Penn Battle III Review: Pros, Cons, & Updates

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It's reel review time!
Have you tried out the new Penn Battle III yet?
Penn has really stepped up their game with this third iteration of their marquee spinning reel (and one of the best-selling reels in the country), the Penn Battle.
In this video, we've got Salt Strong COO, Mark, breaking down this new reel.
You'll learn:
- What Penn has updated from the previous models
- Why it's smoother and more durable than previous models
- The specs of this reel
- And much more
Have any questions about this reel?
Have you had a Penn Battle before?
Let us know down in the comments!

[@Saltstrong]

Get the Penn Battle III from our shop here: bit.ly/33dEJKT

[@Abraham_Justice]

I put about 450 yards of 15# powerpro on the battle iii 400. Just a heads up that their mm diameters for the published braid amounts are really high, meaning you will probably find you can put a lot more braid on than they suggest for each # test. Pay attention to the actual mm diameter and corresponding capacity specs, not the # test specs.

[@afout07]

I have a battle 3 in the 2500 size and that little reel is an absolute tank. I've caught black drum over 32", a few citation sized sheepshead on it and now I'm using it for tautog jigging. The reel has not given me one issue. I am very happy with it

[@landendaug6115]

are you sill happy with it now?

[@afout07]

@@landendaug6115 yeah. I don't use it as much because I bought more expensive reels that are just nicer but there is absolutely nothing wrong with the Penn

[@aflores022]

which rod do you pair the penn with, if you don't mind sharing?

[@afout07]

@@aflores022 I've had it on a few different rods. I have it on an hmg inshore right now

[@apapay01]

Just ordered a Battle III 2500. Can’t wait to try it out. Now I have to find a nice rod to make the ultimate trout/creek setup!

[@sfunk6294]

Great video! I would like to see a comparison between Battle 3 and Fierce 3. I already have Fierce 3 (3000) and love it.

[@kokani_angler_ashraf757]

Nice explained, informative👍 Can I know which sizes reels having power knob??

[@CravinMorehead420]

Still reeling a Penn 104. Not my fanciest reel, but it means the most to me.

[@snakeslayer240]

I fish vintage daiwa reels for stripers and blue fish and prefer them over the new reels. Keep using your penn, I'm sure it served you well over the years

[@lizardwizardreptiles6213]

I have one of the Penn Battle III combos with the 6000 reel. Got it for pier, bridge, surf fishing. I was told by the retailer that it was great for both bait and tossing lures. I have no complaints when letting it sit with chunk bait or tossing rigs way out in the surf. But when it comes to tossing jigs and lures….this thing works me over. I’m starting to think that it’s a bit much for what I’m doing around bridges as far as tossing big swimbaits and big jigs. Can I have your opinion and experience please?

[@shanethornton486]

Been waiting for this!

[@lastking3216]

I got one today can't wait to try it out 👍👍

[@crazedpaul9836]

How is the line lay on the battle 3s compared to the battle 2s?

[@mr.c6057]

I have the 4000 and it's very smooth.

[@AnchorDownBoat]

Just picked one up for surf fishing!

[@sebastianalzate2797]

How can I put a black handle with an EVA foam power knob on my 4500 slammer 3? are there parts from other reels that would fit?

[@nathanmorkovsky2855]

Just received mine in the mail I’d love it🎣

[@benitomartinez87]

Can you guys go fishing with the reels to see how they are and what rods would be good with thecreels

[@ReelHardFishing]

I own the 400lp fathom, I love it.

[@ZackeryJc]

Have Yall did a comparison on the Battle 3 to the Slammer 3 yet?

[@shaikhubaid8274]

Very nice great explanation bro 👍🏁

[@paulhuval]

Looks like a nice upgrade but i still like my slammer 3s thanks for the review

[@Shabaruzaman]

Great review! Short video but comes in a pakage.

[@Jetmech1085]

I have this reel. It’s a beast for the surf or jetties

[@mannyjr8991]

Do you know what size the smaller reel was?

