Big Spinning Reel

[Duncan M]

G'day all,
I'm in the market for a new biggish spin reel to replace my Penn 8500 for popper chucking duties. As much as I'd like to go Saltiga or Stella, it won't be getting enough use to justify that kind of cost so I'm looking at up to 500 bucks. Given that it will mainly be used for tailor and stuff it doesn't need to hold 500 metres of 50lb braid or whatever, i'd prefer something nice and light as well (i have skinny arms haha) Just wondering if anyone on here has any opinions on the subject, I know a few guys on here are in the tackle trade
If it helps, it will be getting hung on a Comp Dev Graphcast 2.
Cheers guys
Duncan

HI Duncan
check out the penn slammers and their live liner
very solid reels withmore refinement than the spinfishers
others are Daiva emblem pro - very fast reel or the Banax Si 5000 to 7000, then there's the Fin Nor Ahab spin reels.

[chris_lemess]

I wouldn't drag a Graph II down by sticking a Penn on it (although the Slammers are good). One of the guys at work has a II with a Daiwa TD-X 4000 on it (quite a small reel.... 8kg max drag) which is sweet as.

For tailor and salmon I reckon the II is even too heavy, but then of course there's the compromise between throwing out anything up to a livie or big popper, vs. the fun of catching the fish. Bloody nice rods though and will soon become rare as hens' teeth!

Banax - probably too bulky.
Fin Nor - aren't coming in to the country any more... wouldn't suggest it.
Emblem Pro - definitely worth a look - there's a new version out which is a bit more expensive but has the same gearing as the Saltiga (not sure at all on that, but it's def. better than the earlier model)

There's also the new Daiwa Emcast that comes in 4500 size which is bloody good value at $189 - holds kilometres of line in a long cast spool and has a sweet as cranking handle - same as on Saltiga.

Not really much in the Shimanos except the Spheros, which is a great reel but probably something more suited to heavy duty northern work ie. GTs and the suchlike. Quite heavy in the larger sizes and it makes a hell of a difference when you're constantly cranking slices and pumping out 100m casts.

I'll have a better look at that new Daiwa Emblem Pro when I'm in next at work.

cheers
Chris

[madfish]

5500 Emblem Pro for me Dunc, at just under $300 is a great reel.

[CHUNQX]

That must be some BIG BREAM you're after!!!!!

[Rob C]

Ive got a Daiwa emcast 4500 good reel casts a mile with 8kg mono. cant imagine what it would do with braid, yet to afford to spool the spair spool up

Only got a ray and a tailor on it so far but its worked good

[YipD]

I've got a saltiga z6000, SA50 and stella 6000FA. Yes they are awnsome reels excellent materials construct, drag, retieve and casting. Most important is have enough POWER for fighting those BIG MONSTER under deep. But I think for your case you should look at the penn slammer 560 which will cost you ~$250 good drag performance(thanks for the H100), smooth and very solid. And the price is much cheaper than the saltiga and stella which cost me as least $850 each.

[Duncan M]

Cheers guys.
Probably hit the shops soon, 50 bucks says i spazz out and buy a Saltiga anyway

Duncan