[dr_teeth90210]

Hello all,

My name's Travis and I'm new to the forums and fishing in general. I saw a Penn 330 GTI reel on clearance recently for only $50. Does anyone have any experience with these reels?

I'm mainly going to be fishing off piers here in the Tampa Bay area. (Sunshine Skyway, Pier 60, etc.)

 

[basstardo]

If it's only $50 bucks, I'd get it. They aren't the greatest reels, but they're not all that bad either. A buddy of mine caught an 82 lb cobia with one last year.

 

[Grilled Sardine]

thats not a bad price for that reel. in my opinion, thats not an ideal reel to use off of a pier. its great if your trolling. its a bit bulky and heavy. but i guess if you are going to bait fish it will work.

 

[basstardo]

That's a good point. This ain't a casting reel. It'd be better suited for pin rigging or boat use. The guy that caught cobe was on his boat at the time.

 

[Sea2aeS]

buy it!!! for 50 bucks that a solid reel for what your paying.

 

[seajay]

First off they are a very versatile reel and well made. Would be ideal for your area. And a great price. And yes they can be casted as I use one for when the Big Reds show here in Jax. Beach from the Pier.

 

[dr_teeth90210]

Thanks for the info....

I'm currently on an extremely limited budget and looking for a rod/reel of decent quality that I can aquire for as cheap as possible.

I ran across this particular reel on clearance. It was either the Penn GTI 330 or an Okuma Avenger AFB-65 reel/rod combo.

 

[seajay]

Dr. stay away from the OKUMA Reel. Get the Penn GTI and find a 7 to 8' rod to mount it on.

 

[sprtsracer]

$50.00 is a good price for that reel...NEW! Personally, I think you could find a very nice older Made in USA Penn Jigmaster with an alluminum spool that you could mag or have someone mag for you for around $30 used on Ebay. I think that would be a better all-around reel for the type of fishing you'll be doing. Just my .02.

 

[RuddeDogg]

I have the 330 gti and that is a GREAT price. buy it.

 

[seajay]

SportRacer that reel New is 95.00$ plus new. Yes an old JigMaster is great. But why would he need Mags for a Pier or Bridge reel? He is fishing in Tampa not the Desert of Daytona.

 

[sprtsracer]

SportRacer that reel New is 95.00$ plus new. Yes an old JigMaster is great. But why would he need Mags for a Pier or Bridge reel? He is fishing in Tampa not the Desert of Daytona.

LOL...I know the retail on the reel is $95 new, what I was saying was that $50 new was a great price. Maybe I just didn't phrase it correctly. If he's gonna drop straight down, you're right...no need to mag, but he may wanna toss once in a while as well. If not, he doesn't have to mag it. All I'm saying is that a $30 US made Jigmaster will accomplish the same and probably last longer as well. If a levelwind feature is important, then by all means go with the 330!

 

[jl_rotary]

i think $50 new for 330 GTI is a great deal.
i paid $50 for my used 320 GTI and 7' penn slammer rod.