Should You Buy The Penn Slammer IV Spinning Reel? [Pros & Cons]

Should YOU buy a Penn Slammer IV Spinning Reel?
This video is all about the Pros, Cons, and complete inner workings of this reel!!
Get the Penn Slammer IV Spinning Reel: bit.ly/3mIqvOC
All in all, the Slammer IV is an EXCELLENT reel with high-quality components that perform well over time.
Out of the box, it doesn't have the same feel as other reels in its class but it will get the job done.
Learn more about Penn Spinning Reels: bit.ly/3T8WgfC

[@Saltstrong]

Get the Penn Slammer IV Spinning Reel: bit.ly/3mIqvOC

[@eves08109]

Great show guys as always!

[@ronvahey]

Thanks for sharing the technical details of the build. These are excellent to assist those of us who just don't have all the time to really dig in and compare the different models available. Will help us make better and more informed decisions. Thanks again.

[@Saltstrong]

No problem! Glad it was helpful!

[@Captain_Clark_CDoryAdventures]

I am an avid recreational fisherman and I have never been sponsored but I will share my experience with you for what it's worth. I have had a plethora of Penn reels(although I never bought a slammer) and Shimano reels in my lifetime. I now choose Shimano exclusively. In my opinion the Penn reels are bulkier, heavier, and I have had many malfunction over time. The Shimano reels are less bulky, lighter, smoother, and I have never had one single reel malfunction over the years with the exact same maintenance. Best of luck to you with your own personal decision in the future regarding where you choose to spend your money. 🐟🐟🐟

[@saltomus6860]

How does your experience of Shimano stack against Daiwa?

[@Captain_Clark_CDoryAdventures]

@@saltomus6860 I have owned a few Daiwa reels but I can't comment on them to much due to my limited experience with them. I would still choose a Daiwa over a Penn reel. They are smooth and affordable. Penn reals breakdown over time. 2-3 years after buying a Penn you will find out if it's a good one, or it's off to the shop, or trash can in my experience. This is just my experience however. Others are die hard Penn fans. Tight lines man.

[@rmorris75252]

@@saltomus6860 gonna hard to be say one is better then the other when it comes to shimano and daiwa, they both imo are the gold standard when it comes to your freshwater and inshore reels. I typically go with shimano, but if I can’t find exactly what I’m looking for for a specific application or rod then I’m usually looking at daiwa next.

[@Saltstrong]

Thanks for the insight and feedback!

[@Captain_Clark_CDoryAdventures]

@@Saltstrong you are more than welcome. 👍

[@s1svegeta]

Appreciate the breakdown, I have a Penn Slammer IV 5500 and my son has the 6500 and we both love this reel. The only difference is the 5500 and down will flip the bail automatically when you reel and the 6500 and up are manually flipped. We paired our Penn Slammer IV's with The Bummy Stick.

[@Jake-ky9ed]

Slammers is all I’ll use off my kayak in the salt, they are the only midrange reels that’ll stand up to kayak usage (they get dunked!). Gonna try Diawa saltiest MQ this year too. You can tear one down out the box all is good no doubt, put it through a couple years kayak usage and tear it down then you can see the difference.

[@Saltstrong]

Awesome! Let us know what you think about the Diawa!

[@wjstewdog]

I have a Daria BG 4500. It has landed some 20 plus lb fish. However it was getting sticky and required a cleaning/tune up after a few months of use. Thanks for the video

[@Saltstrong]

Good stuff!

[@paulhuval]

Thanks for the review there I like my slammer reels I have even though they are a little heavier than most. Great perks there too 👍

[@Saltstrong]

Thanks for watching!

[@user-cg3jn7hp4g]

真的

[@markgrotto7852]

I have the 2500 standard slammer with 15 lb braid and it’s notorious for making wind knots. I have Shimanos too and they NEVER have wind knots. I love the concept that Penn has but it does not seem to work. Wish I could make it work. I’ve already removed a lot of line. Help?