[@Stephanie-qy5qg]

@@mannyjr8991 3000

[@mannyjr8991]

What size was the smaller reel?

[@Bobby59]

Where are these made? Not much of a shore fisherman but thinking of starting this fall. Probably with the 6000 series. What would you recommend?

[@larryporter6792]

Good Video...good product review

[@ringo_fishin]

Is the real seat on the 6000 smaller than the 8000?. I have an 8000 and it won't fit in the reel seat on my rod but I dont want to stray away from this reel if I don't have to.

[@ax5017]

Hi, what's the best salt water spinning reel under 200

[@controluldaunatorilor3788]

Hello ,I have one Afinitty LC 8000 my prinde & joy and will buy a battle III 10000 for catfish from Austria. Nice video . Keep up the good work . 🎣🎣🎣

[@coachkane7139]

Great video...I’m a little confused...so do we use braided or monofilament? He mentioned both...

[@ARPat2000]

Either or it's your choice on what type line to use. Weigh the pros and cons for mono or braided and make ur choice, I prefer braid main line always

[@bailemdon]

I'm saltwater fishing. what's better and or different the battle 3 or battle 3 high speed. Thanks, Donald

[@dominiclafazia8645]

What is a good rod for a 6000 reel an for Jackson snook

[@gabifishing642]

Excellent video Well done I subscribed to your channel

[@michaelmiliano2753]

I’m planing on getting the Battle 3 8000, for surf fishing not sure on a rod. Is anyone else using this reel for surf fishing ?

[@fishbluewater]

Great video guys. Let’s colab soon in the future. Go catch some sails in our 39 Seavee

[@josephfalzone4722]

I just recently started using braided line. Just bought a Penn rod and reel. ( First Penn ever ) if I put 15 lb. test what would that be equal to in mono ?

[@robertlucas8104]

Most 15lb braids are as thin as 4lb mono.

[@nicholasjaworski9368]

What’s the difference between the battle III and the battle III LE

[@gregoryburris6374]

Alright.... going to learn the mono backing

[@rchydrozz751]

I really would like to see the difference between the Battle 5000 and 6000 side by side. I have the Penn Pursuit III 4000, its a little small for a 4000 size. I want a larger reel, but I want the Battle with the aluminum frame and better bearings.

[@Saltstrong]

Noted! Thanks for the suggestion!

[@youtubesux6361]

The black tape I put on the spool to keep the braid from slipping has never failed

[@willriggs8747]

What is the weight difference between the battle 2 3000 compared to the battle 3 3000? Did they loose some weight with the new ones?

[@carbajalf9835]

Lose*

[@vsonic86]

Got to give an A+ to penn to build that power knob.

[@rileydubiel5163]

What power rod should i put on a 5000 size penn battle 3

[@jasonstokley7274]

MH

[@Machster10]

Aluminum gears corrodes. When you buy a new reel open it up (just gently pry the side plate open) and fill the body with motor oil. Let it coat everything inside then drain and screw the plate back together. It will help alot with reducing eventual corrosion.

[@seaturtledad6596]

i just bought penn battle 3 5000, should i do this? what type of oil can do this?

[@eves08109]

You can use even the oil you get from Penn but I wouldn't go as far as fill it with motor oil or any other oil for that matter. It won't hurt it but the reel may lose its smooth cranking due to the thickness. Just grease as usual and occasionally put a few drops of oil in for extra lube. Keep it out of the water.

[@arifinsaja8496]

ssv vs battle iii, which one better?

[@dieguezsnook3209]

Wonderfull reel!

[@Saltstrong]

Thank you!

[@enanfishingadventures5889]

nice reel sir

[@davboston]

Which size reel would you recommend for a 10ft salt water rod?

[@sinkorswimcreativemedia8889]

8000

[@ShinkiZer0]

Hows the line lay on the battle 3?if the line lay and qc is better than the previous model i think we have a new winner for best bang for your buck reel!

