Penn Squall Lever Drag 2 Speed Overhead Reel - 50VSW

I bought this real three months ago and have used it for bottom fishing mostly for a grouper mutton snapper and amberjack and recently have taken it offshore and have caught mahi up to 35 pounds. The drag is paper smooth and the retrieval rate is excellent I would highly recommend this real from anyone as a novice to an expert.

Classic Performer

As a Professional Sportfishing Captain on a private vessel, the owner relies on my outfitting the vessel with tackle and equipment to bring fish to the boat. PENN reels have never let me down and the owner has nothing but praise for PENN's tradition!

For serious offshore fishing, get these reels!

I switched over to the Penn SQL50VSW this year. I now own eight of them. It hasn't mattered what I've hooked up on; a 60+ pound yellowfin, a 300 pound marlin or a wiry 200 pound mako, the reel doesn't fail. For offshore fishing, I would recommend these Penn reels to everyone.

Great offshore trolling reels

Do not hesitate buying these for your trolling spread along with the offshore angler stand up boat rod! ($199). Excellent combination for trolling and bottom fishing. Same internals as an international with a graphite frame. I've experienced zero twisting or torquing with these reels even when landing 300+lb tuna.

Just as good as internationals

I had 2 50s last year and they both performed as well as their equivalent internationals. Durable with smooth drags and for half the price. Would get anything else unless I was a charter boat. Perfect for the recreational boat that can get offshore a handful of times a year. Bought 2 more 30s this season and handled big eyes well.

Lighter alternative to an International

Big, but lighter weight. Lots of drag. Lots of line capacity especially with braid. Essentially a lighter weight International at 1/3 the cost. Yellowfin, wahoo, swordfish and up to medium marlin. I'll pack it with 130 braid and wind-on and use a roller guide bent butt from the fighting chair.

Love this reel

Put some work in with it. 400+lb reef shark really tested its metal. And i would buy another without hesitation. It cleaned up quick and easy lever was smooth as well as the drag. Clicker was plenty loud. Cranked up a red grouper in low gear and it didnt even strain the handle. Great buy. If your looking at a new reel stop looking. Get the 2 speed and get it now. You wont be disappointed.

Not the biggest fan of graphite reels

You probably won't be able to see it, but graphite reels do flex, and every time it does it throws the gears out of alignment slightly, causing them to wear faster. A graphite reel will break before a machined aluminum one will for sure. I know graphite is extremely strong, but not in this case because graphite flexes just like in poles. Aluminum reels and even graphite fishing reels and rods generally last a while, but i would put my money on them. Having cousins with graphite reels complaining how when the caught a fish big enough, that the reel seized because of gears being out of place and eventually needed new internals quite fast.. This all being out of a few years use, but Nonetheless, much earlier problems than with an aluminum reel.

Penn Still Rocks

Plenty of extra spool area to hold a large volume of line. An excellent addition to compliment the backbone of my rods. Smooth and comfortable all around operation and balance...no "wobble". I'm impressed with the durability of this equipment thinking originally that the graphite frame could be a weakness. Not so! My advanced research prior to making my purchase indicated that this reel basically has the internal guts of the International Series, but at a more affordable price. I take good care of my equipment, so I'm expecting many years of dependability with the proper maintenance.

Well built, solid reel. Excellent!

I fish eight of the 30vsw in my trolling spread. I've never ever had an issue with the graphite stretching. There is simply not enough drag available ( there is plenty of drag for fishing!) to effect the graphite that is rumored to occur. The low gear is amazing and I think would crank in a tank! Spooled with 80lb spider wire braid. From wahoo to grouper, nothing stands a chance once I'm hooked up. These reels do the work of reels priced twice as much. Thank you Penn!