Conventional fishing reels are widely used for seawater species like tuna, mackerel, and grouper. They are also known as overhead reels. They mount perpendicular to the rod, unlike a spinning reel mounted in parallel.
Conventional reel provides direct drive while also communicating more of the line’s vibrations. This allows the angler to know what is happening based on feel.
We offer you 11 best cheap conventional reels.
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| PENN Rival Level Wind | PENN Special Senator Star Drag | PENN Squall Star Drag | PENN Fathom II Level Wind | PENN Squall Lever Drag Reel | PENN Warfare Level Wind | TLD | TORIUM | TRINIDAD | TALICA | TIAGRA | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anti-reverse feature | Multi-Stop | Multi-Stop | Instant Anti-Reverse | Instant Anti-Reverse | - | - | - | - | - | Multi-Stop | Instant Anti-Reverse |
| Bearing count | 6 | 2 | 5 | 3 | - | - | - | - | - | 2 | 7 |
| Braid capacity yd/lb | 1075/30 750/50 625/65 | 1020/30 710/50 590/65 | 895/65 770/80 660/100 | 580/20 435/30 305/50 | - | - | - | - | - | 625/50 525/65 450/80 | 625/50 500/65 440/80 |
| Brand | PENN | PENN | PENN | PENN | Shimano | Shimano | Shimano | Shimano | Shimano | PENN | PENN |
| Color | Black Gold | Black/Silver | Black Gold | Black/Red/Smoke | - | - | - | - | - | Red/Black | Black Gold |
| Drag material | Dura Drag | HT-100 | HT-100 | HT-100 | - | - | - | - | - | HT-100 | HT-100 |
| Drag type | Lever Drag | Star Drag | Star Drag | Star Drag | - | - | - | - | - | Star Drag | Star Drag |
| Gear ratio | 5.1:1 | 3.9:1 | 3.7:1 | 5.1:1 | 6.2:1 | 5.7:1 | 6.3:1 | 4.0:1 | 3.9:1 | 4.0:1 | 6.0:1 |
| Max drag lb | 20lb | 9.0kg | 15lb | 6.8kg | 30lb | 13.6kg | 15lb | 6.8kg | - | - | - | - | - | 11lb | 4.9kg | 20lb | 9.0kg |
| Model | SQL30LD | RIV15LW | FTHII15LW | WAR15LW | - | - | - | - | - | 112H2 | SQL12 |
| Mono capacity yd/lb | 490/25 360/30 300/40 | 455/25 370/30 285/40 | 430/40 320/50 285/60 | 375/12 320/15 215/20 | - | - | - | - | - | 450/20 300/30 250/40 | 440/20 300/30 250/40 |
| Reel handle position | Left | Right | Right | Right | - | - | - | - | - | Right | Right |
| Reel size | 40 | 30 | 50 | 15 | - | - | - | - | - | 112 | 30 |
| Retrieve rate | 37" | 94cm | 27" | 69cm | 30" | 76cm | 29" | 74cm | - | - | - | - | - | 29" | 74cm | 40" | 102cm |
| Weight | 20.90 | 22.60 | 27.00 | 17.80 | - | - | - | - | - | 22.00 | 18.50 |
PENN Rival Level Wind
The PENN Rival was engineered to be an extremely versatile all-around reel at an affordable price. Features a lightweight graphite frame and sideplates with aluminum frame rings for improved rigidity to prevent frame-flex. HT-100 drag washers provide smooth drag under heavy loads. Line Capacity Rings eliminate the question of how much line you have left when fighting a fish.
PENN Special Senator Star Drag
The PENN Senator needs no introduction. First launched in 1936, the Senator Series has endured the test of time. The Senator is world- renowned for being a universal, respected star drag reel. Its rugged design allows it to be an offshore workhorse that has amassed more IGFA big game world records than any other reel in the industry.The Senator is designed to be a low gear ratio winch, it will pull anything off the bottom. HT-100 drag washers provide smooth drag under heavy loads. Stainless Steel Frame Rings Stainless steel frame rings enhances rigidity to prevent frame-flex.
PENN Squall Star Drag
The PENN Squall Star Drag is lightweight, quick on the retrieve, and extremely castable due to its revolutionary Live Spindle design. The Powerful HT-100™ drag system can put the brakes on any big kingfish or yellowtail.
PENN Fathom II Level Wind
The PENN Fathom II Level Wind's heavy duty construction and powerful gears make it a true workhorse and favorite of charter boat Captains. It is designed to handle extreme abuse day-in and day-out. Whether you are bottom-fishing or casting live bait, the Fathom II will stand up to the hardest fishing conditions. A Full Metal Body keeps precise gear alignment while the Fast Gear Access Side Plate allows for easy maintenance. The Fathom II also houses our powerful HT-100 drag system to stop any fish that bites. Available in standard, line counter and left hand models
PENN Squall Lever Drag Reel
The PENN Squall Lever Drag is lightweight and ergonomic. Made from graphite for its lightweight and corrosion resistant benefits. Stainless steel gears with a high speed gear ratio make the Squall LD perfect for nearshore trolling for kings and dolphin. Our proprietary Dura-Drag system will be there when you hook that big wahoo and he tries to smoke your reel! Left hand available in the 40 and 60 sizes.
PENN Warfare Level Wind
The PENN® Warfare was engineered to be an extremely versatile all- around reel at an affordable price. It features a lightweight graphite frame and sideplates with aluminum frame rings for improved rigidity to prevent frame-flex. HT-100 drag washers provide smooth drag under heavy loads. Line Capacity Rings eliminate the question of how much line you have left when fighting a fish.
TLD
Preferred for its light weight and reliability, this offshore leverdrag reel will give you years of dependable service.
TORIUM
The Lightweight Torium is a solidly-built star-drag saltwater reel perfect for live bait or bottom-fishing applications. Packed with features like Super Stopper, Cross Carbon Drag, A-RB (Anti-Rust Bearings) and High Efficiency Gearing (HEG), the Torium has it where it counts.
TRINIDAD
Trinidad is a name that resonates with all Saltwater Anglers. It has earned an impeccable reputation for power and reliability world wide. Our quest for the new Trinidad A was no easy task. Lighter, smaller and more compact were the key physical characteristics and they were accomplished. The performance goal was to build the best casting reel in this category. We shattered our targets and have built a reel for casting which all others will be measured by.
TALICA
The Talica is the pinnacle of the small lever drag 2-Speed market. Designed from the ground up to be an excellent casting reel with an ultra-smooth and powerful drag system to handle long battles. These reels were purpose built to take advantage of modern braided lines such as Power Pro Hollow Ace and shorter fluorocarbon leaders. We offer the Talica in 11 different sizes to tackle a variety of offshore fish from the football size tuna, to record setting class pelagic species.
TIAGRA
The Number One choice of serious offshore anglers and captains.
Thank you for viewing this TOP-11. Our site has a large selection of saltwater conventional reels from Shimano - one of the top fishing brand. If you’re unsure where to start, a bit of theoretical knowledge and real practice will help you make the right choice.
