Penn Slammer IV 4500 Spinning Reel

I only use it for a few months. I just bought a second. I use it for casting with thin diameter braid (spiderwire stealth smooth 8 0.23 ). Its realy very fast . You feel the reel very solid, no strange noises from the parts on it. Very comfortable and very quiet. Thats all for my short experience fishing with this reel. I can say that the rate Value for money for this reel is high.

As good as any and better than most!

I was in Cuba 2 months ago where I have fished many times previously in 32 visits and although I have Saltiga's, Stella, and Accurate reels as well as the more mid range Cabo's, saragosa and Fin-Nor I bought the Penn Slammer III 5500 and a Spinfisher V 8500 live liner to try whilst out there. I'd intended to compare the 2 Penn offerings to those mid range reels.Firstly, the 8500 spinfisher V which impressed me with both it's robust construction and the finesse of the baitrunner system. I had maybe 25ish Barracuda to 18lb as well as Kingfish, Cuberra & Mutton Snapper. The baitrunner is strong enough to troll a dressed ballyhoo at about 7 knots and is really entertaining to hear what a fish runs. When engaging the main drag the reel suddenly snaps into a real ... MoreI was in Cuba 2 months ago where I have fished many times previously in 32 visits and although I have Saltiga's, Stella, and Accurate reels as well as the more mid range Cabo's, saragosa and Fin-Nor I bought the Penn Slammer III 5500 and a Spinfisher V 8500 live liner to try whilst out there. I'd intended to compare the 2 Penn offerings to those mid range reels.Firstly, the 8500 spinfisher V which impressed me with both it's robust construction and the finesse of the baitrunner system. I had maybe 25ish Barracuda to 18lb as well as Kingfish, Cuberra & Mutton Snapper. The baitrunner is strong enough to troll a dressed ballyhoo at about 7 knots and is really entertaining to hear what a fish runs. When engaging the main drag the reel suddenly snaps into a real powerhouse of a machine. The drag is really smooth and there are no heart stopping peaks in the resistance of the washers. At 59 years old I would expect those model to outlive my grandkids. I underestimated the power of this reel and should have opted for the more compact 6500.The Slammer 3.....Outstanding, fabulous, superb, unbelievable at the prices........ I'd better slow down. After landing a very good amberjack of 60lb plus? I looked down at this little reel and promised myself a 6500 as soon as possible. The drag was every bit as good as my Saltiga and smoother than my Stella. After a 100yd run the reel drag was as consistent and cool as any other reel I've ever handled. The fish made 6 or 7 other lesser, but still powerful runs and I truly was more in awe of the reel than the fish. Later my wife wanted to fish and being all of 5ft, Lorraine asked me to set her up a light bottom fishing outfit, so reluctantly I handed over the Penn jigging rod and the slammer 3. Mid water (maybe 100m) she hooked up with a Shark that turned out to be a Bull Shark of an estimated 120lb. The fish made numerous runs of 50yds and after a 28 minute fight was lost on the surface, which was a bitter sweet outcome.I've tried to enhance our experience of the reel with the day's exploits purely to make this review more interesting but I cannot praise this reel highly enough.I have my 6500 now and I'm salivating at the thought of a 7500.Where will it all end........?

Awesome Reel. Best I’ve ever owned.

Awesome reel. Best I’ve ever owned.Bought identical reel two years ago and just had to have another. The sheer power never lets you down fighting the salt monsters. Surprisingly smooth and casts like a dream. I highly recommend the Slammer IV 8500 for all your big game fishing. You won’t regret this purchase. Worth every penny.

Braid wind knots on brand new reel

Had the store spool up 30lb j braid on this reel for beach fishing with lures. First cast had wind knots as the braid left the spool. This happened multiple time. Return reel and had braid removed and respooled. The same thing happened again. Wind knott after knott when casting. Rendering the brand new useless on my two week holiday at Straddie. Very disappointing for a $400 outfit.

DO NOT BUY THIS REEL!!!!

