Penn Squall Schematics

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Penn Squall Reels: A Versatile Lineup for Diverse Angling Challenges

The Penn Squall family of reels has established itself as a versatile and reliable choice for anglers tackling a wide array of fishing conditions. From battling powerful offshore species to casting in the surf and managing lines with precision, the Squall series offers a range of models, each engineered with specific strengths and features. Whether it’s the robust Lever Drag, the castable Star Drag, the user-friendly Level Wind, or the ergonomic Low Profile baitcaster, Penn has designed the Squall lineup to deliver performance and durability.

This article delves into the various iterations within the Penn Squall series, highlighting their key features, construction, drag systems, and intended applications, helping anglers understand which Squall might be the perfect fit for their needs.

Common Threads: Penn’s Commitment to Quality

Across the Squall series, several Penn hallmarks are evident:

Robust Gearings: Penn utilizes durable gear materials, including marine-grade bronze alloys, stainless steel, and machined brass, depending on the model, to ensure strength and longevity.
Effective Drag Systems: The Squall reels incorporate Penn’s proven drag technologies, such as HT-100™ carbon fiber washers, Dura-Drag™, and the Versa-Drag™ system, each designed to provide smooth and reliable stopping power under various loads and conditions.
Line Capacity Rings: A user-friendly feature on many Squall spools, these rings allow anglers to quickly gauge how much line they have out or remaining, which is particularly useful during long fights or when setting lines.

Penn Squall Lever Drag: Power and Control for Big Game

The Penn Squall Lever Drag (LD) and its successor, the Squall II Lever Drag, are designed for anglers who need robust construction and precise drag control, often favored for trolling and fighting large, powerful fish.

Construction: These reels typically feature a lightweight yet strong graphite frame and sideplates to resist corrosion. The spool is generally forged and machined aluminum. Internally, they boast stainless steel main and pinion gears.
Drag System: The Squall LD series often employs Penn’s Dura-Drag™ system. This system is designed to virtually eliminate hesitation, even under extreme drag settings, providing a smooth and consistent fight. The Pull-to-Turn preset knob is a key feature on the Squall II LD, preventing accidental drag changes – you set it and forget it until intentionally changed.
Bearings: Typically equipped with 4 to 5 stainless steel bearings for smooth operation.
Key Features:
- Quick-Shift™ 2-Speed System (on select models): Allows anglers to easily switch between a high-speed retrieve and a powerful low gear, crucial when battling strong fish.
- Switch Blade™ Harness Lugs (on larger sizes): These lugs remain flush with the reel when not in use and pop up easily when a harness is needed, preventing line snags.
- Ergonomic Design: The lever drag is designed not to protrude excessively, minimizing the chance of line looping over it.
Applications: Ideal for offshore trolling for species like dolphin (mahi-mahi), kingfish, and wahoo. The 2-speed models offer added versatility for fighting larger game that requires both speed and power. Left-hand retrieve options are available in some larger sizes.

Penn Squall Star Drag: Castability and Versatility

The Penn Squall Star Drag reels, including the Squall II Star Drag, are built for anglers who prioritize casting distance and quick adjustments, making them suitable for surf fishing, live baiting, and light-duty offshore work.

Construction: These reels commonly use a lightweight graphite frame and sideplates. The main gear is often a high-strength marine-grade bronze alloy, paired with a stainless steel pinion gear.
Drag System: The Squall Star Drag reels typically feature the Versa-Drag™ system with HT-100™ carbon fiber washers. This system allows for multiple drag settings to suit various fishing conditions and provides smooth, reliable pressure.
Bearings: Often equipped with a 6+1 shielded stainless steel ball bearing system for smooth retrieves and casting.
Key Features:
- Live Spindle Design: This feature, where the spool spins independently of the spindle, contributes to longer and more effortless casts, a significant advantage for surf anglers.
- Fast Gear Access Sideplate: Allows anglers to quickly and easily access the gears and drag system for maintenance (greasing and cleaning) without the risk of losing small parts.
- Magnetic Casting Brake (on some models, notably the 15CS “Casting Special”): Provides additional control during the cast to minimize backlashes, especially with lighter lures or in windy conditions. The 15CS model also features upgraded spool bearings.
Applications: Excellent for surf fishing due to their castability. Also well-suited for casting live baits, jigging, and general boat fishing where star drag reels are preferred for their quick adjustments.

