...my penn 5500 is dying...i have had many of them over the years and i finally am realizing that i dont like them much - not durable, not that smooth...was thinking of the shimano baitrunner....any thoughts? i never fish bait and only toss plugs so i am not sure about that 2nd drag system...i would like to spend about a $100...

btw, met 'nightfiighter' and 'ludds' on the north shore today...nice to meet you both...just after i saw you guys i ran into a little flurry of schoolies in tight to the beach to the left....

im going to get a spinner this week. im going to get a shimano stradic.
if your not fishing bait why get the bait runner??

i dont trust those new penn's,full of crap metal. only the wicked old ones i trust.

yeah, i am looking for something lightweight, simple and durable...

shimano spheros 6000, just picked one up the other day. awesome reel for around 90 bucks new. wished you posted this 2 days ago. one sold on ebay, new for 56 bucks.

if you can handle the weight the 4500b is a good reel for plugging... and makes a pissah eeling reel ;)

other reels i like in that price range..
Spheros 8000 i think it is the best bang for the $
older penn 104's green or black with black spool

I have a spheros 8000, smooth as silk. I also have a 10 year old baitrunner 4500 that works like new and it has never been serviced (not professionally anyway). You can't go wrong with shimano.

Doc, If your not going to bait fish why get a shimano baitrunner? It will only add extra weight and you will not be using it's primary feature. I would go with either a Stradic or a Spheros. I have both the 4500B and a Stradic 8000 and use only the Stradic when I am plugging. The Stradic is a good reel, but the Spheros is cheaper and it's got a waterproof drag. I'd also look at the Diawas in the same price range.

If you think in the future you might be fishing bait occasionally or livelining, baitrunners have done well by me just make sure there is a "B" at the end of the model #. The original series without the B are not nearly as good.

If your'e not deadsticking with bait, I don't see why you would need a baitrunner.

This year I got the shimano stradic, sweet smooth reel. But pricey..

If your'e not deadsticking with bait, I don't see why you would need a baitrunner.

This year I got the shimano stradic, sweet smooth reel. But pricey..
they are nice for eelin and bait but other than that, too heavy...Go with the Stradic's silky smooth I got a few of them and baitrunners, but they do more sittin than fishin.......

I've got 2 baitrunners.

Both of them sitting on a shelf in my garage with broken anti-reverse. Also my 6500 which I did use pretty heavily for fishing herring for a few springs is no where near as smooth as it used to be...

I've been trying to stay away from bait this year so I didn't even bother fix them.

I have 2 4500's and a 6500. They're awesome reels. As far as the second drag system goes I find I use it a lot even when plugging for letting out line, reaching for the lure at the end of the line, etc. I really miss it when I'm using my penn 6500 which btw, is way heavier than either shimano.

I picked up a Stradic earlier in the Season and love it. Very solid reel...you won't be disappointed

Hi,
Every Penn I bought was breaking. MVP was very good and was replacing them, but I got sick of it and eventually switched to either 45 or 5500s. Love them. I now have 2. One is at least 5 years old and the other new this year. Not one problem.

...thanks for all the insight and advice....given my impulsive tendencies, i just picked up a shimano spheros 6000...feels a bit heavier than my penn5500 but definitely smoother...hopefully it will prove more durable as well...will give a post after i give it an inaugural weekend...

thanks again!

I have 2 4500's, best live linning reel by far, but if your plugging this is not the reel to buy! Try a stradic, you wont be dissapointed.

I have the 4500 and like it. Been throwing plugs with it mostly and it seems well for that but something a little smaller could be better. I also took a fall in the rocks with it and landing right on the reel which it took the hit just fine :)

anybody use the shimano spheros?

anybody use the shimano spheros?

Yes, it's a great reel. Not to knock the Stradic, but I think the Spheros is a better reel for the surf. It's built for saltwater, the Stradic really isn't.

Look in a Shimano catalog sometime, there's only three reels listed in the saltwater spin section. The Thunnus, the Baitrunner, and the Spheros.

