Heads Up! Penn Slammer 3: Penn Announced Upgrades for all new Penn Slammer 3's

[@TackleAdvisors]

Follow the Discussion here www.stripersonline.com/surftalk/topic/723351-heads-up-to-penn-slammer-3-owners/ And it appears more than just a bearing and bushing are needed. Bail wire upgrade too: www.stripersonline.com/surftalk/topic/723667-slammer-3/

[@franktheo2055]

Hi Scooby, I've been reading your commentary on the forums on Stripers online for the past year and reviewing the responses & input surf fishermen have to say relating to the new line up of Penn spinning reels using Diecast & CNC Machine cut gears. Early this past December my friend gave me his 30 year old 5500SS to repair his anti reverse I disassembled cleaned repacked and repaired the dog spring using the same parts in the reel, I cranked it and it was smooth, and I thought if I had a new pinon & main gear how much better it would have felt. In late December & early January I won two bids on separate occasions for the new CFTII5000 with the CNC gears and they felt good until I spooled the reels just within the past two weeks the gears started to buzz ping and bind and these reels and are hard to crank. I set one reel back to Penn for repair and Penn says they replaced the Main & Pinion and when I got the reel back it was tight hard to crank and when I spooled the reel it felt like gravel I opened the reel to check the shims I even tried shimming it down N/G and I set it back to Penn and I'm going to send the other CFTII5000 back to Penn for repair because it has the same defect. I don't know if I got to lemons, because I have the CFT5000 & 6000 and have caught 1000's of bluefish plugging on the surf with them and I've replaced the cheap Diecast gears in them within the past 4 years and they feel good and don't bind. The CFTII5000 is a new Penn product and has the expensive CNC gearing in them as the Clash. I thought these CNC gears in the CFTII were supposed superior to the Diecast durable & smooth I bought these reels new and to my disappointment they're so bad and with such an unpleasant feel to them that I found they're not fishable. I understand that the CFTII is a new lightweight Penn product, but has anyone else had this problem with Penn's CNC technology in other new reels ?Best Regards,Frank J. Theofelakos

[@jimbo4612]

Own Penn slammer 3's and i can tell you they to are a lot more stiff than some would expect particularly if your used to shimano reels ,but its for a reason. Penn's are built to handle brutal fish that smoke lesser gears hence the extreme drag on the Penn 3 slammers going up to 60 lb of drag. I use then for mean fish like White and black ocean Sea bass, Big stripers and,California delta White sturgeon from the shore and boat which often go 100 lbs plus and a range of offshore nasty fish like Tuna, wahoo, Big yellow tail. Formerly used reels like the Shimano Bait runner 12000 which felt smoother casting and reeling without a fish on but when hooked lol!!!! Penn's slammer 3 was Obviously and dramatically better. In fact i hooked a 127 lb white sturgeon off the rock bank near Rio vista California on a Penn slammer 3 5500 loaded with just 15 lb test izorline. Was targeting striped bass when the sturgeon eat my shad bait.. The Penn Slammer 3 5500 had no problems getting that big sturgeons head up off the bottom and off the rocks. The 40 lbs of drag on that 5500 did as promised. Afterwards no reel damage no gears pitted or chipped the rotor was solid. the Penn drag was freaking amazing exactly as promised. Same 5500 has been through all the mentioned species above many near a 100lbs as well and the reel still has not had any significant issues. Only flaw i found on the Slammer 3 was the bail was a tad stiff closing and if your a surf guy tossing lures over and over you would notice but that would be a non issue for me as I close my bail manually . Own several reels from different companies, many given as gifts, hence i got reels from Shimano, Daiwa, and Penn but if the ($$$$) are coming out of my pocket i'm sold on this slammer 3. I have had the shimano's drag fail on the baitrunner and on the main drag as well. Had drag systems on $200 spinning reels actually explode as they could not handle the heat generated from long runs. Penn's Dura-drag is simply amazing. I Even own Stellas and there expensive reels,expensive to maintain ,i spend 100 bucks to get hem serviced annually however the slammer 3 was less than $200 on amazon when i got mine . Easily the best $200.00 class reel i have ever owned and i fish it more than the Stella. I got my kids on the Slammer 3's as well and they put reels through hell of the beach, surf,rocks,reefs. They still have not found a way to destroy the reels despite bat rays up to 150lbs and some other big fish like sharks putting Penn's 3 slammer to the test. They snapped a 10 ft ugly stick on a ray going full drag but that reel is still fine no wobbles no grinding. Been fishing since 1962 and seen a load of reels over the years and really believe this Penn 3 Slammer for $200 is the best deal i have ever got on a reel. Good luck to you and yours and many tight lines.

