I am looking to buy a new spinning reel the one I have now is too heavy (Penn 9500) I can not afford a VS I have been looking at the Quantum Cabo and Boca and also the Tica Taurus recommended buy Surfacasters I am concerned with durability and of course how these 3 hold up if they get dunked which they will. Any input from users of these reels will be valued. Thanks in advance.

I would highly suggest you look at the Shimano Spheros.

Thanks basswipe I had forgotton about the Spheros you are the second person to recommend that reel the first guy is a boat fishing guy. So how does the spheros hold up in the surf especially when wet?

Quantum Cabo 40 or 60 are fine sturdy reels with the best warranty you will find.

I've had my 60 for 1-1/2 seasons and it's the best reel I've owned in over 50 years in the salt.

If its going to get used in the surf and dunked, Penn 704z/706z is the reel.

cabelas does a bill me later option for the VS $$$$ deals....by the time you pay it off it will be spring....:jump:

If its going to get used in the surf and dunked, Penn 704z/706z is the reel.

Absolutely:claps: .

The taurus is a great boat reel (I own 2 of them), but they are not good surf reels.

Shimano Spheros 8000 gets my vote King. For the money, its the best reel around. I have fished a lot of spinning reels, and find it sturdy, dependable and it handles braid really well. It can also take a pretty good beating. If I have dunked them numerous times, I get home and just break it down and clean it up with hot soapy water and its as good as new.:hee:

cabelas does a bill me later option for the VS $$$$ deals....by the time you pay it off it will be spring....:jump:

Pay later option! Those options always get me in trouble:btu:

Secretly I love those pay later deals, just to easy.

My favorite is the "buy now, no payments for 20years":jump:

Gotta have that Mackie

King, although the 9500 is huge and bulky I have 4 6500's and love them I have never had a single problem with them. I also have some 704z's and they are great buy them now before they move out of the country

the 706/704 are work horses (there already over seas). there is a new penn out as well that claims to have a sealed or waterproof drag I'v yet to see or hear any thing on those.

The Slammers,SSg and SSm all have sealed drags.If you're referring to the Affinity its nothing but cheap 100% Chinese designed and built garbage.

are there any good american made reels left?

i switched from a penn 5500 which i have used for years to the spheros 6000...so far so good...much smoother...much less hassle and maintenance....i would recommend it!

I have always heard good thing about the Penn Slammers, and the Shimano Stradics. Any thoughts on those?

I have always heard good thing about the Penn Slammers, and the Shimano Stradics. Any thoughts on those?
I have several Stradics, great reels but high maint. If you get it wet, you have to take it apart and clean it. I had better luck with my Spheros 8000 this season over my Stradic 8000.

I have 4 stradics but... They have been apart about 1200 times, dropping 600$ this year for a better reel that will HOPEFULLY aleviate that problem. Stradics are fine if you fish once a week and hose them off. I abuse the $#!+ out of mine fishing 3-5 nights a week from April 15 to Dec, if you fish that often, I'd buy something else.

-Dave

Absolutely:claps: .

yes or kill what ever else you buy

Penn Slammer 60 or the5 SS6500