Best Tuna Fishing Reel for the money in 2019. Tried, tested & reviewed

Image	Name	Top Choices	Latest Pricing
	1. Gomexus Saltwater Trolling Reel	Our Favorite	Amazon
	2. Penn Squall Lever Drag 2 Speed Reel	Premium Pick	Amazon
	3. Shimano Tiagra A50 2 Speed Reel	Great Value	Amazon
	4. Penn International VISX 2 Speed Reel		Amazon
	5. Daiwa Saltiga 5500H Spinning Reel		Amazon

Pricing of these Tuna Fishing Reels Range Between $220-$1,140

Gomexus Saltwater Trolling Reel Review

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The Gomexus Saltwater Trolling Reel is anodized aluminum machined and offers increased performance to both professional and beginner anglers. The aluminum construction indicates it’s durable and sturdy. Besides, it’s also built with stainless-steel parts, so resistant to corrosion and rust. The drag system on this reel is smooth because it features both roller and ball bearings. More than this, the reel can be used at 2 speeds and has a very good spool capacity. Its maximum strike range is 50 pounds or 22.6 kg.

The Gomexus Saltwater Deep Sea Reel has exceptional trolling and casting capabilities. Its strong drag leaves fish without any power in a fight. This reel is built to withstand the negative effects of saltwater and to balance any fishing rod. The fish that it should be used for the most for are Salmon and Tuna. It doesn’t matter if the fishing trip is inshore or offshore, this reel performs just as good. Besides, it has a silky smooth and versatile design, so it’s suitable for many types of rods.

The warranty on the Gomexus Saltwater Trolling Reel is 1-year limited. This means that if the reel comes with any defects in workmanship or materials, it can be sent back to the company for a refund or replacement.

Pros

• Anodized aluminum machined
• Resistant to corrosion
• Smooth drag
• Powerful
• 2 speeds
• Good spool capacity
• Saltwater can’t damage it
• Easy to use
• High quality
• Both roller and ball bearings

Cons

• Expensive
• Heavier than other reels
• It easily slips

Penn Squall Lever Drag 2 Speed Reel Review

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The Penn Squall Lever Drag 2 Speed Reel is perfect for saltwater anglers, also for both beginner and professional fishers. It provides a lot of power in a fight, not to mention it’s lightweight and resistant to corrosion because it’s built in a graphite frame, also aluminum machined making it a great saltwater fishing reel. This means it can resist even in the most difficult saltwater conditions. Because it features stainless-steel pinion gears and mains, it offers the smoothest cracking when under a lot of stress.

The Penn Squall 2 Speed Reel is built with the Dura-Drag technology, so it’s more reliable and doesn’t pull hooks or pop lines. Being treated with a phenolic agent, it ensures a smooth drag and prevents the carbon fiber materials from breaking down too early. Its spool is heavy-duty and perfect for saltwater. This reel features and a 2-speed system that allows the angler to shift from an increased retrieval speed to a low cracking one. The speed can be changed without having to let go of the handle.

The bearings on the Penn Squall Lever Drag 2 Speed Reel are made from stainless-steel. This reel is smoother as a result of the Double-Dog anti-reverse technology that it features. Besides, when using it, the angler can easily adapt the movement to the one of the pray because the speeds change rapidly.

Pros

• 2-speed system
• Dura-Drag technology
• Heavy-duty spool
• Graphite
• Lightweight
• Corrosion resistant
• Stainless steel pinion gears
• Stainless-steel bearings
• Double-Dog anti-reverse technology
• Versatile

Cons

• Expensive
• Only available in the right-handed version
• 2nd speed may no longer work after many uses

Shimano Tiagra A50 2 Speed Reel Review

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The Shimano Tiagra A50 2 Speed Reel marks the start for fishers who enjoy the big game because it’s solid, smooth and durable. It features an anodized aluminum frame that keeps the reel’s mechanism in order and is resistant to the negative effects of saltwater. The Tiagra has a Hagane body that’s rigid and resistant to impact. This Hagane body can turn the action and strength of the angler straight into power. Besides, this reel has a counterbalance handle that makes it easier to use when striking a fish.

