Fish Offshore Battles with the Penn Squall Lever Drag Reel (Squall LD)
Offshore anglers, listen up! The Penn Squall Lever Drag fishing reel isn't just another overhead boat reel. This superbly crafted reel is engineered by people who understand precisely what it takes to stop hard-charging offshore fish in their tracks.
I'm talking snapper violently, shaking their heads against the drag. Tenacious Mack tuna screaming off with 150 meters of line in a blistering run. This is no leisurely day on the water; it's a battle!
When fishing offshore reefs in Australia, it's important to have a reliable fishing reel that can handle strong runs while keeping you comfortable during battle. That's where the Penn Squall Lever Drag fishing reel steps up to the saltwater war front. With a lightweight yet robust design, the Penn Squall LD overhead reel delivers the unrelenting power to stop snapper, kingfish, mahi-mahi and more in their tracks.
Crafted for Offshore Ruggedness
At the core of the Squall LD sits a corrosion-resistant graphite body and side plates, ready to withstand many sessions of saltwater fishing. An aluminium spool, stainless steel gears and four stainless steel bearings provide reliable fishing performance. At the same time, the unique lever drag system promises silky smooth yet formidable pressure from Penn's proprietary Dura-Drag tech.
Ergonomics and Control
The quality of an angler's experience depends greatly on the gear they use. Penn has considered this while designing the Squall, which features an ergonomic shape, a machined aluminium handle, and a drag lever that requires minimal effort while generating significant stopping power. Additionally, line capacity rings have been added to help keep track of how much firepower remains during long fights.
Lightweight Penn Overhead Powerhouse
Weighing in at a feather-like 535-691g for an overhead reel, the Squall Lever Drag still hauls over 9kg of unrelenting drag pressure! Thermal capacity dissipates heat buildup on extended battles with pelagics. Larger models boast higher drag strength and harness lug points for attaching a fighting belt. With a Penn overhead reel this lightweight yet packed with such offshore credentials, fishing comfort no longer means compromising strength!
Features and Specifications
- Reel Type: Overhead Lever Drag Reel
- Models: 25NLD, 30LD, 40NLDHS, 40LD, 50LD, 60LD (each sold and priced separately)
- Bearings: 4 Stainless Steel
- Drag System: Lever Drag (Dura-Drag)
- Line Capacity Rings
- Ergonomic Design for saltwater fishing
- Right or Left Hand: Right Hand Retrieve
- Frame and Side Plates: Graphite Composite
- Spool: Aluminium
- Perfect for Boat Fishing – Bottom bouncing, live baiting or light trolling
- Suitable Species: Snapper, Trevally, Tailor, Kingfish, Mahi Mahi and many other saltwater species.
Model | Ratio | Bearings | Weight (g) | Max Drag (Kg) | Aprox Mono Capacity | Approx Braid Capacity |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
SQLII25NLD | 5.3:1 | 4+1 | 535 grams | 9.1Kg | 330yds/20lb 300yds/25lb 245yds/30lb |
675yds/30lb 555yds/40lb 475yds/50lb |
SQLII30LD | 5.3:1 | 4+1 | 552 grams | 9.1Kg | 405yds/25lb 330yds/30lb 255yds/40lb |
635yds/50lb 525yds/65lb 455yds/80lb |
SQLII40NLDHS | 7.1:1 | 4+1 | 648 grams | 6.4Kg | 715yds/16lb 600yds/20lb 410yds/30lb |
1500yds/20 1125yds/30lb 920yds/40lb |
SQLII40LD | 5.3:1 | 4+1 | 563 grams | 9.1Kg | 400yds/30lb 310yds/40lb 230yds/50lb |
770yds/50lb 640yds/65lb 555yds/80lb |
SQLII50LD | 4.8:1 | 4+1 | 682 grams | 12.2Kg | 410yds/40lb 305yds/50lb 270yds/60lb |
845yds/65lb 730yds/80lb 625yds/100lb |
SQLII60LD | 4.8:1 | 4+1 | 691 grams | 14.9Kg | 355yds/50lb 315yds/60lb 225yds/80lb |
860yds/80lb 735yds/100lb 610yds/130lb |
Penn Squall LD Fishing Reel FAQs:
What size Squall LD reel is best for the species I target?
The 25, 30 and 40-size reels match light tackle snapper and reef fishing. The smaller sizes are not just suited to light tackle; they have plenty of oomph for med-heavyweights. However, it is worth considering stepping up to a 50 or 60 for big bruisers like samson fish, kingfish and tuna.
Which Penn Squall LD reel sizes are best for jigging?
The open-top design of the Squall 25, 30 and 40 size reels makes them ideal for jigging. Their lighter graphite frames and faster gear ratio allow a more comfortable and responsive jigging experience than the larger models.
The Squall 50 and 60 feature a reinforced top bar and greater weight. Their heavy-duty construction is generally better suited to live baiting and bottom fishing.
For targeting the most common table fish like snapper, trevally, sweetlips and coral trout over reefs, the silky smooth yet strong carbon drag performance of the Squall 25 to 40 has jiggers covered.
What fishing rod should I pair with my Penn Squall reel?
We recommend matching Squall reels to quality overhead boat fishing rods for optimal performance. For the Squall 25, 30 and 40 models, choose an overhead rod with a 10-15kg line rating. For the larger Squall 50 and 60 sizes, opt for an overhead rod with a 15-24kg line rating.
Why should I choose the high-speed Squall LD model?
The high-speed model, with its fast 7.1:1 gear ratio, is ideal for situations where you need to quickly pick up a line to catch fast-moving pelagic fish like mackerel, mahi-mahi or tuna. The increased retrieve rate also reduces fatigue when jigging all day over reefs.
How does the Squall LD compare to Penn spinning-style reels?
While Penn Spinning reels, such as the spinfisher, excel for casting lures, lever drag reels like the Squall LD thrive for bottom bashing, live baiting and trolling. The Penn Squall LD Reel brings smoother drag control and power, ideal for stopping hard-charging fish in their tracks during a long run. For this reason, overheads are often favoured by offshore boat anglers.
Can I fill the spool with a braided line?
Absolutely. We recommend quality braided lines designed for use in saltwater. Match the line weight to Penn Squall's line capacity guide for ideal capacity and performance. A braid then topped with a fluorocarbon leader is a popular choice.
Buy a Penn Squall LD Reel – For Australian Offshore Fishing
Thanks to robust construction paired with silky smooth retrieve and serious drag muscle, the Penn Squall Lever Drag empowers anglers targeting pelagic and bottom dwellers off the Australian coastline.
Get Yours Today from Australia's Favourite Tackle Shop
Here at Fishing Tackle Shop, we offer more than just great prices. As a family-run business operating since 2005, we provide the specialised expertise and top-notch service that only comes from a trusted local tackle shop.
Benefits of shopping with the Fishing Tackle shop:
- Access Australia's best or highly competitive fishing gear prices
- True family-business service and know-how
- Support an Aussie small business with over 19 years of fishing and shipping experience
It's no wonder we're anglers' #1 choice for ordering quality tackle online and shipping worldwide.
Buy a Penn Squall Lever Drag Reel from our online tackle shop today and experience the difference in quality fishing gear!