The problem you are facing with this reel upon high drag is called stem flex or stemming. It's just the frame of the reel flexing under heavy load which is actually putting so much torque on the guts of the reel that the gears are not able to mesh up properly any more which is why it is more difficult to crank. The cause for this is the RR30 body (though light weight) just doesn't have a high enough percentage of carbon in the resin structure to stand up to high loads. The Daiwa Fuego has a similar problem but the Ballistic does not due to the Zion frame containing a higher percentage of non-woven carbon fibers in its resin structure.
I really really appreciate your explanation! Although my knowledge of reels is clearly less than you, thanks for taking the time to explain and in terms I can understand :) Is this something manufacturers sort out? Kinda feel like that would be a common test run on reels before making em.
@@ZackBostick this is not necessarily a defect but rather an application of price point. Generally the more rigid your frame (due to higher carbon fiber content in composite recipe) the more expensive the real is. Not necessarily something to work out but rather choosing where the money will go on the reel. With this one I believe the money is more going towards the bearings and engineering of the slow oscillation system as opposed to the higher carbon content in the body and rotor. For reference I do own this reel (2500), a fuego, and a ballistic so I am able to confirm the flex differences you hear about in the forums.
Makes total sense to me! I do really like the smoothness of the bearings and the slow oscillation. So, I am ok with them fine tuning that and putting a little less into body and rotor. I really appreciate your input and sharing your info! So you clearly know your reels, what would you say is the best all around reel(s)?
@@ZackBostick the best inshore reel is the Shimano Stradic Ci4+ (I say this as a complete Shimano hater, it just can't be topped in terms of looks and performance no matter how much I hate Shimano) followed immidiately by the Daiwa Ballistic LT. For freshwater it's gotta be the Daiwa Tatula LT due to how light it is. But best all around bang for for your buck is without any competitors in sight is Daiwa Fuego LT. It has Magseal (same as Shimano x-protect) , is pretty light weight, very very silky smooth retrieve (try it at BPS for proof and compare), looks nice, can't be used in both fresh and salt, AND only 100$? Nothing comes close at that price point, nothing.
That is come really great info and thanks for taking the time again to share it with me! Very interesting. I’m gunna take a look at the Fuego and prolly end up buying one!
I felt the same. When I had a 26” stripper on it was hard to crank the reel. The Shimano ultegra CI4+ xtc550 is better when I fish for strippers. I paid over $220 on Amazon for it.
I've had mine for 4 months. The hand broke on it when I hooked into a 15lb jack and it shredded the drive gear. Still landed it though. Just not pleased at all with Penn anymore!!
After using it much more and still owning it, I won’t be buying another one of these. They make some great spinning reels but this isn’t one I’ll buy again.
Nice review bro. I wanted that that reel but with my luck it go over the yak. I settled on fully sealed quantum reliance 30 for $99. That way if it goes overboard it wouldn't hurt as much. Cheek out the reel bro.
Thanks man! Conflict 2 is great but I too may be a little skeptical to drop that type of money on a kayak set up. I scare myself on those things! Hahah! Ive had a Quantum or two but not that model. Just looked it up and looks like it has really good reviews. Like that bit or orange on it! That what your using on all them drum over there? Nicccee work!
Definitely a great reel! They obviously make a hell of a product and going to the cobflict would be a slight upgrade. But the battle is great too and more budget friendly. Im just saying I really like the battles as well :)
Absolutely! That’s more than enough reel. Reel down crank up. The drag issue will be more proximate if you’re trying to reel against the fish (if that makes sense). My guess, if your vertical fishing them, the only time it could be problematic is if you have to really winch em away from structure.
I had the conflict I but was too heavy so I sold it, bought the clash I and like it a lot better. I do see they made the conflict II lighter but for $40 more you get better quality gears on the clash.
I have read a lot about the clash series. They have def intrigued me, so itd be interesting to give it a try. Yes the conflict2 is a bit lighter and honestly some people dont care about it and will throw a 6000 all day for trout hahah! Which is fine, but I do find myself using the conflict 2 when I know Ill be out there for a while. But Ill def look into the clash more and maybe it wont have issues under more pressure. Thanks Peter!
@@ZackBostick haha yea I guess it does depend on the style of fishing you are doing, if just casting and retrieving maybe not as bad but if you're doing more vertical jigging or more of a jerk motion retrieve, a heavy reel will wear on your wrist, or maybe my wrists are just weak, haha. But yea your right the penns are meant to be workhorses not to be light finesse reels, that's what the shimano stradic is for
I didn't like the conflict 2. I kept getting wind knots with it. I tried putting it on different rods and I tried three or four different brands of braid and it still got those wind knots. Now that the battle 3 is out, I feel like there's no reason to buy a conflict. The battle 3 is the same reel except its made of metal instead of resin
It isnt my favorite but I do like it. But I know a few people who bought one and hated it too lol! But I have never had a wind knot on it. I did have a reel that was a wind knot professional that I gave away. Right away. I havnt had my hands on the battle 3 but I def have nothing negative (performance wise) with the battle 2. So I agree with ya. Kinda the same thing with my BG and the Saltist. Really not too much difference, biggest being the price! Def going to look into the battle 3, thanks for the info man
@@ZackBostick actually the saltist and the bg are quite a bit different. The saltist is a much smaller reel and it is magsealed. I have a bg3000 and a saltist back bay 3000. The bg is more like a 4000 size Penn and the saltist is closer to a 2500 size Penn
Not sure about the size of the back bay but I do know they run much smaller. I was talking about the black and blue saltist. Sizes run the same as the bg. From what Ive read, it is the same as the bg minus - streamlined ball wire joint. Washer around handle opening. Mag seal around the pinion. Mag seal ball bearing in line roller. Which can be a big deal but to some, really not thay much of a different performance wise.
