Penn PRESF2040S12 Prevail Surf Spinning Rod

Penn PRESF2040S12 Prevail Surf Spinning Rod

by Penn

Surf rods from 8 to 12 feet long, capable of slinging 6 ounces of lead weight plus a bait up to 100 yards beyond the breaking surf will ensure you'll make the big catch along the shore!

Price: $99.95
Qty:

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Oversize Packaging Required - Long Tube or Box
Model
TD Code
LengthPiecesLine Weight(lbs)Lure Wt(oz)Guides+
Tip
Guide
Type
HandlePrice
PRESF2040S12
PEN-1104
12'0"220-40lbs4-87+1AX
Spinning
D$99.95 USD
Qty:
Price Match Guarantee
Oversize Packaging Required
It’s not often you can find everything you want in a high end surf rod at half the price. The Prevail provides strength and performance with a two-piece graphite composite rod blank. Stainless steel frames with aluminum oxide inserts create a light weight and durable guide perfect for fishing mono or braid. The rubber shrink tube handle design provides a secure grip whether wet or dry. The Prevail is a perfect match for PENN Sargus, Fierce or Pursuit spinning reels or Squall star drag conventional reels. Check out the rod to reels combination chart to find suggested reel to rod combinations.
  • 2 piece graphite composite blank
  • Graphite reel seat
  • Stainless steel guides with aluminum oxide inserts
  • Rubber shrink tube handles
4.5 Stars based on 32 reviews
By Frank
Lords Valley, PA
Great Rod
June 20, 2022
9' 3/4 - 3 oz. Ended up using it bait casting in New Jersey this spring for Stripers. Wouldn't you know I got a hog on the line in a fairly heavy surf. Took 20 minutes to land this 46" Striper with a Spin Fisher Penn VI 4500. Really not the right set up but we got it done and the fish back in the water!
Pros
  • Price
  • Quality for the price
  • Sharp Looking
Cons
  • None
By Tyler
Delaware
Workhorse
January 20, 2020
I’ve used my 12’ Prevail for years and wouldn’t trade it for anything. Fast action and fairly stiff (but not broomstick stiff), awesome rods for throwing bait plus a heavy sinker and plenty of power to handle whatever you might encounter.
By Kenny
Columbia, Maryland
Honestly a great entry level rod
November 19, 2019
I like the handle on this rod it feels really good, the tip is pretty fast. After upgrading this has become the loaner rod which is the best way to get beginners into the feel of a performance rod
By htpattereson
at;anta
Great Rod
June 18, 2019
Just what I wanted works Fine!!
By John
Claremore , Oklahoma
Great rod
December 26, 2018
I have had a few surf rod before and this one is the best one I have had in a long time. The long handle is really nice when you need to get your bait way out there.
By Henry A.
IL
Great Rod .
December 22, 2018
Great rod great price very well made happy with this purchase.
By Erick
CT
Great Rod
November 3, 2018
It can handle what it says it can handle.
By Andrew
Jersey Shore
Great beginner surf rod
July 27, 2018
I have nothing bad to say about the Prevail. I have handled stripers, monster bluefish, and one big-ass sting ray with this rod with zero issues. No rod separation, no creaking, plenty of backbone. I rarely cast more than 2oz plugs, so i have not found the upper limit of its casting ability, but it will comfortably throw 1oz Mag Darters with no problems. It is my go-to nine times out of ten, and you will be hard pressed to be it for under $100.
By Paul
Silverhill, AL
Penn Surf Rod
May 5, 2018
It puts pampano on the table! Need I write more? Great rod.
By jaime s.
Orlando
Penn surf rod
February 16, 2018
Meet all my needs and expectations, great surf rod for the price
Pros
  • Price
Cons
  • I wished I would`€™ve got it sooner
By Jack S.
FL
Love the Prevail
August 5, 2017
I own 3. Going to eventually buy 2 more. Bad reviews are for people that abuse their gear. Period. This rod is very nice for the price. Literally my favorite thing on earth is my 9' Prevail equipped with a Fin-Nor Megalite 60. Its the most versatile outfit I own out of about 20 complete spinning outfits. I have a rod for everything including a 4wt fly rod to a 13wt saltwater fly rod. From a 5' ultralight with a 250 spinner to a 12' Prevail and a Fin Nor Lethal 100 (10,000 size). I mostly to saltwater fishing nearly excludsively surf fishing. Transitioning from mountain streams and lakes to open ocean.

