If there was one notable and positive aspect to come out of the global pandemic we’ve all endured during the past two years, for anglers at least, it is the fact that shore fishing has blossomed and seen a huge upsurge in participation. RIVAL 7000LC GOLD: BEARINGS 5, GEAR RATIO 4.3:1, MAX DRAG 8.0kg, CAPACITY M/MM 550/0.33, WEIGHT 699g

Rival™ Longcast Gold – PENN® Fishing UK Rival™ Longcast Gold – PENN® Fishing UK

RIVAL 8000LC GOLD: BEARINGS 5, GEAR RATIO 4.3:1, MAX DRAG 8.0kg, CAPACITY M/MM 730/0.33, WEIGHT 708g

spare shallow aluminum spools included perfect for braid! or lighter mono (0.23mm-300m) + normal spool so 3 spools The Penn Rival Longcast is a high specification, versatile fixed spool reel that has a fantastic price point and can be used for a wide range of applications including carp, surf and more! Appearance-wise it really does look smart in its matt finish. Rather chunky and a little heavy at over 26 ounces (755g), it gave every indication of being a truly impressive shore reel. It is supplied with two coned aluminium spools – shallow and deep versions. The shallow version is for those anglers who want to use a light braided mainline. When you consider it will easily swallow up 580 yards of 15lb braid, that’s more than enough for any venue. A deeper spool is included and stores 500 yards of 30lb braid, so in terms of line capacity, all bases are covered. Fishing off the UK coast with the Rival Longcast Gold has been a dream. It's durable, reliable, and performs exceptionally well." These reels are built with a durable graphite body and features a machined, braid ready, aluminium spool that produces an incredibly strong yet lightweight reel. There are 4+1 sealed stainless steel ball bearings including an instant-anti reverse bearing for seriously smooth operation, even under pressure.

Rival™ Longcast Surf Pack – PENN® Fishing UK Rival™ Longcast Surf Pack – PENN® Fishing UK

The Penn Rival Longcast offers the superior quality and performance we have come to expect from Penn and is available in various sizes for you to choose from. It’s a top reel designed to be used by beginners to the more experienced angler and priced considerably well that should suit most budgets. The whole unit is saltwater resistant and, as long as you remember to rinse it under fresh warm water after every session, it will last for many years. It’s also equipped with five sealed ball bearings that help to maintain an incredibly smooth 4.7:1 crank. It boasts a smooth HT-100 drag system and a super-smooth slow oscillation that will lay your mainline perfectly, so casting will be on point every time. The handle is certainly strong and extremely comfortable, which is important, especially when playing a large fish at distance. The PENN Rival Longcast Gold is a game-changer. The smooth drag and CNC-Gear technology make it worth every penny!"

Attached to the rod, it is noticeable that the reel is heavy, but it is not a major issue, and the balance wasn’t such a problem. That said, I wouldn’t like to be holding a rod in the surf for long periods. RIVAL 6000LC GOLD: BEARINGS 5, GEAR RATIO 4.8:1, MAX DRAG 8.0kg, CAPACITY M/MM 275/0.30, WEIGHT 546g