Shimano Baitrunner D vs Penn Spinfisher LL

I'm in the market for a baitrunner/live liner type of reel. I've heard various things (both positive and negative) about the drag and reliability of both the Penn Spinfisher Live Liners and Shimano Baitrunners Ds. I'm torn between these two and would love your advice!

I love my Shimano Baitrunners. Enough drag to catch pretty much everything you can target in norcal. Mine has been very reliable, but I do service them every winter. The only down side is that they are relatively heavy, so not fun to jig for rockfish after a few hours.

I have both, they’re both great but the Shimano has a better fine tuning rear drag system. But the penn has more drag. If I’m slow drifting a live bait in the current I prefer Shimano.

Uhhh...thunnus...carbon fiber...very pretty, I have a 4000 and it is apparently a beast of a reel.

Is the secondary drag on the Spinfisher light enough for trout? I'm leaning a bit more towards the SSV because they're a bit more waterproof and there have been times when my gear has taken a dip while kayaking. But someone please correct me if I am wrong on that.

@Eddie I watched a Youtube video on the reel and really want one. Then I looked at the price tag and died insides a little

Is the secondary drag on the Spinfisher light enough for trout? I'm leaning a bit more towards the SSV because they're a bit more waterproof and there have been times when my gear has taken a dip while kayaking. But someone please correct me if I am wrong on that.

@Eddie I watched a Youtube video on the reel and really want one. Then I looked at the price tag and died insides a little

It is super smooth and all that but I realize I coulda took and step down and been happy.  That receipt is long hidden and gone...I forget the budget my beautiful wife gave me at that time and I think I justified an upgrade.  Sorry bout the pain, I will fish it well on your behalf...shimano is top notch as you know anyhoo

Is the secondary drag on the Spinfisher light enough for trout? I'm leaning a bit more towards the SSV because they're a bit more waterproof and there have been times when my gear has taken a dip while kayaking. But someone please correct me if I am wrong on that.

@Eddie I watched a Youtube video on the reel and really want one. Then I looked at the price tag and died insides a little

it’s light on the penn, like if a fish bites n move you’ll notice ... but the Shimano is way lighter . Fish bites, fish doesn’t notice... both are good.

Slacked tide knows....goin' sturgie with the jiggy....

Need to go pump some ghost next Sunday hopefully Monday stays cherry...

I just purchased a Spinfisher LL. I'll let you guys know how it goes! Thanks for all of the advice

Just an update for anyone debating over the same reels. I purchased the Penn Spinfisher 4500LL and I think I made the right call. It’s very smooth, more water resistant, and $50~ cheaper on Amazon. The clicker isn’t very loud and the secondary drag isn’t light enough for sensitive fish like trout. But those two issues aside it’s an excellent reel.