[@eves08109]

Aluminum gears can last as long as any gear made but it's all based on how it's made. Aluminum gears may also provide a smoother reel than brass or zinc. The same holds true with zinc gears for longevity. Daiwa is a classical example of this with there zinc gears. I have not yet stripped a single Daiwa main gear on any of my reels. And speaking of the Saltiga, it's main gear is aluminum. Most of my reels are Daiwa and Penn.

[@Saltstrong]

That's great! Thanks for the insight!

[@GhettoFabulous670]

I've strip a main gear on one of diawa

[@leonardhuff6162]

Informative video. Thanks for sharing this knowledge. I love my Slammers and agree they're heavier than most reels of the same series models. I'm a rugged fisherman so Penn fits my fishing style. If anyone has any doubts about the Slammer models, try one, you won't be disappointed. They're beasts. Tight lines and remain Salt Strong.

[@Saltstrong]

Thanks! Glad you found it helpful! Tight lines!

[@floridasaltlife]

Very detailed review, thanks for taking the time...

[@Saltstrong]

Glad it was helpful!

[@markgrotto7852]

I got the 2500 and it continues to make wind knots. I have the shimano Vanford and have zero problems. The line is laying evenly on the spool. I’m using it to jig some lures… thinking the jerking causes issues.

[@Saltstrong]

Thanks for the feedback!

[@markgrotto7852]

@@Saltstrong you are welcome. I tried everything… changing the way I cast, the type of line, less line,the rod, etc and still had more line knots than the shimano. After all this I decided to sell it for 100 bucks. I wasted so much time on it. In the end I think the roller is further away from the spool on the Penn and there are fewer rotations per move up or down and something in those factors caused it. Or it might just be the bevel on the spool that Shimano has.

[@killamez76]

Have the 4500 HS and it's tough as nails! Takes splashes and occasional dunk np. Caught stripers up to 15 lbs with ease and it started to wear in after just a couple of outings. Only problem is that I can't use it past November. The cold really stiffens it up and it becomes tiresome to reel (especially when fighting fish). I've read that this is common with heavily greesed reels and is definitely the case with slammer 4. Guess I'll wait till April to use again:(

[@Saltstrong]

Thanks for the insight!

[@michaelf2646]

Excellent presentation 👍

[@Saltstrong]

Glad you liked it!

[@markgrotto7852]

I have the 2500 standard slammer with 15 lb braid and it’s notorious for making wind knots. I have Shimanos too and they NEVER have wind knots. I love the concept that Penn has but it does not seem to work. Wish I could make it work. I’ve already removed a lot of line. Help?

[@Saltstrong]

Check this out: www.saltstrong.com/articles/how-to-prevent-wind-knots-when-casting/

[@BF4pawntard]

Absolutely agree on this I have several Shimano reels ,vanford ,Stradic etc and I can fill them completely to the rim with braid and never get a wind knot . The slammer which I also have is terrible in comparison as you can not fill it completely to the top without running into problems with light Braid . The only way to stop wind knots is to underfill the spool which limits your casting ability with the reel or fill it with very thick braid ,same story with the penn authority.

[@tshark2787]

Reel seat that fits 8500 slammer? Anyone? I got the fuji DPSSD DPSD 20 22 24 and only went in 1/8" into the hood of the 24 fuji. Appreciate anyone's help.

[@tshark2787]

Skinny blank rod thrasher 76xxh was trying to avoid larger reel seat 😢

[@Saltstrong]

Check out the full blog on our website and post your question there. That way, our coaches can respond back directly with their input and recommendation. You can find that here: bit.ly/3T8WgfC

[@henrydong8772]

Is this screw in handle n made in Japan? Thx

[@l.i.archer5379]

I prefer the Slammer IV DX, of which I have 2 already. Last year, I discovered Kastking's Kapstan Elite spinning reels that are also IPX6 rated at half the price of the Slammer IVs.

[@robertabrams91]

Been eyeing the kastking … how’s it working out for you?

[@Jritchey1211]

I have yet to tear open a Kapstan Elite, but I've felt one in hand. The word "Refined" would not be used in a sentence to describe this reel. I'm sure it handles fishing Live/Dead Bait moderately well, especially for its price point. I'll have to open up the one in our Office and see what really makes this reel tick.

