Is a Penn 15 too small?

[Dave Legacy]

Originally Posted by Apex

My go to rod and reel for flyline, Phenix m1 inshore 15-45lb. Paired with a Penn Fathom 15. I have landed yellowtail to 40lbs. Lucky rod caught many fish on this setup never fails... (65lb spectra to the top around 200 yrd)-plenty.

It'd go Fathom, but where I'm redeeming my credit it's not an option. I really don't know how these corporate fulfillment centers work, but the options are limited. I'm not spending cash.

Originally Posted by BIG JOAQUIN

The 15 size is great for the tasks you mention.

If possible, you might want to spring to the Fathom model as it is cast aluminum and a better all around reel compared to the squall.

The only thing i should mention is that when you step down to the 15 size is that you should also be looking at the large bait-casters like the Okuma Komodo 350/Daiwa Lexa 300/400, Shimano Curado 300 which make great 20lb reels and cast even easier than small conventionals.

Fun sizes that can handle some big fish with braid.

Good luck.

The big baitcaster is a good suggestion, but I have a Curado 300E. I also have a couple Abu Garcia C3s and a Lexa 100. I feel like I have a lot of the bass gear bases covered from spotties to XH applications (at least as far as swimbaits go). I was planning on using my C3 6500 for drifting bait for Halibut since it seems like even big halibut don't require gear that's too beefy. I'm not sure I really "need" a small star drag. =)

[Apex]

Squall is essentially the same reel as the fathom. Spins like a top and pretty versatile tool to have.

[monstahfish]

Use the 15 for everything. I've caught a pile on my avet sxj and saltiga 20 and never worried about running out of line. Big thing to think about is small tackle is not a big problem on a kayak because the boat goes with the fish. You can get on top of fish very quickly and turn it into a vertical battle. How often are you fishing deeper then 300 feet where this could become an issue? I see people lugging around huge reels and I think it's hilarious because it's so overkill.

[Dave Legacy]

Originally Posted by monstahfish

Use the 15 for everything. I've caught a pile on my avet sxj and saltiga 20 and never worried about running out of line. Big thing to think about is small tackle is not a big problem on a kayak because the boat goes with the fish. You can get on top of fish very quickly and turn it into a vertical battle. How often are you fishing deeper then 300 feet where this could become an issue? I see people lugging around huge reels and I think it's hilarious because it's so overkill.

Cool, I'm gonna get one. I'm not usually fishing very deep anyway and I like smaller reels. I have a boat load of growing boys too, so having some reels around of manageable size for smaller hands will be a good thing.

Thanks for helping me make an educated decision, y'all.

[PapaDave]

Looks like a good reel.

I use light setups all the time, Calcutta 100 or a Lexa 100. For bass, halibut, leopards and seals, works great.

Okay, maybe not on seals...

[Harry Hill]

I was a little worried the other day that the dolphin hanging out next to my kayak would grab the mackerel I was soaking and tear up my Sealine 20 but it never touched the bait, I was ready to cut the line though if it started running off with the bait.

[Mahigeer]

It will be a good bait fishing setup.

You can use it with the Ahi Bait Stick.