Last updated at 11/05/2026 03:37:39
Penn Spinfisher SSV Spinning Reel, SSV5500
Free delivery
Spinfisher V Penn
originally posted on westmarine.com
This reel (6500) worked like a charm. Super smooth action. It was paired with a Rigged & Ready 7-piece travel rod that fit in my carry-on. Used this casting and trolling in French Polynesia on a sailboat March/April 2019. The reel was loaded with 20lb mono and 30lb steel leader. Caught several 5-7lb Bigeyed Jacks (crazy fighters/good eaters). Reel slightly oversized for the rod. Rod advertised as heavyweight but I'd call it medium weight. Could have handled much larger fish. Also, every review I saw online about these reels was very positive...spot on.
originally posted on ebay.com
Firstly the reel was delivered in three days of my purchase in great condition. I was excited and decided to test it out in an offshore trip targeting Black Sea bass. Thought Id be in about 100 foot of water or so. Getting there took 4 hours, way out there. The guy next to me was fishing with an electric reel and the depth was 180ft. I pulled up double headers of sea bass and huge porgies and bluefish all day long. This reel was amazing. Retrieve was smooth and fast. Cant wait to see this thing destroy fish in the bays of Long Island in shallow water. Be buying the 6500 soon as it has a larger line to reel retrieve. Quality reel for your money
originally posted on bcf.com.au
Not as refined as a Shimano. Big and heavy, built like a tank. Much better sealed than my expectation. I dunk it in a tub for 5 minutes and only found 1 drop of water in the main gear.
Penn Spinfisher SSV Spinning Reel, SSV5500
Free delivery
Spinfisher V Penn
This reel (6500) worked like a charm. Super smooth action. It was paired with a Rigged & Ready 7-piece travel rod that fit in my carry-on. Used this casting and trolling in French Polynesia on a sailboat March/April 2019. The reel was loaded with 20lb mono and 30lb steel leader. Caught several 5-7lb Bigeyed Jacks (crazy fighters/good eaters). Reel slightly oversized for the rod. Rod advertised as heavyweight but I'd call it medium weight. Could have handled much larger fish. Also, every review I saw online about these reels was very positive...spot on.
Firstly the reel was delivered in three days of my purchase in great condition. I was excited and decided to test it out in an offshore trip targeting Black Sea bass. Thought Id be in about 100 foot of water or so. Getting there took 4 hours, way out there. The guy next to me was fishing with an electric reel and the depth was 180ft. I pulled up double headers of sea bass and huge porgies and bluefish all day long. This reel was amazing. Retrieve was smooth and fast. Cant wait to see this thing destroy fish in the bays of Long Island in shallow water. Be buying the 6500 soon as it has a larger line to reel retrieve. Quality reel for your money
Not as refined as a Shimano. Big and heavy, built like a tank. Much better sealed than my expectation. I dunk it in a tub for 5 minutes and only found 1 drop of water in the main gear.
I was pleased to buy this Penn Spinfisher 8500 reel at a discount (~ $240). One week later another retailer offered the model below 7500 incl. a Penn rod for $90 less - couldn't believe it for a quality surf outfit. So now I have 2 that I'm happy about, but just wish I'd seen the second offer first.
For typical West Coast ocean fishing you no longer need to bring both a conventional reel and a special spinning reel for when the stripers are on the surface! Backed-in just outside the surf, the stripers are in a feeding frenzy on anchovies and there you are with a big old level wind. No more! Now you reel your SpinfisherV in, remove your bait set-up and switch to a monster lure and take on the big ones without fear of getting spooled or having a smoking clutch! The SpinfisherV with its powerfull drag can take just about anything short of a Tuna or bill-fish. Typical rock fishing or going after cod are no challenge for the big Penn Spinning reels. My all-metal construction with high big-braid capacity reel meets all my needs. You haven't fished if you aren't using ... MoreFor typical West Coast ocean fishing you no longer need to bring both a conventional reel and a special spinning reel for when the stripers are on the surface! Backed-in just outside the surf, the stripers are in a feeding frenzy on anchovies and there you are with a big old level wind. No more! Now you reel your SpinfisherV in, remove your bait set-up and switch to a monster lure and take on the big ones without fear of getting spooled or having a smoking clutch! The SpinfisherV with its powerfull drag can take just about anything short of a Tuna or bill-fish. Typical rock fishing or going after cod are no challenge for the big Penn Spinning reels. My all-metal construction with high big-braid capacity reel meets all my needs. You haven't fished if you aren't using a SpinFisherV.
