I have a penn 6500ss and 7500ss for an 11 ft surf rod 20-40lb 2 to 6 oz lure. Which reel would you go with? This would be for long island surf fishing, plugs, spoons etc for stripers, blues and whatever else may grab.

I keep thinking the 7500 may get heavy quick. My last rod was a similar but lighter rod with a 6500.

Thank you

There is a Striper/NE fishing forum that might be a better place to ask....that is mostly all they do.

Hey Justin. If you are considering the those two reels for options, I would first ask myself "what techniques will I mostly be using this outfit for". If you answer is plugs, jigs, and spoons I would definitely look at using the 6500. The 7500 i would use for more baiting purposes where you are not casting as much. Those extra ounces make a big difference when you are making multiple casts through the corse of the day. I can tell you I have woke up the next day after launching 3-4 ounce jigs all night and my shoulder is yelling at me. While utilizing braided lines with your reels you can still hold enough capacity to land a cow from shore on a 6500.

That is exactly why I was asking..

Tha ks

While I do not surf fish for those species, I do fish for 30+ pound redfish in the surf. With braid you should be good with the 6500. I use a 6500 and it is more than enough reel for large reds.

Thank you

I would be thinking, spinning reel. 4000 class with braid.
Changing from a lite plug to a 4oz spoon at night into the wind you don't have to worry about blowups
You can actually watch the water and not your reel retrieving.
4000 class reel with hold plenty of braid.

For decades the standard spinning reel sizes for an 11 foot surf rod has been reels in the 20 - 24 ounce range and that choice is based on how an 11 foot surf rod balances with a particular reel . Is that the best way to choose a rod and reel combination , some say yes and others say no . Many believe you should go with the smallest and lightest reel that has the drag capability and line capacity you need while others are adamant that with a long surf rod balance is essential so you must choose a reel that balances well when the reel you plan on using is filled and attached to the rod at the position you choose to locate the reel . Most prefer the tip section of the rod being slightly higher than the butt section when a rod with reel are attached and one balances the entire outfit on ones index finger about 6 inches in front of the reel seat .



It's all up to what's most important to each individual angler.

I do that with fly rods, never thought about it for surf. Thanks