It's not how much money your gear cost. I've seen $300 rods break just as easy as $5 rods. Mainly it's how to care for your gear. I have rules. Never let the tip hit the ground (mainly when disarmed and leaning against a wall). Never store with the line reeled tight (hooked on an guide). Never leave in a car. Always wash good after saltwater (make sure water isn't inside of the blank when washing disarmed). Join the rod pieces with the quarter turn method and always wax the ferrules. Never overload the rod (if it's rated for 4oz, don't try to whip out 8oz as hard as your can). Don't set the hook with a hand above any guides (hands in the hand grips only because you risk overloading just the top section). Those simple rules will let a rod love a LONG time. My dad gave me a rod he got in the 80s and it's still catching shark.

The same care goes for reels. I have a Shakespear Sigma 80 2200ck model from the early 90s that STILL comes with me on the beach for catching pompano. Replaced the crank candle 4 months ago.

So with that rant, care for your gear and it'll last a long time.

The Prevail has a great action. The seat can have flex but that's because the butt section isn't reinforced. I personally like the entire blank having flex. Flex isn't a cheap feeling. That fluid and dynamic action lets the stress of hooking something big unload all the way to the butt cap.

Graphite reel seats are my favorite because metal ones are often over tightened AND believe it or not break easier because the lack of flex causes the metal to "crack" and break. I keep two worm-clamps and some zip ties JUST for this. Nothing is worst that a busted seat and a reel at your feet while hooked up on a fish. Never have I see a graphite seat break (except for a pole my buddy kept in his car in south Florida year round but I think he tossed a tackle box or groceries on top of this reel.)

The slim blank has a minimalist look yet the details on the gear shrink and aluminum butt cap fitted with a rubber shock butt... super intellectual look. The blanks wraps and dark red and black finish is nice to look at.

The action is nice. The heavy action 12' isn't sensitive enough for smaller fish like whiting. Don't get the 12' unless you need it for larger fish like shark and, striped, and tarpon. Once hooked up, small fish feel big and big fish feel as excepted on the fight. The medium weight is where the money is. I haven't tried to light weight versions. I probably won't because I'm not on the gulf. That's be a great rod for calmer waters.

The guides are kinda generic. Typical low budge rod guides. Not sure of the brand. I haven't lost an insert yet. The guides are smooth. Braid hasn't cut into the guide yet. They haven't gave me problems. None of them are loose or spin. The overall feel of the guides is smooth on the cast. If you lose a tip guide insert, you mishandled the rod. I use my 9' to sling plugs and poppers on the beach and I whip them out there all hard and stuff.

I'll buy more. I'd rather get 3 of these than one fancy top shelf rod. I catch a lot of fish with this rod. Heck, the other morning my girlfriend and I couldn't get our rods in the sand spikes. We were hooking up within seconds our shrimp hit the water. Pompano rigs with 5oz sputniks. 25 fish in 2 hours. Majority of the time was putting more bait on and explaining to tourist that the sting rays won't kill them. And we had to take a break to drink our beer...

