PENN Slammer III Spinning Fishing Reel

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1. sunshine_cycling Verified Buyer – 8 March 2024

   This feedback is based on initial assessments as a true review could take months of use. I just got mine last week. But I want to share some info I think is important. It is well built; it is smooth; and it does have a lot of drag. That said, like most things, it isn’t perfect. First off, the elephant in the room…yes, it is the current 7+1 version. Penn stated in a forum post on Stripers Online website that all reels made starting September 2017 were made with the line roller bearing. As you will see from the photo (L18) that mine was manufactured in December 2018, and it IS the 7+1 model. I first purchased one from my local shop and returned it when I found out it was the older model. FYI, the sticker with the code is on the reel after you take off the spool. Pros: 1. Well built, including all machined brass gearing 2. Well sealed – IPX6 rated. I actually like that there is a 3rd party verification and rating system used here. I am not a fan of Shimano’s “X” ratings and “Core” ratings. It’s just marketing names. 3. Smooth drag; I admit I haven’t used it in full practice yet, so take that with a grain of salt 4. Smooth action; it is smooth, but not as good when put next to Daiwa. Those are ridiculously smooth. The Slammer feels very slighly geary next to those. But not enough to complain about it. Cons: 1. Minimum drag – same complaint as everyone else; you can remove the drag cap and still not go very low. It’s odd. I will say this one I have from pennoutlet.com is better than the 2 year old one I initially purchased from my local shop. Drag feels a little lighter. In practice it will likely be fine matched up with the 20 lb braid I’m currently running. According to Tackle Advisors, the minimum he experience was about 1-2 lbs. It feels close to that, but didn’t bother to measure. Value: Well, value is subjective and personal. I will say I think the jump from the Spinfisher VI to this is appropriate. You primarily gain 2 extra bearings, a brass main gear and what I feel is a better handle. If you don’t care about the little extra smoothness from more bearings, and the handle isn’t important to you, the Spinfisher VI is better deal, especially at 6500 and above (where the main gear becomes brass like the Slammer). According to Tackle Advisors, the sealing in the VI (not the live liner models) is the same as the Slammer. In that case, you nearly get a Slammer for 2/3rds the price. For me, I noticed the extra smoothness of the extra bearings, and I like the handle so much better that I was going to put the Slammer handle on the Spinfisher VI anyway. Even with the current cost (as of today) of the Spinfisher VI 4500 at $142 and the cost of the Slammer handle at $65 on Ebay, that’s $207. That’s better than the $250 of the Slammer III 4500…except I got the Slammer III 4500 for $187 on pennoutlet.com. Soooo, that’s a no brainer for me. I think I got a good version of a good reel. I think will work perfectly for my inshore Florida needs. And I believe at $187, it is a great value.

   

2. RUDYAKAHALIBU77 Verified Buyer – 22 May 2024

   Number one, the Bell never closed on me yet. The size of this reel is 6500 and does not have an automatic bail trip it is manual which makes it ?% accident proof. Some reels have a automatic bail trip so you can start reeling line right away. If you throw lures and plugs on shore you’ll know what I’m talking about. The bail automatic trip will engage soon as the handle starts turning. Some people as they throw their lines hard the handle is free to move which causes the automatic trip to engage causing lines to snap and lures donation. Finally caught my first striper on this reel , it’s always hard for me to break in New gear, got the skunk off now it’s time to play. The reel is very smooth and the dual drag is nice and tight. Love that they included the foam knob for cold weather . I like the aluminum knob much better for now looks and feels awesome.

   

3. Andrew Verified Buyer – 21 June 2024

   Smooth and well built. Should last a lifetime and beyond.
   

4. alif pungot Verified Buyer – 26 June 2024

   Its reach faster then expected. The reel is in good condition. The only bad thing is its deliver to your doorstep but not inform lucky im back in time to take it. Overall its a good buy.
   