[@Nofishnoclue]

Line lay is good better than slammer and spinfisher

[@ANGLERPRITAMMHATRE]

Nice

[@shaunhenderson2071]

Mark, thanks for the information. I’m looking for a new 3000 size inshore reel. What do you recommend out of the Penn battle 3, Daiwa saltist back bay, Quantum S3, or the Stradic FL?

[@Skolmann]

I have several Daiwa Back Bay reels and absolutely love them.

[@jamesh7469]

Stradic is the lightest amd super smooth, saltist back bay is the smoothest and most durable. I have 2 back bays and love them

[@shaunhenderson2071]

Thanks for the input fellas. It helped a lot.

[@wheels9317]

I’m moving to Charleston living on the marsh what u suggest rod reel combo

[@ksmith9050]

You need to look into the Toadfish rods, made in Charleston. I put a 2500 Penn Battle with mine...great in the marshes & backwaters of the SC coast.

[@wheels9317]

@@ksmith9050 ty keep up good work

[@alexro2265]

What’s a good rod to pair up with the bigger reel?

[@jerrycarlin8217]

Will the penn battle III stand up to surf fishing in SE Florida .

[@dyrdek]

A high series would one of their lower series will burn out we got lots of big sharks and beach snook ,jack, etc. down here in Florida I’ve melted more than one penn In my day.

[@andisandi9080]

How to buy .... Do you have connecting to Indonesian

[@stevestory8483]

The DX version has brass gearing in all sizes

[@chrisjones720]

DX Battle III is the way to go, I have the 3000 and never looked back

[@lukaj2224]

@@chrisjones720 i just got my Battle 3 dx 3000. Ill be using it for inshore spinning. What do you use it for? Do you have any tips on maintenance? Preffered braid with it. Any tips oe tricks are welcome!

[@chrisjones720]

@@lukaj2224 I use mine for live bait fishing, jigs, flair hawks and swimbaits . Inlets, jetties, bridges and inlets. The snook in my profile photo was caught with the 3000 . So it can handle slabs,

[@lukaj2224]

@@chrisjones720 beautiful fish! Thank you very much for the quick response. Do you maybee know some manuals or videos on maintamance? I contacted Penn about the matter but they did not respond yet. I have heard that you should re grease out of the box Pen reel and that their quality control is a bit slacky which I can confirm. The bail arm screw on one side was not tightened to the end so the whole metal part on one side was flimsy. It has a unique sound when turning the knob. Like a little hand coffee grinder.. i have heard that if you re grease well the brass main gear just tunes itself up and the noise reduces. Havent fished my 3000 but I love rhe ergonomycs and the looks. The sound of the drag is crazy beautiful!

[@chrisjones720]

@@lukaj2224 I just occasionally once every 5-10 I just do a standard greasing. What problems are you trying to solve ? Are you looking for something that deal more with the internals ?

[@tonycdj8337]

The only thing I don’t like when you reverse and the handle come out !! Mine is fake or any way to fix that ?? Is that normal ??

[@Saltstrong]

The anti-reverse clutch might be open on your reel. Turn the switch on the front of the reel to the other side and it should not move back like that.

[@dwightschrute945]

Can you do a penn wrath one

[@eves08109]

The Wrath is pretty much the same as the the Pursuit 3

[@SaltLifeGeo]

I don’t know if to go with battle or slammer ?

[@michaelwilson1419]

If your using it solely for heavy salt water then I would go slammer since it’s fully sealed.

[@therookiefisherman5234]

Changes come with a cost to the consumer never the less very nice.

[@Iron_WarriorX]

Penn Battle 3 5000 vs penn fierce 4 6000? For medium shore jigging?

[@dwightschrute945]

A penn wrath 5000 please

[@lordmoldybutt36]

I got a combo few weeks ago. Pretty good so far wanna get a better rod to pair it with though

[@chrisjones720]

What size reel did you grab?

[@nicholassabella8338]

Seems like a good freshwater reel

[@lisandrovalencia8802]

Anybody that has used this and the Daiwa BG can give me their opinion on which one is better. There isn’t many comparisons on these two yet.