I have not used them yet. The seem to be solid reels and should give good reliable results of a Penn. Two things that surprised me though, was that they are made in China and that they are a little heavy. I do not let Chinese products become a deal breaker as I purchase many very nice made products made there. As for the weight, I have found that a solid made real gives me more reliable life service. All in all, having not used them in service, I cannot pass judgement on them, but believe they are good quality. My main reason for the purchases, was because they are water tight and fishing in salt water, other reels not water tight will have salt intrusion which results in shortened service life of the reel. Update 2/27/17 Finally a real feedback from use of the two ... MoreI have not used them yet. The seem to be solid reels and should give good reliable results of a Penn. Two things that surprised me though, was that they are made in China and that they are a little heavy. I do not let Chinese products become a deal breaker as I purchase many very nice made products made there. As for the weight, I have found that a solid made real gives me more reliable life service. All in all, having not used them in service, I cannot pass judgement on them, but believe they are good quality. My main reason for the purchases, was because they are water tight and fishing in salt water, other reels not water tight will have salt intrusion which results in shortened service life of the reel. Update 2/27/17 Finally a real feedback from use of the two Spinfisher V 5500 Penn reels that I have and have been using these past months. I had problems with the drag being too heavy. With zero pressure from the adjusting knob, the drag started at 16 pounds. A call to Penn netted no solution, just for me to send them back and they would look at them. Since, I repair reels, I tore into the reels and found the problem to be the thickness of all the drag steel washers and the drag carbontec washers all together were too thick by a few thousands and when assembled with the water proof bottom spool cover put too much pressure or load on the drag washer making the drags too heavy. I was able to remove several thousands from the washers and the drags now work properly on both reels. I have talked with many owners of these reels in different models and no one else had the problem I had with the reel's drag as I did. I guess that in Chinese made items their quality control is not consistent! However these reels are really a bargain when you look at all that Penn has put into them. The water proof or water resistance of the reels with all their seals, the heavy metal used in the frame and the smoothness of the working parts make these reels a great value. In-fact, I just purchased another Penn reel this time a Spinfisher 4500 model. It ran smooth out of the box and I will be putting it to test very soon. I still will give the reels a 2 thumbs-up from there being overly built, which is not common in today products. And let me tell you a reel that is over build is not a bad thing!! I do expect years of trouble free use from this series and have plans for the purchase of a couple more of them.
I’ve got my 6500BLS mounted on a 7’ Allegiance II heavy rod with 40lb braid. Although this reel is typically used for surf fishing, it really works well when throwing heavy lures from a boat. Having the bail trip when slinging a 2-5oz lure can get pretty expensive when they fly 100 yards after breaking off. The bailless design takes a little getting used to, but when you do, it’s great. This reel is solid! For jack Crevalle, Bonita, Mahi-mahi, and even red snapper, it’s really a workhorse, especially for the price!
Several years ago I purchased a Penn Spinfisher V 4500 for surf fishing. The reel has held up very well. I try my best to keep it out of the sand and surf but sometimes things happen. Even with a quick dunk and another drop in the sand this reel just keeps working well. I hose it off after each trip but have never had to open it. I will be buying Spinfisher VI 5500 this fall to add to my surf setup. Thanks for making such an outstanding reel.
If you are looking for a SERIOUS Heavy Duty spinning reel, capable of handling VERY LARGE TUNA without having to spend a fortune, look no further! This reel is the MAC DADDY of any spinning reel I've ever seen / handled or casted!!!! I spooled up w/ ~500m of 70# braid and mounted on Penn Mariner Standup and I can hurl a huge popper way-way out and have no fear of being spooled by anything short of a GIANT BFT with 40# of drag at my disposal and all that line to play out. Retrieve is a bit faster than I might like for a top water plug, but that's OK... and it helps get the lure in faster if I need to cast in another direction fast. Be aware though, it IS BIG, HUGE IN FACT... and HEAVY!!! DO NOT THINK you will be casting this sucker all day long. It's perfect for a ... MoreIf you are looking for a SERIOUS Heavy Duty spinning reel, capable of handling VERY LARGE TUNA without having to spend a fortune, look no further! This reel is the MAC DADDY of any spinning reel I've ever seen / handled or casted!!!! I spooled up w/ ~500m of 70# braid and mounted on Penn Mariner Standup and I can hurl a huge popper way-way out and have no fear of being spooled by anything short of a GIANT BFT with 40# of drag at my disposal and all that line to play out. Retrieve is a bit faster than I might like for a top water plug, but that's OK... and it helps get the lure in faster if I need to cast in another direction fast. Be aware though, it IS BIG, HUGE IN FACT... and HEAVY!!! DO NOT THINK you will be casting this sucker all day long. It's perfect for a few casts, here and there to BIG fish!
After 2 straight seasons of hard use, the bailess SSV6500BLS is one tough reel. I originally bought it as an upgrade from a 25 year old 704Z. It deals flawlessly with anything and everything that's been thrown its way. This past fall (2015) it helped me beach many bass up to around 40lbs. The drag is silky smooth and stronger than steel. It's very low maintenance. One of the most braid-friendly reels I've owned--lays line beautifully and casts like a dream. My only wish is that Penn would make 2 more bailess sizes for the Spinfisher V: 5500 and 7500. Then, I could replace my beloved 550ss, my classic customized 710Z, and my tough as nails Slammer 760. GREAT JOB, PENN!!!
