Sometimes, we must decide between the “jack of all trades” option and the “one and done” option. I find that many reels fit this description when it comes to fishing reels. Some do a lot of things but none very well, while others only do one thing and do it very well.
In this Penn Slammer IV review, you’ll see a reel that focuses on being a brute-force saltwater reel and not much else.
Bottom Line Up Front:
The Penn Slammer IV is a powerful, durable, gutsy saltwater reel designed to handle severe abuse from salt spray and hard-fighting fish. It’s affordable to allow newbie anglers to access saltwater fishing with the right gear.
About The Penn Slammer IV
The Penn Slammer line of reels is known for being a sturdy and robust set of saltwater spinning reels. With the addition of the Dura-Drag system and wholly sealed body, they are one of the most popular saltwater reels in this price range.
Penn introduced the Slammer III in 2016, and it won best new product at iCast. That reel lacked many of the main features in the Slammer IV, but it was still considered the “workhorse of the event.”
The manufacturer has a long history of excellence in the fishing world, and they are a brand I’ve always respected. I may not have used Penn reels like Shimano, but I still have many years of experience wetting lines with my Penn Pursuit reel.
Specifications Model Chart Comparison
Usually, this is where I would include a chart to help break down the various models of whatever reel I’m reviewing, but in this case, the Penn Slammer IV has 13 different reel sizes, which is a plus. But, it makes it hard to put together a chart that large.
You can find a complete model comparison here.
Pros:
- Affordable for what you get
- Exceptional waterproofing increases the life of the reel
- Very high max drag ratings
- All brass CNC gearing promotes durability
Cons:
- Heavy
- Lacking balance
Where to buy:
- Buy at TackleDirect
- Check it out at Bass Pro Shops
The Penn Slammer IV spinning reel is packed with more features than ever before. Building off of Penn's proven IPX6 sealed body and spool, the redesigned Slammer drag system is built to not only be better sealed but also offer a wider range of usable drag, all while being bearing supported for extra smoothness. 
Key Features of the Penn Slammer IV
The point of this Penn Slammer IV review is to help you understand the features of this saltwater reel and how they impact your fishing. While this reel has a lot of flashy and exciting components, they’re all useless if you don’t know how to apply them.
Full Metal Body and sideplate
The point of having a whole metal body and side plate is to help keep everything aligned correctly when the reel is under pressure. When plastic or cheaper materials are used, the reel will flex, messing up the pinion and gears inside, resulting in a shorter lifespan and reduced smoothness over time.
CNC Gearing
This is Penn’s flagship feature on all their reels, and it sets them apart from the competition. Their CNC gearing technology makes all gearbox components out of brass, and since they use a CNC machining process, precision is ensured. This results in enhanced cranking power, especially when dealing with saltwater.
IPX6 Sealed Body
IPX6 is the rating this reel gets for its sealed design to prevent saltwater from accessing the internal components like bearings and gears. This is important because salt spray and water come off the line as it respools. You must have a well-sealed reel to prevent water from accessing and rusting everything out. Penn offers some of the best technology in this regard.
Dura-Drag System
The Penn Slammer III introduced the new Penn Dura-Drag system, and they brought it back to the IV model as well. This is a proprietary technology that you’ll only find on higher-end Penn reels. The manufacturer coats all the washers with Phenolic to help make the drag smoother and enhance the overall durability. This is why the drag rating is so high, even on lower model reels.
8+1 Stainless Steel Bearings
The jury is still debating whether or not more bearings equals enhanced performance, and to be honest, it’s very hard to tell the difference, but it’s still a feature. The Penn Slammer IV has eight stainless steel bearings and one anti-reverse bearing.
Hydrophobic Line Roller Bearings
This is an exciting feature that I’ve honestly never heard of, so I had to dig deep to find information about it. The bearings are coated with a special lubricant that makes them resistant to water damage. So, in addition to incredible sealing, if any water does penetrate inside of the spool, the bearings can resist it.
Oversized Knob with Backup EVA Handle
The knob on the Penn Slammer IV is ridiculous, and as soon as you put this reel in your hand, you realize that you’ve got a piece of equipment that is designed to pack a punch. It also comes with a smaller backup EVA handle if you’re finessing smaller fish in canals or inland lakes and ponds.
Buying Criteria: Choosing Your Spinning Reel
Understanding the reel’s features is excellent, but knowing how to choose a reel based on that is essential. One of the most important things I’ve learned from testing over 25 reels is not to think too hard about it.
