Penn Spinfisher VI – which model do you need?

The Penn Spinfisher VI spinning reel is the best tuna spinning reel under $200 and is real close to $160 depending on where you shop. It’s a huge spinning reel designed and built for catching large big game fish like bluefin tuna, blackfin tuna, sharks, marlin and swordfish…and anything smaller like grouper, halibut, striped bass, redfish and cobia. The Spinfisher V has a heavy duty drag system, HT-100 Slammer, that will not burn up or fail. The gears are also heavy duty and will stand up to hours and hours of heavy drag and constant reeling. Line capacity is extreme and perfect for large tuna. They retail for $145 – $260. Now let’s take a look at the models.

Spinning Reels for Tuna – Considerations

So what features does a spinning reel need in order to tackle large tuna? The biggest consideration is the line capacity. You can have a great heavy duty spinning reel but with a limited line capacity 250 yards. This won’t cut it! A large tuna will strip all 250 yards of line from the reel and then snap it where it’s tied. Tuna are powerful swimmers and pretty much all muscle. When hooked, they will take off long and hard. You have to let them run until they tire. It is recommended that you use a fishing reel with at least a 500 yard capacity. Typical 200+ lb tuna will take 300 yards on the first run. The Penn Spinfisher VI 10500 has a braided line capacity of 845/50, 780/65 or 540/80 (yards/lb test). This is perfect for large tuna on spinning tackle.

You also need a reliable and rugged drag system. The drag system is responsible for wearing down the fish with a preset drag weight. The drag weight must be precise and not wonder up and down in weight. It should maintain a specific weight plus/minus a few ounces.Drag system take serious abuse when hooked up with large fish. They get pretty how under the tension. The Penn Spinfisher drag system features HT-100 carbon fiber drag washers. These carbon fiber drag washers apply the drag weight to the spool. They are extremely durable, heat resistant and stronger than steel. I don’t know of any better performing drag system available.

Buy the Spinfisher VI Now at Amazon.com

Spinfisher VI 3500 – features

IPX5 Sealed body and spool design

CNC Gear™ technology

HT-100™ carbon fiber drag washers

5+1 sealed stainless steel ball bearing system

Full Metal Body

Superline Spool

Braided Line Capacity – 310/10 270/15 220/20 (yards/lb test)

Line Capacity Rings

Automatic bail trip

Retail Price $169.95

Spinfisher VI 4500 – features

IPX5 Sealed body and spool design

CNC Gear™ technology

HT-100™ carbon fiber drag washers

5+1 sealed stainless steel ball bearing system

Full Metal Body

Superline Spool

Braided Line Capacity – 390/15 320/20 250/30 (yards/lb test)

Line Capacity Rings

Automatic bail trip

Retail Price $169.95

Spinfisher VI 5500 – features

IPX5 Sealed body and spool design

CNC Gear™ technology

HT-100™ carbon fiber drag washers

5+1 sealed stainless steel ball bearing system

Full Metal Body

Superline Spool

Braided Line Capacity – 500/20 380/30 335/40 (yards/lb test)

Line Capacity Rings

Automatic bail trip

Retail Price $189.95

6500 – features

IPX5 Sealed body and spool design

CNC Gear™ technology

HT-100™ carbon fiber drag washers

5+1 sealed stainless steel ball bearing system

Full Metal Body

Superline Spool

Braided Line Capacity – 485/30 410/40 335/50 (yards/lb test)

Line Capacity Rings

Manual bail trip

Retail Price $209.95

7500 – features

IPX5 Sealed body and spool design

CNC Gear™ technology

HT-100™ carbon fiber drag washers

5+1 sealed stainless steel ball bearing system

Full Metal Body

Superline Spool

Braided Line Capacity – 530/40 440/50 400/65 (yards/lb test)

Line Capacity Rings

Manual bail trip

Retail Price $229.95

8500 – features

IPX5 Sealed body and spool design

CNC Gear™ technology

HT-100™ carbon fiber drag washers

5+1 sealed stainless steel ball bearing system

Full Metal Body

Superline Spool

Braided Line Capacity – 730/40 600/50 555/65 (yards/lb test)

Line Capacity Rings

Manual bail trip

Retail Price $229.95

9500 – features

IPX5 Sealed body and spool design

CNC Gear™ technology

HT-100™ carbon fiber drag washers

5+1 sealed stainless steel ball bearing system

Full Metal Body

Superline Spool

Braided Line Capacity – 730/50 670/65 435/80 (yards/lb test)

Line Capacity Rings

Manual bail trip

Retail Price $259.95

Spinfisher VI 10500 – features