Penn Clash 6000 Review

The Penn Clash was specifically made for spinning

The Penn clash comes in sizes from 2000, 2500, 3000, 4000, 5000, 6000 and 8000.
As time allows me, I shall review most of the range.

This is my review of the Penn Clash 6000

It is indeed my first reel review as such, but it must be stated that I have 34 years fishing experience. I have put many reels through their paces and over the years I have seen and encountered good reels and bad reels. Cheap reels and expensive reels. It must be noted, that neither cheap or expensive reels will catch you the big trophy fish!

You as the angler is the one that will ultimately choose to target such a trophy fish, when you decide to do that, you need the right equipment to achieve your goal! I do not believe in the very top end range of reels as they are often too expensive and ultimately the sea has no remorse when it decides to eat away at your top end range reel. Looking at this line of fishing reel, I do believe that this reel has all bells and whistles to assist you in achieving your goal.

So lets fire away!

This reel will suit spinning fishing when looking for the bigger fish. I would use the Penn Clash 6000 for looking at targeting the bigger kingfish and Garrick on plugs and spoons from 2 ounce to 6 ounce or even bait fishing. Fishing from the shore or a boat the reel shall do the trick. If you decide to make it a 30lb setup, lighter spoons or plugs should also suit this reel. The reel is sold in a standard box, with an instruction manual, spares guide and a bag containing 2 spool washers to assist in line lay.
According to the specifications:

Gear ratio : 5,6:1 @ 41 inches per handle turn
Mono line capacity lbs/ yds : 15/ 335; 20/ 230 25/ 210
Braid capacity lbs/ yds : 30/ 490; 40/ 390 50/ 335
Weight : 21oz or 595 grams

Further:

Full aluminium body
Aluminium techno balanced rotor
Cnc gear tm, machined brass pinion and drive gear
HT-100 carbon fibre drag washers
8 sealed stainless steel ball bearings
Instant anti reverse bearing
Heavy duty aluminium bail wire
Super line spool
Line capacity rings
Max drag 25lbs

Looking at the reel one can see cut outs was made to the spool and body and handle to keep weight down as the full metal body will add considerable weight to the reel.
A full metal body prevents body flex which will minimise the stress placed on internal components, keeping them in place all the time!

A thing of beauty! The reel comes in 21 oz, 595 grams which is still heavy, but the big thing I like about this reel, is that it has a full metal body! Aluminium that is. Thus frame flex is not an aspect to worry about.

The reel can be divided into 4 sections as such:

1. Handle assembly
2. Drag knob, reel spool and drag stack
3. Pinion gear and bearings with anti reverse bearing , bail arm and rotor assembly.
4. Main body and internal gears.

Clearly visible weight was removed where possible without losing integrity at all!

Here one can see the closest the bail arm comes to the power handle. There should be no worries that even guys with enormous hands would risk the fingers of getting brushed by the bail arm.

When fitted to a rod, it is clear that the bail arm is far enough from catching possible thicker fingers!

The drag knob assembly removed.
The red rubber washer present is to prevent water from entering the drag stack.

The carbon fibre inserts also gives a dynamic look to the reel.

Seen here, the drag knob assembly consists of?

• A rubber seal to prevent water from entering the drag stack.[/*]
• Steel plate, 2x screws,[/*]
• Spring to adjust tension on the drag stack[/*]
• A drag clicker and spring
  [/*]

Watch out when disassembling it, the clicker is spring loaded and the spring can jump away without knowledge.

Nothing too fancy here. The screw in the drag knob is nicely secured.

Seen here the drag knob with the drag setting clicker fitted. Beneath it is a spring. When the cover is placed over it, it is spring loaded. This allows the user to audibly hear when the drag is adjusted.

Seen here the spool also has cut outs to assist with weight.
The spool is also made of aluminium and properly painted/ treated to protect the spool from the elements of nature!

The graphite inserts again adds a dynamic look to the reel.

The bottom of the spool

1= the line holder mechanism
2= is the reel clicker, drag clicker
3= the reel rides on a sealed bearing which fits into the slot. The plastic line spacing washer then sits on the outside of the slot, sealing the drag.

Top of the spool.
The drag system is contained by a plate and 3x screws.

Here the drag stack was removed!
The reel is fitted with the HT 100 drag from pen, which consists of 3x carbon drag washers.
These drag washers are all dry!
Note: that the washers are also cut in the same way as the spool. So they fit snugly into the spool!



Carbon drag washers enlarged. Washers cut to fit the spool.



Seen here, the spool with the drag stack removed.

The drag cover is secured with the 3x screws, but no o-ring is fitted here to keep water out of the drag. So why have a rubber seal on the drag knob to prevent water from entering the drag, but no protection here?

I am sure that the 3 screws will prevent drops of water entering the drag stack. Obviously this is a spinning reel and not a submarine!
A light film of grease between the plate and the spool should keep water out of the drag.

As the drag is sealed from the top by the rubber band on the drag knob and the spool sitting on a sealed bearing as well as a thin plastic spacer washer, it is then highly unlikely that water would seep into the drag.
The size of the drag washers seems to be reasonable in size to allow for a smooth drag.

Looking at the spool, on the bottom of the spool, lines were added to assist in filling the spool correctly.

Obviously 3 lines exist and this would further indicate to the user how much line is left as the line is removed from the spool.
Obviously, when fitting the reel with line or braid it is recommended that the line not past the last ring, as the spool could be overfilled and wind knots would become apparent!

A much closer view of the spool lines.

Seen here, the spool is braid ready. So when filling the spool with braid, nylon is not needed to prevent line slip as in the old days of filling reels with braid.