Reel Choice, Penn 16VISX vs..???

[Dozer217]

I've got a Shimano Speedmaster 25ii but feel like I may need a heavy framed reel. I've talked myself into the Penn, what other options should I consider or is my current reel adequate?

 

[7emptsT]

Okuma Makaira 16

 

[ripped]

Make sure it’s a Mak SEa

 

[Intrepid Fan]

Or a Penn 16 VISX

 

[hucklongfin]

Penn 16 VISX or Mak 16 SEa are both winners. No bad choice here. Go with whichever feels best to you in the store.

 

[tony38]

mak 16 "5 YEARS FACTORY WARRANTY"
visx 16 "1 year factory warranty"

 

[short-range]

I've got a Shimano Speedmaster 25ii but feel like I may need a heavy framed reel. I've talked myself into the Penn, what other options should I consider or is my current reel adequate?

I think at the end of the day what you have will work I mean I see some way under gunned reels getting the fish to the boat after what seems to be an eternity.
Now with that said I prefer the easy route and fish the biggest reel I can hold for an extended period, Penn VISX 12/16 are my heavy duty reels of choice.

 

[Almud]

May wish to consider Penn VISX 20. The Penn VISX 16 is about the same size as your Talica 25.

 

[Parske]

mak 16 "5 YEARS FACTORY WARRANTY"
visx 16 "1 year factory warranty"

 

[Parske]

If you send your reel in every year for service. That is 4 years of free servicing on the reel at $45 a year equating to $180 savings. So if you back that out of he cost of the reel. It really changes the price point for comparison.

 

[Rocket Dog]

I used my Tiburon SST 16 last year with out a hitch. And yes the the auto shift worked exactly how it was ment to.

 

[Dozer217]

May wish to consider Penn VISX 20. The Penn VISX 16 is about the same size as your Talica 25.

I like the feel of the 16 much better than the 20, weight really ramps up.

 

[Fat Spottie]

I prefer my VISX 16. Very square reel, lower low gear and better higher high gear for jigging. It’s cam fishes 100lb @ 40lbs of drag without binding.

The drags are butter. Don’t worry to much about the warranty they are an actual tank. Tbf the mak is nice but it’s not built with the same heavy gearing as a VISX, it’s gears are huge for the size of the spool.

 

[Gully]

I see some ratings on MAX drag being misinterpreted.

MAX DRAG @ STRIKE VS MAX DRAG IN FULL.

TAC20/25
SM20/25
MAX STRIKE DRAG @ 30lbs / 40lbs FULL

PENN VISX
12 STRIKE MAX DRAG @ 24lbs / 40lbs FULL
16 STRIKE MAX DRAG @ 30lbs / 40lbs FULL
20 STRIKE MAX DRAG @ 34lbs / 45lbs FULL

MAKAIRA
8/10/15 STRIKE MAX DRAG @ 27lbs / 34lbs FULL
16 STRIKE MAX @ 34lbs / 48lbs FULL
20/30 STRIKE MAX @ 37lbs / 55lbs FULL


Weight, application and price determines your buy.
All reels from all brands will hold up well within spec assuming you don't max out the reel each trip. Absolute tanks from all 3 brands if you ask me.