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| Model TD Code | Description | Braid Capacity | Mono Capacity | Max. Drag | Gear Ratio | Inches Per Turn | Anti-Reverse | Weight | Price |
| SLAIII8500 PEN-1525 | Slammer III Spinning Reel | 600/50 | 310/30 | 50 lbs. | 4.7:1 | 42 in. | Instant w/ Back Up | 30.8 oz. | $319.95 USD | ||
The Penn SLAIII8500 Slammer III Spinning Reel is a part of the relaunch of one of the toughest spinner lines known to guides and captains the world over. Utilizing Penn's new CNC Gear Technology, with improved IPX6 sealing, and their proprietary Dura-Drag System, the Slammer is finally back!
Penn SLAIII8500 Slammer III Spinning Reel Features:
- Full Metal (Diecast Aluminum) Body/Rotor Construction
- CNC Gear Technology (All Brass)
- Sealed Dura-Drag System (IPX6 SEALED)
- Improved Gear Box Sealing (IPX6 SEALED)
- Spare EVA Handle Knob Included in Box
5 Stars based on 82 reviews
By DJ A.
Florida
Offshore beast
November 19, 2019
I have 2 of these reels on custom 8ft rods. Primarily used for sight fishing while offshore trolling. Cast at a weed mat or see a lot of birds etc. Cast a big chugger, zip, zip boom fish on! And an unbelievable catch at that...a wahoo! Peeled off maybe 200yds, 65lb suf832 braid. And wahoo can hit ur bait at over 60mph. It was a blast and tasted great!
By Jody
North Carolina
No more Penns for me
July 20, 2022
I have purchased many Penn reels and the reel life has gone in the crapper. I still have some old Conflict and Spinfishers that are working but all of the new reels have purchased in the last year are awful. Especially the latest one a Penn Slammer 3. I used it for one weekend and now it is loud and when the handle is turned it grinds. Again, this was used for one weekend from a boat and was never dunked or even sprayed with saltwater. I always wash and dry all of my reels at the end of each day. It's not like these are an inexpensive investment.
Pros
- Holds great amount of line
Cons
- Quality and durability are awful
By Pyro C.
Snyder, TX
5500
February 28, 2022
I now have the 5500 and 6500 Slammer III reels and absolutely love them. On the prowl for a 3500 and 4500 now but getting harder to find
By Zhang
Texas
Good
January 26, 2022
Good for the big fish
By Chris
Swansea, MA
Hammer
January 22, 2022
Used a 6500 standard for the first half of my year at the canal last season, swapped out the knob for the EVA. hammer of a reel, more drag than i could hold on too when i paired it with my 11ft 3-10oz black hole heavy surf 2
Pros
- drag power.
- durability
Cons
- some people may say that it is heavy, for me i find that this is the max of what i like to use at 24oz, but for what it does and for the rod i use it is balanced very well.
By Alex
CA
Well made.
January 21, 2022
Also bought the 5500. Can't go wrong with Penn Slammer3. Solid reel and well made. Great service from Tackle Direct. Thanks you.
Pros
- Solid.
Cons
- None
By Alex
CA
Excellent reel
January 21, 2022
Another great Penn reel. Also bought the 4500. Well made, strong drag and smooth.
Pros
- Well made.
Cons
- None
By ChuckD
Clayton, NC
Slammer III 4500
January 9, 2022
Great surf reel with stout build and overpowering capabilities
Pros
- Strength, build quality drag
Cons
- Drag does not ever get completely resistance free
By ChuckD
Clayton, NC
Slammer III 4500
January 9, 2022
Reel was flawless fishing it in the surf. Didn’t hook up on anything but I can attest that it felt smooth, was comfortable all day fishing with it and it paired well on a 10’ battalion surf (first gen). Not a whole lot to dislike.
Pros
- Durable, penn tough
Cons
- Dura drag is strong so if you want to dial in a loose drag, that type of setting still gives a fair amount of resistance. I believe this was addressed in the III model
By Pyro C.
texas
SLAMMER NO DOUBT
December 18, 2021
These Slammer reels are phenomenal. I fished for so many years with my old Penn SS reels and these Slammers are such a step above.
By Alabama F.
