Penn Slammer IV

The PENN Slammer IV has earned its reputation as one of the go-to heavy-duty spinning reels for anglers fishing demanding saltwater conditions, and it is especially well suited for the hard current, heavy plugs, big fish and long days associated with the Cape Cod Canal.

Built around a Full Metal Body and sideplate, the Slammer IV is designed to stay rigid under load and deliver the cranking power needed when a good striped bass turns into the current. PENN’s CNC Gear Technology, sealed drag system and IPX6 sealed body and spool make the Slammer IV a dependable choice for anglers fishing from the Canal rocks, beaches, jetties or boat.

At Red Top, the Slammer IV is a reel we recommend when durability and reliability matter more than shaving a few ounces off your setup. Whether you’re throwing pencil poppers at first light, working big soft plastics deep in the Canal current, fishing jigs on the bottom or putting pressure on a fish around rocks, the Slammer platform is built for hard use.

Slammer IV

The standard PENN Slammer IV uses a CNC-machined brass main gear and combines PENN’s heavy-duty construction with a smooth, powerful drag system.

Features include:

• Full Metal Body and sideplate
• CNC Gear Technology with brass main gear
• IPX6 sealed body and spool
• Sealed Slammer drag system
• Dura-Drag system on sizes 3500-10500
• HT-100 carbon fiber drag washers on size 2500
• 8+1 stainless steel bearing system
• Hydrophobic line roller bearing
• Spare EVA handle knob on sizes 3500-10500
• Automatic bail trip on sizes 2500-5500
• Manual bail trip on sizes 6500-10500

For most Cape Cod Canal striped bass applications, the Slammer IV offers an excellent balance of sealing, power, durability and price.

Slammer IV DX

The Slammer IV DX takes the same proven Slammer IV platform and adds several premium upgrades for anglers looking for maximum durability and longevity.

The biggest difference is the upgraded stainless steel internal gearing. Compared with the brass gearing used in the standard Slammer IV, the DX is designed to handle repeated heavy loads and hard use with exceptional resistance to wear.

The DX also adds additional bearing support inside the spool for the drag system and features its own distinctive silver-and-black appearance.

Slammer IV DX highlights include:

• CNC-machined stainless steel gearing
• Additional spool bearing support
• IPX6 sealed body and spool
• Full Metal Body and sideplate
• Sealed Slammer drag system
• Hydrophobic line roller bearing
• Premium silver-and-black finish
• Additional handle knob depending on reel size

Which One Should You Choose?

For the majority of Canal anglers, the standard Slammer IV is already an extremely capable reel and one of our favorite choices for serious striped bass fishing.

The Slammer IV DX makes the most sense for anglers who fish exceptionally hard, put a lot of hours on their equipment or simply want the upgraded stainless gearing and premium version of the Slammer platform.

Either way, you are getting a reel designed for exactly the type of fishing we see every day around the Cape Cod Canal.

Red Top Canal Tip: Match your reel size to the rod, plug weight and line capacity you actually need rather than automatically choosing the biggest reel. A properly balanced setup is much easier to fish for hours during a Canal tide.

Stop by Red Top Sporting Goods in Buzzards Bay and we can help match the right Slammer IV or Slammer IV DX size to your rod, line and the way you fish the Canal.