[@hckeypunk13]

I have a BG5000 and 2 battle III DX 6000s. Only issue I’ve had with the BG is the line roller sticking. Had to lube up the bushing a few times. I haven’t had the same fishing time on the battle III, but it feels solid. Clicker is louder. Drag is smooth. Turning the handle is not diawa or Shimano smooth, as said in the video, penn likes to overgrease. You could probably smooth it up some removing excess grease. But since the reel isn’t sealed like a Saragossa I’d leave it. Where the battle III wins is inside. It’s MUCH more simple in design, making it easier to service compared to the BG. If your looking at the battle III spend the extra $10 on the DX (dealer exclusive). You get a brass main gear in all sizes, an extra bearing supporting the spool, and the silver looks sharp.

[@CattermanAdventures]

Supposedly the 10K size can hold over 750 yards of 80lb braid. 😮 Should be great for shore sharking

[@shorelinefishingmafia6133]

Definitely big! See the 6k model big already

[@jeffreybabino8161]

Just looked at one Nice reel but a little bit expensive

[@llshamelessll]

Penn Battle 3 8500 High Speed has same specs as a Diawa BG 8000.... when both cost the same... which one should I buy? And why?

[@ThermalDynamicSevices]

Love my BG

[@robmacfpv]

I’ve been surf fishing with a battle III 6000 for a few months now and it’s a great reel. Will definitely add some more to my collection.

[@ShinkiZer0]

Battle3 Sealed bearings vs BG non sealed bearings, battle 3 is lighter than BG, BG Digigears vs Penn cnc gears, on penn 6000 and higher has brass cnc gears thats way better vs zinc digigears of BG. BG maybe smoother but penns more durable and lighter on paper the question is QC, penn has horrible qc on their battle 2 you gamble if you will have an ok LINE LAY or horrible one if they have better qc now battle 3s are the new best bang for your buck reels.

[@ShinkiZer0]

If your surf fishing id definitely buy a spinfisher vi LC 7500. =)

[@Ruggedjellyfishing]

BG

[@bailemdon]

I'm asking about the 4000

[@willreid9406]

Probably gonna buy a Conflict 2 because of the weight and price isn’t insane. You guys should review the new Penn baitcasters

[@ReelHardFishing]

Get the fathom

[@Mahi_Guide]

Biggest size available of Penn Battle III / or Penn Slammer III for Bluefin Tuna avrg 70 kgs?! ?! ?! I wish you mates can ship to Japan

[@huuloi324]

Quá đẹp

[@EASTSIDERIDER707]

I purchased a 4000 and 8000 after my catfish rod with a 5000 was stolen. I had to buy new rods and build up my tackle again.

[@EASTSIDERIDER707]

I use both reels bait fishing for Catfish and Striper.the 8000 is quite heavy but it sits in a rod holder..

[@brandonhernandez9260]

How’s the 4000 series holding up?

[@ZONAFISHING]

Recomended Penn Battle III or Daiwa BG Airbail ?

[@Kaptainrdean]

Airball?

[@ZONAFISHING]

@@Kaptainrdean ?

[@mak.kau_bandar00]

I got the 3000. Its just so strong i Caught 20lb Barracuda. Like it was nothing.😃

[@chrisjones720]

Nice! I have the Penn 3000 Pursuit 3 which I love hauled in a 32” inch snook last year with no problem. I’m picking up the Battle 3 3000 this week. How you like the drag?

[@mak.kau_bandar00]

@@chrisjones720 Smooth but, not loud enough for me

[@mak.kau_bandar00]

@@minicopilot1 in what?

[@Tomcoker1952]

New Penn 4000, beats anything in its class, mine and every other persons view that has tried it.

[@brandonhernandez9260]

Battle 3 4000?

[@andisandi9080]

Indonesia

[@robinjoy4759]

Hi

[@smoothddd]

WOW!! CNC GEARS ?! only 5 years late compared to the industry

[@ianundercover6295]

the slammer has had cnc gears for how many years now? cnc at this price point is impressive

[@hxwolt]

0:50 I think he got it backward.

