Looking for a new salt water safe spinner

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gadgetgeek

Joined
May 19, 2007
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Hey all, I've found myself in need of a new small reel for estuary, and beach fishing. I'll be using it with a medium Rapala magnum 4peice 6.5 footer.

I'm wondering what recommendations you guys have for spinning reels that have handled salt water well. (I know I've got to look after them, but I've seen some reel die after a few days of exposure) Simpler is better, I prefer front drag for durability. I'm also looking for a small reel, as I also have a larger rod and reel for surf, and when the bigger fish are on (if that ever happens)


Right now I'm looking at one of the cheaper Penn's only available in Aus(90$).
Price range is under 100$ in Australia.

Or should I just pick up a cheap reel (shimmano hyperloop for just over 30$) and call it good? is there much difference in the reels in this price range? I got two years of service out of my last cheap one, and the only thing wrong with it, is I somehow lost the drag knob.

the third option is to get a smaller alvey, (like the 45BC) and learn how to use that properly. The disadvantage of that is that I'm not sure how well it will match up with the rod. I've used alveys a bit, and its been interesting.... I'm not totally sold. I've always had spinners, and its what I'm comfortable with.
 
I agree with Penn Slammer but to stay within your budget (under $100) would go with the Penn Battle. I have been fishing one in saltwater for trout, bluefish, drum, and spanish mackerel with no complaints.
 
Looks like the battle would be in the $150+ ballpark here. But i can get a 260 slammer inside the budget. So that might be the direction I go.
 
gadgetgeek said:
Looks like the battle would be in the $150+ ballpark here. But i can get a 260 slammer inside the budget. So that might be the direction I go.
Click to expand...
Either would make a good reel, guess the local shop had good prices when I bought my Battle.
 
I have a Shimano Spheros that does well.
Bought a Penn Spinfisher V with high hopes.
Had to send the first one back, the shaft loosened after about 3 hours.
Penn sent a replacement with no problems and that one is doing OK after 1 outing.
From what I've read the initial run had some problems, but after that they are fine.
 
Fishiker, its more to do with the nasty import cartels that handle most products coming into Australia. In general you can add 50-100% to the shelf cost of any US available product to here. Its been blamed on the exchange rate for a long time, but that doesn't hold up to scrutiny. Things can be pretty arbitrary.
Thanks for the help guys.
 
Got the Slammer 260 the other day. Looks very tough! way heavier than I thought it would be, and much bigger too, but it will do the job. I'm not sure I like the lack of a reverse (didn't get the live-liner) but that said, its one less point of failure, and I can't see this thing ever wearing out.
 
Right now I just spooled the line of my old reel, its about 8lb Finns braid. I'm not sure if its breaking down, as there was a bit of green dust forming while I was winding. I really like the Finns, has a good feel, and casts well. about the only thing bad about it, is its a real pain when tangled into another line. Sand whiting are notorious hook spitters, so its nice to be able to get a good solid lock up on the set.
 
If you reversed the line (taking it directly off the other reel) you should be fine…. if the line isn't ancient that is :)
 
The line is maybe two years old, and stored inside, so no major UV damage. Or at least the minimum from actual use in the aussie sun. I'm not too worried about it, I figure in another year or so, I'll have taken enough off the spool to warrant a refill, and thankfully the light-weight finns doesn't break the bank, even here.
 
Sounds good to me.
If you're really cheap (like me) you could build up the backing to make the braid last longer.
All you need is the magic pop bottle top with a bolt thru it and a couple of pop bottles



If the reel is full of braid but low on the spool, top it off with mono.
Now you need to get the mono to the bottom of the spool.
Chuck the bottle top and bolt into a drill, screw in a (dry) bottle and strip off the line.
Then switch to a fresh bottle in the drill. Put the bottle with the line on a screw driver held by a vice and run the line from one bottle to the other with the drill.
Carefully, of course!

Now you are ready to crank the line onto the reel with the mono backing where it should be and it will be perfectly measured when you are done.

I use this method with reels that don't hold a 300yd spool of braid.
I'll buy a 150yd spool and use mono for the rest.

Good luck fishing!
 
It works like a charm.

Also, once you set up the backing to hold a 150yd spool, it'll fit every time.
I'll put 150 on my big surf reel with mono filling the rest… Shimano 6000 (IIRC).
During the course of the season I'll lose some line to wind knots in the dark, getting snagged etc.

Once winter rolls around I'll use the short spool of line on that Shimano to fill my low profile bait casters for LMB if they are low after the season.
All I need to do is put a fresh 150 on the surf reel.

Try it, you'll like it :)
 
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