We have three Penn Battles. ICM is on target get the 3000. I have 2 4000 reels and they are great but a little big. We have caught numerous fish on all 3 Battles we have and I have another 3000 on order. Drag is great and any spinning reel will get wind knots. Some maybe more than others but take the info from above and hand close the bail, watch over casting and stay with the correct size line and you will be fine. Excellant choice and decent rod you are putting it on. My go to and favorite is a TFO 7'6" ML rod with the 3000 battle. I have 15lb FINS windtamer on it and it is fine. I have wind knots on an occasion and it is always from poor skill and trying to reach fish with terrible conditions and form. I se it as part of the game and it is kinda like getting stuck on the hill, if you are out there enough you will find it. Good luck.