I live in Florida and I have three Slammer III reels a 4500, 6500 and a 8500HS. The 4500 is my go to snook reel. With those monster drags in the Slammer III reel, I don't need to go any heavier. Yes, the Shimano is smoker but nothing near the work horse that the Slammer III is. I have fished with both and for my type of fishing, prefer the Penn Slammer III hands down. Keep them rinsed with fresh water and lube and should last a lifetime... Star Seagis and Star Paraflex ods and or Adventurous Custom rods I use the 8500HS offshore for sight fishing while trolling etc. Again, a beast of a reel spooled with 65lb braid. Most recent catch was a 38lb mahi spotted while trolling and had no problem getting the mahi to the boat and the gaff!
Dixon Allen wow. This will give people watching a great perspective. The Slammer3 is truly a reel that could go on and on. The Shimano as nice as it is will not. I bought the Slammer for this exact reason. I was drunk when I bought the Shimano! It is a lovely reel though. 🤣🤣🤣
I said I'd never get another Penn after I returned a Clash with terrible line lay, even adjusted with shims. But after having to replace the bearings on my Stradic I bought the Slammer for my rough and wet marks. Line lay is ok, inferior to Shimano, by about 5m a cast. But, I've got used to it, and if you don't overfill it behaves. Nice not to have to worry too, I'm leaving the Shimano for the estuary.
As time has gone by I have gained more confidence with the Stradic and love it as much as the Penn but still use the Penn in the surf or really rough ground. Just love using the Stradic
Thanks for the review, great job. I was almost all set to buy the Penn but after watching this video the Shimano comes out ahead in my opinion due to the fact it casts further! I'm fishing lures, or even bait, and there are times with my current reel that I wanted to cast it further but couldn't, I think casting ability is extremely important...at least for me, but isn't that why we buy reels is to cast presentations far?
fishing west cornwall its got to be a slammer for me,i have 2 3500 slammers and a spinfisher,had issues with the berkely whiplash when using soft plastics,have to be carefull with windknots,switched to monster9 strand last weekend and its a touch thicker,no wind knots at all.
Love my slammer I think they are excellent reels. For a clumsy angler who fishes off rocks and wades on beaches, this is the one for me. I would love to get a more expensive Shimano one day but until they improve that iPx rating I wouldn’t risk it. Great vid thanks
I got the Penn for £136 from Germany. Still waiting for Major Craft braid from Lure Candy to try it out. I also want a Stradic. I might splash out on a Vanford..
Why does my slammer tick when under tension?Its brand new and I used guarantee ,they sended me brand new again.And this one also has some ticking noise when i use spinnerbaits,crankbaits for pike fishing?Hate that feeling of ticking.....
I’m tough on my gear , surf casting all daylong ,used to have slammer3 3500 , it shows handles play back in few trips, try to adjust it through washer bent ti develop spzce between handke n nain gear drive which made the handle solid once again , line lay of shimano wins by their worm gear osc. using light n yet tough alum. tight tolerence bigger main gear drive comparing to similar penn sizes put more torque under load , damn nothing like shimano , still not perfect but they r the best out there , i have from stella downwards to sonora 4000 which discontinued long ago, still rocking , the next to shiman in my arsenal is penn , they r tough n could be better , penn eng, just don’t to put a real comptition.
I prefer Shimano or Daiwa,they are lighter and smoother for sure,and i don’t like to use heavy equipment,rods or reel. Penn is amazing company for sure,depending of style of fishing and what you really prefer:)))
No, but Shimano have far,far better line lay, important if you're on a mark that needs distance. I have both these reels, but use the Clash mostly now, because getting the Stradic wet is costly.
I love the Shimano but as you said it doesn’t have the build quality of the Penn. I’ve just done a Pike video where I use the Penn because of its guts. Would prefer to use Shimano due to line lay and less wind knots though
Good to know mate. To me it definitely takes the build on a reel in this price range up a notch. I actually went off Shimano for a while but this reel has given me back my confidence in the brand. Great reel. I prefer using it to the Penn but am afraid a ruining it because I am hap hazard
@@TheConstantAngler The IPX rating is a strange thing. No where on the USA Shimano Stradic website do they disclose the IPX rating. The owners manual is as worthless as the website. Shimano Calcutta, Corsair and Tiagra owner here, so it's not a I hate Shimano thing. BTW, IPX ratings aren't a reliable determining factor as the manufacturer needs to disclose their test method as there is no standard test method for fishing reels. Same goes for flashlights (aka torches to your Brits). Clean and lubricate the reel when first purchased. Rinse with fresh water on return from the trip. If submerged, remove spool and side plate, flush with clean tap or distilled water and allow to dry, then re-lubricate and assemble. Braided line soaked in salt or brackish water is the quickest way to ruin a reel spool.