[@codydinnocenzo8746]

Great updated to this reel, I have the slammer 3 5500 and love it great for snook fishing down here in Tampa Florida. I've cought 42in blacksrum from shore over 50lbs no problem on this reel for anyone looking to get 1,It is a workhorse!

[@ViolatorZ06]

All slammers after September of 2017 have the ball bearing in the line roller. I called penn and found out for myself

[@lukphom3727]

I just bought a 8500 High speed model recently how would I know mines been made after sep 2017?

[@Bobb1julie]

Nicely presented video on the Penn Slammer 3 vs the Daiwa . Your very articulate and knowlegeable and the photography is crisp and clear . Is the Penn Slammer 3 your reel of choice for the shore for Bass to 40 lbs and bluefish to 20 lbs. Thank you.

[@nyoussef2623]

Was hoping for Bailess kit. but nice to see that penn is making the slammer better.

[@gerry427]

How I can I make sure I get the new upgraded version of the Slammer 3 when I go out and buy one ? THanks, Gerry from San Diego, CA

[@myungkwak0311]

Ebay

[@The_Honcho]

A little late but look at the bottom of the box right under the barcode. It will say “SLAIII ver 3” instead of ver 2

[@0riginall337]

The penn spammer 3 started at $273 now its value is around 180-230 but with the upgrade it’s probably going to rise in price again

[@lukphom3727]

How how would we know if we got the newer Slammer 3 updated version ?

[@TackleAdvisors]

Line roller on the old has softer edges... I think there was a thread on Stripersonline about it... If from an authorized dealer pretty likely it's current.

[@lukphom3727]

Tackle Advisors thanks man Appreciate it

[@DaveMars0]

Hi! I need a reel for shore jigging with a Majorcraft Solpara 1002h 60-100g. I can go with Penn Slammer III 5500 (180€), Daiwa Bg mq 8000 (160€) , Shimano saragosa (220€) or Saltist Ltd 5000 (250€). What would you choose?

[@CDotFromJerz]

Just picked up a 4500 slammer at $165! I guess that's the reasoning why. I'm curious to see if it's the new model but I'd doubt it

[@lukphom3727]

Same I’m tryna find out if mines the new model or not

[@CDotFromJerz]

@@lukphom3727 check the box it came in. Itll say "series 3" or something like that. All of mine are the 3rd model and I have 3 of them

[@lukphom3727]

Andrew Chung thanks so much man I’ll check it out will let you know appreciate it 🙏

[@lukphom3727]

Andrew Chung where did it say series 3 I assume I don’t have the “newer” one bought I asked the store who is partnered with penn if it was made after 2017 and they have no clue but still trying find out if I can tell any other way thanks 🙏

[@CDotFromJerz]

@@lukphom3727 on the UPC where the serial number is on the box. Itll have it at the end of the UPC number

[@rtorres3442]

Thanks for sharing the update TA. Any news if they addressed the pinion base you also did a review on? Lastly, do you happen to know if the main gear is larger on a 6500 v 5500? Thanks.

[@madesuparta5684]

What size slammer this videos sir?