Penn Squall Level Wind: User-Friendly Line Management

The Penn Squall Level Wind (LW) and Squall II Level Wind reels are favored for their ease of use, particularly in line management, making them popular for trolling, bottom fishing, and anglers who prefer the line to be laid evenly on the spool automatically.

Construction: These reels are built with a lightweight graphite frame and sideplates. The main gear is typically a high-strength marine-grade bronze alloy, with a stainless steel pinion gear. Spools are generally forged and machined aluminum.
Drag System: The Squall Level Wind series primarily utilizes the HT-100™ carbon fiber drag system, known for its smooth performance under heavy loads and durability.
Bearings: Usually feature a 3+1 or 4 shielded stainless steel ball bearing system.
Key Features:
- Level Wind Mechanism: Automatically distributes line evenly across the spool during retrieve, which is helpful for preventing line digging and ensuring consistent casting.
- Fast Gear Access Sideplate (on Squall II LW): As with the Star Drag II, this allows for easy maintenance of the reel’s internals.
- Line Counter Models Available: Certain Squall Level Wind models come equipped with a line counter, which is invaluable for precision trolling, allowing anglers to consistently place their lures at specific depths.
Applications: A workhorse for trolling, especially when using downriggers or when precise depth control with line counters is needed. Also very popular for bottom fishing for species like snapper, grouper, and cod, where the level wind feature simplifies line management. Left-hand retrieve options are available.

Penn Squall Low Profile Baitcaster: Inshore and Heavy Freshwater Power

The Penn Squall Low Profile (LP) baitcasting reels bring Penn’s durability into a more compact, ergonomic design, suitable for inshore saltwater applications and targeting larger freshwater species.

Construction: Unlike the other Squall conventional reels, the Low Profile models often feature a Full Metal Body or an anodized aluminum frame, providing a rigid and durable core. Gears are typically machined brass or high-strength marine-grade bronze main and pinion gears.
Drag System: These reels utilize the HT-100™ drag system, delivering smooth and reliable stopping power for their size.
Bearings: Generally equipped with a 5+1 stainless steel bearing system.
Key Features:
- Magnetic Casting Brake: Offers precise control over the spool during casting, helping to prevent overruns and improve casting accuracy.
- Synchronized Drag and Level Wind System (on some models): Ensures optimal performance during both casting and retrieving.
- Line Capacity Rings: Provide a quick visual reference for line levels.
Applications: Designed for targeting tough inshore species like redfish, snook, and striped bass. They are also excellent for heavy-duty freshwater applications, such as casting large lures for muskie, pike, or trophy bass. Their increased line capacity compared to typical bass baitcasters makes them suitable for long casts with larger lures and battling strong fish. Left-hand models are typically available.

Understanding Penn’s Drag Systems in the Squall Series:

HT-100™ (High Tech 100): This is Penn’s tried-and-true carbon fiber drag material. It provides smooth, consistent drag performance across a wide range of settings and is known for its durability. Found in Squall Level Wind, Low Profile, and as part of the Versa-Drag system in Squall Star Drags.
Dura-Drag™: Used in the Squall Lever Drag reels, this system employs a special phenolic bonding agent with the carbon fiber material. This prevents premature breakdown and provides a barrier to water, ensuring smooth and reliable drag even under extreme, prolonged pressure. It’s a higher-end system designed for big game applications.
Versa-Drag™: Found in the Squall Star Drag series, this system, which incorporates HT-100 washers, allows for multiple drag configurations, giving anglers flexibility in how their drag performs based on their fishing conditions and preferences.

Conclusion: A Squall for Every Angler

The Penn Squall series successfully offers a diverse range of reels that cater to numerous fishing styles and challenges. By combining robust internal components, reliable drag systems, and thoughtful features tailored to specific angling disciplines, Penn has ensured that whether an angler is trolling offshore, casting from the beach, bottom fishing, or working lures inshore, there’s a Squall reel designed to meet the demand. The evolution into the “II” generation for many of these models further refines their performance and user-friendliness, solidifying the Squall’s place as a capable and popular choice in the Penn lineup.