Cheap Spinning Reels for Bluefin Tuna

There are some cheap spinning reels that can be used to fish for bluefin tuna. If you don't want to pay $500 or more for a Shimano or Daiwa, take a look at Penn, Okuma and Kastking. You might be surprised.

Let's talk about Penn spinning reels. The biggest is the Authority but it's around $600. The Penn Slammer and Spinfisher are 2 reels that can tackle tuna and not break the bank. The Slammer runs about $260 - $380 depending on the model. The Spinfisher VII runs around $180 - $290. Which is a bargain.

Penn Slammer Model 10500 Features

• Full metal body and side plate
• CNC gear technology with brass main gear
• IPX6 Sealed body and spool design
• Sealed Slammer® drag system with Dura-Drag™ (Sizes 3500-10500)
• HT-100™ carbon fiber drag washers (Size 2500 only)
• 8+1 stainless steel bearing system
• Hydrophobic line roller bearing
• Spare EVA handle knob (Sizes 3500-10500)
• 10500 Max Drag 60 lb.
• 10500 Max Line Capacity 845 yards of 50 lb. braided PE
• MSRP $379.99

Penn Spinfisher Model 10500 Features

• IPX5 Sealed body and spool design
• CNC gear technology with brass main gear
• HT-100™ carbon fiber drag washers
• 5+1 sealed stainless steel ball bearing system
• Full metal body
• Superline spool
• Model 10500 Max Drag 50 lb.
• Model 10500 Max Lina Capacity 845 yards of 50 lb. braided line
• MSRP $289.99

Okuma makes some really nice reels like the Makaira series. These are the top of the line but cost $600+. The Salina II is a big heavy duty saltwater spinning reel.

Okuma Salina II 14000 Spinning Reel Features

• Rigid and corrosion resistant LITECAST construction
• Carbonite high output Dual Force Drag (DFD) System with Cal’s drag grease
• Multi-disc drag adjustment for more precise settings
• Even Flow Roller System with DLC coating
• Gear stabilization design
• 6HPB + 1RB corrosion resistant stainless-steel bearings
• CRC: Corrosion resistant coating process
• Dual anti-reverse: Quick-Set and ratchet system
• HDGII: Corrosion resistant, High density gearing II
• Precision machine cut brass pinion gear
• Manual bail trip function for ultimate reliability
• Machined aluminum, 2-tone anodized spool
• Machined aluminum, screw-in handle
• Machined aluminum, 2-tone anodized round knob
• Max Drag 44 lbs.
• Max Line Capacity 500 yards of 40 lb. braided PE line
• MSRP $289.99

Kastking is well known for inexpensive or cheap fishing reels. I did quite a few reviews on some of them and they are pretty good. They are very popular, and people love the reels. Let's take a look at one of their big spinning reels, the Kapstan Elite Saltwater Spinning Reel.

Kastking Kapstan Elite Saltwater Spinning Reel Model 8000

• The Kapstan Elite Spinning Reel is rated at IPX6.
• 15 EverSeal rubber rings to prevent water from entering the main gear.
• KastKing Intrusion Shield System, featuring grease-sealed labyrinth grooves, minimizes rotational friction while ensuring a reliable watertight seal.
• Sizes 3000/4000 have an ultra-smooth triple-disc carbon fiber drag system and 30lbs max drag
• 5000/6000 have a quad-disc carbon fiber drag system with 40lbs max drag
• 8000 have a special double drag system, that consist of five front carbon fiber discs and one oversized spool carbon disc, to provide 55lbs max drag. Perfect for reeling in big game fish.
• Max-strength CNC aluminum frame construction.
• Sizes 3000/4000 have a carbon fiber rotor for strength with reduced weight.
• Sizes 5000/6000/8000 have a CNC Aluminum Rotor for extra-strength and power fishing.
• Each Kapstan Elite reel is equipped with 6 double-shielded stainless steel ball bearings that provide a superbly smooth feel even in rough conditions.
• Plus, one special-designed polymer roller bearing that is high-strength and never rust
• An 8-pin stainless steel one-way bearing to prevent the flywheel from reversing.
• Best-in-class HRB 90 high strength aerospace alloy pinion gear with manganese brass gear guarantees extreme durability and a smooth operation. These heavy-duty gears are 20% more durable than Aluminum and 95% more durable than zinc alloys.
• The high-capacity CNC aluminum spool is designed to be "Braid Ready" so there is no need to back braided line with mono line when spooling.
• Max Line Capacity 475 yards of 50 kb. braided PE line
• MSRP $199.99

Here's a real review on the Kastking Kapstan Elite from an owner of the reel.

"I bought this reel for tuna fishing, especially as a popping reel. It's been on the boat 4 times and reeled in numerous yellowfin upwards of 75lbs. It's a beast of a reel but a little too heavy for my taste. It's a fully sealed IPX6 reel and works flawlessly. It'll hold about 400 yards of 65lb braid and has a 55lb drag. It'd make a decent jetty reel too as it casts a mile.
I posted it next to my pocketknife to show the size. These go for $199 new. I'd put them up against a dogfight or stella with regards to durability and drag."