I am in the market for 2 spinning setups. Target species is gator gar in freshwater and shark etc in the salt. I want a reel that holds around 300 yds of 20 mono. Any ideas or deals out there? im not looking for cheepos. Mabey 200-300 or so per rod and reel.

need to post in the saltwater section,think you would get more help

Penn Battle II in a size 60 or 80. ??

Look at Okuma. They make very fine reels.

It's all perspective...

I do not consider $200-$300 for a combo fishing setup as "cheepos."

Then again, I'll spend $1400 for one guitar, but not $75 for a reel.

Addendum: I can't get myself to buy a regular sized Snickers for $1.89 at a gas station. I still want the 1987 prices.

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I just picked up a Shimano stradic 8000FI
For $200 and put it on a new 6'6" tiger elite lite ugly stick rated 50-100# paid $80 for the ugly stick. I bought it for jigging but I spooled up with 300yrds of 50# pp. Fin nor makes a monster and Penn does as well. I'd get a stout 6'6" or 7'jigging stick and put a fin nor OFS 5500 on it, I believe it holds over 300 yrds of 20# mono . So $150 for the reel and another $100 for a stout jigging stick.

Ithink we are going with the shimano saragosa 10000. Looks like 33 lbs of drag and 400 yds of 50 braid.

Good choice, I had a Saragosa I put on a tsunami airwave elite surf rod. You want to talk about one heck of a casting combo. I say by the best you can afford at the time and take care of it and it will last a lifetime. The Saragosa is one excellent tough jigging reel. 33# pounds of drag is alot and you would Never have to use all of that maybe #20 after that the drag just isn't as smooth and the 50# braid will sap before you get even close to 30 pounds of drag or worse yet the rod or even straighten the hook. Measure your drag with a Boga grip no guessing

I'll second Okuma. Look into their lines with the baitfeeder feature. Makes for a very versatile reel. I run 4 Avenger ABF 50's for fishing big blue cats, all have caught several fish 30-60lbs and are still going strong. Maybe a bit low on price point given your budget, but Okuma has reels you can spend more $$ on if you want.

I'm a big fan of fin-nor offshore series. Caught many AJs sharks and Big grouper (100lbs) with mine. I have my 7500 series spooled with 400 yards of 65lb braid. The 7500s can be had for just under $200

Just got a heck of a deal on a Penn spinfisher 6500 ssv. Only paid 105$ online new shipped

I ended up getting a pair of daiwa saltist 6500's. They are great. I need a pair of 4500's now.

Nice reel and with 48.7 inches of retrieveal per crank those kings will have to work hard to catch up to your baits.