IanSea

Ive had my 535 since last Christmas and I like its feel and casting abilities. I use the reel for heavy shorefishing loaded with 30lb line straight through and was thinking of getting a 525 as well for general beach use, but in light of the comments on here I may leave it another year or two until I see how the 535 holds out. Pricewise the 535 is certainly good value. Mine cost just under £60 locally, which is around half the price of an ABU 7500. I just hope that mine is as durable as my 7500. On a similar note, has anyone had experience of the Penn GTI range of reels? I bought my 310GTI as a recon two years ago for £40. It has been used for dinghy fishing up to two or three times a week,in season, and has performed faultlessly.

As regards the cod I haven't heard of any inshore catches although they are present on the Mounts Bay wrecks around May/June. I spend the summer dinghy fishing with a mate who keeps his boat at Mullion Cove, on the Lizard peninsula. Inshore fishing is mainly Pollack and Mackerel caught on Hokkai type lures on the drift. If we switch to mackerel or strips of launce we just end up catching lots os Cuckoo Wrasse. We occasionally get odbods like Herring,Codling and I even hooked a small John Dory the other day. Due to the strong winds we have not been able to get out for a few weeks, which is a shame a the boats have to come out at the end of the month. Oh well, time for shore fishing again.

Ive owned one of these reels for a few years now and have been very pleased with it. Mine has been used for boat fishing and as a heavy shore reel. the gearing could be a bit lower for boat use but is ideal for shore use as it gets the end tackle out of harms way quicker on the retrieve. It casts reasonably well but would probably be better if the spool were not completely filled. i would certainly choose the reel over the standard 7000/c as it has non corroding chromed brass sideplates instead of the normal ABU alloy. If you are not bothered about the levelwind the Penn 535gs may also be worth considering.

Just a quick note to say hello. Ive been looking in for a few months and have finally registered.