PENN Squall II Lever Drag Rod & Reel Combo: OutdoorHub Review

For greater than a 12 months now, I’ve been utilizing a PENN Squall II Lever Drag Combo for fishing offshore round Florida, primarily within the Atlantic, with a few journeys to the Gulf with it. This particular combo I’ve been utilizing is the 60 Dimension Squall II with the 6ft Heavy Energy 30-80lb rated rod. A lot of the journeys I’ve been on have been for trolling offshore to chase after pelagics like tunas, mahi, and perhaps a wahoo. With occasional journeys to go backside fishing whereas focusing on snapper and groupers. So after a 12 months within the salt and tons of drag being pulled on the reel, let’s see the way it held up.

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What It’s Made For – PENN Squall II Lever Drag Rod & Reel Combo

It is a greater, heavier-duty typical combo, constructed particularly for fishing off a ship. I’d name this a purpose-built trolling combo for backside fishing. The lever drag is ideal for straightforward adjustment as you arrange your trolling unfold. A big line capability, with braid backing to monofilament topshot, and 33 lbs of max drag make this combo a really succesful setup for focusing on most pelagics.

Specs and Options – PENN Squall II Lever Drag Rod & Reel Combo

• Bearings – 5 Stainless Metal Ball Bearings
• Gear Ratio – 4.8:1
• Max Drag – 33 lb
• Mono Capability – 325/0.71 290/0.76 205/0.89 (M/MM)
• Braid Capability – 860/80 735/100 610/130 (M/LB)
• Rod Sort – Typical
• Rod Grip – EVA and Plastic Combo with Aluminum Gimbal Butt
• Energy – Heavy
• Motion – Quick
• Rod Size – 6′
• Rod Items – 1 Piece
• MSRP – $329.99

Rod Construct & Efficiency – PENN Squall II Lever Drag Rod & Reel Combo

The PENN Squall II Rod is a single-piece tubular glass clean completed with a strong tip, leading to a really stout rod with first rate sensitivity. The heavy energy of the rod offers it loads of spine for muscling huge fish in a struggle. The grip of the rod consists of two elements: a slick plastic butt that ends in an aluminum gimbal butt to lock right into a rod holder, and a formed EVA foregrip that helps forestall the rod from twisting within the hand whereas preventing a fish. The Dura-Guides on the rod have a curler tip and a primary information to assist cut back line put on, whereas the remainder of the guides are rugged however a bit primary. The reel seat is graphite, however itis pretty beefy in comparison with another graphite reel seats I’ve seen.

Ranking: 7/10

Combo Stability & Ergonomics – PENN Squall II Lever Drag Rod & Reel Combo

As a combo, the stability of stout heavy energy Squall II glass rod works properly with the 60 dimension Squall II reel, supplying you with loads of energy to muscle absolutely anything that’d you’ll need to hook as much as. Whereas it’s not the lightest combo, that’s not an enormous concern whereas trolling. The slick plastic butt of the rod makes slipping the combo out and in of a rod holder, even underneath load, straightforward.

Ranking: 7/10

Sturdiness & Saltwater Resistance – PENN Squall II Lever Drag Rod & Reel Combo

I’m okay with how the combo has held up during the last 12 months offshore. There are not any main indicators of corrosion harm, apart from among the screws on the tip curler information rusting. Although that might be on me, not rinsing the setup totally after getting again to the dock too late. Most elements of the reel and rod are graphite, so corrosion isn’t a significant concern, although I did have a difficulty with the reel clamp. Typically, I don’t use any thread locker on these and haven’t any points, however on the final journey, whereas preventing fish, the reel clamp nuts backed off, and one obtained misplaced. Is that this a deal breaker? No, however it’s inconvenient.

Ranking: 6/10

Fish-Preventing Energy – PENN Squall II Lever Drag Rod & Reel Combo

This combo is a lot sturdy to struggle absolutely anything underneath 200lbs, excluding sharks. It’s greater than able to turning tuna, with us catching a ton of 30- to 50-lb tuna on it whereas fishing the Gulf Stream off Mayport. The glass rod is a lot sturdy and has simply sufficient give to assist buffer when the fish determine it’s time for a loopy run. The reel has loads of drag at 33lbs max drag, and the decrease 4.8:1 gear ratio offers you loads of torque to simply bulldog fish.

Ranking: 8/10

Worth for Cash – PENN Squall II Lever Drag Rod & Reel Combo

For its sheer fish-fighting means, the PENN Squall II Combo is a strong worth. This explicit combo is available in at $329.99 with smaller fashions beginning at $280. As middle-of-the-road trolling combos, these are strong, rugged choices that ought to maintain up season after season with correct upkeep. I don’t see many combo choices on the market with the identical degree of options as this in the identical value level. I’d advocate these for anybody seeking to get into trolling or simply to broaden their combo lineup.

Ranking: 8/10

Closing Verdict – PENN Squall II Lever Drag Rod & Reel Combo

General, I’d say the PENN Squall II Lever Drag Rod & Reel Combo is a strong selection for the cash and is within the buy-again territory. It has loads of power in each the rod and reel and is a really succesful setup, as evidenced by the killbox above. For a lever drag providing, the worth is admittedly right here with the combo for trolling. So should you want some new trolling setups for the spring with out breaking the financial institution, I say look no additional. Although I do say it’s for backside fishing, it’s as much as you. The lever drag isn’t that huge of a deal for dropping baits to the underside, the place you usually lock your drag. Additionally, the combo is a bit heavier than what I’d usually use for snapper and grouper, however that’s my private choice, and it doesn’t imply it gained’t work.

General Ranking: 7/10

Eugene L.

Author for AllOutdoor.com and OutdoorHub.com Lifelong angler that may fish for something that swim, firearms fanatic, and hunter. Instagram – mrfish49