I prefer spinning in 6000/6500 sizes - Big Power Handles with bigger rotation and Good drag on most of them. My goto used to be Cabelas Salt Striker Baitfeed and Bass Pro CatMaxx. I still have some 10 years old that have caught many 20-30 lbrs and several 40 lbrs, plus Bull Reds at the coast. I use the exact same rod n reel and rigging for Bull Reds as Big Blues.


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Then Bass Pro bought Cabelas and ruined them and Salt Strikers disappeared so I've been buying Penn Fierce 6000. Salt Striker have come back but I have Not tried the New ones. Over the Last 2-3 years Penn prices have shot up, so I recently bought a KastKing Sharky III - but have only caught smaller redfish on it so far.


CatMaxx Spinning $49

Kastking Sharky III Baitfeed $55

Salt Striker Baitfeed $79

Penn Fierce IV is $109 but Fierce III 6000 can still be found New on Ebay for $69-$89

There's also Penn Pursuit but I have Not tried one.

Baitcast : I've seen several different guys on Youtube using Piscifun and CAtMaxx for Big Blues in current.

Piscifun Chaos XS

Catmaxx $69.99

This guy uses Piscifun Alijoz 400 on some Big Fish in current......... I think I may try a couple after I get me another junky boat.......

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tNp3hayyrgI

Piscifun Alijoz 400 $129

I'll be sticking with ProAngler and Rippin' Lips Supercat Legacy rods........

Found this seller on Amazon. - Penn Fierce III 6000 -$79

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B07TVK29WW/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=A1U2W3QY29HKOJ&psc=1

Just bought a combo Penn Fierce IV 6000 with a seven foot one piece rod. $79. Last one from Midway. Got it rigged with 25 pound test Big Game. Can't wait to hook something big on it. I also have a Daiwa Big Game 8000. Loaded it with braid and I can tell you I found out for my use Braid sucks. Going to respool with Mono.

I think you will like that combo. I only use braid(with mono leaders) - I Hate line memory and twist but I don’t use slide sinkers . 50 lb or 65 lb braid - whatever has best price at the time on Amazon. I’ve used several brands and can’t tell the difference. I got braid 6-8 years old on a few reels. I’ll run it for 3-4 years then reverse it - spool it from one reel onto another reel.

What’s his face on here from 10 years ago had his own branded braid - Texas Tough braid. I used it too……

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B071R58DDR

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B074ZYCMBD

When a reel gets low on line/braid I’ll do a blood knot and add more braid…….

My complaint about braid is that if you are casting far the wind can send your line off the reel while your bait and weight are going in the right direction. Not a problem with bait casting reels but on a big spinning rod it can be a pain. It sure was the last time I was down at Port Oconnor with an almost in your face 30 mph wind. Not saying mono can't do the same thing just that it's less of a pain. Plus the knot issue. Attaching mono leaders to braid not my favorite pastime.

I run snap swivels - so braid to swivel with a palomar knot, clip sinker on to snap part , then mono leader to swivel with either improved cinch knot or loop thru

I use the Piscifun Chaos 6000 reels. So far it is the best bang for the buck. Mine are three years old.

So your leaders are short. In my case my braid to mono knot has to go through the guides as I run a leader at least as long as the rod when surf fishing. I have found a great use for braid. Attaching guides to fishing rods.

Just picked up a couple Penn IV 4000 reels. I didn't want to upsize to a heavier reel and feel like the 4000 will still handle some big kitties. I guess we'll find out soon enough.

In my opinion the bigger reels hold more heavier mono. I use 25 pound test on the 6000 and 30 on the 8000. Gotta say for me anyway I have a hard time breaking either when snagged.

I'll be running braid with mono leader, so I'll get more line capacity.

This Piscifun®NautiX Saltwater Spinning Reel Aluminum Body Fishing Reel probably worth trying.........

https://www.piscifun.com/products/piscifun-nautix-saltwater-spinning-reels
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