Whether you're surfcasting from the shore or embarking on a multiday billfish hunt, the Penn Spinfisher V Spinning Fishing Reel offers the durability needed to withstand harsh saltwater conditions. This saltwater reel features a watertight design that seals out water and sand from the gearbox and drag system, helping preserve smooth performance even when you're fighting back fierce surf. Equipped with a sealed Slammer drag system, it employs three high-performance HT-100 drag washers to deliver smooth, robust drag across the entire drag curve. The rigid full metal body maintains flawless gear alignment under heavy loads, giving you added leverage when you're battling a hard-pulling fish. This spinning reel also delivers excellent castability. Its friction trip ramp prevents the bail from tripping prematurely when you cast, so you can always achieve your desired range. Suitable for use with Berkley or Spiderwire Superline, the spool is fitted with a rubber gasket that prevents the Superline from slipping under pressure--meaning anglers can use braided line without a monofilament backing. And thanks to its line capacity rings, the spool displays at a glance how much line is remaining. This spinning reel is available in standard, live liner, bail-less, and long cast models.
Whether you're surfcasting from the shore or embarking on a multiday billfish hunt, the Penn Spinfisher V Spinning Fishing Reel offers the durability needed to withstand harsh saltwater conditions. This saltwater reel features a watertight design that seals out water and sand from the gearbox and drag system, helping preserve smooth performance even when you're fighting back fierce surf. Equipped with a sealed Slammer drag system, it employs three high-performance HT-100 drag washers to deliver smooth, robust drag across the entire drag curve. The rigid full metal body maintains flawless gear alignment under heavy loads, giving you added leverage when you're battling a hard-pulling fish. This spinning reel also delivers excellent castability. Its friction trip ramp prevents the bail from tripping prematurely when you cast, so you can always achieve your desired range. Suitable for use with Berkley or Spiderwire Superline, the spool is fitted with a rubber gasket that prevents the Superline from slipping under pressure--meaning anglers can use braided line without a monofilament backing. And thanks to its line capacity rings, the spool displays at a glance how much line is remaining. This spinning reel is available in standard, live liner, bail-less, and long cast models.
in 2 offers
The lowest price for Penn Spinfisher V Ssv5500 Spinning Reel right now is $153.99 at Davo's Tackle, compared across 2 retailers.
The all-time low was $79.00 on 8 Nov 2023 — today's price is 95% above the lowest ever. It has been notably cheaper before — worth setting a price alert.
Prices last updated 11 May 2026.
Penn Spinfisher V Ssv5500 Spinning Reel
Whether you're surfcasting from the shore or embarking on a multiday billfish hunt, the Penn Spinfisher V Spinning Fishing Reel offers the durability needed to withstand harsh saltwater conditions. This saltwater reel features a watertight design that seals out water and sand from the gearbox and drag system, helping preserve smooth performance even when you're fighting back fierce surf. Equipped with a sealed Slammer drag system, it employs three high-performance HT-100 drag washers to deliver smooth, robust drag across the entire drag curve. The rigid full metal body maintains flawless gear alignment under heavy loads, giving you added leverage when you're battling a hard-pulling fish. This spinning reel also delivers excellent castability. Its friction trip ramp prevents the bail from tripping prematurely when you cast, so you can always achieve your desired range. Suitable for use with Berkley or Spiderwire Superline, the spool is fitted with a rubber gasket that prevents the Superline from slipping under pressure--meaning anglers can use braided line without a monofilament backing. And thanks to its line capacity rings, the spool displays at a glance how much line is remaining. This spinning reel is available in standard, live liner, bail-less, and long cast models.
Whether you're surfcasting from the shore or embarking on a multiday billfish hunt, the Penn Spinfisher V Spinning Fishing Reel offers the durability needed to withstand harsh saltwater conditions. This saltwater reel features a watertight design that seals out water and sand from the gearbox and drag system, helping preserve smooth performance even when you're fighting back fierce surf. Equipped with a sealed Slammer drag system, it employs three high-performance HT-100 drag washers to deliver smooth, robust drag across the entire drag curve. The rigid full metal body maintains flawless gear alignment under heavy loads, giving you added leverage when you're battling a hard-pulling fish. This spinning reel also delivers excellent castability. Its friction trip ramp prevents the bail from tripping prematurely when you cast, so you can always achieve your desired range. Suitable for use with Berkley or Spiderwire Superline, the spool is fitted with a rubber gasket that prevents the Superline from slipping under pressure--meaning anglers can use braided line without a monofilament backing. And thanks to its line capacity rings, the spool displays at a glance how much line is remaining. This spinning reel is available in standard, live liner, bail-less, and long cast models.