[@danstephens1388]

Wonder if they'll offer a bailess option at some point even tho it's manual on the 6500

[@TackleAdvisors]

I sure as hell hope so! I'd love to see a dedicated rotor or a dual line pickup..not just a rotor with half an arm chopped off..Build the weight internal

[@831savageoutdoorsman6]

So how will we know if we are getting a new and improved one if it’s in the box

[@lukphom3727]

Same thing I’m tryna find out

[@ishwithfish]

thx for the info! the quality of these vids is outstanding. what body and lens do you usually shoot with? i thought it was a smartphone but i notice you reach for a glass lens to zoom.

[@jameszambito9944]

Can you do a video fishing the Scooby through rig going a little more into depth on how retrieve it?

[@Machster10]

Why not make a bailess, long cast version in 5500?

[@christophercharles8758]

Would be good to compare the modified Penn slammer with the Saragosa now. Would it change your conclusion from the first comparison?

[@TackleAdvisors]

The ball bearing change in the the line roller and bail arm is the only change they made to the slammer no?

[@christophercharles8758]

Tackle Advisors perhaps I misunderstood, but I thought the riged plate with the hydrophobic coating below the rotor was an update too?

[@TackleAdvisors]

I don't believe so. That has remained Un changed. The saragosa sealing at that location is better

[@toekneeee]

If I’m just fishing inshore species are around 5-40 pound would the bearing upgrade matter all that much?

[@Mumbaitrains]

Belive me your presentation is fantastic...

[@aquafishingchannel3942]

Hi i've been watching almost all your programs and i never seen a review on the quantum smoke reels. Are those reels any good?

[@JnayJnellius]

Thoughts on the slammer 3 vs Spinfisher vi ?

[@MrTaft37]

Looking to purchase a Penn slammer iii 5500. I want to make sure that the reel has all the upgrades. How do I know that I purchase the latest penn slammer iii 5500? I see a lot of deals online, but scared to purchase online . Is it better to purchase from Penn direct and pay the full price. I would love a deal on the slammer. Any suggestions?

[@achilleshector9690]

I am penn slammer user I need your advise where can I buy spare parts for my Slammer III

[@mylovebugcat]

Hi, Question, I have Daiwa TD LUNA 300 and the size of drive shaft is same as 2016 Daiwa Preed 150H so I used that power handle to TD LUNA 300.... I thought it would work because I purchased Daiwa 100mm custom power handle and included 10mm hex hooded handle nut doesn't fit to TD LUNA 300 or 2016 Preed 150H. Daiwa USA says that nut is for Lexa reel... So, what size of drive shaft for TD LUNA 300 amd Preed 150H (maybe other reels)? I need to find out and get the handle nut...

[@TackleAdvisors]

I don't know. WHat issue you're having but I did a shimano tekota handle upgrade a lonnnng time ago i18.photobucket.com/albums/b121/pvatcha/Luna300_handle.jpg

[@tomweaver4908]

Have you ever done a review on the 13 A3 bait casting reel? Your thoughts, I've not heard a negative response. Thank you!

[@native9130]

i have one question about this reel. The bail arm is made out of metal or some type of graphite?

[@TackleAdvisors]

Please define bail material.. The wire or roller arm... Or rotor

[@native9130]

@@TackleAdvisors the roller arm

[@johnrichjr.415]

Penn knocking it out of the park ! With the exception of the butt ugly red handles on the high speed models, but its not a fashion show 👍

[@lukphom3727]

I wonder if you can change to a gold one 🤣 like the normal one not the HS version

[@wrightackle1]

Unless that is one hellacious bearing I would rather have the bushing. That is the first bearing to go on a spinning reel.

[@TackleAdvisors]

For the surf i'm with ya for the most part. But for heavy jigging and loads....a bearing will wear better. Bushings tend to bind without the fisherment even know...a few trips with salt deposits getting down in there...and it'll lock up...Where as bb's will get noisy but still function.

[@steveokon5431]

I have got one yet, so , question, ,, how do I get the upgraded model, when the stores still stock the original models ?