I purchased the Penn Slammer III 6500 at the beginning of last season (2019) for my Kingfish rig and as a backup bottom fishing rod. This weekend (3-15-2020), the handle snapped off while fighting a red snapper. The break happened where the handle connects to the part that screws into the reel and it looks like the way the handle is fastened is just not strong enough to handle the loads put on it. The fact that this broke is not the worse part. When I called Penn to send me a new handle, I was presented with the option of sending the reel back to them for evaluation and potentially warrantying the part (company's discretion), or paying $54 for them to send me a new handle. The company does not stand behind their products! I own multiple Penn conventional and ... MoreI purchased the Penn Slammer III 6500 at the beginning of last season (2019) for my Kingfish rig and as a backup bottom fishing rod. This weekend (3-15-2020), the handle snapped off while fighting a red snapper. The break happened where the handle connects to the part that screws into the reel and it looks like the way the handle is fastened is just not strong enough to handle the loads put on it. The fact that this broke is not the worse part. When I called Penn to send me a new handle, I was presented with the option of sending the reel back to them for evaluation and potentially warrantying the part (company's discretion), or paying $54 for them to send me a new handle. The company does not stand behind their products! I own multiple Penn conventional and spinning reels, but I can tell you that I will be shifting all of my future purchases to Shimano based on the lousy construction of the Slammer matched only by the terrible customer service I received in dealing with this issue.

Exacly what I was looking for

Have a Saragosa 14k, but wanting something anlittle smaller. Ordered an 8k, but it’s not much different. Checked out a 6k, and that was much smaller than I wanted. It’s as small as the BG 4000, which I already have. Did a little more research and ended up with the Slammer 5500. It’s the right size for plenty if my fishing applications, and more than sufficient drag to accomodate. Will be using this reel as a general purpose reel, for jigging, bottom fishing, and for fishing on the pier, surf, or jetty.

Great Reel for a Variety of Big Game Species

Penn's upgrade of the Slammer to the mark IV-series was a slam-dunk. Love the bulletproof construction, water-resistant design, heavy-duty drag potential and CNC brass gears. I have both the 7500 and 6500 models that I use for offshore tuna jigging and popping. The only reels I like better than these? The DX versions of the same Slammer IV reels, which offer S/S gears and an extra bearing on the spool shaft. This is a great saltwater spinning reel for the investment. Sure wish that they would make spare spools more available.

Now I have three!

Really happy with the Penn Slammer. I now have 3 slammers and love the reels. Two 4500s and one 6500. Great for no matter what you are pulling in. Plenty of backbone and is really smooth and solid. Both 4500 and 6500 are very versatile in how they can be used. It more than meets my needs for fishing in the gulf.

Strong, Simple and Affordable

Strong, powerful, simple, strong and relatively affordable. Easy to take apart for maintenance and lots of drag to tame a tough tuna. Decent line capacity. Like the black Slammer IVs a lot, but love those Silver DX models even more with the S/S gears. Can't go wrong with any of the Slammer IVs, they get it done!

tough little reel

I got a 4500 on a st croix mojo inshore. I have been using it for all species I can find in the chesapeake bay. I have that one set up with 15# braid and had a decent sized rock fish pull drag out underwater after I dropped the rod from my kayak. thank god for rod leashes. but it got no water in it and I landed the fish. I have caught a lot of blue fish specs and rock fish on this set up. after that dunking incident I decided to replace all my spinning gear with these reels. I just picked up the 3500 with 10# braid and will be picking up some of the bigger sizes to use on amberjack this summer. these things are awesome when you need a really durable reel. They really work well for things like kayak fishing when your gear is going to get soaked. however there are ... MoreI got a 4500 on a st croix mojo inshore. I have been using it for all species I can find in the chesapeake bay. I have that one set up with 15# braid and had a decent sized rock fish pull drag out underwater after I dropped the rod from my kayak. thank god for rod leashes. but it got no water in it and I landed the fish. I have caught a lot of blue fish specs and rock fish on this set up. after that dunking incident I decided to replace all my spinning gear with these reels. I just picked up the 3500 with 10# braid and will be picking up some of the bigger sizes to use on amberjack this summer. these things are awesome when you need a really durable reel. They really work well for things like kayak fishing when your gear is going to get soaked. however there are better choices when your primarily fishing inshore from a boat. the small sizes have more drag than you need and are pretty heavy. if youre just pulling in specs and you don't beat up your gear you would be fine with the clash or even the battle. These reels fit my needs perfectly though and they are the sexiest looking spinners in my opinion. decent price also. I have been a loyal penn customer my whole life and will continue to buy. If you do similar kind of fishing as I do I definitely recommend these.