Description
The Penn Authority 5500 is a premium, heavy-duty spinning reel built to meet the most rigorous demands of saltwater anglers. As a flagship model in Penn’s Authority series, it represents the pinnacle of the brand’s engineering in terms of sealing, durability, and smooth performance. The 5500 size is an ideal workhorse for tackling a wide variety of large and powerful species without the extreme weight of a truly oversized reel.
Key Design and Construction Features
- Submersible IPX8 Sealed Body and Spool: This is the most significant feature of the Authority series. An IPX8 rating means the reel is certified to be fully submersible, resisting water intrusion for up to 30 minutes at a depth of 1 meter. This provides unparalleled protection for the internal components—gears, bearings, and drag—from saltwater, sand, and other debris. This level of sealing is a game-changer for surfcasting and boat fishing, ensuring the reel’s longevity and reliability in the harshest conditions.
- Full Metal Body, Sideplate, and Rotor: The reel’s core structure is built with a full metal body, sideplate, and rotor. This rigid, all-metal housing eliminates frame flex under heavy loads, ensuring that the precision-cut gears remain in perfect alignment. The result is maximum cranking power and a solid, smooth feel during a long battle with a fish.
- CNC Gear Technology with Stainless Steel Main and Pinion Gears: The Authority 5500 utilizes Penn’s most advanced CNC Gear Technology. Unlike many other reels, the main and pinion gears are precision-cut from solid stainless steel. This material offers superior strength, durability, and corrosion resistance, making it ideal for the extreme forces exerted when fighting large game fish.
- Sealed Slammer® Drag System with Dura-Drag™: The drag system is a fully sealed Slammer® drag with Penn’s proprietary Dura-Drag™ carbon washers. This system is also bearing-supported, providing an incredibly smooth and consistent drag output without any hesitation, even at high settings. The max drag of 40 lb (18.1 kg) provides the necessary stopping power for powerful species.
- 12+1 Stainless Steel Bearing System: The reel operates on a top-of-the-line 12+1 stainless steel bearing system. This large number of bearings contributes to an exceptionally smooth and effortless retrieve, providing a level of precision and refinement suitable for a top-tier reel.
- Leveline® Slow Oscillation System: The reel incorporates a Leveline® slow oscillation system. This ensures that the line is laid onto the spool in a slow, even, and compact manner. This tight line lay improves casting distance and reduces the chance of line dig-in or wind knots, especially with braided lines.
- Hydrophobic Line Roller Bearing: The line roller features a specialized hydrophobic bearing that actively repels water. This prevents corrosion in this highly exposed component, ensuring smooth line lay and longevity.
- Manual Bail Trip: The 5500 model is equipped with a manual bail trip. This is a deliberate design choice on larger reels to prevent the bail from accidentally closing during a powerful cast, which could lead to a line snap-off.
Specifications (ATH5500)
- Reel Size: 5500
- Weight: 23.3 oz (660g)
- Gear Ratio: 4.8:1
- Retrieve Rate: 38 inches (97 cm) of line per turn of the handle.
- Max Drag: 40 lb (18.1 kg)
- Bearing Count: 13 (12+1 stainless steel bearing system)
- Drag Material: Dura-Drag™ Carbon Fiber
- Drag Type: Sealed Slammer® Front Drag
- Line Capacity (Mono m/mm): 390/0.28, 300/0.33, 210/0.36
- Line Capacity (Braid yd/lb): 500/20, 380/30, 335/40
- Retrieve: Right/Left interchangeable handle position
- Color: Silver/Black/Gold
Intended Use
The Penn Authority 5500 is a versatile and incredibly durable reel for a wide range of heavy-duty saltwater applications. It is an excellent choice for casting big lures and jigs, live bait fishing, and bottom fishing for species like cod, pollack, halibut, and even small tuna. It is also a popular choice for surfcasting, where its sealed design provides peace of mind against the relentless elements. The 4.8:1 gear ratio provides a powerful retrieve, ideal for winching in big fish from deep water or pulling a large lure through a strong current. This reel is for the angler who needs uncompromising strength, reliability, and protection.
