Penn Squall II Star Drag Reels Review

Tough to beat

Tremendous Penn quality at an approachable price point. This reel has performed exceptionally well this summer, whether 80-' deep on the Nantucket shoals, 50' deep at Red Church or 20' deep in Indian River Bay, this reel has gotten it done on summer fluke from 2-7lbs (haven't gotten a real toad yet - lol). It is super easy to set-up and use, my wife and son had zero issue navigating… read more when they picked it up. It is typical Penn bullet-proof quality, with very smooth and efficient retrieve. Drag is super responsive and easy to adjust. It's not quite the "micro" which seem to be all the rage, but this reel will get it done and I doubt anyone would be disappointed.

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Great reel

I use this reel for catfishing in Minnesota. I have the size 15 lefty with the magnetic brake. Really smooth casting out bullheads. I haven't caught a monster with it yet. I'm about to make another purchase soon or a second rod. Highly recommended

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Great bottom fishing reel

Great reel for the money.. can't go wrong with penn... built right and lasts many season

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These reels are amazing

I have put hundreds of hours on this reel without a hiccup.

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Value for money

Great price excellent customer service and quick shipping. What can I say reel is a Penn works as advertised and this is the 3rd reel of this model I have added to my collection to surf fish OBX NC.

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Fine Successor to the Old Mag 525

It took quite a while for this reel to come in (about six weeks), but it was worth the weight. I have a vintage Mag 525 on a Breakaway USA rod; and I bought this one for the Tsunami 11' foot rod that I will be casting bait and weight with. The reel retains the best of the old 525 with some nice improvements, including a metal gear handle, more granular casting control, and the reel… read more arbor which can take braid directly. Because I'm casting bait and weight, I spooled with 20 lb mono.

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Best bang for your buck!

I have several Penn Fathoms, Avet's both single and 2 speed, and Shimano Reels for west coast offshore fishing. While these are all top of mind on the party boats, don't overlook the squall series. For decades, penn 500's and 4/0 were the industry standard and put more fish on the deck than all the new reels combined. Modern tech has improved tremendously, and while other reels… read more have grabbed the spotlight, the Squall series should not be overlooked, especially at this price point. I have the 25 specifically for an 8ft jig stick, fishing 40# yoyo irons and the newer jigs. For this application, it works wonderful! Plenty of capacity, drag is more than enough for this application, great casting ability AND light weight! It is much more comfortable to fish all day compared to my all aluminum reels that cost 3 times the price. Its nothing fancy, but its smooth, reliable, and just plain works!! All for a cost that anyone can afford. If I was going to list a reel that is the replacement for the historic penn line, the squall is the little engine that could. Use this for what it is designed for, and you will be a satisfied angler. I would call it the best value out there. Will it withstand 100# braid fishing for Cow Tuna? NO, that is not what its designed for. If you want a reel that is light and easy to fish - on a set up from 20-40#, cover you for 1/2 to full day trips, this is a slam dunk. Easy to fish, easy to cast, easy to pay for - a win/win/win

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Awesome surf reel!

I own 2 Penn Squall II 15’s , and they both are some of the smoothest reels I’ve ever casted! Very compact and has an adjustable mag system to prevent backlash.

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Amazing little reel!!

I have 2 Penn Fathom's in the 12 and 15 size and love them - I needed another, but in LH retrieve. I wasn't sure I would be as happy with the squall II but man, I was blown away! This reel is pretty much exclusive to a 20# setup for local west coast party boats. The fathom meets these needs in spades, but the squall II is not the "step down" I was expecting. Still has 20# of smooth… read more drag, casts just as well as the fathom. While the fathom has a metal frame and side plate, this reel is all "Plastic" which saves weight and in a 20# class reel, is more than rigid enough. For 40+ years, the Penn 500 and squidder were standard gear on any boat - This is a squidder for today! Small enough to palm like a bass reel - strong and smooth enough to tackle yellowtail and football tuna. Can cast a Tady 45 like a dream. I have found that I like this every bit as much as my fathoms. I will still grab the fathom for 30 or 40# duties - but for a majority of summertime fun with 20#, this will be more than enough. 300 yrds of 30# backing with a 20# leader...Even battled a 30 lb bluefin this fall with it and it never missed a beat! For the price, you can't go wrong!!

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Strong reel

First time have the left handed reel, very good reel for casting

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Great surf casting reel

I used this reel with a 14ft AWAF casting rod for Pompano fishing. The reel casts like a dream and has held up well.

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Hooked on casting reels!

Went catfishing 2 weeks ago on the Potomac river with this reel (1st time fishing with a casting reel) and was very impressed with how easy it was to cast once I got it set up.

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Nice reel. Easy casting

Size 15 is small but easy to cast - no backlash. Great live bait reel. Should be able to handle tuna up 60 lb.

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