Penn SQLII125DLH Squall II Star Drag Reel

Penn SQLII125DLH Squall II Star Drag Reel

by Penn
Price: $169.95
Model
TD Code
Mono Cap. (yds/lb)Braid Cap. (yds/lb)BearingsMax DragGear RatioLine RetrieveWeightHand RetrievePrice
SQLII12SDLH
PEN-1881
430/10
295/12
250/15
560/15
455/20
345/30
720lb6.1:129in15.30ozLeft$169.95 USD
Penn Squall II Star Drag Reels are conventional reels made with lightweight graphite frame and sideplates. These reels cast like a dream with their revolutionary live spindle with free floating spool design by Penn. Angler friendly with Penn's fast gear access sideplate allowing for easy access. The Squall II Star Drag Reels by Penn are designed to handle everything from light duty offshore conditions to surf fishing.

  • Versa-Drag system with HT-100 washers
  • Stainless steel pinion gear
  • High-strength marine grade bronze alloy main gear
  • 6+1 shielded stainless steel ball bearings system
  • Graphite frame and sideplates, Fast Gear access side plate
5 Stars based on 14 reviews
By Joe
Media, PA
Tough to beat
August 30, 2022
Tremendous Penn quality at an approachable price point. This reel has performed exceptionally well this summer, whether 80-' deep on the Nantucket shoals, 50' deep at Red Church or 20' deep in Indian River Bay, this reel has gotten it done on summer fluke from 2-7lbs (haven't gotten a real toad yet - lol). It is super easy to set-up and use, my wife and son had zero issue navigating when they picked it up. It is typical Penn bullet-proof quality, with very smooth and efficient retrieve. Drag is super responsive and easy to adjust. It's not quite the "micro" which seem to be all the rage, but this reel will get it done and I doubt anyone would be disappointed.
Pros
  • tough
  • smooth
  • responsive drag
Cons
  • a little 'big' for what it does
By Nick
Minneapolis
Great reel
August 19, 2022
I use this reel for catfishing in Minnesota. I have the size 15 lefty with the magnetic brake. Really smooth casting out bullheads. I haven't caught a monster with it yet. I'm about to make another purchase soon or a second rod. Highly recommended
Cons
  • I had to take it apart when I first bought it because the frame wasn't cleaned out from the mold. Took about 5 mins to fix it.
By Joe D.
prospect PA
strong reel
August 7, 2022
reel handles great offshore with powerful reeling of blackfish and large fluke. smooth and great retrieve.
Pros
  • lightweight reel
By Nick
Odessa, DE
Great bottom fishing reel
August 4, 2022
Great reel for the money.. can't go wrong with penn... built right and lasts many season
Pros
  • Smooth and easy to use
Cons
  • Little heavier then some of the other models in this price range
By Andrew
Port Orford, OR
These reels are amazing
July 25, 2022
I have put hundreds of hours on this reel without a hiccup.
By Vince
Keezletown Virginia
Value for money
May 27, 2022
Great price excellent customer service and quick shipping. What can I say reel is a Penn works as advertised and this is the 3rd reel of this model I have added to my collection to surf fish OBX NC.
Pros
  • Quality for price
Cons
  • First conventional reels I have owned and there is a learning curve.
By Ron D.
Staten Island, NY
Fine Successor to the Old Mag 525
May 12, 2022
It took quite a while for this reel to come in (about six weeks), but it was worth the weight. I have a vintage Mag 525 on a Breakaway USA rod; and I bought this one for the Tsunami 11' foot rod that I will be casting bait and weight with. The reel retains the best of the old 525 with some nice improvements, including a metal gear handle, more granular casting control, and the reel arbor which can take braid directly. Because I'm casting bait and weight, I spooled with 20 lb mono.
Pros
  • An actual improvement over the predecessor Mag 525.
  • Metal Gear/Free Spool shift level.
  • More Granular Cast Control.
  • Modern arbor to allow direct affixing of braid.
Cons
  • Six - to - eight-week wait time for shipment.
By Kris
SoCal
Best bang for your buck!
April 18, 2022
