PENNPursuit III & Pursuit IV Spinning Reel and Fishing Rod Combo

I haven't taken the rod fishing yet, this is just my initial reviewThere weren't very many good reviews on here for the 4000 series reel combined with the 7' 3 piece medium travel rod (it isn't even really mentioned it's a travel rod in the posting); so I thought this would be helpful to others.I needed an ocean rod (as a freshwater fisherman) to take on a trip down south to give pier fishing a go. There's a few rod/reel combos out there seemingly specifically made for this kind of thing, this Pursuit IV combo being somewhere in the middle between the super cheap combos and the more expensive ones. So I settled on this rod. I was deciding between the 4000 and 5000 sized reel but was most intrigued by the 3 piece rod; only available with the 4000 series reel.After reading a bunch of different resources, 4000 sized reels seemed plenty big enough for most fish you'd catch on a normal pier at the ocean; so that's what I went with. Some reviews mentioned it came with a travel bag, but it was unclear if that came with all of them or just the 3 piece rod (especially since that isn't pictured when selected).Mine arrived on time, in tact and with a travel bag! And to my surprise, it wasn't just a soft bag the actual rod is protected with a hard inner casing. The reel has some internal straps to keep it steady but it's more exposed; only with soft material surrounding it in the bag. This turned out to be the exact thing I was looking for -- a compact/portable rod/reel that I can throw in the car with me and have a rod accessible when I'm on trips. Given the case is actually hard, that opens it up to potentially throwing in a larger suitcase.The rod itself fits really well together (I was a bit worried about the 3 joints). When put together you'd never notice it is a travel rod. Feels extremely sturdy with a nice backbone.The reel is super smooth and I really like the knob handle (something also not really clear in the Amazon pictures of the 4000 series).There are two things I'd complain about 1. the way the handle connects to the reel housing (you have to hold the spool as you reel backwards to tighten and the opposite to loosen (necessary to pack away in the back or switch sides). Normally you have a screw on the opposite side of the reel that you use, but in this case that's just a cap for whatever side you aren't reeling with. And 2. some of the parts (drag knob especially) feel a bit plasticy/cheap. But the overall feel of the reel seems well built and smooth.Will update after I fish with it if anything goes catastrophic, but so far I'm pretty impressed with the value of this rod with what you get -- and the function it provides a traveling fisherman.

Smooth drag, sturdy rod, and ideal for casual anglers or as a backup travel setup.

The PENN Pursuit III & IV Spinning Reel and Fishing Rod Combo is an excellent choice for anglers looking for a reliable, budget-friendly, and durable setup for both freshwater and saltwater fishing. With a lightweight graphite body, corrosion-resistant construction, and smooth drag system, it offers solid performance without breaking the bank.Pros:✅ Durable & Corrosion-Resistant – The graphite body and stainless steel guides hold up well in saltwater environments.✅ Smooth HT-100 Drag System – Provides strong and consistent drag performance, making it great for fighting larger fish.✅ Lightweight Yet Sturdy Rod – The graphite composite blank offers a good balance of sensitivity and strength.✅ Smooth Retrieve & Casting – The 4+1 stainless steel ball bearing system ensures a fluid and reliable operation.✅ Multiple Size Options – Available in different lengths and power ratings, making it versatile for various fishing styles.✅ Great Value for the Price – A solid mid-range combo for both beginners and experienced anglers.Cons:❌ Rod May Feel Stiff for Some – While durable, some anglers might find the rod action a bit stiff, depending on the model.❌ Reel Size Selection Matters – Smaller models are great for inshore fishing, but for bigger saltwater species, a larger reel size is recommended.❌ Basic Handle Grip – The grip is comfortable but not as premium as higher-end combos.Final Verdict:The PENN Pursuit III & IV Spinning Reel and Rod Combo is a great all-around fishing setup that offers smooth performance, durability, and versatility for both saltwater and freshwater fishing. With a strong drag system, corrosion-resistant materials, and a reliable reel, this combo is an excellent choice for anglers looking for quality at an affordable price.

I have bought several rod and reels from Amazon but I must say, I've NEVER had one so poorly packaged and delivered so badly. Almost all the eyes were damaged on the rod (fixed most before the picture, left the big one how it arrived) either bent way back, or twisted. The packaging was how I opened the box, which is why I started photo documenting. A piece of paper not even wrapping it up, no bubble wrap, and an extremely oversized box. There's scratches on the rod (granted they're only cosmetic, but I did not pay for a blemished combo, I paid full price). I will be contacting the seller and will update this review if anything comes of it.The reel is seemingly ok and what I expected...the rod.... Not so much...I would probably NOT recommend this combo (at least from Amazon) to anyone that values their money for what they agree upon. Just buy the reel and get a rod from a local store.Or buy the combo from another seller because the quality isn't bad for the price, but you might get a damaged hunk of junk that you paid full price for, and now have to do surgery on.

Buyer beware. Though this is a Penn outfit, the best in the world - the packaging is far below anything I've experienced before. I mean, here is the wonderfully engineered Penn reel and rod...wrapped with only a sheet of bubble wrap! The result was that the bail had been bent badly in shipping, not allowing it to be pulled back for casting if the spool was on the 'upside' in its rotation. I give four stars ONLY because it's Penn...packaging sucks.