Shopping for a 3 or 4000 series for the bay and a 6000 series for the surf. Which is better?

Thanks!

Haven't used that Shimano but I own a bunch of Shimano reels and can't say I've had any problems with any. I bought a Penn Fierce 7000 series a couple of years ago and it's been good too for some offshore trips on mahi mahi, barracuda 15-18 lb red snapper.

Skip the fierce and get a battle about 30 bucks more. and more salt resistant. I have a 3000 I use on my 7'6 trout rod. I have pulled in 40lb drum and a couple 32inch reds, along with trout and flounder and a 2ft hammer head. They last and parts are everywhere.

I have a couple 2000 Fierce reels that I use for fishing in summer in the bayous around Baytown and they are nice, but I would agree with Freefall, the Battle is using HT100 drag washers, making it a much better drag, definitely worth the few extra bucks.

A Penn reel ends up being a life long investment, I still own every Penn I have ever bought, ranging from a 25 year old SS reel, up to a few months old Spinfisher V, with a lot of Captivas, Pursuits and Pursuit IIs thrown in and none have failed yet.

Penn just won best saltwater reel at ICast with the Battle II, so look around, you might find some older battles on clearance for a little bit cheaper.

OH yea, BTW, Freefall, I got that bailess Spinfisher V, it is sweet! Only used it once, but man does it cast. Takes a little getting used to not having a bail though.

^^ I liked them just decided to wait might get myself a early xmas present. I was just in your neck of the woods went to highlands reservoir for the first time in 6yrs. Caught a nice drum and a couple hybrid bass, went trying to catch crappie and perch. Caught one flounder at the nature center and a dogfish of all things.

Since the surgery in May, I haven't been anywhere except Roseland Park catching croakers and 2 inch gafftops. Probably have to heal a few more months before I can do anything worth a flip.

Was the flounder a keeper? Most of them I have caught there were short a few inches.

Yeah 17inches. I saw a few smaller reds by the grassline. The new wetlands they built is full of mullet and other bait fish when the tide is up its crazy.

I also have a Fierce 3000. It's a pretty descent reel. I have not used it in saltwater yet. As far as Shimano, it took me a long time to wear out a 2500. It was still functional when I sold it. I believe it was a Stradic FH. I bougth it right when they came out, right after the model with the wood handle.

I know the Socorro is not a Stradic, but I think Shimano's quality is pretty darn good. I'd check and see if it has a sealed drag. If so, I'd go for it.