Need to pick up a few for when guests come visit and cant use a bait caster. I need 4, so trying to keep each around $100 or less. Primarily for reds/trout/drum. Thanks.

Watch Amazon for deals on the Penn Battle 2, normally $100 or so at academy, but amazon will clearance them for like $50 from time to time. I've got two and they're rock solid for your stated purpose.

Which model? I think I am going to get a few of the 5000 series.

I'm fishing San Diego bay while on vacation this week. I went with the 3000.

I'be got a 2500 and a 3000, both used for bay fishing and both do a fine job of horsing in trout and reds. I usually have them rigged for meat chunking/croaker soaking behind my nicer poles when they're not being used by guests.

Daiwa Fuego LT or Penn Battle are good options.

Daiwa Fuego LT. I have had this on my rod for almost 3 years with no servicing and a wash down following each trip. Can be had for $75-100.

A model 5000 is probably bigger than you want for trout/ red lure chunking- a 5000 is more of a surf casting size

Shimano Nasci are nice reels in that price range.

I have been extremely happy with my Penn Battle 2. I had a Daiwa and I kept getting wind knots, don't know why.

I've been happy with Shimano Sedona 2500. Always a couple on my boat and they've held up really well with little to no maintenance (regular rinses, though).

Penn pursuit 3s are about $40. They have shielded stainless bearings, an hT 100 drag system, instant anti reverse, and a superliner spool. I've used them, Shimano Sedonas, and Sahara's. I can't really tell the difference in any of them in function or durability, but the pursuit is about 1/2 the price.

For people that can't use casting gear and targeting reds, drum, and trout go with the Battle II in the 3000 size. Look for the combo with the 7' medium action rod by Penn too. The combo is usually about $120- I have a couple of them for people who don't fly fish.

Great all around rig. 5000 size is way too big. I've used that size for mahi, cobia, and kings offshore.

IMHO, the Penn Battle reels are hands down the best bang-for-your-buck spinning reel on the market and the 3000 size will handle anything you come across in the bay, even a 25# jack.

Here's a link, Bass Pro has them for $119: Penn Battle II 3000 combo

How are the Penn Battles on weight? I've got a couple older Penn spinning reels, 3000s I think, and they are a bit on the heavy side. Bullet proof, though.

2nd vote for Shimano Nasci, 2500 size.

Huge fan of the diawa bg. Saltwater rated.

Penn battle solid choice too.

If you can boost your budget a bit to $850 per reel, the Van Staal is a nice option.

CEPhD said:

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If you can boost your budget a bit to $850 per reel, the Van Staal is a nice option.

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So anytime I see these, I wonder how many more fish that reel will catch for me

We really like the lews tpi inshore. Designed for salt much like the penn battle reels. Good option to look at...

https://www.academy.com/shop/pdp/lews-tp1-inshore-speed-spin-spinning-reel#repChildCatid=5042022

AgDad121619 said:

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CEPhD said:

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If you can boost your budget a bit to $850 per reel, the Van Staal is a nice option.

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So anytime I see these, I wonder how many more fish that reel will catch for me

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I get the winky-face and the question but Van Staal were originally designed and marketed to hard-core surf fishing guys in the northeast. Those guys are insane when they're chasing stripers, bluefish, and albies from shore. Wearing wetsuits and swimming out to stand on rocks in 50-degree water and constantly submerging their gear and getting sand in them. They needed super durable, bench-made reels because they'd trash production reels in just a matter of a couple days on the water.

Hand machines and assembled reels with precise, watertight tolerances than can withstand repeated immersion and abuse and still perform flawlessly ain't cheap. So if you're the average Gulf Coast wader or soaking bait then, no, a Van Staal isn't worth it but if you're one of those northeast madmen then, yes.

Hoyt Ag said:

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Need to pick up a few for when guests come visit and cant use a bait caster. I need 4, so trying to keep each around $100 or less. Primarily for reds/trout/drum. Thanks.

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After this past Saturday, I'm swearing off taking non-fishermen on my boat. I'm just gonna tell people that don't fish that I'll split the cost of a Guide with you. I have to re-spool 3 spinners that all had FINS braid. Meanwhile I spent the day dragging the boat around and baiting hooks instead of fishing. Great friends and company, but, couldn't land a fish all day in an area I caught 15+ Friday and 30+ Sunday

FIDO*98* said:

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Hoyt Ag said:

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Need to pick up a few for when guests come visit and cant use a bait caster. I need 4, so trying to keep each around $100 or less. Primarily for reds/trout/drum. Thanks.

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After this past Saturday, I'm swearing off taking non-fishermen on my boat. I'm just gonna tell people that don't fish that I'll split the cost of a Guide with you. I have to re-spool 3 spinners that all had FINS braid. Meanwhile I spent the day dragging the boat around and baiting hooks instead of fishing. Great friends and company, but, couldn't land a fish all day in an area I caught 15+ Friday and 30+ Sunday

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WAGs and children are exempted from such as I consider it that I'm going to play guide and not actually fish myself.

EFE said:

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Watch Amazon for deals on the Penn Battle 2, normally $100 or so at academy, but amazon will clearance them for like $50 from time to time. I've got two and they're rock solid for your stated purpose.

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This right here!!! You cannot beat the Penn Battle II especially if you get a deal on Amazon. I fished with a Lews spinning real this past weekend and almost chunked it in the water. Had a ton of issues with it.

The 2500 or 3000 will be best. I fish with both. 2500 when I wade and 3000 in the boat.

I second the Lews custom inshore spinning reels recommendation . Have been very happy with them. The Penn Battles are good reels as well but they are a step down imo.

TarponChaser said:

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AgDad121619 said:

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CEPhD said:

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If you can boost your budget a bit to $850 per reel, the Van Staal is a nice option.

---

So anytime I see these, I wonder how many more fish that reel will catch for me

---

I get the winky-face and the question but Van Staal were originally designed and marketed to hard-core surf fishing guys in the northeast. Those guys are insane when they're chasing stripers, bluefish, and albies from shore. Wearing wetsuits and swimming out to stand on rocks in 50-degree water and constantly submerging their gear and getting sand in them. They needed super durable, bench-made reels because they'd trash production reels in just a matter of a couple days on the water.

Hand machines and assembled reels with precise, watertight tolerances than can withstand repeated immersion and abuse and still perform flawlessly ain't cheap. So if you're the average Gulf Coast wader or soaking bait then, no, a Van Staal isn't worth it but if you're one of those northeast madmen then, yes.

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. I did not know that about the van staal - that makes more sense for that kind of money.

Check out these dudes in Montauk, Van Staal reels show up if you look closely.

Bass Pro just had a sale out here on the Lews. $79.00 with their 7' M Power Fast action rod. The eyelits are also very nice. Bought two of them for exactly what the OP wants them for. Great 2500 set up for guests.

I have used Shimano Stradics for darn near 20 years. I know the new ones are outside your budget, but as an example, when I mean use them, I still have a primary (2000) that has the wooden handle, but has been repaired once. It's "sister" just got rodded up tonight for back up duty for one (2500) that will go to the shop for the first time.

FWIW, those reels in that size have caught many, many reds and trout over their lives. Much easier to cast and hold for a full day of fishing than a 5000. Use them for lures an croaker soak in'.