A fishing reel is one of the most important and necessary things you need to start fishing. And Penn Battle III Saltwater Spinning Fishing Reel is one of the very best fishing reels under a relatively tight budget. Let’s talk about its features, things we like about it and some technical details. Penn Battle is renowned for its saltwater spinning fishing reels. It is one of the top brands for fishing reels and recommended by a good number of anglers.
To start fishing, you need different types of fishing tackles with you. Generally, the fishing tackles you need for fishing are hooks, lines, sinkers, floats, rods, reels, baits, lures, spears, nets, gaffs, traps, waders, etc. Besides, there are different types of fishing such as saltwater fishing, freshwater fishing, inshore fishing, offshore fishing, and so on.

The kind of fishing tackle you need varies on where you are fishing. In a freshwater fishing spot, you need a freshwater fishing rod and in a saltwater area, you need a saltwater fishing rod.
Because saltwater fishing rods are specifically made for saltwater and freshwater fishing rods are made for freshwater. Therefore, choose your fishing equipment according to the location.
A fishing reel is a part of a fishing rod which is usually cylindrical-shaped equipment. It is used in winding and stowing the fishing line. There are different kinds of fishing reel such as Fly reel, Centrepin reel, Sidecast reel, Baitcasting reel, Conventional reel, Spinning reel, etc.
Spinning reels are normally placed tightly below the fishing rod. It’s because it matches up to gravity. This is why it doesn’t require wrist strength to hold the reel in position.
It’s made of high-quality materials yet it’s very much affordable for the average anglers. Although its price is not as low as you can get comparing to the very low-budget reels. Trust me, those reels last a season or two at most. You will get it when we go to the details.
Initially, spinning reels were created to cast lightweight lures and baits better. Spinning reels can be a great alternative to baitcasters all the time. These reels are more suitable for casting lighter lures.
In addition, spinning reels are more trouble-free and beneficial for many fishermen. Although the line can sporadically get trapped underneath itself, the spinning reels do not undergo backlash.
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Penn Battle III Spinning Fishing Reel Review

Penn Battle III reels have been impressing the saltwater anglers with their supreme quality and features for years. They have numerous models of spinning reels and all of them provide great service.
This saltwater reel is very well constructed. And since it is a saltwater fishing reel, you can use it for both freshwater and saltwater fishing. Its metallic body is well suited for saltwater fishing. And it’s exceptionally stable and corrosion-free.
It is very secure and the rubber knob is comfortable to hold. You can easily spend hours fishing with this and you will not feel tired. Moreover, it is able to withstand abusive behaviors so no need to worry about its durability.
Models
Penn Battle has come up with a total of eight models. Starting from 1000 and are available up to 5000-8000 models. If your target is small freshwater fish species then the 1000 model would be perfect. On the contrary, the 8000 model is suitable for large or fast-moving species like sharks, tarpon, bonefish, kingfish, etc.
The Penn Battle III spinning fishing reel models are 1000, 2000, 2500, 3000, 4000, 5000, 6000, and 8000. Model 2500 was newly added to remove the gap between 2000 and 3000 in 2014. It is the same size as the 2000 model but with a bigger spool and rotor.
Materials
Penn Battle III spinning fishing reel is made from top-class materials. The body as well as the handle of it is made of pure stainless steel. Its side plate, and rotor, and heavy-duty aluminum bail wire make it stronger and more long-lasting.
Size
You can buy these spinning reels in three sizes: small, medium, and large. Generally, 1000 to 3500 sizes are considered small-sized, and 4000 to 5500 sizes are known as mid-sized reels. Meanwhile, the large-sized include 6000 to 30000.
The size range of Penn Battle fishing reels is from 1000 to 8000. The smaller ones are perfect for freshwater fishing and inshore fishing. And the larger reels are for nearshore and offshore fishing.
Reel Weight
Compared to the other spinning reels Penn Battle reels are a bit heavy thanks to their metal body. Their weight differes from model to model. In General, they weigh from 8.1 oz to 30.2 oz.
Gear Ratio
Gear ratio tells you how many times the reel spool turns each time you turn the reel handle. Penn Battle’s small-sized reel’s gear ratio is generally 5.2:1 and it goes up to 6.2:1 (Largest size).
It becomes easier to catch various species of fish by knowing the gear ratio of the reel you are using.
Penn Battle II also has a line capacity of 135/20 (Monofilament) and its retrieve rate is usually 22 to 44 inches per turn. The smallest reel’s maximum drag setting starts from 9 lbs and it goes up to 30 lbs on the 8000 model.
The reel is designed and made absolutely worthy of its price. The drag mechanism proves that right. The way it is well built and so tough is really impressive.
Key Features
Durable Metal Body
Its complete metal body, rotor, and heavy-duty aluminum bail wire help it to be more sturdy and long-lasting. This feature alone makes it a great choice for anglers. Thanks to the metal body you can fish with it for years.
Heavy-duty aluminum bail wire
The Penn Battle offers a heavy-duty aluminum bail wire which can help it in difficult weather. It also helps to last for a long period of time and does not let the rod get deformed.
Sealed Ball Bearings
Penn Battle II spinning fishing reel comes with five plus one ball bearings which are made of stainless steel. The main attraction is that they aren’t only made of stainless steel but are also sealed with rubber.
These sealed steel balls protect the reel from corrosion while fishing in saltwater. And it makes the reel last a long time in saltwater fishing.
HT-100 Carbon Fiber Drag Washers
The HT-100 carbon fiber drag washers ensure a powerful drag along with smoothness. The HT-100 carbon fiber drag system increases the reel’s lifespan and supplies a smooth drag while fighting a fish.
It is designed to keep permanence in mind, allowing you to pull in 100 miles of lines off the reel with no elapse on the washer. The HT-100 drag system with its drag power will give you a smooth fishing experience for a long period of time.
HT in HT-100 is the abbreviation of High Tech. By high tech, it refers to a carbon fiber laminated on fiberglass. And by 100 it indicates the 100 miles line that it is capable of pulling in.
Equipped with CNC gears
A spinning reel is all about accuracy. Hence, it has to be designed and modified with great care. Penn uses the State of Art software and CNC machinery to cut their drive, pinion, and oscillation gears from the metal.
Instant Anti-reverse Sealed Bearings
The Instant Anti-reverse Sealed Bearings get rid of the back play on the rotor while you are setting up the hook. It is carried through using a one-way bearing in the reel design.
Superline Spool
It is a very impressive feature of Penn Battle. Superline spool informs you of the number of lines you have remaining on the spool. This gear braid ready and doesn’t require any backing.
Conjointly, it has line capacity rings marked at 1/3, 2/3, and full capacity. And it has a rubber inlay on the spool. This allows you to load the spool directly with a braided line and don’t need to back it with mono.
Improved Paint Quality
The paint quality of the reels has been upgraded. This high-quality paint is durable and also protects the reel from corrosion and other chemical reactions which might be caused by saltwater.
The previous model of Penn Battle spinning reel had this issue and Penn fixed it after the problem was reported. This also explains Penn’s authenticity about their products since they took steps to solve the issue.
Other Features

