My $25 quick trigger Shimano Reel was useless surf fishing on the beach. With it getting immersed in salt water and getting tossed on the beach, by day 2, the reel was bogging out despite a good fresh water cleaning.

I want a reel that can withstand the environment that can pull in 50 pound fighting fish with ease.

Tell me what you got.

Go with a quality ($$$) baitcast or spinning reel. $25 ain't gonna cut it on the beach, nor is a spincast reel, as you found out. Shimano, Penn, Diawa, etc.

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Go with a quality ($$$) baitcast or spinning reel. $25 ain't gonna cut it on the beach, nor is a spincast reel, as you found out. Shimano, Penn, Diawa, etc.

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This!

I have Shimano Syncopate 2500 and it's really not drag rated for what I was doing in AK. Will look for heavier rated reel.

I did use buddy's Penn on the last day and it was smooth.

Penn or Shimano spinning reel.

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Get a Penn Battle. IMHO one of the best reels for the money on the market

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Second this suggestion.

If you're fishing for 50 lb fish regularly, you're probably going to want to step up to something with a metal frame and decent number of bearings. Usually you start seeing these features in the 100 dollar range.

X3 on the battles. I use the 6000 size for big reds and small sharks in the surf and they've held up well without a lot of maintenance.

Another reel in the $100 dollar range that is supposed to have a great drag is the fin nor lethal. I don't have any personal experience but they have good reviews by the spinning reel guru http://www.alanhawk.com/reviews/lists.html.

If you want to spend a little more, the Penn z series was brought out of retirement specifically because surf casters kept asking for it. It's a very simple, easy to rinse, and easy to maintain workhorse. People often drill out the rotor cup so that it drains and doesn't collect water/sand.

Thank you salt,

Penn Battle. Have 3 of various sizes. Love them.

Going to pick up a Penn Battle 6000.

Also be sure and spray off your reels with a water hose to make sure you get the salt/sand out of the reel components after you use it.

Shimano Sahara is also a great saltwater spinning reel. It has stainless sealed bearings. Mine has held up to years of saltwater dunking, and I am notorious for going years between cleaning reels properly.

Just saw your trip report (great write up!) and noticed you were throwing lures.



A 6000 size battle may be a little heavier and larger than you want if you're going to be casting it all day. Casting lures with a reel that size wears me out.



I'd think a 4000 size reel spooled with braid (the smaller diameter gives you extra capacity and can cast farther) would fit the ticket. I've never fished Alaska or salmon though, so I may be off base.

FWIW:

this is a spincast reel-


and this is a spinning reel-