Bought this reel for salmon fishing here in Michigan. Penn conflict 2 4000, plenty of reel for what we need here. The second fish I caught chewed half the gears off the inside .
@@ZackBostick I used the bg for years and didn’t hold up too long for me. I’m also really hard on gear. But I agree the bg isn’t a bad reel for the price
I have the 3000 and i put it on a customer rod. the reel sucks. the handle is hard to turn. dont even think about getting a splash of water on it. I am selling all my penn shit ang going shimano.
@@ZackBostick It works, but the money, it should feel better...;The shimano sustain I got, more money obviously, but its smooth af, light, feels like a 2500 in size.
The problem you are facing with this reel upon high drag is called stem flex or stemming. It's just the frame of the reel flexing under heavy load which is actually putting so much torque on the guts of the reel that the gears are not able to mesh up properly any more which is why it is more difficult to crank.
The cause for this is the RR30 body (though light weight) just doesn't have a high enough percentage of carbon in the resin structure to stand up to high loads. The Daiwa Fuego has a similar problem but the Ballistic does not due to the Zion frame containing a higher percentage of non-woven carbon fibers in its resin structure.
I really really appreciate your explanation! Although my knowledge of reels is clearly less than you, thanks for taking the time to explain and in terms I can understand :) Is this something manufacturers sort out? Kinda feel like that would be a common test run on reels before making em.
@@ZackBostick this is not necessarily a defect but rather an application of price point. Generally the more rigid your frame (due to higher carbon fiber content in composite recipe) the more expensive the real is. Not necessarily something to work out but rather choosing where the money will go on the reel. With this one I believe the money is more going towards the bearings and engineering of the slow oscillation system as opposed to the higher carbon content in the body and rotor.
For reference I do own this reel (2500), a fuego, and a ballistic so I am able to confirm the flex differences you hear about in the forums.
Makes total sense to me! I do really like the smoothness of the bearings and the slow oscillation. So, I am ok with them fine tuning that and putting a little less into body and rotor. I really appreciate your input and sharing your info! So you clearly know your reels, what would you say is the best all around reel(s)?
@@ZackBostick the best inshore reel is the Shimano Stradic Ci4+ (I say this as a complete Shimano hater, it just can't be topped in terms of looks and performance no matter how much I hate Shimano) followed immidiately by the Daiwa Ballistic LT. For freshwater it's gotta be the Daiwa Tatula LT due to how light it is. But best all around bang for for your buck is without any competitors in sight is Daiwa Fuego LT. It has Magseal (same as Shimano x-protect) , is pretty light weight, very very silky smooth retrieve (try it at BPS for proof and compare), looks nice, can't be used in both fresh and salt, AND only 100$? Nothing comes close at that price point, nothing.
That is come really great info and thanks for taking the time again to share it with me! Very interesting. I’m gunna take a look at the Fuego and prolly end up buying one!
Thanks! I have same reel for one year and came to same conclusion. BG is more smoother and has more power, but also heavier
Yea man! Still a great reel but I’d prefer daiwa over all :) can’t go wrong with the Bh
I felt the same. When I had a 26” stripper on it was hard to crank the reel. The Shimano ultegra CI4+ xtc550 is better when I fish for strippers. I paid over $220 on Amazon for it.
Your telling me! Thanks for the info :) I won’t be buying this reel again especially with the price being around $200
I've been using Penn Battles and had a good experience with them...
Mines great had for a few years now no prob
Yea man, nothing wrong with em at all performance wise! Honestly think its 1 of the best for the money for that class of reels.
I've had mine for 4 months. The hand broke on it when I hooked into a 15lb jack and it shredded the drive gear. Still landed it though. Just not pleased at all with Penn anymore!!
After using it much more and still owning it, I won’t be buying another one of these. They make some great spinning reels but this isn’t one I’ll buy again.
Nice review bro. I wanted that that reel but with my luck it go over the yak. I settled on fully sealed quantum reliance 30 for $99. That way if it goes overboard it wouldn't hurt as much. Cheek out the reel bro.
Thanks man! Conflict 2 is great but I too may be a little skeptical to drop that type of money on a kayak set up. I scare myself on those things! Hahah! Ive had a Quantum or two but not that model. Just looked it up and looks like it has really good reviews. Like that bit or orange on it! That what your using on all them drum over there? Nicccee work!