[@TackleAdvisors]

Check the links in the pinning comment. Penn should be updating one of those threads.. Take a quick read through them. Penn detailed quite a bit of info

[@scottgardner7559]

Just ordered a slammer 3, how can I tell if I got an updated one?

[@TackleAdvisors]

The line roller will be a straight slant vs rounded groove where the line rests in the groove. I think I added a link to the pinned comment to a discussion about it.

[@johnc5772]

Hi Tackle Advisor, I purchased this reel for charter boat fishing. This last trip, we were fishing deeper waters using 8 ounces of weight. And somehow I feel like this reel is top heavy, I don't really know any other way to explain it. It took more strength to crank the fishes in from 3 hundred feet of water, and I feel like at the same depth using lets say a CI4 shimano reel I don't get that same heaviness feeling when I reel. Any I making any sense? Is this reel okay to use with 8 ounce weight? Thank you.

[@johnc5772]

oh by the way I purchased the pen slammer III

[@keenang4705]

can we spray synthetic car wax on it to refurbrish the hydrophobic coating

[@TackleAdvisors]

I used that 2 part 3m spray on the long cast spinfisher Penn sent me that was missing the coating.. Works perfectly.. It may be the same stuff

[@djslater358]

You have always given me good advice so o was wondering if you think the penn slammer 3 4500 would pair well with the penn prevail 10ft medium heavy. I fish the Ohio for catfish and looking for a setup that can handle the big blue cats and striper. I’ve done a lot of searching for a well priced rod that will do the job but I’m still unsure

[@TackleAdvisors]

Hey Dave, do you have the reel already?

[@djslater358]

Tackle Advisors no sir I do not

[@djslater358]

Tackle Advisors was going to order it today though, and since you have broken them down so you think I should go with the 5500 or 4500 for fighting the 50+ pound cats

[@TackleAdvisors]

Problem with the slammer is the lightest drag setting..is still pretty tight....so if you are chunking or live lining..I wouldn't recommend a slammer at all. What kind of payloads you throwing? 4 ounce and a chunk or heavier?

[@TackleAdvisors]

Can you throw a conventional??? that's really the direction I'd suggest.

[@24-7flounderproblem]

opinion on quantum products not cabo or boca.The s3 smoke stuff spinners/casters?plz and thankyou❤I know its China builds just curious and your the man to ask.

[@TackleAdvisors]

Wasn't the biggest fan of the cabo 50....but The larger size is pretty solid. I put a cabo 50 review out a few years ago...haven't fished many quantum spinners since....So honestly i don't know. Are you fishing fw? If so you really can't beat the Tatula lt for the money. I've been really enjoying my time spent on that reel so far. I like it better than the ultegra

[@24-7flounderproblem]

Tackle Advisors inshore saltwater I have a speckled trout problem...I was just looking at something different,I'm a 2500 size idiot and 8# braid dummy,not alot of 2500 size options for inshore??stradic?gotta be a 2500 size.thankyou so much for answering all my questions it means alot to me.👍👍👍

[@jlee276583]

I'm also not a fan at all of the Cabo 50 that lots of people race about. That think hits my knuckles all the time and I dont even have big hands at all. I have friends that have the 60 and 80 size Cabo and they are some real work horses though, and for the size of them I guess they had better be. I just cant confirm that myself though.

[@TackleAdvisors]

Micheal have you seen the ballistic? It has a bit better water resistance vs the stradic and is light as a feather. I haven't posted the reviews yet for the stradic sustain ultegra and Daiwa lts yet.. But I think the ballistic will make a spectacular inshore reel

[@24-7flounderproblem]

Tackle Advisors THANKYOU❤👍✌

[@damieno224]

How and why does the addition of a pair (I'm assuming there's 2, one each side) of bearings, @ around $1.37each, to a $200 reel become newsworthy? And why am I happy about it?!?! #WhatHaveIBecome

[@TackleAdvisors]

HAA.......apparently it' s not just a bb or two....from what penn said...it requires a new bail wire......now that is exciting!!!

