There are few low profile baitcasting reels that are specifically made for saltwater fishing. Penn, the household name when it comes to saltwater fishing, recently launched to low profile baitcasting reels. Among the two is the awesome looking Penn Squall low profile baitcasting reel. If the “Dark Knight” wants a new reel for fishing, this reel will best suit him.
[ It is a reel that wants to be brought into battle….. ]
Toughness And Power
When I first picked up the Penn Squall low profile baitcasting reel; the first thing that came to mind was how it felt. It did not feel as light as the low profile baitcasting reels that I am used too. It certainly is not heavy. It is not that kind of weight that I am talking about. It is the feeling; somewhat like the aura of the reel. The Penn Squall low profile felt like a boxer filled with power.
The Penn Squall low profile baitcasting reel is a dark fighter with lots of power.
The Squall low profile baitcasting reel feels like a reel that is protected with armour. It certainly looks and feel tough, and rigid. It comes with a full metal body that is made to withstand the harsh saltwater environment as well as the brutes that call the sea and oceans home.
Built To Fight
The aura of the Penn Squall low profile baitcasting reel is that of a dark fighter such as the “Dark Knight.” It is a reel that wants to be brought into battle. It comes with tough machined brass gears and stainless steel bearings to handle the toughest of brutes and water conditions. Toughness and durability certainly is part of the Squall low profile baitcasting reel’s characteristics.
The Penn Squall HS low Profile baitcasting reel. HS is short for High Speed.
Smooth Operations
When it comes to smoothness, the Penn Squall low profile baitcasting reel is a smooth performer. Although it comes with 5+1 bearings it certainly is a smooth reel. While same may understand the engineering behind this, allow me to explain why this is so.
For saltwater reels, bearings are placed at specific places where it is needed.
Bearings are one of the first parts to give way. This is because bearings take a lot of pressure as well as friction. Bearings in reels used for freshwater fishing will not be much of an issue since freshwater is not as corrosive as saltwater. Hence engineering wise, the best practise for bearings in saltwater reels no longer, “the more bearings the better.”
Another bearing that provides for smoother rotations of the spool.
With saltwater being such a corrosive agent, bearings in reels designed specifically for saltwater usage need to be tough and able to handle the torture. Despite how good they are built, they are still the weaker links in a saltwater reel.
Hence reel engineers place them only in places where they are most required, and areas where they are least affected by saltwater. Rings and washers are used in place of bearings in areas that are most susceptible to saltwater damage.
Saltwater is highly corrosive.
This is done to ensure that the maintenance and lifespan of these reels are good without sacrificing operations, smoothness, and durability. All said, the Penn Squall low profile baitcasting reels hit all the good buttons and operates smoothly despite having only 5+1 bearings.
Strong Drag
Saltwater reels certainly needs a tougher drag than freshwater reels. The Penn Squall low profile baitcasting reel comes with Penn’s long proven HT-100™ drag system. This smooth and strong drag provides a maximum drag of 24lb, which is certainly good enough to take on the brutes of the sea.
A tough reel with a tough and strong drag with a line guide capable of handling some of the toughest lines such as braided lines.
Brakes
As for braking and cast control, Penn decided to go with magnetic brakes for the Penn Squall low profile baitcasting reel. The magnetic brakes in the reel comes with 8 powerful magnets to help control the spool when casting.
Magnetic brakes to manage the spool during casts.
Sea Casting, Here We Go
The Penn Squall low profile baitcasting reel is simply one tough bait casting reel made to take on the hard fighting fishes. For those who enjoy casting lures, spoons, soft baits, etc. and have the power and toughness to manage hard fighting saltwater brutes; the Penn Squall low profile baitcasting reel certainly is a good reel go with. The “Dark Knight” will certainly approve of it.