Penn 8500ss for football tuna

[Keepah]

I'm just wondering if anyone has used a Penn 8500ss for schoolie bluefin. I know the 9500ss was a good reel for such an application, but they are hard to find these days considering that they are no longer in production. I have a chance to pick up some 8500ss reels at a decent price and was wondering if this reel paired with a 20-40 lb spinning rod would suffice. Thanks in advance.

[kcrosby]

That reel will land some of the smaller SBFT- I have landed fish to around 60-70lbs on that outfit (don't throw that reel at the bigger pods)..Different drag than the 9500 (which is much beefier)...

[Reel-Rascals]

FWIW was at Boater's World SUN morning and they were pricing a combo special right now of that reel with a Outerbanks spinning rod for $120 ... the reel alone goes for that much, if not more

[north coast]

that reel will handle small tunas. I landed a 150 lb. bluefin on an 850 ,but it toasted the gears.have landed many in the 30- 80 lb class with it without problems. replaced the gears and reel is still in service today.

[CB Haws]

As they said an 850 will get the job done. I use 30 pound jinkai. Get some extra drag washers. I don't like getting spooled so I burn up the drags.

[Keepah]

Thanks for the replies. I took a look online at the $120 setup at Boaters World, but couldn't get very good info regarding the rod. Based on the serial numbers, it appears to be a 15-40 lb class spinning rod which seems about right. Seems like a great deal unless I'm missing something (which I usually am).

[BareCat]

We landed a 85 lb. Yellowfin with a Penn 7500 on a Tiger Ugly Stik. It took awhile but we got it in.

[BOOMER]

I just bought a 9500 from River Marine {a THT sponsor} last week. I put it on a 7' Shimano Tallus and spooled it with 65lb. Power Pro. This is a popular combo for casting poppers to yellowfins down here.

http://www.rivermarinesupply.com/xca...nn_page_1.html