What is the best choice reel for pulling in these fish. Needs to hold atleast 80lb braid

My favorite go to rod and reel is a 33 year old Zebco spinning reel/rod combo that I used for many years salt water fishing for reds and trout. Never corroded, has 50 pound braid. I have also pulled in good sized needlenose (40+ inches) on my light rod n reel with 6 pound line when fishing for bluegill. It is more about the drag set and steel leader, the gar doesn't care what it was caught with.

Abu 7000 holds 270yds of 100lb braid

I started out with a couple of Abu 6500c3's that worked pretty good. Now I have 2 Penn Fathom 25 LW, A Penn Fathom 25N LD and an Avet MXL.

Each hold right at 300yds of 80lb power pro.

Good luck.

I'm looking for a spinning reel.. I already have a nice big spinning rod, looking for a reel to go with it

Check out Penn's Spinfisher V, Battle II or a Fin Nor Offshore

www.srmo.com

I dont own any abu 7000s but I'd trust a 6500 C3. Heck it can handle just about any catfish out there I would think it could take on all but the biggest gar.

Shimano Thunnus or Shimano Longcast. Daiwa Emblem or Emcast are good choices as well.

Awesome, thanks for the replies everyone

I like penn 309's and spinfisher live liners size 8500. Imo the smaller ambassadors are not going to hold enough 100-150# braid. 80 will break on hook sets, i used it for a couple years, too many lost fish on hook sets for me. Ambassador 7000's are fine.

Awesome thanks

Either I'm lucky with the 80lb braid I have or I'm awfully weak. Lol

Seriously though, I've heard about some failures with the 65-80lb braid but have yet to experience any.

You fishing from a boat or the bank?

Good luck to ya.

From both my kayak and the bank

I was going to suggest the ambassador reels by Abu Garcia but that was before I knew you needed one in spinning. Anyhow, you don't necessarily need 80lb test. We've pulled in lots of big gar on 50lb mono and braid. However my personal best of 175 pounds I did bring in with 80lb braid. Best of luck.