PENN Rods for the dock to deep water

PENN builds rods and reels for saltwater first. Stainless bearings, treated metals and sealed drag systems are made for spray, sand and long sessions in the salt. That is why Kiwi boat, kayak, surf and rock anglers use PENN for snapper, kingfish, kahawai and deeper reef work. Every PENN reel sold at Burnsco is suitable for New Zealand saltwater, and the same toughness holds up in freshwater.

For softbaiting and light inshore spinning, PENN's own guide points to a 3000 to 4000 spinning reel with about 10 lb mono or 20 lb braid and 1/2 to 1 oz lures. A 4000 is the common all-round snapper size. Straylining or bigger baits often suit a 4500 to 5000, and heavier boat or reef work can step up to 6500 or 8000. PENN sizing can look a little larger than some Japanese brands, so check braid capacity on the product page. Burnsco staff can match a size to your rod and style in store.

Authority is PENN's premium spinning reel, with an IPX8 sealed body and spool, CNC stainless gears and a sealed Slammer Dura-Drag. Slammer is the heavy-hitter family for serious saltwater, with strong sealing and Dura-Drag. Battle IV is the mid-range workhorse with CNC gearing and HT-100 drag. Pursuit V is the value all-rounder, with a graphite body, HT-100 drag and sizes from 2500 to 8000. If you want maximum sealing, look at Authority or Slammer. If you want a tough everyday reel, Battle or Pursuit are the usual starting points.

All PENN reels are designed for saltwater. Sealing still varies by range. Authority is independently rated IPX8 on the body and spool, so it can handle being dunked. Slammer uses a sealed drag and strong body sealing. Spinfisher and many mid-range models use IPX5 or IPX6 style protection against spray. A rinse, dry and loosened drag after every trip still matters, even on a sealed reel.

Start with the species and the line you will fish. PENN sizes reels by line class. If you are fishing 10 lb mono or 20 lb braid, a 4000 spinning reel usually sits in the middle of that rating. Then match a rod in the same line class, such as 4-7 kg or 5-8 kg, and check the lure weight. Combos take the guesswork out. If you are building a custom pair, bring your rod or reel into Burnsco and the team will balance the outfit.

A matched PENN combo is the fastest way to get line class, balance and fittings right, and Burnsco exclusive Wrath II combos are built that way. Buying separately makes sense when you already own a rod, want a specific reel size, or are stepping up one piece at a time. Either way, stay inside the rod's line and lure rating so the outfit does not overpower the blank or undergun the reel.

Tighten the drag, rinse lightly with fresh water (not a high-pressure hose), shake off excess, wipe dry, then loosen the drag for storage. Every 6 to 12 months, oil the line roller and main shaft and grease the drag washers and gears with PENN oil and grease. For electric reels, keep the battery seated so the seal holds, rinse, dry, and store the battery cool and dry. The Easy Reel Maintenance video in Own The Moment walks through a spin-reel service.

PENN reels bought in New Zealand on or after 1 July 2022 have a limited 10 year manufacturer's warranty. Electric reels keep that 10 year cover on the reel, with 1 year on the motor and electrical parts. PENN rods and other PENN products have a 1 year limited manufacturer's warranty. This sits on top of your rights under the Consumer Guarantees Act 1993. Proof of purchase is required. It does not cover accident, misuse, neglect, unauthorised servicing or normal wear.

Bring the reel or rod and your receipt to any Burnsco store, or contact Burnsco on 0800 102 041 or website@burnsco.co.nz. You can also register the purchase with Pure Fishing so the proof of purchase is on file. Burnsco covers manufacturing faults under its own warranty policy, and some PENN claims are assessed by the supplier. Keep your receipt or Burnsco Club invoice.

Registration is not required for cover, but it is worth doing. Pure Fishing keeps your proof of purchase on file for the 10 year reel warranty. Register on the PENN ANZ warranty page and keep your Burnsco receipt. Claims still need proof of purchase, whether you bought in store or online.

Fathom Electric is a cordless electric lever-drag reel with a built-in lithium battery, digital line counter and autostop. It is built for deep dropping, heavy sinkers and long retrieves from 200 m plus, without running a power lead across the boat. Burnsco has setup and on-water guides for spooling, calibrating and fishing it in Own The Moment and on the Burnsco fishing guides pages.

Kingfish need drag, locking gears and enough line. A Slammer, Authority or larger Battle in 6000 to 8000, paired with a PE-rated spinning rod, is the usual spin setup for livebait, stickbaits and jigs. Overhead and electric outfits suit heavier boat work. Watch the Slammer IV livebait video in Own The Moment, and ask Burnsco to match drag rating and braid capacity to the kings you actually fish.

Use the line rating printed on the spool and the rod. A 4000 snapper reel commonly takes about 20 lb braid with a fluorocarbon leader. Larger 6000 to 8000 reels suit 30 to 50 lb braid for kings and reef. Match braid diameter to the reel's braid capacity, not only the breaking strain. PENN Slammer braid is made to pair with PENN reels. Leave a little room below the spool lip so line does not leap off on the first cast.

No. PENN covers boat, kayak, surf, rock and land-based fishing. Smaller spinning reels and Regiment or Prevail rods suit harbour and softbait work. Larger spinning and overhead outfits suit surf and rock. Fathom and other overheads cover deeper boat work. Nore Martin's Saltwater In My Veins story on Burnsco is a good look at PENN off the rocks as well as on the boat.

Wrath II is PENN's value spinning range for boat, surf and general saltwater. Selected Wrath II reels and Wrath II rod and reel combos on this page are Burnsco exclusives, so you will not find those same combo packs at other New Zealand retailers. Shop the exclusive offers on this page or ask in store if you want a ready-to-fish Wrath II outfit.

Yes. Burnsco is an official PENN stockist, with PENN rods, reels, combos, line and care products in store and online. Buying from an authorised dealer keeps you inside PENN's New Zealand warranty terms and means you can get local advice, parts and service support. That is the idea behind Built For Battle. Backed By Burnsco.

Yes. Click and Collect is free. If your store has the stock, Burnsco aims to have the order ready within one business hour and emails you when it is ready. Do not arrive until that email lands. If a store is out of stock, choose another store or get it delivered. There are 19 Burnsco stores from the Bay of Islands to Christchurch.

Yes, Burnsco delivers PENN gear throughout New Zealand. Orders usually leave within 24 to 48 hours, Monday to Friday. Standard delivery to non-rural addresses is typically 1 to 4 business days after dispatch. Rural and island addresses can take 3 to 10 business days.

Tackle-trained Burnsco staff in 19 stores can match reel size, rod rating and line to snapper, kingfish, surfcasting and deep drop. You can also call 0800 102 041, email website@burnsco.co.nz, or use live chat. If you already own a rod or reel, bring it in so the team can pair the missing half of the outfit.

Contact Burnsco first on 0800 102 041 or website@burnsco.co.nz. You can return to any of the 19 stores or courier to the Auckland or Christchurch distribution centre with a completed return form. Faulty goods under warranty are assessed for repair or replacement. Change-of-mind returns may have conditions, and you usually cover return freight unless the item is faulty. Proof of purchase is required.