5. Cheng Ly Verified Buyer – 5 September 2024

   Strong, but too heavy
   

6. Ethem Verified Buyer – 14 September 2024

   Makina tam metal gövde olduğu için emsallerine göre ağır ama dişliler dahil metal olduğu için büyük balık avlarinda inanılmaz güven veren vır makine
   

7. Nicdron Verified Buyer – 14 November 2024

   My husband has purchased this reel two times. He ordered a second one because after 5 years of striper fishing his first one crapped out on him. He was so mad and felt it shouldn’t have worn out (more so angry in the moment) but after thinking about the price and how much wear and tear this thing got he was actually surprised it lasted as long as it did and ordered another one. He striper fishes with the reel exclusively and it gets a beating all Spring and Summer! He kept the old one as he was told by a fishing buddy the company will rebuild it for him for a small price. His friend suggested to have it as a back up. He contacted the company and they do indeed offer that service which he was very happy to hear! He was disappointed to find they are not currently offering the service becuase of COIVD and cut back of employees on hand. He will eventually send it in to be rebuilt and was understaning of the situation. He was surprised they even offer a service to rebuild the reel and is even more impressed with the product. After that I don’t know he will change reels unless its for another better model they offer or something. Over all he is very happy with it and will buy again. Me too because now I don’t have to hear him hem and haw over what to buy for weeks on end! lol!
   

8. Anonymous Verified Buyer – 17 November 2024

   Es un muy buen carrete, muy rapido y muy fuerte
   

9. Anonymous Verified Buyer – 7 December 2024

   Worth the extra money to get this model if you think you’ll get it in the water. Especially saltwater. I use mine on the jetty rocks and wading in surf. It’s gotten dunked in ocean while I was grabbing fish. I open it up every few trips (easy to do). Never seen water or salt deposits. grease it up real good while you’re in there and you’ll never have an issue.
   O-ring material seals are throughout reel. good for kayak, jet-ski, or surf/rock/inlet fishing.
   Gotta love the handle too! It comes with a soft rubber one also. Easy to change.
   No auto-bail bar return. Once you cast, you have to flip the nail with your hand. Reeling the handle won’t flip it.
   Awesome reel. Worth this price if you have the need for a sealed body.
   Little extra bonus is that it uses the same drag system as the Penn International reels.
   

10. Relentless Verified Buyer – 12 February 2025

    I have two Penn Slammer III 7500’s paired with a Penn Carnage II medium/heavy 7 ft 50/100lb rods, both spooled with 65lb PowerPro braid. With 50lbs of drag, using the Dura-Drag system, the same silky smooth indestructible drag system as Penn International’s, you will NOT find a better spinning reel combo for the money. This is an awesome general all purpose rig! Whether you are bottom fishing, high speed or slow pitch jigging, trolling, or casting, from Snapper, Cobia, Amber Jack, Kingfish, Mahi, to Grouper, Blackfin or Yellowfin, this rig won’t disappoint! Infinitely better drag system and more line holding capacity then any other in this class such as the Daiwa BG. If you are looking for a general purpose, all around offshore spinning rod / reel combo, look no further!

    

11. Craig R S Verified Buyer – 18 March 2025

    I did a lot of internet research for the best salt water reel for 2021. Out of 5 fishing websites that extensively test, analyze, and rate slat water reels, this was consistently at the top. if it was not #1 as it was in 3 article, it was in the top 3….. This is out of 1o rated reels. Penn has always mad quality durable reels, and this one rate with ^600-$800 reels… Difference is that it weighs more than the more expensive reels.
    The gear ratios are prefect, the materials are very durable, drag is what you want and more, and is is so smooth in it mechanics when reeling in fish. You want a high performing reel that will last a long time and meet your needs for large or small fish…. Look no further.
    

12. Antonio romagnolo Verified Buyer – 11 April 2025

    Ottimo mulinello , che si presta per le più dure delle battaglie , corpo interamente in metallo , davvero fantastico
    

13. Joseph H. Verified Buyer – 13 May 2025

    Initial review. No issues with packaging or delivery. Reel seems to be very well built. Lots of grease in the right spots. Note – Check to make sure you get the new version with a line roller bearing versus a bushing. Feels very heavy duty! I used to own an older USA made Slammer. This one seems better built. It also feels like it turns better. Con but not really – The reel is heavy and isn’t as smooth as my Shimano Sustain FG 6000 or Shimano Stella SW 4000 or 6000. But this isn’t why I bought it. It will be a workhorse at the surf and jetties and will not be babied. I got it for less than $200 total and that is such a great deal! I will update this review over time.