The Shimano Tiagra reel features a floating drag plate and a dual drag disk, which means its drag surface is doubled. Its 2 speeds are very efficient when having to fight monsters like Swordfish or Marlin. These innovations offer superior smoothness and add more drag options. Weighing 83.4 ounces or 2.3 kg, this reel is not too heavy. Its mono capacity is 50 lbs/ 600 yds or 226 kg/ 548 m, while as far as its maximum drag goes, this is 28 pounds or 12.7 kg on strike and 37 pounds or 16.7 kg on full.

It can be said the best features of the Shimano Tiagra A50 Reel are the 2-speed system, the LRS style, the monogrip handle, the location switch and the ratcheting lever drag. Some anglers like its line retrieval on both high and low speeds. This is 37 inches or 0.93 m per revolution on high, and 15 inches or 0.38 m per revolution on low.

Pros

• Smooth
• Durable
• Sturdy
• Anodized aluminum frame
• Resistant to corrosion
• Counterbalance handle
• 2-speed system
• Good line retrieval
• Affordable
• Powerful

Cons

• Heavier than other reels
• Rigid
• Can be uncomfortable to change the speeds

Penn International VISX 2 Speed Reel Review

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The Penn International VISX 2 Speed Reel is made in the USA and very precise. Besides, it weighs only 32 ounces or 0.9 kg in the smallest version and offers a lot of power. High-quality and stainless-steel machined, this reel has been designed with durability in mind. More than this, it features the Dura-Drag system, so it provides a smoother drag, even when the conditions are extreme. Its body and side-plates are made from anodized aluminum, also resistant to corrosion and rust.

The main and pinion gears on the Penn International VISX 2 Speed Reel are made from stainless-steel as well. This reel features a 2-speed system that makes it more versatile and easier to use. Besides, it also features the Double-Dog ratchet anti-reverse technology that makes it smoother regardless of how big the catch is. Both professional and beginner anglers can use it for Tuna, Salmon and bigger fishes like the Swordfish. It has a very fast retrieve when pulling from the deep and changes speeds very rapidly.

The maximum drag on the Penn International VISX 2 Speed Reel is enormous. The smallest model offers 40 pounds or 18.1 kg, while the larger one 60 pounds or 27.2 kg. When it comes to gear ratios, these start at 5.1:1/1.8:1 and end at 3.5:1/1.3:1 in the larger reels.

Pros

• Resistant to corrosion
• High-quality
• Lightweight
• Stainless-steel machined
• Durable
• Stainless-steel pinion gears
• Double-Dog anti-reverse
• Smooth
• High maximum drag
• 2-speed system

Cons

• High maintenance
• Can feel a little bit rigid
• Noisy

Daiwa Saltiga 5500H Spinning Reel Review

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The Daiwa Saltiga 5500H Spinning Reel features 6 bearings made from stainless-steel. Its frame and side-plate are made from aluminum. The knob is touch grip, while the drag is built in the Ultimate Tournament design. The bearing system doesn’t have an anti-reverse roller bearing or a Mag Seal because it uses the ratcheting anti-reverse that makes it not need the roller bearing. Besides, the bearings of this reel are built with a technology that makes them resistant to corrosion.

When it comes to the speed reels on the Daiwa Saltiga 5500H Spinning Reel, these don’t feature the usual teeth that go inside each other. They’re the Helical and angled type, which means that when they meet, they go through the whole surface and after, they turn to the set that comes next. This offers increased power and a smoother reel. The casting brakes on this Daiwa reel are centrifugal, so if the spool is at a higher speed, the tabs in the system extend and make contact with it to slow it down.

The Daiwa Saltiga 5500H Spinning Reel has a lever drag that can be adjusted and preset. As far as the handle goes, this is round and long, featuring rubber for better grip and more control. This is a durable reel built with high-quality materials, not to mention powerful and smooth.

Pros

• 6 stainless-steel bearings
• Aluminum frame
• Ultimate Tournament drag
• Ratcheting anti-reverse system
• Resistant to corrosion
• Helical Cut Gears
• Centrifugal casting breaks
• Adjustable lever drag
• Lightweight
• High-quality

Cons

• Very expensive
• Not very versatile
• Needs to be used with a heavier rod