I’ve posted here a few times. Recently I got a good deal on a 12 ft surf rod on Craigslist. I love it but the question I have is what kind of reel should I be looking to purchase to make this a decent combo. Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated . Thanks
I would suggest a Penn 6000 series reel. There’s several different models based on your price limit. I really like the Spinfisher, but also have a MUCH cheaper Pursuit II that has been great to me
1860 G3 DLX
Carp Crusade Bowfishing
You’ll get plenty of suggestions here, but I would say buy the best reel you can afford. I still use my older U.S. made Penn 7500SS paired with a 12ft. rod, although I don’t fish with it as much as I used to. I like 9ft. surf rods better. That said, I also have a Penn Battle 6000 that’s it’s in 3rd year of surf fishing. No problems so far. Shimano, Daiwa and Quantum all make some good reels too. I also have a Penn Fierce that’s 6 months old. It was a gift and is a budget priced reel, but it has done OK so far. The main thing is no matter what you get is to take care of it. Rinse good after each use, etc.
Good luck fishing.
Jack Taylor
I second the penn spinfisher have 3 and no issues thus far, super sealed, super strong metal parts, incredible drag, but for a 12 ft rod I would get the 8500 much more balanced set up - big rod needs big reel, and it holds an ass of line. As Mr Taylor said wash after every use get serviced at haddrels at the end of season every year.
I love my spin fisher 6500 I wouldn’t trade it for the world. But I did just get a shimano bait runner that gives me much more control of the drag.
I have the spinfisher 4500 for my inshore reel, and it is probably the best reel I have ever owned. I use battle IIs (8000 and 6000) for the surf, and I have never had a problem. As long as you take care of the Penns, they should work great.
Ssv or battle will do you fine. An older USA spinfisher will do u fine as well. Also don’t overlook the old daiwa black and gold. If your comfortable with a conventional a old school surfmaster or squidder are fun to mess with as a specialty rig on a 12ft heaver. I have a 150 surfmaster that’s a winch on my 12ftr. Easy to work on and cheap parts.
X2 on the Shimano BaitRunner. Never had a problem with any of mine and I fish them alot. I rinse them with the hose when I take them out of the boat. The finish on my Shimanos has held up much better than the Penns I’ve owned.
Capt. R. Killin
“Day Tripper”
Shamrock 20 cuddy
Ford 351W