[@reynoldnababan251]

sir..my friend have this one..but i dont know..why made from china? i think.. penn from usa...i dont like china made..why? i have penn battle ii 6000..the black painting of the metal reel is fade easily..thx

[@streetfighter398]

Still prefer shimano or daiwa

[@Ruggedjellyfishing]

It’s great until you remember the BG exists

[@eves08109]

Yeah exactly. Although this reel is a huge upgrade to the Battle 2 at it's price point I would go with the BG.

[@beni7928]

Battle 3s are just unsealed spinfisher 6

[@mhyatt82262]

I tend to agree but what I’m more interested to learn has to do with the huge step up with the B3 that separates it from the Fierce 3. Im referring to the B3 SEALED BEARINGS ( not shielded like the Fierce 3). For this reason I returned 2 Fierce 3/ series 8000 and replacing them with either B3 and Spinfisher (either 8500 or 9500.)

[@beni7928]

@@mhyatt82262 alot more separates those two than a single sealed bearing

[@mhyatt82262]

@@beni7928 Is it just the one bearing that’s sealed? It reads like all bearings are stainless steel sealed bearing system or something like that.

[@beni7928]

@@mhyatt82262 I think you are right, I reviewed the parts diagrams and the bearings for the battle are common to the conflict, the pursuit and fierce use same bearing. Although they share the AR clutch(common failure point)

[@mhyatt82262]

@@beni7928 cool !

[@flyemifyougotem9543]

Bought the 4000 straight out of the box it binds up will not spin

[@diegomanuel5065]

The 1 true good thing about the new penns, is the discounted previous versions. 😁

[@amysmith2086]

You say there a full metal body, but they feel like there made from plastic. The spinfisher vi is twice the reel

[@eves08109]

And look at the price difference.

[@theblackanarchist2863]

I'll stick with my diawa BG sorry Penn

[@brunomahle1618]

Where do you find these guys?.....sheesh

[@Saltstrong]

We are sorry you didn't care for this video. Our goal is to reach anglers of all skill levels. We hope you enjoy the next one!

[@cofieleven]

Show us the 10,000

[@mrgetrealpeople]

Why are showing Penn battles rells when you don't sell them?

[@Saltstrong]

We will have them available soon. This is an older video, we do apologize for any confusion. Thanks for checking it out!

[@ttinnovations3310]

error on your talking 0:52

[@smoothddd]

penn dont care about weight.. i hate that about them... can can still make very strong reel and cut unnecessary weight

[@SolanaRailfanner]

The new Battles are lighter than the BG’s

[@abelrivas3726]

Please Made in USA..again..

[@andisandi9080]

Peen battle III 6000

[@Skolmann]

I still feel as if Penn is playing catch up to Daiwa & Shimano spinning reels.

[@godfammusic]

Why did they make the drag knob plastic? Very disappointed with that, it ain't going to weigh much. It just makes it look like a cheap reel.

[@robertsimon8918]

At first glance I thought to same thing.The matt finish could be glossed maybe.

[@reynoldnababan251]

yeah..i dont like the knob of this reel..plastic..hehhehe

[@chrisjones720]

Well you can replace it with a custom Knob

[@ekondo4371]

Actually it is not just ordinary plastic. Very strong and hard yet comfortable and soft plastic. Touch it then u can feel the different.

[@capefearcapt4679]

No thanks, I got burned with the Penn Conflict models. I've dumped Penn and now back to Shimano Stradics.

[@williamwalsh6282]

Plus if you have a problem w a Shimano reel you contact them they actually answer you and tell you to send the reel to a reel maintenance ctr and they fix it..

[@andisandi9080]

I want to buy one piece

[@TackleAdvisors]

Ummmmmmmmm...............lotsa incorrect info in this video

[@jeremyjimenez7864]

@Tackle Advisors I don't buy anything until I see a video from you, lol