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Who makes Penn reels now?

Discussion in 'Fishing Reel Review' started by pap2al, Apr 20, 2008.

  1. Apr 20, 2008 #1
    pap2al

    pap2al New Member

    Messages:
    8
    State:
    *Required*
    As I look at Penn reels on Ebay some say made in USA others don't.Have they been farmed out to another country like everything else,if so does anyone know what year was the last mod. 9,109 ,or 209 made here.I'm thinking of getting some reels to repair,but only want good items USA made.Thanks Bob
     
  3. Apr 21, 2008 #2
    Bacardipr05

    Bacardipr05 New Member

    Messages:
    1,424
    State:
    Pennsylvan
    Pap from my understanding most of the reels are made in China now. Shakespeare bought Penn out i think last year or so. I happen to live ten minutes away from the original Penn factory. The last time i drove by it is still there. They only make their higher end stuff here from what I have heard. Some of their newer reels are rebadged Pflueger/Shakespeare reels. They still repair them here though in Philadelphia at least i think....:wink:
     

  5. Apr 21, 2008 #3
    catman4926

    catman4926 New Member

    Messages:
    1,602
    State:
    Texas
    MY UNDERSTANDING IS THE PENN INTRENATIAL'S ARE MEDE IN THE U S A NOW. LOOK AT THE SHAKESPEARE ARSENAL IT LOOK JUST LIKE THE PENN 320GTI AND ALMOST THE SAME SPECS.:smile2: ABU IS STILL THE REEL
     
  6. Apr 21, 2008 #4
    dex

    dex Member

    Messages:
    157
    State:
    Oklahoma
    The Pflueger Contenders and some of the Shakespeare reels you can tell they are all copies of some Penn models.
     
  7. Apr 21, 2008 #5
    Bacardipr05

    Bacardipr05 New Member

    Messages:
    1,424
    State:
    Pennsylvan
    Or vica versa...Look at the Penn Sargus and the Pflueger Infusion.... Same reels different colors...I think what they are doing..and this is just a thought..Pflueger is getting their high end stuff Shakespeare their cheap stuff and Penn middle of the road.... Try to think Ford,Mercury and Lincoln...(Lincoln been higher end products)
     
  8. Apr 21, 2008 #6
    wneubauer

    wneubauer New Member

    Messages:
    342
    State:
    McKinney, TX
    According to the Penn website, the company was sold to K-2 Inc in 2007, which is Jarden, Inc. They own everything not owned by Microsoft and GE...

    I know all of their production but the "high end" reels moved to China in 2006. Chances are all of it is there now...
     
  9. Apr 21, 2008 #7
    Bacardipr05

    Bacardipr05 New Member

    Messages:
    1,424
    State:
    Pennsylvan
    Yep they do own just about everything...Penn was a family owned business with family type of values...just bring in your reel and they will fix it exchange it no problem.. now its just another huge company...however some of the people have been their since I was just a pup...
     
  10. Apr 22, 2008 #8
    wneubauer

    wneubauer New Member

    Messages:
    342
    State:
    McKinney, TX
    Does any one know if there are any Penns still made in the US... I can't find any indication there are...
     
  11. Apr 22, 2008 #9
    Angler2007

    Angler2007 New Member

    Messages:
    489
    State:
    Missouri
    I sent a 310GTI to PA to be reconditioned last year and it came back like brand new. Penn reels have always been good to me. I've caught walleye, catfish (78.8# blue), salmon and steelhead on them. I have upgraded some of my reels though to Shimano Tekotas.