THE LATEST FROM PENN By Steve Cooper

The latest Penn baitcasters maintain the tradition of quality and performance we've come to expect from this respected US brand, while the company's braided line is good news for light tackle anglers. Soft plastics fans haven't been forgotten either, with an expanded Tsunami range appealing to everything from bream to jewfish.

PENN GENERATION REELS Penn has revisited its popular Generation baitcaster reels, changing the colour, frames, sideplates and boosting performance with high-quality Japanese stainless steel ball bearings.

Since their release two years ago, Generation reels have maintained Penn's high standards and proven record of accomplishment in making quality reels designed to perform and last.

The new round profile baitcaster models with their distinctive gold anodised colouring are smoother and quieter but still offer the same quality assurance integral to the Penn brand. Solid and aesthetically pleasing, the Generation reels are compact, well balanced and come in three sizes: 55, 65 and 75.

Casting is smooth, so the angler has optimum control. Under load, the drag system has proven itself against all piscatorial challengers from barramundi to Murray cod.

Penn Generations feature four high-quality Japanese stainless steel ball bearings in the running mechanism and a one-way clutch bearing. The reels have infinite anti-reverse, centrifugal casting brakes, and a solid aluminium body frame. The side plates are machined aluminium and the ergonomically designed double alloy handle has rubber sure-grip knobs.

The one-piece anodised alloy spool runs on a stainless steel shaft. A heavy-duty thumb bar control is used to disengage the spool for casting, and a turn of the handle puts the reel into gear. The silky smooth drag system is sturdy and made from exclusive high performance Smoothie drag washers.

GEAR RATIO: 5.7:1 on the 55 and 65

5. 5:1 on the 75

LINE CAPACITY: 55 - 180 m of 5kg 65 - 180 m of 7 kg 75 - 170 m of 10 kg

JACK ERSKINE SIGNATURE BAITCASTER

The Jack Erskine Signature Baitcaster reels have undergone a significant upgrade to improve overall strength and performance.

Anglers looking for a tough reel with a silky-smooth drag system and superb casting capabilities will find it difficult to pass up this low profile baitcaster.

The new models feature a re-designed gear system for maximum strength that has permitted the incorporation of the new generation carbon fibre Carbontex drag washers. The new washer material ensures strong, super smooth drags. The reels also come with five high-grade Japanese 440C stainless steel ball bearings for smoother operation, control and longevity in the toughest conditions.

More than three years in development, the reel was designed and developed by internationally renowned tackle guru and angler, Jack Erskine. Jack's name has been synonymous with the cutting edge of tackle innovation and development for more than 30 years and the Jack Erskine Signature baitcaster is testament to Jack's total commitment to performance, quality and excellence.

During the development phase, the baitcaster underwent the most extensive field-testing regime ever imposed on an Australian-designed reel. During the trial period, Jack caught more than 20 barramundi over a metre long and up to 30 kg in weight.

The reel was tested extensively in some of the toughest impoundment fishing in Australia at Peter Faust Dam, Lake Tinaroo and Lake Awoonga. It was given glowing reports by some of Australia's top barramundi anglers who used it across the Top End from Cape York to Darwin.

The Jack Erskine Signature Baitcaster features a gold anodised aluminium body, five stainless steel ball bearings plus infinite anti-reverse bearing, and a tough drive mechanism that pushes the spool to a fast 6:1 retrieve

Casting performance is smooth for both light and heavy lures with finite line control. The levelwind system is constantly engaged, and the ergonomically designed handle features non-slip grips.

The reel comes with a super smooth mega drag system that gives more than 6.5kg of stopping power with the new generation Carbontex carbon fibre washers.

GEAR RATIO: 6:1

LINE CAPACITY: Mono: 130 m of 6 kg Braid: 130 m of 15 kg

PENN INTERNATIONAL BAITCASTERS

Few reels have ever come onto the market with the degree of design, engineering and field-testing expertise that preceded the release of the Penn International Baitcaster series.

Penn's design criterion was to build the smoothest, strongest, toughest baitcasters ever; reels worthy of the International name. The result is a series of baitcasters that set new standards and take the gamble out of the reliability factor.

There are four models in the range: the 955, 965, 975 and 975 LD (lever drag) and they suit all methods from casting and trolling to bait fishing.

Every Penn International Baitcaster features a lightweight, one-piece forged machined aluminium frame. The spool is machined from solid bar stock aluminium, while both smooth, contoured sideplates are forged machined aluminium. The frame, spool, and sideplates are finished with Penn's trademark gleaming gold anodised finish for the durability, corrosion resistance and appearance saltwater anglers demand.

Gearing is a machined stainless steel main gear and pinion gear, offering unparalleled strength in their class and a fast, 4.75:1 retrieve rate. A special one-way roller bearing provides infinite anti reverse for solid hookups and silky smooth performance. There is no handle slop or kick-back either.

Two aircraft-quality sealed stainless steel ball bearings, plus a third one-way roller bearing give the reels unequalled smoothness. Add to this a sealed, smooth, oversize drag system made from Penn's exclusive HT 100 material and you have one tough reel - a reel built for endurance and performance under extreme conditions. The super smooth-running spools mean enhanced casting performance, while the ergonomically designed, non-slip handles mean a depth and ease of control you have never felt before

There is a Penn International Baitcaster to suit all species, from Australian bass and barramundi to Spanish mackerel and snapper.

GEAR RATIO: 4.75:1

LINE CAPACITY: 955 - 200 m of 6 kg 965 - 220 m of 7 kg.

