Penn Pursuit IV Saltwater Spinning Reel Review

Hey guys, welcome back to Beach and Fishing and my Penn Pursuit IV saltwater spinning reel review. Now, as you are probably aware, fishing is one of those past times that holds two essential truths:

1. There are a great number of variations of every piece of equipment, tackle and accessory that you could be looking for.
2. Everybody has an opinion on which of these variations is best at any given time – which is generally due to the fact that that particular item has helped them catch fish.

So with that in mind, one thing I have tried to do on this site is review the products I use, as well as the ones that are popular at the moment to give you an idea of what may work for you as you head out to the water and chase the big ones.

Hence, for this review, I will run you through:

• What the product is
• How it works
• What I bought if for
• Pros and Cons
• Cost
• My recommendations

Also known as ‘open face’ reels or ‘eggbeaters’, these reel types wind the line onto a front spool which is held on by a ‘bail’. Line is wound in via a handle on the side which is ratioed to bring the line in faster than the handle is turned. In general, spinning reels are made from a corrosion-resistant metal, carbon fiber and/or aluminum body with variations of the following:

• Bearings – As with a car wheel, the mechanisms inside a spinning fishing reel generally incorporate ball bearings for smoother operation. From my experience, most come with between 3 and if the specifications are listed as 10 + 1 for example, this means that there are 10 ball bearings in the main housing and also a roller bearing incorporated into the bail to make line retrieval easier.
• Ratio – One advantage of a spinning fishing reel is the winding ratio. This is usually set anywhere for 3:1 up to 6 or 7:1 (often listed as 6.0:1 etc.) This simply means that for every time the user turns the handle a full rotation, the spool holding the line has actually turned 3, 4, 5, 6 or 7 times meaning less winding for faster line retrieval. Higher ratios are good for fast retrieval fishing such as with a lure or if there are a lot of snags etc. Lower rations assist with the big fish catches.
• Drag – The drag of a fishing reel is its ability to release a little bit of line when a fish strikes or is being pulled in. This is in place to reduce the chances of a bigger fish snapping the line as it fights. As with anything, the more you pay for a reel, the better the drag system should be with the more expensive models containing precision setting capabilities.
• Casing: This is the part of the reel that contains the springs, levers, gear cogs etc. that make much of the stuff above work. I’m my opinion, avoid any reel that doesn’t have this all housed in a sealed, waterproof casing. These are low maintenance and the components will not rust.

Check out my: Penn Slammer IV Spinning Reel Review

For this one I have to admit that my only real experience with this reel is listening to the guy in the fishing shop trying to sell it to me. He tells me he picked one up and absolutely loves it. I am an unabashed fan of Penn reels so I nearly bought one, but decided against it at the last minute as I wasn’t sure what I wanted.

This did however give me time to do some research and record it all here. So based on feel alone, it is nice and light and does spin really nicely in the hand. The sales guy told me it runs really nicely with a fish on so there is that as well.

So let’s run through the details as I have found them…

The upgraded PENN Pursuit IV is recognized for its improved aesthetics and long-lasting build. The improved class has the smooth gear system that fishermen have come to expect from PENN reels with an ultra-lightweight, corrosion-resistant graphite body with a metal side plate to keep the gears in exact alignment.

The robust HT-100 carbon fiber drag mechanism maintains the lifetime of this reel, providing fishermen with a durable saltwater reel at an inexpensive price. Whichever fishery or species a fisherman is after, the PENN Pursuit IV has it covered with six sizes ranging from 2500 to 8000.

The instant Anti-Reverse bearing system’s dependability prevents even the tiniest rotor back motion for rapid hookups and moreover, the four sealed, stainless-steel ball bearings ensure smooth casts and retrieval.

