Welcome back to the Gerry’s Fishing blog! If you’ve spent any time casting off the UK coastline or dropping a line from a boat, you already know the name PENN. Long celebrated for building saltwater workhorses, their Pursuit series has been a staple for anglers demanding high performance without the eye-watering price tag. Today, we are diving deep into the highly anticipated arrival of the PENN Pursuit V, comparing it directly against its legendary predecessor, the Pursuit IV.
Whether you’re targeting bass in the surf or wrestling with larger offshore species, let’s break down the technologies, highlight what’s new, and help you find the exact reel size for your next setup.
Core Technologies Explained
Before we look at the upgrades, it’s worth understanding the engineering that makes the Pursuit family so reliable in punishing saltwater environments.
HT-100™ Carbon Fiber Drag System: Unlike traditional felt washers that wear down or get sticky when wet, PENN’s HT-100 carbon fiber drag washers provide smooth, sustained drag pressure even under heavy loads. It prevents the stuttering that can snap light lines when a big fish makes a sudden run.
Corrosion-Resistant Graphite Body: Both the IV and V utilize a graphite body construction. This material is incredibly lightweight but rigid enough to keep gears in alignment when under pressure, completely shrugging off saltwater corrosion.
Sealed Stainless Steel Bearing System (4+1): Saltwater is the enemy of moving parts. The 4 sealed ball bearings (plus the instant anti-reverse bearing) are shielded from salt and sand intrusion, ensuring the retrieve stays buttery smooth trip after trip.
The Evolution: Pursuit IV vs. Pursuit V
While the Pursuit IV set a massive standard, the new Pursuit V refines the platform to give modern anglers a slight edge.
1. The Braid-Ready Upgrade & Line Management
The Pursuit IV featured a Superline spool with line capacity rings, but the Pursuit V takes this a step further. The V features a truly optimized braid-ready spool that allows you to tie braided line directly to the metal without slipping—meaning there is no longer a need for monofilament backing. Furthermore, the V introduces a new “one-size-fits-all” line clip, making line management infinitely easier when rigging up on a windy beach or stowing your gear away.
2. Increased Speed on the Heavyweights
PENN has tweaked the gearing for better performance. The most notable change is in the heavy-duty 8000 size. The older Pursuit IV 8000 had a gear ratio of 4.7:1 (recovering 44″ of line per turn). The new Pursuit V 8000 boasts a faster 5.3:1 gear ratio while maintaining the same 44″ recovery rate, giving you improved mechanical efficiency and speed when cranking up from the depths or burning lures across the surface.
3. Weight Reduction
PENN managed to shave a fraction of the weight off the new models. For instance, the Pursuit IV 5000 weighed in at 19.7 oz (558g), whereas the new V comes in at 19.6 oz (556g). It sounds small, but over a long day of casting, every gram counts.
Detailed Product Descriptions, Specifications, and Uses by Size
To ensure you get the absolute most out of your gear, here are the detailed product descriptions with specifications and ideal uses for each size in the new Pursuit V lineup.
PENN Pursuit V 2500 & 3000 Sizes
Ideal Uses: Light to medium inshore spinning, LRF (Light Rock Fishing), estuary lure fishing for bass, or targeting mackerel and garfish on light tackle.
Details: These smaller, highly agile sizes are built for constant casting. The fast 6.2:1 gear ratio allows you to work surface lures and soft plastics with incredible precision and speed, making them perfect for active lure anglers working the coastline.
Gear Ratio: 6.2:1
Max Drag: 10lb (4.5kg) on 2500 | 12lb (5.4kg) on 3000
Weight: 9.8 oz (278g) on 2500 | 12 oz (340g) on 3000
Recovery Rate: 33″ (84cm) on 2500 | 35″ (89cm) on 3000
Braid Capacity (yd/lb): 240/10 (2500) | 250/15 (3000)
PENN Pursuit V 4000 Size
Ideal Uses: The ultimate all-rounder. Perfect for heavier bass spinning, float fishing for wrasse, or light boat fishing over shallow reefs.
Details: The 4000 bridges the gap between light lure setups and heavier bait work. It retains the quick 6.2:1 gear ratio of the smaller models but steps up the drag capability and line capacity to handle larger, harder-fighting fish near rocky snags.
Gear Ratio: 6.2:1
Max Drag: 15lb (6.8kg)
Weight: 12.6 oz (357g)
Recovery Rate: 37″ (94cm)
Braid Capacity (yd/lb): 360/15
PENN Pursuit V 5000 & 6000 Sizes
Ideal Uses: Surfcasting with lighter leads, heavy rock fishing, pier fishing, or general boat fishing (drifting for flatfish, rays, and hounds).
Details: Once you hit the 5000 and 6000 sizes, the reel gears down slightly to a torquey 5.6:1 ratio. This provides the cranking power needed to haul fish up from the depths or drag a rig through tidal pulls. The robust drag jumps to 20lb, making these the go-to choices for bait anglers needing a tough, reliable winch.
Gear Ratio: 5.6:1
Max Drag: 20lb (9.0kg)
Weight: 19.6 oz (556g) on 5000 | 21.3 oz (604g) on 6000
Recovery Rate: 36″ (91cm) on 5000 | 41″ (104cm) on 6000
Braid Capacity (yd/lb): 420/20 (5000) | 490/30 (6000)
PENN Pursuit V 8000 Size
Ideal Uses: Heavy surfcasting in rough weather, big fish hunting from the boat (conger, tope, large rays), or tackling heavy kelp beds.
Details: The undisputed heavy-hitter of the lineup. With a massive 25lb drag and an upgraded 5.3:1 gear ratio, the 8000 model is built to tame the biggest species in UK waters and beyond. Its enormous line capacity means you’ll never be spooled, even when a specimen decides to take off with the tide.
Gear Ratio: 5.3:1
Max Drag: 25lb (11.3kg)
Weight: 28.9 oz (819g)
Recovery Rate: 44″ (112cm)
Braid Capacity (yd/lb): 475/50
Final Thoughts from Gerry’s Fishing
The PENN Pursuit IV was already one of our top recommendations for an entry-to-mid-level saltwater spinning reel. With the Pursuit V, PENN didn’t try to reinvent the wheel; they just made it roll better. The upgraded line clip, the genuine braid-ready spool, and the improved gear ratio on the larger models make this an unbeatable package for the price.
Ready to upgrade your arsenal? Drop into the shop or check out the full range on the Gerry’s Fishing website today!