PENN Jigmaster® Star Drag Reel, 500 Size Fishing Reel

Outstanding reel. I own five of them. Simple, tough design makes it ideal for surf fishing. It laughs at sand and saltwater. Easiest and fastest cleaning reel I've ever owned, hands down. No bearings to ruin either. You can swap out spools in seconds. Packed to the bars, I've got 360 (yes, 360) yards of 40 (yes, 40) pound Trilene Big Game on each one. Plenty of line for everything - fishing from the pier, bridge, kayak, boat, and surf. I routinely shark fish from the beach with short drops between the 1st and 2nd bars. Excellent for sharks up to 6-8 feet, which constitutes the majority of sharks you're likely to catch on short to medium drops here in Pensacola. Longer drops and/or bigger sharks and you'd be in trouble, no doubt. But if you fish it smartly within its limits you can land almost anything. Have tested the drag on all my jigmasters with a digital scale. Penn claims 15# drag with standard HT100 washers. I've averaged (drag locked down) readings of around 13# full spool, 25# half spool, and around 38# empty spool at which the 40# Trilene Big Game usually snaps and ends the test. I imagine It would probably max-out a little over 40# empty spool if I had heavier line on it. Word of caution to kayak anglers: anything over 5 to 6# of drag and you'll be towed along in the water for a ride until you either reduce drag or the fish/shark tires!

My first saltwater reel and have used it for everything from live bait fishing Yellowtail, to Rockfishing to trolling Cedar plugs for Tuna! I caught my first bluefin tuna on this reel trolling a plain cedar plug and landed it no problem (25lbs). Best bang for the buck and a must have reel, even if it's just a backup for a friend, you'll be glad you got one. [This review was collected as part of a promotion.]