I have several Penn Fathoms, Avet's both single and 2 speed, and Shimano Reels for west coast offshore fishing. While these are all top of mind on the party boats, don't overlook the squall series. For decades, penn 500's and 4/0 were the industry standard and put more fish on the deck than all the new reels combined. Modern tech has improved tremendously, and while other reels have grabbed the spotlight, the Squall series should not be overlooked, especially at this price point. I have the 25 specifically for an 8ft jig stick, fishing 40# yoyo irons and the newer jigs. For this application, it works wonderful! Plenty of capacity, drag is more than enough for this application, great casting ability AND light weight! It is much more comfortable to fish all day compared to my all aluminum reels that cost 3 times the price. Its nothing fancy, but its smooth, reliable, and just plain works!! All for a cost that anyone can afford. If I was going to list a reel that is the replacement for the historic penn line, the squall is the little engine that could. Use this for what it is designed for, and you will be a satisfied angler. I would call it the best value out there. Will it withstand 100# braid fishing for Cow Tuna? NO, that is not what its designed for. If you want a reel that is light and easy to fish - on a set up from 20-40#, cover you for 1/2 to full day trips, this is a slam dunk. Easy to fish, easy to cast, easy to pay for - a win/win/win
Pros
  • LOW COST
  • light weight
  • great free spool for casting
  • good drag for up to 40#
  • LOW COST
  • Amazing value
  • Multiple sizes to fit most needs up to 40#
  • Did I mention LOW COST?
Cons
  • In this price point, there are no cons. If this reel was 600$ we could list some, but at a little over $150 bucks - its solid!
By Eric
Jacksonville FL
Awesome surf reel!
April 13, 2022
I own 2 Penn Squall II 15’s , and they both are some of the smoothest reels I’ve ever casted! Very compact and has an adjustable mag system to prevent backlash.
Pros
  • -lightweight
  • -durable
  • -smooth
  • And would recommend to anyone new to casting conventional.
Cons
  • -none
By Kris
SoCal
Amazing little reel!!
March 25, 2022
I have 2 Penn Fathom's in the 12 and 15 size and love them - I needed another, but in LH retrieve. I wasn't sure I would be as happy with the squall II but man, I was blown away! This reel is pretty much exclusive to a 20# setup for local west coast party boats. The fathom meets these needs in spades, but the squall II is not the "step down" I was expecting. Still has 20# of smooth drag, casts just as well as the fathom. While the fathom has a metal frame and side plate, this reel is all "Plastic" which saves weight and in a 20# class reel, is more than rigid enough. For 40+ years, the Penn 500 and squidder were standard gear on any boat - This is a squidder for today! Small enough to palm like a bass reel - strong and smooth enough to tackle yellowtail and football tuna. Can cast a Tady 45 like a dream. I have found that I like this every bit as much as my fathoms. I will still grab the fathom for 30 or 40# duties - but for a majority of summertime fun with 20#, this will be more than enough. 300 yrds of 30# backing with a 20# leader...Even battled a 30 lb bluefin this fall with it and it never missed a beat! For the price, you can't go wrong!!
Pros
  • Light Weight
  • Great Free spool and casting
  • Super Value and Low Price Point
  • Great internals and drag
  • Small Palm Size with enough line capacity to fish 20#
  • Deck scratches don't show like the aluminum fathom
Cons
  • I know I can fish heavier with a fathom - keep this reel in its proper zone and it will do everything you want it to
By jason
san jose, california
strong reel
January 6, 2022
First time have the left handed reel, very good reel for casting
By Edan
Florida
Great surf casting reel
October 17, 2021
I used this reel with a 14ft AWAF casting rod for Pompano fishing. The reel casts like a dream and has held up well.
Pros
  • Smooth
  • Easy to cast
  • Fast retrieve
  • Hold a good amount of line
  • Durable
Cons
  • None
By Leon
Randallstown, MD
Hooked on casting reels!
May 8, 2021
Went catfishing 2 weeks ago on the Potomac river with this reel (1st time fishing with a casting reel) and was very impressed with how easy it was to cast once I got it set up.
Pros
  • Easy to cast once I got the magnetic cast control and spool tension set up.
By West F.
Westminster, CA
Nice reel. Easy casting
October 29, 2020
Size 15 is small but easy to cast - no backlash. Great live bait reel. Should be able to handle tuna up 60 lb.
1 Question & 1 Answer
Lawrence Moebius
from NY asked:
April 18, 2022
I do not see this model on Penns web site. They only offer left handed penn squall II reels that are bigger. I want to make sure these specs are accurate
1 Answer
Lawrence, the specs were provided directly from Penn. The 12 and 15 are nearly the same size reel, and the 12 will just have a slightly narrower spool. Please let us know if you have any other questions or concerns in regards to this reel.
Submitted by: Brian - TackleDirect Customer Service on April 19, 2022

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