Let?s back into it and see what we come up with.
Couldn't find any data on how fast a Permit can swim, but found out that a Tuna is good for 40mph.
40 mph X 5280 ft/mi x 12 in/ft / 60 min/hr = 42240 Inches per minute
42240 in/min / 16000 rpm = a spool with a circumference of 2.64 inches.
2.64" / pi = a spool .84" in diameter.
So your typical Hardy standard arbor reel, just prior to getting spooled, would be turning at 16,000 rpm with a 40mph tuna on the other end.
Don't know how fast a permit is in comparison to a Tuna, but from what I understand they are a pretty fast fish.
So the claim isn't entirely unreasonable.