[@wickedEPRacing]

AHH SHITE...i just purchased my 3rd slammer 4500 and its on its way to me. wish i''d seen this sooner...i would have waited. thanks TA for the info.

[@CHUNKYCATSFISHING]

Fantastic Video Nicely Done ✅

[@vinfish4697]

how does the average Joe get these up dates about there reels ?

[@TackleAdvisors]

Hey Vin, Right now I think it's a call Penn type thing.

[@0riginall337]

I use the interweb

[@TackleAdvisors]

LOL.....

[@TackleAdvisors]

www.stripersonline.com/surftalk/topic/723667-slammer-3/ might be a little more involved...penn doesn't seem to have date codes out yet to discern which reels are changed....

[@vinfish4697]

I’m going through the shakes waiting for PR Knot video

[@jlee276583]

Great video as always! Some great info to know about on the new Slammer's! Im glad I waited to pick up a slammer. You think I should wait about another month to buy one so I have a better shot at getting a new and improved roller bearing version slammer?? BTW... I cant wait for the Slammer vs Gosa video. I hope it's coming soon??

[@TackleAdvisors]

I linked to the two discussions on SOL at the top of the comments seciton here...Penn should be updating them with what date codes correspond to upgraded versions. I'm working on it..Had to take a break from soaking my hands in tsi 321 and corrsion x grease...lol

[@bassnazi4713]

Omg, the people that think your crazy about Shimano are gonna get upset lol.

[@vinfish4697]

Bass Nazi he luvs shimano but he’s in therapy the days he can’t believe these other reels are somewhat better Lmao

[@TackleAdvisors]

I've been called a penn shill, paid by penn.....and an idiot...lmao...I think it's funny...Penn is a paying sponsor on Stripersonline. I'm a sitewide moderator who heads up the affiliate marketing.....I'm willing to bet that every single person at penn who sees me post....hates me...lmao...

[@bassnazi4713]

Lol, I meant Shishamo (now Fish Drops). I browse stripers ever since accidentally visiting trying to find strippersonline, so knew you were well versed there.

[@TackleAdvisors]

you do realize strippersonline is a male escort website right....just sayin

[@bassnazi4713]

Tackle Advisors damn, guess it was for the best then lol.

[@butthurt6945]

tell penn to fix there line lay

[@racingred115]

Nice!

[@Agm1995gamer]

I have a 20 years old plastic spinning reel that never had a single fault. Why there's so much talk about reliability issues and spare parts on new reels?

[@alligator308]

1st

[@WhiteBoyizFresh]

My slammer went to shit out the box finicky drag

[@joyangler7498]

Very upset with penn products now I'm penn user for 10 years after i buy penn battle 2 I'm only used it for 8 months and then it was destroy. Penn batter replaced bearing like it always be. Or their will big fan will be gone

[@jimbo4612]

Penn built the Slammer 3 with serious upgrades. Cheap penns some have issues a fact. The slammer 3 is a frickn winch that goes up to 60lbs of drag depending on the model size. I use the 5500 a lot and its got 40 lbs of drag. How or why that would matter. White seabass, Black Sea Bass, Sturgeon, tuna, Real Big stripers like 40 lbs plus etc. Fish that smoke reels drag systems and literally scorch with the heat generated. For the $200 range which you can find a New Slammer 3 these days your getting a hell of a bargain. Simply not may $200 reels that can match the drag power. As far as smooth and buttery feel and all that Penn's slammer 3 is a a bit more stiff and the bail is stiff as well however the best in price range by far.

[@chalkvelvet230]

I still hate Penn sorry Penn lovers.

[@jimbo4612]

lesser Penn's had some issues, the Slammer 3 is a fricking winch that really holds up well. the slammer 3's go up to 60lbs of drag which can handle some big az fish like sturgeon, groupers, Big tuna,. A lot of $200 range reels will literally burn up with heat generated from these species when they want to run not a Penn slammer #3. This reel may not be the right tool for the job depends on what your fishing and how much drag you need.