Brand	Penn
Model	Pursuit IV
Price	See price at Amazon.
Color	Black and Silver
Dimensions	‎‎8.46 x 7.4 x 4.21 inches
Other features:	HT-100™ carbon fiber drag washers Lightweight and corrosion-resistant graphite body 4 + 1 sealed stainless steel ball bearings Instant Anti-Reverse bearing Machined and anodized aluminum spool Superline Spool Line Capacity Rings

Model Specifications

Model no.	Bearings	Gear ratio	Recovery Rate	Weight (Oz)	Mono capacity Yd/Lb	Braid capacity Yd/Lb	Drag max Lb|Kg
PURIV 2500	5	6.2:1	33”|84cm	9.8	255/6 175/8 140/10	240/10 220/15 160/20	10 Lb | 4.5 Kg
PURIV 3000	5	6.2:1	35”|89cm	11.8	200/8 165/10 120/12	250/15 180/20 130/30	12 Lb | 5.4 Kg
PURIV 4000	5	6.2:1	37”|94cm	12.4	270/8 220/10 165/12	360/15 260/20 185/30	15 Lb | 6.8 Kg
PURIV 5000	5	5.6:1	36”|91cm	19.7	225/12 200/15 135/20	420/20 300/30 240/40	20 Lb | 9.0 Kg
PURIV 6000	5	5.6:1	41”|104cm	21.4	335/15 230/20 210/25	490/30 390/40 335/50	20 Lb | 9.0 Kg
PURIV 8000	5	4.7:1	44”|112cm	29.1	340/20 310/25 230/30	475/50 390/65 345/80	25 Lb | 11.3 Kg

The main features of the PENN Pursuit IV spinning reel include:

1. HT100 Drag – Penn’s testing processes to assess the strength and durability of this novel carbon fiber material gave rise to the designation HT-100. The “HT” stands for “High Tech,” and the “100” alludes to the rigorous testing that the material underwent shortly after its development.
2. 4 Shielded Steel Ball Bearings – The bearings on the Penn Pursuit IV support crucial moving internals, while the cover provides some protection from the elements as well.
3. Anodized Aluminum Spool – The Pursuit spool is braid-ready and includes line capacity rings that signal when it’s time to add a line. The braid-ready rubber grip on the arbor and the line capacity rings on the arbor are both new additions with the rubber improving the reel’s performance.
4. Anti-reverse – Anti-Reverse is a function on a spinning reel that stops the reel from rotating backward and engages the drag. Some reels have an Anti Reverse switch that allows the fisherman to select whether or not it is activated. This feature allows users to “back-reel” instead of letting the drag to battle the fish.

1. Corrosion-resistant: This reel is specifically designed to resist saltwater corrosion, making it ideal for use in saltwater environments.
2. Lightweight: The body of this spinning reel is made from lightweight graphite, which can help reduce overall weight and make it easier to handle.
3. Smooth drag system: The Pursuit IV Saltwater spinning reel features a drag system that is designed to operate smoothly and reliably, which can help you reel in larger fish with ease.
4. Durable: Penn is a reputable brand known for producing high-quality fishing equipment, so you can expect this reel to be durable and long-lasting.

1. Limited drag range: Some users have noted that the drag range on this reel may be limited, which could make it difficult to reel in larger fish.
2. Not ideal for heavy fishing: While the Penn Pursuit IV Saltwater Spinning Reel is suitable for most saltwater fishing, it may not be the best choice for heavy-duty fishing applications.
3. May not be as smooth as higher-end models: While the drag system on this spinning reel is generally smooth, it may not be as refined as more expensive models.
4. May require frequent maintenance: Like any fishing reel, the Penn Pursuit IV Saltwater Spinning Reel may require regular cleaning and maintenance to keep it in top condition.

I have seen these priced online at anywhere between $95 to $159 based on the model size.

So, as above I do not own one of these and to be honest, the number of drawbacks I have found in my research may lean me elsewhere here for the needs I have – mainly deep sea stuff on larger reels. That said, I have not used it myself and based on the common refection on it durability and ability to handle salt water conditions, I would see it as a great option for some lighter estuary or pier fishing.

All in all, for general use chasing fresh and saltwater species alike, you could definitely do a lot worse than this one – especially if you are new to fishing or working in a number of different areas. However, if this is the case, I would give some strong consideration to the Shimano Nasci as well.

So there you have it, my honest review and appraisal of the Penn Pursuit IV saltwater spinning reel. I hope it has been of assistance but as usual, if you have any questions please do not hesitate to reach out by commenting below. I would also love to hear of your own experience with these reels.

Are there any other products you have been looking at but want to know more about? If so, please comment below and I will do my best to get some details for you.

Until next time

Have fun

Paul