Not an easy question. I think the machining of the Daiwa is nicer, but the Penn has caught some very nice sized fish. I saw Beth here deal with a 50# bluefin quite well on hers a few years ago. At 20+# line, the 975 looks good, robust and capable. I'd like to hear some feedback from others who have used the Daiwa in more rigorous fishing. For bass'n, the Daiwa is probably the nicer piece, but for larger fish I have no direct experience. GS< MS
Mark and All, On my 975, I have caught a 62-pound wahoo on the American Angler *on purpose*, and a 100-plus pound East Cape striped marlin *by accident*. I generally use it with 20-pound mono or 50-pound braid depending on the application, and have found it to be my favorite "go to" reel for most stiuations on everything from albacore and dorado to Alaska king salmon, lingcod and even halibut up to about 125 pounds. It is indeed a bit too much reel for the angler who is mostly just going to be "saltwater bassing", but would certainly be the right choice if a 50 pound white seabass eats your swimbait. The upcoming Torque TRQ100 is the exact same line capacity as the 975. The TRQ100 is a little heavier than the 975, and might not balance as well on a super-lightweight graphite bass/plastics specialty stick, but for situations where there will be regular encounters with very large fish, there is no other small reel anywhere with the drag and cranking power it has. It also does not have a level-wind, something that many plastics specialists really like to have.
I see quite a few Penn 975s in my shop. The only problems I see are wih the clicker (very common) and level wind (less common). But if you opt for a level wind-less model and rarely use the clicker, it's a great reel.
i own a 965 l/w and i pull almost everything on it , well almost. looking to pick up the 975scld or somthing with the lettering, its a casting reel w/ leverdrag. i would think it would be great for the yellows and dorado type of fishing.
I haven't used the Luna but Diawa makes good products and I'd consider trying one out. The Penn 975 has a long track record and it's mostly good and I wouldn't replace mine just to get something newer. Penn reels are also easy to do R&R on.
Steve, you have some crazy talent catching all them large fish with 20 pound test. I'm sold on the 975. Now i just need to decide on the Levelwind or Nonlevelwind.
I went to Chark shop just to look at it and held it in my hand. I was ready to pull out the card and my TAD symptoms were starting to show (nervousness, sweating, hot flashes, talking like the tazmanian devil). It took alot out of me to just put it down.
I pulled the trigger and got the Luna 300. Just wanted to update you guys on this. I had to get this out of my system. I can't wait until Labor Day Weekend to use this. I spooled it with 12 so i get lots of bites and to have fun with the fishies.
