how smooth it can take out line relative to the amount of pressure that it is being applied.
Value for Money: – Again, this is self-explanatory in terms of an assessment but yet an important part of the review process. Having value for money as a criterion allows us to judge how well a reel performs vs its price point and in turn allows us to recognise good-performing reels at bargain prices.
Here is how the Penn Spinfisher VII performed against is peers in each of these important attributes:
Name | Build Quality | Cast & Retrieve | Drag / Clutch | Value For Money |
---|---|---|---|---|
Wychwood Agitator S1 Baitcasting Reel | 8.0 | 7.5 | 7.5 | 9 |
Okuma Surf 8k | 8.0 | 8.5 | 8.5 | 9 |
Penn Spinfisher VII | 9.0 | 8.5 | 8.5 | 8.5 |
Daiwa Legalis LT Reel | 8.5 | 8.5 | 8.5 | 8.5 |
Shimano Bullseye 9120 | 9.5 | 9.0 | 9.0 | 8 |
Penn Fathom II | 8.5 | 8.0 | 8.5 | 8.5 |
Shimano Tyrnos | 9.0 | 9.0 | 9.0 | 8 |
Daiwa BG Spinning Reel | 8.5 | 8.0 | 8.0 | 8.5 |
If you would like to see more fishing tackle check out our full list of featured products below.Â
Copyright 2024 © eTackle | Designed by ‘The Web Page‘