Need help deciding on new reel...

[MountainBreeze]

Sorry for the long, drawn out email but I'm really confused and could use some help.

Here's the deal... I have a few PENN Slammers, that I really like.
360 w/ 12# mono
460 w/ 17#
560 w/ 20#

I typically use the 360 on a 7' RainShadow I built, the 460 on a 9' St. Croix in the surf and the 560 on a Lami in the rocks (Breechways, ...) and these setups are fine.

The "problem" comes when I am in the yak. The 9' rods are too long for me to cast sitting and the 7' is too short to get around the bow. So, I have been using a not-so-good 8' PENN with the 560 on it, so I can use the 20# when trolling a TnW. Now I want to pick up a better 8' rod so I will have 2 I can really use when paddling. The rod will probably be one of the new Ticas but the reel is what is in question.

Do I put the 560, w/ 20# on the Tica and the 460 on the old PENN? But, then is 17# mono going to cut it for TnW, especially if I end up around rocks? Can I spool the 460 with braid and get a good capacity of stronger line? Or, should I get another 560 and put braid on that? And, if I am going to get another reel, should I get the Live-Liner 5600L, instead of another 560, and use that on the Lami when I'm slingin' eels and not in the yak??? Then I can put the 560 on the 9' St. Croix.

Thanks for any thoughts folks and Tight Lines,
Rob

[tlapinski]

Rob - check out the allstar backbounce. 8', rated 2 - 8 ounces. the slammer 560 should work fine on it. i have heard good things about the slammer handling braid, too. you could also look into the Nautils. let me know if you want info on where to get that blank.

[MarkL]

The setup I use is for upper Naragansett Bay is an 8 foot Lami XS81MS which can toss down to 1/2 oz. I mounted an Ahab 8A on it. The drag is sweet.

Being in a yak i'd recommend something with a shorter butt like one of the St. Croix Tidemaster rods but it is more money than the Tica's. A Slammer 360 would be a nice fit or Nautil 6500 is a good idea since it might take a dunking. I use 14# Fireline.

[Raven]

mike cc can do it for ya.