[@l.i.archer5379]

@@robertabrams91 been pulling up blackfish (tautog) and bluefish with it with no problems. Also, shore fishing for fluke (summer flounder) and still smooth as silk.

[@l.i.archer5379]

@@Jritchey1211 are you going to do the tear-down on video? Would love to see that.

[@Jritchey1211]

@@l.i.archer5379 I just might!

[@gertbotha2039]

I would like to see...this reels goes well with 7oz rod .....or 5/6oz rod as well.... Newbies can pair correctly and does fall into a hype

[@Saltstrong]

Thanks for the suggestion! Feel free to visit the blog on our website here: bit.ly/3T8WgfC and you can comment directly with the coaches.

[@MrBrutalFrosty]

My slammer 4 4500 round knob cap literally fell off and couldn't be retrived leaving my bearings inside the knob handle exposed was so pissed. Sometimes functionality over cosmettics is more important and I think they fked that part up not to mention itl cost me 40aud to replace

[@Saltstrong]

Aw man, that's too bad

[@rhuang467]

great video. I just purchased Slammer IV 5500 BLS after setting drag it was loose on knob area when tapped. when drag is not tighten it's fine. did you have same issue?

[@Saltstrong]

Interesting, not sure we've seen that issue before

[@raulalonzomarquez6779]

Can you send reel's to Mexico

[@GeneralGP114]

Nice informative video , been using a Slammer 3 5500 for the past few years . In NY mainly for stripers and bluefish. Heard you say you use your 5500 for cobia and tarpon . You think a 4500 would do or stick with 5500 when I upgrade ...thanks

[@Jritchey1211]

For smaller 40lb Tarpon in back bays, the 4500 would work. But the 5500 size seems like the sweet spot for many bigger species.

[@Saltstrong]

Glad it was helpful! Post your question on our blog and our coaches can answer directly there: bit.ly/3T8WgfC

[@dennisgibson2338]

What other inshore reels (2500 to 3500) that are sealed like the Penn spinfisher , slammers

[@Saltstrong]

Email our team at [e-mail] and they can get you a recommendation. Or check out www.saltstrong.com/fishing-tips/ and use the search feature. We have several articles on reels and some comparisons too.

[@terryclark3937]

Awesome vid ty

[@Saltstrong]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@nafkhannafkan2090]

Which one best slammer or authority

[@Saltstrong]

We've got info on both on our website. Here are a couple of articles/videos., but use the search and we have a couple of others as well. www.saltstrong.com/articles/penn-authority-overview/ and www.saltstrong.com/articles/penn-slammer-iv-spinning-reel-review/

[@311hitwall]

Slammer vs saltist?

[@311hitwall]

Surf fishing?

[@InshorePursuitFL]

I recommend everyone buys one just for their beauty lol

[@Saltstrong]

Exactly!

[@Iwished4]

Daiwa or Shimano really.

[@Saltstrong]

Thanks!

[@RitchFishing]

Unrelated to the video, my name is Justen Ritchey. I’ve only ever met one other person who had my last name and spelt it the same. Great review, from one Justen* Ritchey to another.

[@Captain_Clark_CDoryAdventures]

Have you ever met anyone who spelled their first name the same? Have a good day man. 👍

[@RitchFishing]

@@Captain_Clark_CDoryAdventures I’m still waiting on that one! You too man

[@Captain_Clark_CDoryAdventures]

@@RitchFishing thanks for the response buddy. Best wishes.

[@Saltstrong]

That's awesome! Thanks for watching!

[@hiltoncds7529]

👏🌟🎣🐟

[@Saltstrong]

Tight lines!

[@l.i.archer5379]

Not 'ball bearings', they're roller bearings or what they simply call 'bearings'.

[@Saltstrong]

Thanks!

[@2Cool4Ryan]

Just get yourself a Shimano Stella SW 5000 HG. You wouldn't have to look for anything else.

[@Saltstrong]

Thanks!

[@tonnyberben1770]

Can really compare its not in the same price range 😅 its like comparing a mercedes to a rolls 😅

[@tracereed7457]

You should NOT buy one. Get a gosa my slammer 4 didn’t last 3 months

[@Saltstrong]

Thanks for the insight