Reel suggestion

[RIJIMMY]

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.

[nightfighter]

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.

[jfisher]

I love my shperos 4000

[Fly Aquidneck]

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...

[kippy]

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.

[JFigliuolo]

Originally Posted by kippy

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?

[kippy]

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.