Shimano vs PENN Spinning Reels: Saragosa SW A, Slammer IV and Spinfisher VII

Why a Shimano 5000 meets a PENN 4500

Neither brand's size number is a measurement. Shimano's numbers do not equal spool diameter, and the PENN Reel Size Guide ties each size to a fishing type and species without mapping it to Shimano or Daiwa. Matching by the published line ratings works better than matching by the label.

On that basis the Saragosa SW A 5000XG and the Slammer IV 4500 are close neighbors. Both turn at 6.2:1, they recover 41 in and 40 in of line per turn, and both are rated for 30 lb braid (225 yd on the Saragosa, 250 yd on the Slammer). The Spinfisher VII 4500 shares the Slammer's spool ratings but sits a tier lower on drag and price.

• Weight: Spinfisher VII 12.8 oz, Slammer IV 15 oz, Saragosa SW A 15.9 oz.
• Max drag: Slammer IV 30 lb, Saragosa SW A 22 lb, Spinfisher VII 20 lb.
• Braid at 20 lb: 320 yd on both PENNs, 245 yd on the Saragosa.
• Mono at 10 lb: 320 yd on both PENNs, 240 yd on the Saragosa.
• Bearings: 8+1 on the Slammer IV, 5+1 on the Saragosa SW A and Spinfisher VII.
• Price: $229.95 (Spinfisher VII), $324.99 (Saragosa SW A), $329.95 (Slammer IV).

Sealing: IPX8 vs IPX6 vs IPX5

This is where the brands describe their reels most differently. Shimano says the Saragosa SW A body is IPX8-rated, backed by X-Shield gaskets and X-Protect labyrinth protection, with a waterproof Cross Carbon drag. PENN rates the Slammer IV body and spool IPX6 and the Spinfisher VII IPX5, and says the Spinfisher's sealing keeps saltwater out of the gearbox and drag.

On the IP code scale, the second digit 5 covers water jets, 6 covers powerful water jets and 8 covers continuous immersion under conditions the manufacturer specifies. Because the immersion conditions for an 8 rating are set by the manufacturer, and each company states its own rating, read these numbers as each maker's claim rather than a head-to-head lab result.

Drag systems and gearing

The Slammer's higher rating at this size goes with the sealed Slammer drag with Dura-Drag, which PENN uses from the Slammer IV 3500 upward and describes as bearing supported with a wider usable range. The Spinfisher VII uses HT-100 carbon fiber washers inside a fully sealed spool. Shimano's Cross Carbon Drag on the Saragosa SW A is described as waterproof, with a wide range of settings.

Inside, both PENNs list CNC Gear Technology with a brass main gear and a Full Metal Body. The Saragosa SW A pairs a metal HAGANE Body with cold-forged HAGANE Gear and adds Infinity Drive, which Shimano says raises winding torque under load over the previous Saragosa SW.

Bigger sizes: Saragosa 8000 vs Slammer 6500

One step up, the pairing repeats. The SRG8000SWAHG and SLAIV6500 both turn at 5.6:1 and recover 42 in per turn, and they weigh almost the same (23.8 oz vs 24.2 oz). The Slammer lists 40 lb of drag against 35 lb and holds more braid (410 yd of 40 lb vs 340 yd), while the Saragosa is cheaper at $344.99 against $379.95. The Spinfisher VII 6500 comes in lighter and cheaper still, at 22.3 oz and $289.95, with 30 lb of drag.

At the heavy end, the Saragosa SW A 18000 and 20000 list 49 lb of drag and the 25000 lists 44 lb, topping out at $464.99. The Slammer IV 10500 lists 60 lb at $469.95, and the Spinfisher VII 10500 lists 50 lb at $339.95.

Verdict: Shimano or PENN, by buyer

Pick the Slammer IV if drag is the deciding number. For about the same money as the Saragosa it lists more drag and more line at both compared sizes, plus 8+1 bearings, though its weights come from retailers and its sealing claim is IPX6.

Pick the Saragosa SW A if you want the strongest published sealing claim (IPX8) and Shimano's gearing package, or if the 8000 size suits you: it is the cheaper of the two there. Pick the Spinfisher VII if budget matters most; at the 4500 it is the lightest reel in this comparison and costs least.

For lighter inshore budgets, PENN's Battle IV is compared in Daiwa BG vs PENN Battle and Battle vs Spinfisher vs Slammer. Every series from both makers is on the Shimano lineup and PENN lineup pages, and our reel size chart explains each brand's numbering.