Might have to grab 1. I been rocking with the battle 2 for 3years now. PENN is great
Definitely a great reel! They obviously make a hell of a product and going to the cobflict would be a slight upgrade. But the battle is great too and more budget friendly. Im just saying I really like the battles as well :)
same thing happened to my okuma
So with the drag issue . Is it possible to catch sheepshead with a 5000size conflict on a pier ?
Absolutely! That’s more than enough reel. Reel down crank up. The drag issue will be more proximate if you’re trying to reel against the fish (if that makes sense). My guess, if your vertical fishing them, the only time it could be problematic is if you have to really winch em away from structure.
I had the conflict I but was too heavy so I sold it, bought the clash I and like it a lot better. I do see they made the conflict II lighter but for $40 more you get better quality gears on the clash.
I have read a lot about the clash series. They have def intrigued me, so itd be interesting to give it a try. Yes the conflict2 is a bit lighter and honestly some people dont care about it and will throw a 6000 all day for trout hahah! Which is fine, but I do find myself using the conflict 2 when I know Ill be out there for a while. But Ill def look into the clash more and maybe it wont have issues under more pressure. Thanks Peter!
@@ZackBostick haha yea I guess it does depend on the style of fishing you are doing, if just casting and retrieving maybe not as bad but if you're doing more vertical jigging or more of a jerk motion retrieve, a heavy reel will wear on your wrist, or maybe my wrists are just weak, haha. But yea your right the penns are meant to be workhorses not to be light finesse reels, that's what the shimano stradic is for
Hahah for sure man! And I am with ya, I think I have weak wrists as well. Every fraction of an oz matters! Lolol
Love the office space LOL
Haha me too man! Rent per sf is next to nothing :)
Zach I fish from Richmond to the bay and all around the area anytime you interested in hooking up and going to catch a big fish get with me
@@Dylanskinandscalesfishing hell yea man! Im sure we can get something together in the future. If you have IG or something I can add you.
What line do you use? I just got one for my birthday!
I use 20lb braid for most applications for this size reels. Spider wire or power pro are usually my go tos :)
Do a video all about best catfish baits please
I can prolly do that
I didn't like the conflict 2. I kept getting wind knots with it. I tried putting it on different rods and I tried three or four different brands of braid and it still got those wind knots. Now that the battle 3 is out, I feel like there's no reason to buy a conflict. The battle 3 is the same reel except its made of metal instead of resin
It isnt my favorite but I do like it. But I know a few people who bought one and hated it too lol! But I have never had a wind knot on it. I did have a reel that was a wind knot professional that I gave away. Right away. I havnt had my hands on the battle 3 but I def have nothing negative (performance wise) with the battle 2. So I agree with ya. Kinda the same thing with my BG and the Saltist. Really not too much difference, biggest being the price! Def going to look into the battle 3, thanks for the info man
@@ZackBostick actually the saltist and the bg are quite a bit different. The saltist is a much smaller reel and it is magsealed. I have a bg3000 and a saltist back bay 3000. The bg is more like a 4000 size Penn and the saltist is closer to a 2500 size Penn
@@ZackBostick oh and I have a battle 3 2500.... it's a fantastic reel for the money. I would recommend it over anything else in that price range
Not sure about the size of the back bay but I do know they run much smaller. I was talking about the black and blue saltist. Sizes run the same as the bg. From what Ive read, it is the same as the bg minus - streamlined ball wire joint. Washer around handle opening. Mag seal around the pinion. Mag seal ball bearing in line roller. Which can be a big deal but to some, really not thay much of a different performance wise.
Yea man, the battle 3 does look great. Might have to get a 2500 too. Only $110
👍👍👍 do the bg next
Bought this reel for salmon fishing here in Michigan. Penn conflict 2 4000, plenty of reel for what we need here. The second fish I caught chewed half the gears off the inside .
Good lord! Yea, the more I have used it, the less I like it.
Mine has a small sound when I reel like a small grind
Have you given it a good cleaning? Salt and sand can be a headache! When does it grind?
@@ZackBostick when I reel it's fairly new to so it's strange.
is penn conflict ii handle knob 4000 plug n play with gomexus knob?
From what I know, no. Can I ask why you would want one on the conflict 2?
That reel is good or bad
I will never buy that model series again. I love Penn but not this product at all.
I fight cow nose rays all day where I live and drag them in with Battle 3’s. I hate the daiwa BG
Not all reels are for everyone. I have a battle and have owned a few, def great reels for the price.
@@ZackBostick I used the bg for years and didn’t hold up too long for me. I’m also really hard on gear. But I agree the bg isn’t a bad reel for the price
Nah, stay with a slammer.
I would agree 100%
I have the 3000 and i put it on a customer rod. the reel sucks. the handle is hard to turn. dont even think about getting a splash of water on it. I am selling all my penn shit ang going shimano.
To be honest, now, still having it, and using it, I wouldn’t buy another one.
@@ZackBostick It works, but the money, it should feel better...;The shimano sustain I got, more money obviously, but its smooth af, light, feels like a 2500 in size.
Just subbed won’t buy this reel dude wants $80 new
Time has passed and I’ve had more experience with this reel, and yes…to conclude, I will never buy this particular reel again.