Fin-Nor Offshore Spin Fishing Reel

This is my first Fin-Nor reel. I've owned this one for several months now and caught numerous fish with it to include King Mackerel and Blackfin Tuna. I can confidently say this is now my Go-To reel for offshore spinning action (I also own Daiwa, Penn and Shimano). I mounted it on a Star Rods Paraflex 7' MH and loaded it with 325 yards of 80# Power Pro and I feel like I can catch just about anything with this set up. It is super high quality and has held up extremely well despite numerous outings in the Gulf of Mexico, in fact it still looks and feels brand new. It just has a solid quality feel that it is not matched by any reel in its class. The tremendous amount of drag that is available is a great asset in bringing in powerful fish. The sound of that drag is music to my ears. Some people say this reel is heavy, but once you mounted on a rod, that is hardly even noticeable compared to other similar setups. In terms of available drag, line capacity and price these are the best reels available in their class. I plan on buying several more of them.

I have had this reel for a few months now and have been surf fishing with it maybe 8-10 times. With a 10ft Shakespeare rod and 25lb test line I can say it is a wonderful setup. The reel cranks hard and really is smooth and precise. I understand why this size (55) is more expensive as it is the perfect size for beach fishing. Its tough and heavy duty and I just love the sound of it. Hooked a 4ft bull shark and it was a blast having that thing peel off 30-40 yards of line at a time while listening to the musical sound of the high quality drag. Well...musical to a fisherman like me anyway. Very highly recommended and since parts are available (the drag will wear on any reel) I figure its the last surf reel I will have to buy. You will not be sorry purchasing this unit. Its an investment that will make me smile every time I use it for years to come. M6 MONTH UPDATE: Switched this reel over to a 12ft Shakespeare composite rod and substituted 50lb braid for the 25lb mono due to the size of fish I have been catching lately. Lots of sharks this year and more skate than I can count. A really beautiful setup now, I absolutely love this reel. You can't go wrong with a Fin-Nor 55.

On the 65 size, I had a major problem using this reel surf-casting! I used 30 LB braid, and on multiple occasions had huge snarl problems! The line would wind around the drag setting wheel instead of the reel.This reel had me cursing! Ruined several fishing trips... had to re-spool it, twice!Built like a tank, but huge design flaw for surfcasters!

Best spinning reel I have ever owned, I have Penn, Shimano, Daiawa, and Pflueger but this one is by far the best one I have ever owned. You will not go wrong with this reel, the power of the drag and the feel of the reel are incredible. I will be buying another one very soon. I just hooked a 7 to 8 foot shark on it's side while fishing at the Dry Tortugas, and the reel really surprised me with it's power. I brought the shark to the side of the boat and after the shark was tired we where able to remove the hooks from it's side. Bottom line this will be the best reel you will ever own, and if you pair it with a penn carnage jigging rod 130 to 200 test you will be amazed. They balance just perfect and compliment each other just right.

This came with the handle crank on the left side, it is interchangeable but the thread is smaller on the right hand side than the left. I imagine most fishos are right handed and can't imagine why Fin Nor would do this. I have used Fin Nor reels in the past and caught some monsters with them. I've found them to be very strong and reliable and will definitely buy Fin Nor again. They company just needs to sort the crank out.Mark.

I always do a ton of research before purchasing a reel. I ordered the OF55 and I am very pleased with it. The 45 has 30lbs max drag, the 55 has 45lbs max drag, and 65 and up have 60lbs max drag. That much drag is usually over kill when surfcasting on Long Island and this reel runs big and heavy. Weight is it's only downfall, but I wanted one workhorse of a reel to put on my 11ft rod. I usually set up an 11ft rod in a sand spike with a bell on the tip and some kind of bait on the hook. Then I throw plugs nearby with a light 9ft outfit. So weight is not an issue in that scenario. I read that this reel allows for good distance in casting and it does. I tested it once so far just to see how it handled and can't wait for the Spring so I can really use it. Smooth with a little back play but that doesn't bother me. I've seen pics of it's gears broken online but I've heard and read that the ones that break or the rare lemons that can slip out of many reel factories. In which case you can replace the reel through the Warrantee for up to a year of the purchase, AS LONG AS YOU register it within 10 DAYS of the purchase date by filling out and sending in the card that comes with the reel. This reel beats the heck out of the On Shore wether your on a boat or on the beach. I just wouldn't go higher than 45 or 55 for surfcasting unless you plan on catching sharks.... big ones. Oh and be aware that if you get the optional power handle for it, you have to destroy the existing handle to get it off. I don't know maybe MacGyver could find a way around that but I'm no Nancypants with tools and I haven't. Good luck, God bless, and Semper Fi to all my fellow Marines out there.

This is a large heavy duty reel for serious large fish......mine is Tarpon focused (50-150 lbs) ......65 lbs braid, 80 lbs flouro......only consider this if your serious about holding a large and quite heavy beast.......but if you are floating out a large mullet or other live bait and it's sitting in the holder waiting....this is the ultimate caster/heavy response to the monster fish. It does have the old fashion reverse issue....but that has zero impact on my type of large fish drift bait fishing. This is a lower priced overbuilt long term work horse! Forget the conventional bird nest.

After moderate 2 seasons of use, the drag will not stay put. When pulling out line, the drag gets tighter and tighter. Drag is a pretty important item on a fishing reel.