Anyone using salr water spinning reels?

Is anyone using the large salt water spinning reels? I am thinking about getting a couple I had some Penn's but have not used them for years, there are some pretty spec impressive looking ones out there now. Any recommendations under $500?

The butterfly jig guys use them all the time but that's a whole different subject.but then again tossing iron to albacore tuna off the west coast is done with spinning gear quite a bit,and the offshore gulf of mexico folks use them on tossing live bait to sailfish.just match it to the fish and go for it.

Lots of options out there <$500. I've got a couple tuna jigging spin setups that I like.

Penn Spinfisher - $120
Shimano Saragosa - $280

I also used a Quantum Cabo PT a few times this past year and liked it too. They run about $180.

Daiwa Regal BR5500 and BR6500 for surf fishing and deep jigging . About $170.00 when I bought it. Dual duty, it's a bait runner too, and comes with 2 spools.

Penn Battle 8000. Under $100. at a big box store. Love the braid capable spool

Believe it or not, Shakespeare Alpha's. Cheap but adequate for smaller species, sounds like an old hand cranked coffee grinder, but filled the bill for participating in the 2009 Papio Open .

I like the older Zebco Cardinals. I've got a 6 & 7. I bought the Cardinal 6 new about 1974 & I'm still using it. I also just acquired a DAM Quick Super made in Germany in the '50s. I'll be using it on the salt first chance I get.
This is the C-6

C-7

Quick


The new Shimano Stella SW I'd like to have (in my dreams) is way to expensive, so I guess I'll stick with the old school stuff for now.

I've had Diawa Black Gold series for over 20 years. I've cleaned and oiled, but never have had to order any parts.
I use BG10 for Bass, BG15 for Steelhead and BG90 for surf casting for Stripers. May be worth your look.

Penn Fierce is a good reel.  I don't like the grips on the handle, but that's personal.  It's a very solid reel and can be found for less than $100.

I've been very impressed with my Cabela's Salt Striker reels. I've been using them for over a year and a half now. I have completely abused them and they're still doing great. I have small ones (4000 size) but they have up to size 8000 (with 22 lbs drag).

http://www.cabelas.com/product/Cabelas-Salt-Striker-Spinning-Reels/1432814.uts

Penn Fierce is a good reel.  I don't like the grips on the handle, but that's personal.  It's a very solid reel and can be found for less than $100.

The Fierce is okay as long you keep out of the salt spray. I've had two that I've used in surf perch fishing and both seized up in short order. If you spend a few more bucks for the Penn Battle or Spinfisher you get a much better reel with rubber gaskets that will survive saltwater kayak fishing far better than the Fierce would.

+1 on the Cabelas salt striker if you're on a budget. I use mine a lot in the salt and have had no problems with it. I use the smaller 3000 size for rockfish. Im sure the bigger ones are good also. Read the reviews on Cabelas.

After seeing these great old reels that PNW posted I got thinking about my reels stash and remembered that I had some circa 1980s.
I found 2 Shakespeare Sigmas 70s and a old Diawa Gold series that should be fine. These were made in Japan and after cracking them open and lubing they appear to be in great shape. I hadn't used them much and I think the cosmetics scrapes are just from being shuffled around in my shop for years. Now to find a couple of good rods.

Ive been very happy with my daiwa emcast sport 5500, holds loads of the 50# powerpro and is equally at home on my surf rods throwing 4-6oz sinkers and bait or 2.25-4.75oz darts from the shoreline or vertical jigging in the yak.  Best part is if I remember right they're only like 80 bucks and come with two aluminum spools...

After seeing these great old reels that PNW posted I got thinking about my reels stash and remembered that I had some circa 1980s.
I found 2 Shakespeare Sigmas 70s and a old Diawa Gold series that should be fine. These were made in Japan and after cracking them open and lubing they appear to be in great shape. I hadn't used them much and I think the cosmetics scrapes are just from being shuffled around in my shop for years. Now to find a couple of good rods.

You know those just beg for old school fibreglass rods to complete the retro fish motif, right guys?

I've been very impressed with my Cabela's Salt Striker reels. I've been using them for over a year and a half now. I have completely abused them and they're still doing great. I have small ones (4000 size) but they have up to size 8000 (with 22 lbs drag).

http://www.cabelas.com/product/Cabelas-Salt-Striker-Spinning-Reels/1432814.uts

I love the Cabela's Salt Strikers. I had one of every size except the 80.  I used to used the 50 series for over-sized sturgeon until the Columbia stole it from me.  I promptly replaced it. I have used them for at least 8 years from salt to fresh water and have never had a problem.  I used them for 10 straight days in Mexico in the salt with no cleaning until they got back to Portland. They worked on everything from trigger fish to rooster fish. They still work like new.

They are actually made by Okuma for Cabela's.

Ok, so it was a small rooster fish, it was still a rooster fish.

why use spinning reel in the ocean?  what is the advantage?