Penn Battle 5000 opinions please

[FLUKE]

I am very happy to be the February lucky prize winner in the Readers catches section of Rock Surf & Deep so THANK YOU!!!!!! RSD and Beyond Fishing for the amazing prize which is a Berkley Air 9'SH 4oz rated.

Now I have to buy a reel worthy of that fine rod.

I've looked at 4 options,

Abu Soron STX60(not sure it's tough enough),

Shimano Stradic 5000(poor line capacity and can't get a bigger one locally),

Quantum Cabo50(not as smooth as Battle and heavier than Battle)

Penn Battle5000, a little heavy but so far the best balance of, weight, line capacity and balance.

How much 14lb Fireline can you get on a Battle5000?

If anyone owns one then how does it perform?

I will use the combo for a range of applications, 1 & 2oz dropshots for Kob, 1 - 3oz Poppers for Garrick, bait fishing from the rocks for reef fish, shark fishing when the sub100kg sharks are around.

The battle is a bit heavy but I will very seldom spend a whole day spinning.

 

[braailegend]

I've got the sargus, very happy with it, The battle being the upgrade I think it would be proper good. Other thing I like from the penn reels, there is no clip over to reverse direction and their main shaft is thicker than reels of similar size.

 

[Joker]

Hi Fluke

If you really want that bigger Stradic then give Ganis a look.

www.ganis.co.za

The contact is Norma-Jean.

Prices are good.

Good luck

 

[Strepie]

I have a friend who has a Penn Battle 6000 and he uses it to fish on the reefs here in Strand. Very happy with it so far. No issues yet with wading,etc.

 

[Joker]

Oops.

Congrats on the prize. That's an awesome rod. Guy I know fishes it and he loves it.

 

[Marthin]

i won a battle 5000 in one of the first RASSPL's.

The drag off the shelf was a bit sticky for me, took it to Old Salt, he said it was bone dry inside.

It has become my setup of choice, i put 20lb braid on it, dunno how much but it's a small outhouse full.

I've caught lots of smooth hound with it off the boat, big stumps from the side, casted lures with it in mauritius.

I think it's an excellet reel, a bit heavy but can't see it breaking.

 

[FLUKE]

Thanks for the feedback.
@Marthin, good to hear, you've done all I want to do with it and you're still happy.

 

[aquadementia]

I STRONGLY recommend you reconsider the stradic 5000... I've got the sustain and it matches perfectly to my 10ft6 exceller... Got 14lb fireline on one spool and 25lb mustad ultra on another.. They are both a bit old now so I'm gonna use the mustad as backing (it's crazy thin, 0.10 or something stupid, but its lekker sterk)

or you can try 30lb whiplash backing under the fireline.. Promise if you get stripped on that reel you will get stripped on any other similar sized one

this was caught on 10lb fireline and a stradic 4000

 

[FLUKE]

I hear you Aqua. I'll have another look at the Stradic before I take the Battle. It's just the battle suites my budget and confidence perfectly. The change from the battle buys the Fireline LOL.
I also feel that seen as Beyond fishing have given the prize I should support their brands if they offer what I want when choosing a reel for it.
That Stradic does feel amazing though, definately the smoothest and most refined!! I'll have a look tonight, I was going to buy it tonight but the rod hasn't arrived yet so no rush.

Another consideration is that I already have a Cardinal 704lx which has about the same capacity as the Stradic 5000 so I don't want to have 2 reels the same size. The Stradic however outstrips the cardinal on smoothness hands down.
Jeez!! I'd better be careful, I'll start sounding like Dave Batista soon

 

[FLUKE]

Had a look at the reels again tonight. Stradic sold and they're not sure when they'll have again.
That Battle does look big!!!
The salesman says the Soron STX60 is the reel of choice and Enigma rated it highly as well. Decisions Decisions.
That Soron admittedly does feel perfect on the rod and I'm happy with the line capacity.