Choose the correct reel

• Saltwater anglers primarily use Penn International reels, which can hold hundreds of yards of the thick fishing line necessary to target big fish such as marlin or sailfish. Anglers who pursue walleyes or bass in freshwater are more likely to use one of the reels in Penn's baitcast or spinning series. Those anglers who target small panfish or crappies use its AF or spinfisher SSg reels. Using a reel that is too big for the species you are pursuing makes fishing difficult and can add unneeded frustration to a fishing trip.
  
  

Choose the correct rod

• Penn makes fishing rods, but you don't necessarily have to use a Penn rod and reel together. If you are using one of Penn's spinning reels, find a spinning rod. Anglers who use its baitcast or conventional reels should find a baitcast rod, evident by the trigger-shaped piece that hangs below the reel seat. Those who use its international reels should choose a saltwater rod. To choose the correct rod, look at its line capacity, which is written on the side of the rod just above the handle. Then check the box in which the reel came for the reel's line capacity. Make sure the two match up. Then attach the reel to the rod and hold it in your hand. Make sure it is comfortable and that the combination is balanced.
  
  

Cast, troll or drift

• Most Penn reels can be used for casting and drifting lures and bait. The same reels also can be used to troll baits, but Penn also makes reels specifically for trolling. These reels are built especially tough because some baits are trolled at 2 or 3 mph or more for fish that can weigh more than 1,000 pounds. These reels also feature advanced drag systems so the line doesn't break when a fish of that size strikes. Penn reels can accommodate any type of fishing line, whether it is monofilament, braided or fluorocarbon.
  
  

Set the drag appropriately

• Because Penn reels often are used to target large fish, it is important that their drag systems be set to the appropriate level. Penn spinning reels have drags located on the front of the reel, and baitcasting reels have star-shaped drags located on the handle. Other reels have knobs from which the drag is controlled. Tighten the drag as much as possible by spinning the drag control in a clockwise direction. Then spin the drag in a counter-clockwise direction until a sharp tag on the line causes the reel to give some line. The drag must be tight enough so it doesn't let out line during a hookset, for example, but it should be loose enough to give out line if a fish makes a hard run.