I am looking at this reel (3000) for a trip this summer to Chandeleur Islands. I need a spare and would use this as a primary and my older spinning reel as the spare.

I have a baitcast set up for my other rig.

I have heard good things and it won't break the bank.

thoughts?

Great reel for the money. 2000, 2500, and 3000 are all a good fit for inshore (I'm partial to 2500).

I like to load mine with 10 lb power pro, and pair with a 7+ ft light action rod. Casts light plastics farther than anything else I've tried.

Amazon usually has them for a good price. Academy will price match amazon and give you an extra 5% off.

I run a curado 300e, stradic, and battle. Next egg beater I buy will be another battle. At the price point it performs just as well as the stradic.

I don't own a Penn Battle but once I was offshore fishing with my boss and we trolled up on a tire with a 30-40lb ling under it. For whatever reason the nearest rod to my boss was his inshore rod with a 2500 Penn Battle and spec rig on it. He tossed it out there and hooked up. Took probably 45 minutes to land that fish but the battle handled some smoking runs flawlessly. I'm sold on those reels and if I were ever to spend some coin on a spinning reel I'd get a battle.

That being said, I personally don't put too much money into spinning reels, bc if I'm fishing conventional I'm throwing baitcasters. I do keep a few spinning setups around though for my wife and guests that come fishing with me. I've been absolutely astounded by the performance and durability of Shimano Siennas. At $30 a pop these things are beasts. I only use them in saltwater and don't take the best care of them and they are still kicking strong after 3 or so years of use.

I have Battles in both the 2500 and the 3000 sizes. I definitely prefer the 2500 size and have not had any issues landing fish with it. I've also got a Conflict in 2500 and really like the matte finish on it. They are fantastic values for reels and you won't regret them

FIDO*98* said:

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I have Battles in both the 2500 and the 3000 sizes. I definitely prefer the 2500 size and have not had any issues landing fish with it. I've also got a Conflict in 2500 and really like the matte finish on it. They are fantastic values for reels and you won't regret them

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I am a little torn between the 2500 and 3000. I like the 3000 for a little more capacity but still, 2500 is just a good feeling size.

I rarely chunk gear anymore but IMHO the Penn Battle is by far the best bang for your buck reel. I have 3 of them for when I take people who don't fly fish and they're tremendous reels.

IIRC, the 2500-3000 class reels run like $100.

ENG said:

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I am a little torn between the 2500 and 3000. I like the 3000 for a little more capacity but still, 2500 is just a good feeling size.

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If you're throwing plastic, you'll prefer the 2500. I use my 3000 for throwing cut bait

2500 should be plenty of reel for Inshore. Only time I've seen one spooled was when a dolphin smoked a croaker when fishing the mouth of South Bay.

Flipper or Mahi?

Flipper. Tide was running out and the bait fish were pouring out with it. He made a run at the bait ball that the croaker was floating through/with and grabbed the wrong bite.

Penn Battle II 2500 is $80 right now on Amazon. Normally $99.

I have a Penn Conflict 4000 on a 7'6" medium rod that I run on everything from crappie to whatever I can get into at the Packery Channel. It has handled everything flawlessly.