975 - 220 m of 10 kg 975 LD - 220 m of 10 kg

PENN AFFINITY

Penn's Affinity worm drive threadline is built specifically for use with braided lines and is available in three sizes perfect for ultra light and medium tackle applications.

Penn engineers have come up with a unique worm-drive reel, custom designed and built for braided line users.

The Penn Affinity reels are the smoothest performing threadline reels ever built by Penn, offering even line laying under all conditions. Finished in gunmetal silver with gold trim, these reels are available in three sizes: 1000, 3000 and 4000.

Features of the Penn Affinity include eight stainless steel ball bearings, and a worm-drive slow oscillation system ideal for braided lines. The bail is one-piece braid friendly tubular stainless steel, while the ball bearing line roller, and spool lip, are nitrided for reduced friction and positive line pickup. Other features include infinite anti-reverse via a one-way clutch and full metal 'Tuff Body' construction.

The Affinity spools are large and V-shaped with 0 degree taper for longer casts and better line control. The drag knob is waterproof, and the drag surface area is large for reels of this size, offering silky smooth performance under the hottest of runs. The reels also come with a one-touch, folding handle and non-slip rubber grips.

GEAR RATIO: 1000 - 5.1:1 3000, 4000 - 5:1

LINE CAPACITY: 1000 - 130 m of 3 kg 3000 - 200 m of 4 kg 4000 - 200 m of 6 kg

PRO POWER BRAID

Penn has expanded its popular Pro Power Braid brand of lines, giving anglers more choice at the lighter end of the range.

The new 3.6 kg (8 lb) and 7 kg (15 lb) braids join the existing 4.5 kg (10 lb), 9 kg (20 lb), 13 kg (30 lb), 22 kg (50 lb) and 45 kg (100 lb) breaking strains.

Penn Pro Power Braid is made from 100% Spectra fibres specifically designed to meet strict criteria. The result is a braid that offers limited stretch, which translates into heightened bite sensitivity and instant hooking capability. While the fine diameters compared to strength mean increased reel capacity, plus the ability to troll lures deeper.

Pro Power Braid has been formulated with precise flexibility and limpness, yet has a high abrasion resistance. The braid doesn't flatten on the reel when wound on under pressure and, because it maintains its profile, anglers are able to achieve better performance when casting, both in terms of control and distance.

Pro Power Braid suits saltwater and freshwater applications including lure casting, trolling and bottom fishing, as fly reel backing, and even float fishing for the likes of blackfish off the rocks.

When trolling, the fine diameter of Pro Power Braid allows you to run lures deeper and gives better lure contact and feel when bottom bumping in snags and brush piles. Anglers fishing in strong currents have found they are able to reduce their sinker weights by about 40 per cent than if monofilament were used. Pro Power Braid is an excellent choice for surface lure fishing as it floats, and a lack of stretch means enhanced lure contact. Pro Power Braid allows you to use smaller reels and cast further. The fine diameter means less spool diameter is lost, so the retrieve rate is higher than in comparison to mono.

When Pro Power Braid is employed, it is recommended that you do so in conjunction with a mono shock leader with superior abrasion resistance such as Penn 10X leader material.

TSUNAMI SOFT PLASTICS

Snapper have shown a definite liking for the Tsunami soft plastics.

Anglers who have joined the soft plastic lure revolution will revel in the new range of soft plastics from Tsunami.

Featuring hundreds of models and sizes, Tsunami holographic lures offer every conceivable action, colour, and style at a price everyone can afford. And when you buy Tsunami, you're not paying for the name, just the quality of a proven fish-producing product.

Tsunami holographic lures are tougher than most soft plastics and range in size from 75-150 mm. The range of configurations includes swim shads, slim shads with swirl tails, split tail and paddle tail minnows. Every action you want from the tight pulsating swirl tail to the heavier shad tail is available.

Tsunami offer more than a simple action at the tail, coming as they do with inbuilt weight and hooks, so there is no need to go out and buy special jig heads. And the colour range is enormous - from established colours like black and gold through to red and white or chartreuse and a selection of hot and neutral colours. In addition to these colours, Tsunami lures come with a built-in fish-attracting holographic.

Tsunami has also recently released a couple of new holographic swim baits - the Tsunami Yabby, in 50 mm and 75 mm sizes and Tsunami Grubtails in 50 mm and 75mm sizes.

The yabbies come rigged and ready to go with a premium Mustad Ultra Point hook and a counterweight inside the tail to ensure the lure sits on the bottom facing upwards, with its soft claws flaring in the water. A sure attractor for hungry predators and bottom scroungers, these lures are available in pink, clear with blue and gold fleck, brown, green and glass minnow fleck.

Murray cod guru, Rod Mackenzie, caught this 35 kg monster on a spinnerbait in the Murray River near Wentworth. Outfit was Penn Pinpoint rod coupled with a Jack Erskine Signature Baitcaster spooled with Penn Pro Power Braid.

Tsunami Grubtails have a soft curl tail for maximum movement, plus a unique, oversize, ribbed abdomen designed to pulsate in the water during a lift and drop retrieve. These come in brown or silver with a fleck, watermelon, orange with chartreuse tail and a green fleck.

The Yabbies come in easily resealable packets and are sold in lots of five per packet, Grubtails in lots of 12 or 10 for the 50 mm and 75 mm sizes respectively.

The new models are in keeping with Tsunami's tradition of quality. Not only are they a proven fish-producing product, but are also made tough to withstand many fish.

Since their release in late 2003, Tsunami lures have accounted for a range of species including barramundi, golden trevally, mulloway, snapper, flathead, bream and Australian salmon.