THE Authority is the latest premium spin reel from Penn.
In product features, performance, and price, the Authority sits above the incredibly popular Slammer series.
I’ve owned various Slammer 111 and Slammer IV models and couldn’t fault them. They were (and still are) tough, resilient to hard knocks, and priced surprisingly affordable.
Penn’s Authority takes the strong DNA of the Slammer series and adds several features to make it a smoother, more durable and with superior performance.
So, how did it go after a year of solid use? I had the Authority matched with one of the new Penn Slammer rods. It goes without saying, these rods match the Slammer series reels and also complement the Authority nicely.
The model of reel tested was the 3500 and the 792M PE 1-2 Slammer rod to match.
The Authority features an IPX8 sealed body and spool, technically making a completely waterproof reel capable of submersion. That makes it a great choice for saltwater fishos and anywhere likely to see volumes of water on your reel. Maybe it’s rock platforms, small boats or just for people who don’t look after their tackle, the Authority is built to last in these conditions.
The authority also features an ultra durable CNC machine stainless steel main pinion gears and Dura Drag technology. According to Penn, Dura Drag is designed to eliminate any hesitation at any drag setting. Personally, I couldn’t fault the drag over a year of solid use.
As for bearings, The Authority has 12+1 stainless steal bearings, which combined with Leveline slow oscilation makes for a smooth reel. Technical specs aside, it is a noticeably smoother reel than the Slammer series in all aspects.
The 3500 size is the ideal outfit for chasing small pelagics such as kingfish, bonito, salmon and tailor. It also makes a nice snapper rod in the south and a perfect rod for targeting bluewater tropical species.
The Slammer rods feature SLB2 blank construction for the casting models and RCB blank construction for the jig models. They also feature Fuji K Series guides, Fuji graphite reel seats, EVA grips, rubber gimbals and a custom aluminium lock ring to secure the reel.
Again, after a year of use match to the Authority, the Slammer rod has performed well. It seems tough, cast well and casts a mile. I opted for the longer 7’9” model and wasn’t disappointed. It casts better and is easier to handle fighting fish around a cluttered boat.
Overall, Penn’s Authority has been a great upgrade from the Slammer series. It features all of the attributes that make Slammer such a popular choice, in a smoother, more durable and better looking reel. It feels slightly heavier than some reels and may be marginally heavier than some of its competition, but its negligible and I have no problem fishing it all day long.
More details at pennfishing.com.au.