All the reels in this price range will perform well, hold up for a long time, and likely meet your expectations. Only people with experience tearing down reels could tell the difference between some features.
Anyway, let’s get into it.
Features
Would you look at that? Features are the first thing. You want to look at the features of a reel and see what it brings to the table. A lot of what you read can be nonsense that won’t impact your ability to catch fish.
For that reason alone, I only discussed the various features that I think will impact the reel’s performance in a way that will make catching fish easier and more enjoyable for you.
Be sure to go for reels that offer bang for your buck. If you’re paying for a premium reel, you should expect that reel to be loaded with premium features.
Brand
The brand is essential because it plays a significant role in the quality of the reel you get and the customer service you experience if you have an issue. Penn has been around since the 1930s. They have a strong reputation. They’re not going to let you down.
I strongly recommend shopping with major brands like Penn, Shimano, Daiwa, and Pflueger. When you purchase a reel from these brands, you know you’re getting something of quality and not a cheaply made product from a company that’s just reselling gear.
Gear Ratio
The gear ratio is something that a lot of anglers struggle to understand, but it’s very important in saltwater fishing. Gear ratio refers to how many revolutions the spool takes for each crank on the reel.
In the case of the SLAIV4500, it has a 6.2:1 gear ratio. This means that each time you turn that handle, the spool will spin 6.2 times.
Why does that matter? A higher gear ratio means you won’t have to crank as much to get the fish back to the boat; this works great for smaller fish because they don’t put up as much of a fight, and you won’t be as fatigued if you’re reeling in a lot of fish.
When it comes to saltwater, a lower gear ratio can be better because it’ll put less pressure on the drag and allow the fish to tire itself out without overworking the reel.
Weight/Size
I mentioned the weight and balance of the Penn Slammer IV to be a con, and I still believe that it is. It’s a heavy reel, no doubt about that. But, sometimes, reels designed to pack a punch will be heavy. The biggest problem I have doesn’t necessarily come from the weight but the balance of the reel.
I find that the reel is set so far from the blank that it makes it feel heavier than it is. Now you have a reel in the 10-12 oz range, and it sits on the rod like a lump and pulls it down because it’s so far away from the blank. I’d like to see them center it a little closer and shorten the length of the foot.
Alternatives
Comparing the reel to similar alternatives is a great way to understand how the features stack up against other options.
Shimano Stradic FL
The Stradic FL is one of my favorite reels from my favorite brand. This reel is more affordable than the Penn Slammer IV, offers many of the same features, and is much lighter. That said, it doesn’t have the guts of the Slammer. The drag racing is much lower and is not as well equipped to handle the salt.
If you want something more affordable and versatile in canals, lakes, and rivers, you’ll want to go with the Stradic FL. If you’re strictly focused on offshore saltwater fishing, you’ll want to stick with the Slammer.
Continue reading our complete Stradic FL Review.
Penn Battle II
The Penn Battle II would be considered a “budget” reel from Penn. It’s priced at around $100, so it’s a third of the price of the Slammer, but you get a third of the features you would expect. They’ve got a lot of great oversized saltwater models, and they come with a full metal sealed body and proprietary Penn technology.
One feature I love about the Battle that you don’t see in many newer models is the Superline spool. It comes with line capacity rings to show you how many lines you have remaining on the spool. This is an excellent feature for offshore fishing as well. The Penn Battle II is a great alternative if budget is your main issue.
FAQs
Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about the Penn Slammer IV.
Answer: There is a 10500 model size of the new Penn Spinfisher V. It’s designed for heavy offshore fishing and can hold its own in any situation.
Answer: Penn is a top 5 fishing brand across the world and they hold records and top rankings in various fishing tournaments.
Answer: There are several Penn reels designed specifically to prevent saltwater corrosion with the Pursuit, Battle, Slammer, and Spinfisher being the most popular options.
Final Thoughts
To wrap it up, the Penn Slammer IV is one of the best saltwater reels in its price range. It’s built to last and can take quite a bit of abuse; what more could you ask for?
I recommend looking at some of the product pages, reading a little more about it, and then taking a dive and picking it up. Good luck out there!
The Penn Slammer IV spinning reel is packed with more features than ever before. Building off of Penn's proven IPX6 sealed body and spool, the redesigned Slammer drag system is built to not only be better sealed but also offer a wider range of usable drag, all while being bearing supported for extra smoothness.
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