79: Penn Passion Field Test

Penn Passion Spinning Reel

Test Drives

The new Penn Passion spinning reel is one special reel. It is a reel that represents Penn and Pure Fishing’s support for the American Breast Cancer Foundation (ABCF). Of course that is not all. The Penn Passion spinning reel is not just a symbol of support for the ABCF. It certainly is a reel that is very capable and a high performer. We recently filed tested the size 3000 at one of our usual test sites in Jugra, Selangor.

For this field test we filled the Penn Passion 3000 with 17lb Berkley Fireline Ultra 8 Carrier line, and 17lb Berkley Vanish leader. The reel was then paired with the Abu Garcia Salty Nova Colors Summer Blue (and also because we were field testing it). Below are what we used for the test.

Reel: Penn Passion 3000

Reel Model: 3000

Reel Size: 3000

Rod: Abu Garcia Salty Nova

Rod Model: Summer Blue

Rod Action: PE2 – Slow / light – Medium

Main Line: Berkley Fireline Ultra 8 Carrier

Line lb: 17lb

Leader Line: Berkley Vanish

Line lb: 17lb

Baits / Lures: Berkley Powerbait Swim Shad / Berkley Powerbait Power Grub

Size: 3 inches

Hooks / Jig-heads: Owner (for Grub)

Size: various

Test Conditions: Sunny afternoon with slight wind / cloudy evening

The Penn Passion Is One Tough Reel.

Performance

Being a spinning reel, casting the Penn Passion is easy. Distance is also really good perhaps due to the its spool that allows for a smooth outflow of lines. It could also be due to the smoothness of the Berkley Fireline Ultra 8 Carrier which is a smooth line. We got our soft baits all the way to the other side of the pond easily.

It did not take long before we hooked our first fish (grouper). The drag was set pretty high at about 70% to 75%. The drag performed smoothly as expected from the well established HT-100™ carbon fiber drag washers. The retrieve felt smooth and planted without any free play (gears).

None slip grip.

There were some close calls with fishes swimming towards the snags but were averted by the increase of the drag pressure. The only casualty (fish managed to de-hook itself) was a very tough fighting grouper. The drag was almost maxed out during the fight to gain better control over the fish since the battle got near the snags. The tester managed to turn the fish away but on the next run, the line went limp.

The fish managed to drop the hook and swam away to freedom. The angler retrieved the line only to realize that the hook had straighten due to the heavy pressure exerted by the hard fighting grouper and the drag of the reel via the angler. Well, sometimes this happens especially when we push comes to shove during the battle, and circumstances just cannot be avoided

A hard fighting grouper landed safely. The Penn Passion spinning reel performs really well.

Conclusion

The Penn Passion spinning reel certainly is a very capable high performer. The model we tested (size 3000) may be small in size but it certainly has plenty to give and can pack a good punch. It has a smooth drag that has been proven over many years with various Penn reels, and a good strong drag that can take on a good fight and good amounts of pressure. It is rigid allowing the angler to fish with confidence. It is a smooth performer over all.