INDIANANGLER

I still use a 8500ss after bout 10 yrs its my big gun,There are better reels on the market i am sure,just remember we dont need a Winch all we need is a reel to be sturdy and a smooth drag...the rest is on skill.Years ago i was ridiculed for having too light tackle for Ravas and Barra.....a Abu Atlantic 402 and a cardinal 70,but it was great fun fighing the fish right up to the finish biggest Ravas 27 lbs Bara 40lbs.Line used was 0.40 Garware tats all i could get my hands on during school days.

Hi Tiger

The new Daiwa Saltist would be a better option though its made in China too. It retails from $200.00 up.

David

Don't go in for any Chinese made reels mate, they are real shoddy. That is why Penn Spinning reels suck now and why Niel's old 8500 is still going strong. I have the whole SS series, the only reel that troubled me is the 6500 where the clicker fell off, that was my last purchase in the SS series and I think it may have been made in China.

I have the 9500 had it for over 10 years but have never used it, it is just too large.

Niel, lets take a look at that 27lb Ravas mate, scan and post the picture mate.

Barra of that size is a dream..

Neil with his Barra

I am more interested in that Ravas mate , big Ravas always seem to elude me.

I remember that young fella, hey Niel, it this in the old Pointsur house garden?