So if you are a beginner, budget minded angler, or pro... get one of these rods in your life. I haven't seen a bad review that wasn't the factories fault. Also TackleDirext know how to ship rods. Some of these A-holes on seller sites thru Amazon or other crap dealers don't put enough packing... and that means when the underpaid package handler working at FedUPS is rough, that tip guide is gonna get some pressure put on it. Not with tacklesdirect. Got 5? Rods from them.
By BigE
Sacramento california
Gets the job done
December 14, 2016
I bought the penn prevail with the blacktiph combo and the rods does good with the penn 8500 spinfisher spooled with 30LB backing and 65 power pro for main line use this for sturgeon and heavy current when I need throw large baits and sinkers has good backbone for hauling in them heavy fish
Pros
  • Throws heavy baits with no problem , and is incredibly light weight with plenty back bone to have a strong hook set into those lunker size fish ,
Cons
  • Heavy and kinda off balance >WHEN< you add those bigger reels
  • Good rod but wouldn't be my first choice
  • And made in China really penn
  • Would I said worth the money if you think so I'd rather wait the extra while to save up for a better rod ,
By Paul s.
New jersey
Nice rod
April 6, 2016
I fished this rod and I am pleased with the handling and feel
By Jim
Murrieta, CA
Good rod
August 1, 2015
I paired this rod up with a Penn Fierce 5000 and it's very nicely balanced. I'm using it for fishing off the rocks and jetty at a lagoon near me and it performs well. Long casts, loads up well with a 1oz weight and a fishfinder rig with live bait.
Pros
  • Light, good action and balanced nicely with my Fierce 5000.
Cons
  • It's rated to handle up to a 2oz lure but I don't get the casting distance I want with that much weight.
By b p.
new york
good for the money
July 8, 2015
well made and performed as expected
Pros
  • was a good combination with purchase with the spinning reel
  • am new to surf fishing and I thought I did pretty good for my first time out as to distance and location
  • using in south America
Cons
  • none
9 Questions & 9 Answers
Pedro gonzalez
from FL asked:
April 5, 2020
Would this fishing be good for handling blacktip sharks going up to 6ft in length? And what would be a good low price reel that can pull in a blacktip shark and what line should i use? 
1 Answer
Yes, this rod would do the job well. Great value at that price range as well. Few options for reels below:


https://www.tackledirect.com/fin-nor-lt100-lethal-spinning-reel.html

https://www.tackledirect.com/daiwa-eliminator-elt8000-spinning-reel.html


Load either up with 65lb braid and you will be good to go.

Submitted by: Brian on April 7, 2020

Aaron Smookler
from West Caldwell, No asked:
August 10, 2018
Would this rod be good for shark fishing by the jersey shore? And do you think an 8500 penn fierce would be suitable for this rod?
1 Answer
This rod will work for sharking off the Jersey Shore, you will get distance casting baits considering the length, which is a good quality to have especially for shark fishing. The 8000 Penn Fierce II will be a good reel to pair with this rod.
Submitted by: Rebecca on August 15, 2018

Neil2fish
from OC MD asked:
April 24, 2017
Is a 5500 size bait runner type reel too small for this rod? I'm looking to chunk mullet w 4-6 oz sinker
1 Answer
Normally you would use a bigger reel for that size of a rod. The Penn SSV LL would be suitable for the Penn Prevail 12' rod.
Submitted by: Donald on April 25, 2017

Dale
from NJ asked:
December 7, 2016
Hi, I am looking for a good Rod to surf fish for stripe bass and Fluke. What would be a good reel to go with this Rod?
1 Answer
The Penn Spinfisher V SSV8500 Spinning Reel would be a great fit for the Penn PRESF2040S12 Prevail Surf Spinning Rod surf fishing for striped bass and fluke off the beach.
Submitted by: Donald on December 8, 2016

Julie Barney
from FL asked:
November 6, 2016
What split is this 12' rod?
1 Answer
The Penn PRESF2040S12 Prevail Surf Spinning Rod is a 50/50 split.
Submitted by: Donald on November 8, 2016

Dan
from Mililani,Hawaii asked:
December 4, 2015
Hi what is the measurement from butt to reel seat.
1 Answer
From the butt to the reel seat is 27".
Submitted by: David on December 14, 2015

john
from rockaway beach ny asked:
March 27, 2015
what is the action on this rod
1 Answer
Hello John. This is a heavy rod with a moderate action. Please feel free to contact us if you have any more questions!
Submitted by: Brandon on March 27, 2015

Tommy
from virginia asked:
January 30, 2015
Im looking to get a surf rod for small sharks from 3-7' can this rod handle the drag pressure from a penn spinfisher v 9500 if not what would be a good rod for less then 125 thanks for your help :)
1 Answer
The 9500 is a LARGE reel. The rod should be fine but you may want to consider downsizing the reel a little. Another good rod option in your price range is the Battalion 12' , model PEN-1377. It is slightly heavier than the Prevail and will match up better to the 9500.
Submitted by: KRAIG on February 3, 2015

sytan
from malaysia asked:
June 29, 2014
The Rod Made From Where?
1 Answer
The rod is made in China.
Submitted by: Customer Service on June 29, 2014

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