I need a Saltwater Reds/Speck Spinning Reel/Rod Combo

[thill]

I hate when I break a rod. I've only done it a couple of times in the last 50 years, usually involving a car door and kids.
"No! Don't close that... CRUNCH"

I hope the new rod fits your needs. If you want to check out some others, check out Lew's. They make some shockingly nice rods that can be found on sale for cheap at times. Look in the Walmart clearance bin for them. The Penn rods are solid.

 

[MattA]

I need to add a few spinning reels to my arsenal. Inshore red fish and speckled trout in shallow water mostly. I’m a cheap azz overall, but will spend for good stuff. Any suggestions?

Check out kastking reels I have couple of there sharky 3 5000 really solid reels for there price. One thing i really like about them all brass gears and seeled brings. Rated for fresh and salt water

 

[loosescrew]

All of the reels we see these days are just Chinese made clones it seems.
My best or favorite reels have always been either older American made Penn reels or those still made in Japan.
My go-to saltwater reel is my Penn 650 SS, I own 10 or more of them. A few I bought back in the early 90's, a few I picked up used over the years. Most of my rods are a mix of various brands for different fishing situations.

As someone who fishes both fresh and saltwater, one of the first things look for is an all metal body. That puts the Pursuit and many other Chinese reels out of the picture.
There's nothing worse than hooking a huge fish and feeling that you don't have a real that can handle it.

From years of experience, I'd always rather fork over $80 for a good used American made Penn or Japan made Daiwa. I've tried various modern reels but always go back to my older reels.
Penn hasn't been the same old Penn now for 20 or so years.
I still surf fish with my Diawa Million Max 4000 from 1978 or so and two green Penn 710 reels.
After spending a ton of money on fancy reels with all the new gadgets I realized it was all just a waste of money and I catch just as many fish with less problems with the older tackle.

 

[thill]

This reel in the 2000 size is amazing, and bulletproof:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B017TQTZ8A/r

I have caught stripers and reds up to 50 lbs with zero issues on mine. I like them as much as my Penn, Daiwa, and more than my Pflueger reels. One thing I like most is the lack of corrosion in saltwater environments. They just hold up!

A friend has been telling me for years about these reels, and I finally tried one a few years ago, and now I wish I had listened sooner. I am slowly replacing my older, worn-out reels with these reels. I have seen no reels any smoother or more durable, and the price is very good.

 

[thill]

I just realized that I had already replied to this thread. Sorry.