Great info mate. I am loving my Stradic more and more. For the money it is some reel and I would rather fish with it than the Penn but I know the Penn will take a dunk and the Shimano is so nice I’m afraid to soak it completely
@@TheConstantAngler yup I’m trying to get me a 4000 xgfl. I was looking at the Penn battle 3 dx but the shimano stradic has been around for a long time since 1991 so you can’t go wrong with one of those stradics.
@@TheConstantAngler When mine broke was heavily into surf fishing for CA Ocean Striper, and the sand got it. I really like my Stadic 4000 for surf fishing. I Have a boat now and a use it with a ST Criox inshore and it pairs well for lures and swimbait.
Really good comparison. You helped me a lot.
I live in Florida and I have three Slammer III reels a 4500, 6500 and a 8500HS. The 4500 is my go to snook reel. With those monster drags in the Slammer III reel, I don't need to go any heavier. Yes, the Shimano is smoker but nothing near the work horse that the Slammer III is. I have fished with both and for my type of fishing, prefer the Penn Slammer III hands down. Keep them rinsed with fresh water and lube and should last a lifetime...
Star Seagis and Star Paraflex ods and or Adventurous Custom rods
I use the 8500HS offshore for sight fishing while trolling etc. Again, a beast of a reel spooled with 65lb braid. Most recent catch was a 38lb mahi spotted while trolling and had no problem getting the mahi to the boat and the gaff!
Dixon Allen wow. This will give people watching a great perspective. The Slammer3 is truly a reel that could go on and on. The Shimano as nice as it is will not. I bought the Slammer for this exact reason. I was drunk when I bought the Shimano! It is a lovely reel though. 🤣🤣🤣
I said I'd never get another Penn after I returned a Clash with terrible line lay, even adjusted with shims. But after having to replace the bearings on my Stradic I bought the Slammer for my rough and wet marks. Line lay is ok, inferior to Shimano, by about 5m a cast. But, I've got used to it, and if you don't overfill it behaves. Nice not to have to worry too, I'm leaving the Shimano for the estuary.
I have the stradic 5000 and the slammer 3500.
They both rock.
As time has gone by I have gained more confidence with the Stradic and love it as much as the Penn but still use the Penn in the surf or really rough ground. Just love using the Stradic
Thanks for the review, great job. I was almost all set to buy the Penn but after watching this video the Shimano comes out ahead in my opinion due to the fact it casts further! I'm fishing lures, or even bait, and there are times with my current reel that I wanted to cast it further but couldn't, I think casting ability is extremely important...at least for me, but isn't that why we buy reels is to cast presentations far?
Glad it helped. I just try to show the benefits of each and help people choose. Thanks for your support
PENN SLAMMER 3 3500 is a must!
fishing west cornwall its got to be a slammer for me,i have 2 3500 slammers and a spinfisher,had issues with the berkely whiplash when using soft plastics,have to be carefull with windknots,switched to monster9 strand last weekend and its a touch thicker,no wind knots at all.
Definitely better with thicker braids. People overfill the spool also. Never let me down.
Would you recommend the slammer more than the spin fisher for bass fishing in Cornwall
Yes. IP rating is higher I think. So if you wish to fish the surf then yes.
Great job 👏
Thanks
Love my slammer I think they are excellent reels. For a clumsy angler who fishes off rocks and wades on beaches, this is the one for me. I would love to get a more expensive Shimano one day but until they improve that iPx rating I wouldn’t risk it. Great vid thanks
Sound exactly like me. I'm bloody hopeless.
Slammer hands down
I got the Penn for £136 from Germany. Still waiting for Major Craft braid from Lure Candy to try it out.
I also want a Stradic. I might splash out on a Vanford..