Save a few bucks unless you need the spare spool that comes with the Stradic. You can also just buy a Spheros spool separately and it will still be less $$.

Either way it's real tough to beat Shimano customer service in the event you need it.

If you think in the future you might be fishing bait occasionally or livelining, baitrunners have done well by me just make sure there is a "B" at the end of the model #. The original series without the B are not nearly as good.

I would beg to differ on this... I also have three baitrunners that are over 10 yrs old... no problem with any of them... did pick up a "B" model last year and it does not have the "feel" of the older ones... when I was up to surfland talking to kay she said she has had a lot of the new ones come in with problems... apparently she said the older ones had better bearing... she stated that she opened one new one that had virtually no bearings left.... and this is what made shimmano what they are... their bearings...

Yes, it's a great reel. Not to knock the Stradic, but I think the Spheros is a better reel for the surf. It's built for saltwater, the Stradic really isn't.

Look in a Shimano catalog sometime, there's only three reels listed in the saltwater spin section. The Thunnus, the Baitrunner, and the Spheros.

Save a few bucks unless you need the spare spool that comes with the Stradic. You can also just buy a Spheros spool separately and it will still be less $$.

Either way it's real tough to beat Shimano customer service in the event you need it.

Doc,

Good advice here. If you search for previous threads on the spheros you'll know its a winner.

anybody use the shimano spheros?

On my 3rd season with the 8000.Haven't had an issue with it yet.Super reel for the price.

Just walked in the door after fishing with it.

i bought my dad a 6500 bait runner, which he uses often, very smooth reel and never been serviced and boy does he abuse it! very durable reel no complaints here

I love the Shimano Spheros - 6000/8000 size is ideal for many uses. It is my main go to reel. I like them so much I have every size but the 5000 (same body as the 6000/8000 w/ shallower spool). Some size I have two of. ;) Every one I meet I tell them about the Spheros series! Some one get Shimano to sell this reel w/ an extra spool! Of course if you own two of the same size you just bring the whole reel along.

The Stradics are buttery SMOOTH for sure, but I find the slower ratio to be better for working lures slower. Now the Spheros has a feature that locks the rotor in place so you will never snap off a lure from the handle coming around if it is in the wrong postion/location (inertia makes it swing around - big problem w/ the older Penn SS series).

Now the Baitrunners are super reels as well! I have two 4500s (A & B). Got rid of the 3500 since I liked the 4500 better (not much heavier anyway). The back lever is great for letting out some line. :) I used mine for plugging for a couple of yrs before I got my Spheros. I don't fish bait at all, but the option of using it that way is ALWAYS there. The drag is waterproof which is a big plus for surf fishing. Graphite frame is very robust and I haven't broken one yet. If you lose the anti-reverse on the older A series - I have a trick for you: snap/flick the lever over as hard as you can w/ your finger a couple of times - sometimes it gets the AR working again! Otherwise you pull it apart at home to deal w/ it. I like the older handle style on the A series (barrel like) verses the B (flat rubba paddle). The 4500A handle fits on the 8000 Spheros. :D

I have a bunch of the older Penns - they were the premier reels in their day and I have a big soft spot for them. My greenie Penn 716 caught lots of fish and I still have it - saving it for my daughter when she is older. I still fish the 704s and the Slammer 260 is perminent mounted on my 7' bay rod. Easy & fast to get replacement parts for almost every Penn ever made.

Buy a quality product - regardless of make: rinse it off w/ a little freshwater and may be sponge it down w/ a little soapy water at the end of the season and you should be able to pass it down to future generations.

...thanks all for the advice, suggestions and comments...got a spheros 6000 as it was the only reel left so i got it for $80 which seemed good...gave it a good workout this weekend with saturday producing many big bass up here on the north shore...real smooth and silky...drag was nice...i miss the penn but already feel the difference with this reel...other than being a bit heavier, i can definitely tell it is far more quality than the penn 5500....thanks again...

I just got a 4500 this weekend. It feels pretty good, and I like the bait runner feature.