Analysis
The Authority is Penn’s flagship reel. If you’re looking for the best Penn has to offer, your search is over.
Specifications
Sizes: 2500, 3500, 4500, 5500, 6500, 7500, 8500, and 10500
Maximum drag: (2500) 20 lbs., (3500) 30 lbs., (4500) 30 lbs., (5500) 40 lbs., (6500) 40 lbs., (7500) 50 lbs., (8500) 50 lbs., (10500) 60 lbs., Line capacity: (2500) , 55/6, 175/8, 140/10, (2500 HS) 255/6, 175/8, 140/10, (3500) 360/6, 285/8, 220/10, (4500) 425/8, 320/10, 235/12, (4500 HS) 425/8, 320/10, 235/12, (5500) 430/10, 30/12, 230/15, (6500) 390/12, 345/15, 205/20, (6500 HS) 390/12, 345/15, 205/20, (7500) 490/15, 330/20, 220/30, (8500) 455/20, 310/30, 260/40, (8500 HS) 455/20, 310/30, 260/40, (10500) 435/30, 360/40, 255/50
Bearings: 13
Gear ratio: (2500) 5.7:1 30 IPT, (2500 HS) 7.0:1 37 IPT, (3500) 5.7:1 34 IPT, (4500) 5.7:1 37 IPT, (4500 HS) 7.0:1 45 IPT, (5500) 5.2:1 36 IPT, (6500) 5.2:1 39 IPT, (6500 HS) 6.2:1 48 IPT, (7500) 4.7:1 38 IPT, (8500) 4.7:1 42 IPT, (8500 HS) 5.3:1 50 IPT, (10500) 4.2:1 43 IPT
Weight: (2500) 11.9 oz., (2500 HS) 11.9 oz., (3500) 14.3 oz., (4500) 15 oz., (4500 HS) 15 oz., (5500) 23.6 oz., (6500) 25.4 oz., (6500 HS) 25.4 oz., (7500) 29.7 oz., (8500) 31.1 oz., (8500 HS) 31.1 oz., (10500) 37.3 oz.
Sizes
Available in sizes ranging from 2500 to 10500, the Authority is a no-holds-barred inshore and offshore spinning reel that can give even the best conventional reels a run for their money, especially in windy conditions.
The 2500 and 2500 HS are simply perfection for casting to reds, snook, and specks, offering everything you need to net common game species in all conditions. Stepping up to the 3500, you’ll gain the capacity and drag you want for striper and other large, aggressive fish, and as you continue on to the truly large reels, almost anything becomes possible.
Body
Penn offers the Authority with an all-metal body and side plate that holds precision-machined gears fast no matter how hard the fight is. You can really feel that rigidity and stiffness, and of course, these reels are sealed against saltwater intrusion, earning an IPX8 rating.
In all practical conditions, this ensures that the guts of the Authority will remain dry and clean. Even cranking this reel underwater shouldn’t pose a problem, not that this is recommended.
Drag
Penn equips the 2500 with the HT-100 drag system, delivering 20 pounds of reliable, consistent drag. All of the models larger than that share the amazing Dura Drag system, which uses lubricated carbon-fiber drag discs to produce exceptionally smooth resistance.
Truly fight-winning the Dura Drag is perhaps the best on the market when you’re fighting powerful species like reds, tarpon, shark, or tuna.
Gears
Penn uses CNC machining to produce solid stainless steel gears, offering greater strength than any alternative. Proper heat treating ensures that this material is able to drive the spool under tremendous strain, and the torque the Authority generates makes a HEMI envious!
Gear ratios are well matched to each size of the reel, with great retrieval rates, especially on the HS models. Inch for inch, they match the lightning speeds of the Slammer IV, offering more than enough retrieve to keep up with the fastest fish.
Capacities are excellent as well, and I suspect that the Slammer IV and Authority share spools.
In essence, then, the Authority is an upgraded Slammer IV, offering lighter weight, stronger gears, and even better waterproofing.
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for tournament-winning performance, the Authority is Penn’s top of the line.
Source: usangler.com