All great reels. Vanford sounds good. Good price £136 for the Penn the latest version is coming in at £220! Bit pricy I think
Why does my slammer tick when under tension?Its brand new and I used guarantee ,they sended me brand new again.And this one also has some ticking noise when i use spinnerbaits,crankbaits for pike fishing?Hate that feeling of ticking.....
Not had this trouble with mine but have heard of the odd one doing this.
I’m tough on my gear , surf casting all daylong ,used to have slammer3 3500 , it shows handles play back in few trips, try to adjust it through washer bent ti develop spzce between handke n nain gear drive which made the handle solid once again , line lay of shimano wins by their worm gear osc. using light n yet tough alum. tight tolerence bigger main gear drive comparing to similar penn sizes put more torque under load , damn nothing like shimano , still not perfect but they r the best out there , i have from stella downwards to sonora 4000 which discontinued long ago, still rocking , the next to shiman in my arsenal is penn , they r tough n could be better , penn eng, just don’t to put a real comptition.
Interesting to here. Always good to have different anglers points of view. The more I use the Shimano the more I like it.
It looks like Penn 3500 is bigger in size compared to Stradic fl 4000.
:-am I right?
Not really but It does feel bigger as it is so much heavier.
Penn Slammer lll all day. Its a beast and will last
I prefer Shimano or Daiwa,they are lighter and smoother for sure,and i don’t like to use heavy equipment,rods or reel. Penn is amazing company for sure,depending of style of fishing and what you really prefer:)))
I will go with PENN any time. Ultra smoothness is not the most important feature in the reel.
I tend to agree. If I had to pick one it would be the Penn for its longevity and flexibility of use.
My stradics outlasted my penn slammer
Great to here it. Love my Stradic it is sublime. Totally different experience than the Slammer if mine does as well I will be happy
No, but Shimano have far,far better line lay, important if you're on a mark that needs distance. I have both these reels, but use the Clash mostly now, because getting the Stradic wet is costly.
I love the Shimano but as you said it doesn’t have the build quality of the Penn. I’ve just done a Pike video where I use the Penn because of its guts. Would prefer to use Shimano due to line lay and less wind knots though
if i want to have shimano stradic
10:18 The Shimano Stradic is rated IPX8 (X Protect)
Good to know mate. To me it definitely takes the build on a reel in this price range up a notch. I actually went off Shimano for a while but this reel has given me back my confidence in the brand. Great reel. I prefer using it to the Penn but am afraid a ruining it because I am hap hazard
@@TheConstantAngler
The IPX rating is a strange thing. No where on the USA Shimano Stradic website do they disclose the IPX rating. The owners manual is as worthless as the website.
Shimano Calcutta, Corsair and Tiagra owner here, so it's not a I hate Shimano thing.
BTW, IPX ratings aren't a reliable determining factor as the manufacturer needs to disclose their test method as there is no standard test method for fishing reels. Same goes for flashlights (aka torches to your Brits).
Clean and lubricate the reel when first purchased. Rinse with fresh water on return from the trip. If submerged, remove spool and side plate, flush with clean tap or distilled water and allow to dry, then re-lubricate and assemble. Braided line soaked in salt or brackish water is the quickest way to ruin a reel spool.
Great info mate. I am loving my Stradic more and more. For the money it is some reel and I would rather fish with it than the Penn but I know the Penn will take a dunk and the Shimano is so nice I’m afraid to soak it completely
They are not ipx8 that's Ludacris
Hey that shimano can take some dunks I’ve seen people dunk those things
It is surprisingly robust. I’ve been having shoulder problems and never pick up the penn now. Prefer Shimano to be honest. Didn’t think I would
@@TheConstantAngler yup I’m trying to get me a 4000 xgfl. I was looking at the Penn battle 3 dx but the shimano stradic has been around for a long time since 1991 so you can’t go wrong with one of those stradics.
The slammer is not bomb proof. I have broken 2 of them other then that great review-
Sorry to hear that mate. Do you think there is a better reel? What do you fish for. Be good to know and suggest to others.
@@TheConstantAngler When mine broke was heavily into surf fishing for CA Ocean Striper, and the sand got it. I really like my Stadic 4000 for surf fishing. I Have a boat now and a use it with a ST Criox inshore and it pairs well for lures and swimbait.
I suppose it it’s going to it would be in the surf.
Dude you’re so biased
?????