Saltwater Reel

Ling Season is a long way off, but I'm dreaming big already and looking forward to Hoebuck.  I picked up a new meatstick a few months back, but was using one of my regular reels on it.  I want recommendations for something burly and reliable at a good price.  Not looking for fancy.  Spinning reel.

OK, how bout a Penn??? they're more reasonable than you might think.

http://www.pennfishingstore.com/penn-slammer-760-spinning-reel.html[/size]

I am currently in the same boat and there is a huge list of fantastic reels you can spend anywhere from 30 bucks on a used Penn to 300 on a Avet 2 speed bomb proof reel... lots of choices between

we know the avets aren't all that bomb proof http://www.northwestkayakanglers.com/index.php/topic,3294.0.html but they certainly are pretty

But for spinning reels, I've long been a fan of the Abu Garcia Cardinal lineup. I've got lil tiny ultralight Cardinals, all the way up to giant surf casting spinning reels. I love 'em and only one other brand will make it into my spinning reel collection, especially for saltwater applications...

Quantum... If you're looking for a beefy spinning reel, check out the Cabo PTs. I dunno what your budget is looking like, but they do have less expensive options as well.  I wouldn't go with their cheapest model, but something in-between should be perfectly acceptable.

OK, how bout a Penn??? they're more reasonable than you might think.

http://www.pennfishingstore.com/penn-slammer-760-spinning-reel.html



I like the Penn slammers.  The 760 is a big reel.  The 560 is a better size for everyday use IMO.  I have a 560L with the liveliner feature.  It's worked great for me from casting light jigs in the kelp beds to casting to dodos in Mex.

-Allen

I bought an Okuma Salina  SA65 as I was walking out the door on the way to MX (literally) and it did just fine. Pretty beefy build and brought in whatever was on the other end of my line. It was a c-note and came with a rod that should have enuf backbone for Lingzilla.

That said, my favorite Florida big fish reel (Sharks, Tarpon)  is a Quantum Optix 60. Its not quite as meaty as the Okuma, but its done battle with some big fishies.

 It would have come to La Paz if I had not broken my favorite Tsunami jig stick just before the trip. Which is how I ended up with the Okuma combo (that and I broke down the reel without the schematic)    

The BIG upside of the Quantum is that at $18 to$25 at walmart its practically disposable.

The pot metal gears gives me some concern, but they are cast pretty beefy and it has not failed me (yet) nor shown much wear after some pretty intense workouts.

The drag is smooth but seems a bit light (Although I have not done any pull tests). Maximum drag is relative anyway, since its a spinning reel and you can always palm it.

 The other disadvantage is it has no clicker, but that's true of most spinners. The drag is easy to adjust so you can have a pseudo-bait runner position, but the sound of it going out is fairly   quiet and easy to miss it if its in the rod holder behind you.

I think this reel is an example of feature trickle down as the crank and shaft roll on sealed bearings (not bushings). Not what I'd expect in a $20 reel.
 
For me? So far so good but YMMV.

Love it when I get good feedback.  Thanks guys.

I have a metal Penn Spinfisher 750SSm that I like a lot.  It's on a 12' shore fishing rig.  Casts well.  Easy to take apart and service.  Basic, reliable spinning reel.

I have a metal Penn Spinfisher 750SSm that I like a lot.  It's on a 12' shore fishing rig.  Casts well.  Easy to take apart and service.  Basic, reliable spinning reel.

Yeah, I got that same reel.  I like it, but more for surf/shore fishing.  Before I bought the Slammer 560, I was looking at the Spinfisher 550SSm.  But I really wanted to downsize the reel.  The Slammers have extra drag washers on the bottom side of the spool.  Using spectra, I could have the same line capacity as the 7xx's, and more drag, in a smaller reel.  The liveliner feature was a bonus.

-Allen

Yeah, I got that same reel.  I like it, but more for surf/shore fishing.  Before I bought the Slammer 560, I was looking at the Spinfisher 550SSm.  But I really wanted to downsize the reel.  The Slammers have extra drag washers on the bottom side of the spool.  Using spectra, I could have the same line capacity as the 7xx's, and more drag, in a smaller reel.  The liveliner feature was a bonus.

Cool.  Thanks for the review.

Hey, Lee,? besides the nice selection of Penns at the Fife Sportco, don't forget to check out CharkBait and eAngler. they both have good selections of reasonably priced quality reels.

I have several Cabela's Salt Strikers and love them.  They are very smooth.  There are several saltwater guides that posted reviews on Cabela's sight and claim that the Salt striker is what they use due to the durability.  They are only about 50 bucks.

The Salt striker baitfeeder version has a clicker, and is about $10 more.  One commentor said they are Okuma Epixors built for Cabela's.  They do look almost identical other than paint scheme.