Gulf of Mexico
Penn SLAIII4500 Slammer III
October 14, 2021
Great reel for surf fishing.
Pros
- Hold a good amount of braided line. Drag can handle fish above reel size with no flexing or torque issues.
Cons
- None
By Ron
Nc
Penn slammer3 5500 reel
October 14, 2021
very good reel, planning on getting another one soon.
Pros
- very good reel , great drag.
Cons
- none
By Mike
Phildelphia
Penn slammer
October 14, 2021
Works great real smooth
Pros
- Price
Cons
- A little bulky for the size
By Matthew
NJ
Awesome except...
October 13, 2021
The drag. High end is quite strong but low end stays pretty tight like pulling braid cutting your hand tight.
Pros
- Everything except
Cons
- low end drag
By Tim M.
LI, NY
Needed another for Florida
September 27, 2021
I've been using a SLAIII6500 to fish the surf of the south shore of LI for the last 3 years. I bought the SLAIII5500 for fishing the Atlantic coast of Florida. The IPX6 rating will come in handy standing in wait deep water throwing lures.
Pros
- IPX6 rating. Solid construction.
4 Questions &
4 Answers
Alex
from NJ asked:
March 5, 2019
is Penn BATSF2040S12 12ft 2pc Spinning Surf Rod a good match with SLA38500
1 Answer
The slammer 3 8500 would be a good match for the BATSF2040S12
Submitted by:
Bernie De Graaf
on March 7, 2019
Mark Gibbons Work
from Panama City Beach asked:
December 15, 2021
what kind line braid will this reel hold
and what is recommended?
1 Answer
Hi Mark, The Penn SLAIII8500 Slammer III Spinning Reel will hold 600yds of 50lb Braided line. I would recommend using PowerPro Braided Spectra Fiber Fishing Line Moss Green 50LB 500 Yds. https://www.tackledirect.com/powerpro-braided-spectra-fiber-fishing-line-moss-green-50lb-500-yds.html This reel can hold all of a 500 yard spool plus monofilament backing. Please let us know if theres anything else we can assist you with. Tight Lines.
Submitted by:
Brendan - TackleDirect Customer Service
on December 16, 2021
Siby Mathew John
from TEXAS asked:
November 1, 2021
which jigging rods goes with these reel ?
6 ft or 7 ft that can hold up to 150 or 100 lb fish
1 Answer
Hi Siby, The Penn SLAIII8500 Slammer III Spinning Reel is discontinued. These are replaced by the Penn Slammer IV 8500. Model: SLAIV8500; TackleDirect Code: PEN-1997. https://www.tackledirect.com/penn-slaiv8500-slammer-iv-spinning-reel.html. For your fishing application I would recommend either a Ocean Tackle International Fathom Blade Jigging Rod. Model: OTI-FB56500S; TackleDirect Code: OTI-FB56500S. https://www.tackledirect.com/ocean-tackle-international-fb56500s-fathom-blade-spinning-rod.html. Or a Nomad Design Heavy Jigging Rod. Model: NJS605-8. TackleDirect Code: NOM-0108. https://www.tackledirect.com/nomad-design-njs605-8-heavy-jigging-spinning-rod.html. Both of these will pair well with a Penn Slammer IV 8500. Please let us know if theres anything else we can assist you with. Tight Lines.
Submitted by:
Brendan - TackleDirect Customer Service
on November 5, 2021
Siby Mathew John
from TEXAS asked:
October 22, 2021
can i use this for jigging yellow fin tuna ? and recommended rod for this
1 Answer
Hi Siby, Unfortunately the Penn SLAIII8500 Slammer III has been discontinued. I would recommend the Penn Slammer IV 8500. Model: SLAIV8500; TackleDirect Code: PEN-1997; https://www.tackledirect.com/penn-slaiv8500-slammer-iv-spinning-reel.html. I would also recommend a Ocean Tackle International Fathom Blade Jigging Rod. Specificially Model: OTI-FB56500S; TackleDirect Code: OTI-FB56500S. This would be great for jigging yellowfin tuna. Please let us know if theres anything else we can assist you with. Tight Lines.
Submitted by:
Brendan - TackleDirect Customer Service
on October 25, 2021
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