I use Penn reels because, they're what I've always used.
I had two crap out on me last year and I am considering trying out another brand.
For my schoolie, daytime, bluefish rod, I use a St Croix tidemaster, 8ft, med action. I had a Penn 6500 on it that is out of commission. I fish in the surf and frequently get it wet.
I do not want to spring for a VS and I am looking for a PEnn alternative. Any suggestions? Since this is a smaller set up, I'm looking to spend less that $125, any help is greatly appreciated!

have you tried to repair the penn? That is one great thing about them, you can get any part you need for them. If you're not up to it, try taking it to a tackel shop and they should be able to make it almost like new for not too much money. If that doesn't work, send it back to penn with a letter. If it isn't too old, they might replace it. I have the same reel and its been great to me. I also have a 5500ss, but this year I bought an Abu Garcia 6500 spinning and another bait caster off ebay, I'll let you know how it works out. BTW how do you like the st croix, I was considering changing all my spinning rods out for st croix 7'6" and 8'...

I have an 8' tidemaster and a 6500 but I find it too be much to heavy for that rod. I would go with the shimano spheros 6000. Great real under $125 that takes a beating.

I would recommend the shimano spheros Jim. Quality reel at a reasonable price.

I'll look into the Shimano, thanks
I love the St Croix, its the only non -custom rod i own. Its perfect for most of teh fish I catch....small to med size bass :o

Nautil Pro 6500 (the yellow one) may be worth a look.

What Kippy said.Spheros is a fine reel.

I think the penn 6500 and the nautil are too big for an 8'rod try the spheros,people who own them really do like them,I plan on tring one out on a 7and a half foot star rod for the schoolies.I have a stradic 4000 now and after 3 years and a rebuild the anti rev. still gives way.

The only problem with repairing Penns these days is the cost of parts. Before that the fact that they break down a lot wasn't such an issue...

Jimmy, curious on how your penns "crapped out"? Are they just gummed up or something worse? Did you break them down and clean them regularly? If the other reel besides the 6500 was a Power Graph, well thats just plain crap anyways.

For the "wading and getting wet" type fishing, the cleaning needs to be done on a regular basis, and I find the Penns to be simple to work on, and I can get parts at a local shop. I can bring my 704's or my Slammer 560 back from the brink of death with a good cleaning, and try to stay on top of it so its more maintenance than re-habbing.

I am doubtful that the Spheros will be much different in these conditions, but I have no direct experience. I almost got one this season for my 8' rod, but ended up with the 4500ssg which I like so far (but probably wont get wet much). Personally I would go with the 460 slammer in your case and plan to clean it often.

blue grease packed inside and a healthy coating of t-9 boeshield on the outside and you can get alot longer life out of a penn.

Shimano Stradic

blue grease packed inside and a healthy coating of t-9 boeshield on the outside and you can get alot longer life out of a penn.

Eben any specific brand on the blue grease you recommend? sorry to hijack.

nope.. but dont pack it too tight. it will stiffen up the reel. Some use vasaline.

Nebe is that the blue wheel bearing grease for boat trailers?

yes

Bill, one reel that crapped out was my main reel a Penn 8500, it was two years old, I clean after each trip and lube and oil every month or so during the season. The main gear on this reel was stripped, I have no clue how it happened. If I was getting 40s each trip I could see it but the bulk of my fish are under 20lbs, heck last year that was under 15.
That reel is fixable and I will repair and use it again.

The 6500 (it may be a 5500, I cant remember) is over 15 years old so I cant blame Penn. This was on of my Dads reels, he caught a ton of fish on it and I know he fsihed hard. I got 5+ years of abuse out of it as well. This reel has stripped gears and a ton off corriosion. This can be reapired but I wanted to give something new a try. I dont mean to bad mouth Penns. They're just the only reels I have experience with.

I have been jerking myself around all winter trying to decide what will be my new go to reel. I have two plastic Shimano 4000s for schoolies that are fine. The Penn 6500ss has always felt heavy for a full day or night in the surf. Shimano 4500Baitrunner for the boat. And my goto has been an Okuma Epixor 50EFS, which I have really liked, but don't trust for the long haul. But I think I am going to get two more of them at that price as they keep rebuilding them for me when I send them in. I will still consider a Stradic though. Just have to come to grips with the weight differentials in the 6000 vs the 8000.

Still have to learn to cast the Abu 6501... will use on the kayak with a small shimano as well.

I love my shperos 4000

Shimano Spheros is the best available for the price that I have used. I have 3. The 2-4000 are $79 and the 5000 up are $99. They have a waterproof drag and hold up well. I fish a 4000 with 14 pd fire line and it has been flawless. I done treat it well either. maybe lubed each year... rinsed a couple times at the most. Many guides I know have been using them on they're client rods. I have heard the complain t that you can't get them serviced at a tackle shop but my response is... they don't need it. My 2 cents...

I have a spheros 4000 on my 7 ft custom and willl probably get the 8000 for the 9 footer. I have a slammer 560 where the gears are corroded. After finding out the cost of parts I will probably just buy a new reel.

Just to set the record straight, it was a Penn 4500 on my 8ft St croix. Braindead last week.....

I have a spheros 4000 on my 7 ft custom and willl probably get the 8000 for the 9 footer. I have a slammer 560 where the gears are corroded. After finding out the cost of parts I will probably just buy a new reel.


I replaced all the gears on my 560 last year for short money. What's up here?

Correction, I was going by Pete G's post about Penn parts being expensive and was worried the cost would be ridiculous. I contacted Penn and got the parts for $14, which included shipping. Can't complain about that.

Correction, I was going by Pete G's post about Penn parts being expensive and was worried the cost would be ridiculous. I contacted Penn and got the parts for $14, which included shipping. Can't complain about that.

It depends on the part. Many have gone up 50% from where they used to be.

Stradic, they are great reels for the money, great with braid too.