Here are some other features of Penn reels-
Color | Black/Gold |
Hand Orientation | Right hand |
Fishing Line Type | Multifilament |
Here’s a chart of all Penn Battle spinning reel models with their necessary information for you so that you can get a notion of all the models by a quick glance.
Model No. | 1000 | 2000 | 2500 | 3000 | 4000 | 5000 | 6000 | 8000 |
Line Capacity (Mono)(yds/lb) | 275/2135/4105/6 | 240/4180/6125/8 | 210/8180/10165/15 | 210/8180/10165/15 | 270/8220/10165/12 | 225/12200/15135/20 | 335/15230/20210/25 | 340/20310/25230/30 |
Line Capacity (Braid)(yds/lb) | 275/2135/4105/6 | 210/8180/10165/15 | 240/10220/15160/20 | 250/15180/20130/30 | 360/15260/20185/30 | 420/20300/30240/40 | 490/30390/40335/50 | 475/50390/65345/80 |
Ball Bearings | 5 + 1 | 5 + 1 | 5 + 1 | 5 + 1 | 5 + 1 | 5 + 1 | 5 + 1 | 5 + 1 |
Maximum Drag (lbs) | 9 | 10 | 12 | 15 | 15 | 25 | 25 | 30 |
Gear Ratio | 5.2:1 | 6.2:1 | 6.2:1 | 6.2:1 | 6.2:1 | 5.6:1 | 5.6:1 | 5.3:1 |
Line Retrieve (inch) | 22 | 30 | 33 | 35 | 37 | 36 | 41 | 44 |
Weight (oz) | 8.1 | 9.8 | 10.3 | 12.3 | 12.8 | 19.8 | 22.1 | 30.2 |
Pros & Cons of Penn Battle II
Pros | Cons |
1. Comfortably carriable. 2. Very well constructed and sturdySuperline spool included which has marked line capacity rings. 3. Trouble-free drag system. 4. Instant anti-reverse included. | 1. Few of the models are slightly weighty. |
Penn Battle II Spinning Fishing Reel Alternatives
What to do if you can’t purchase the Penn Battle spinning reel? What if it’s out of your budget or simply not available? In case you’re wondering about any of these then no need to worry. Here are a few Penn Battle alternatives for you.
- Pflueger Supreme XT: Built with high-quality substances, stable and lasting.
- Daiwa Fuego LT Spinning Reel: This one is an excellent choice with high-quality reel, comfortable to carry with.
- Shimano Stradic FK: Smooth drag and great user experience as well. One of the top reel brands in the market.
- Daiwa BG SW Spinning Reel: Another one of the top-quality spinning reels. Great materials and durability.

Frequently Asked Questions with Answers
u003cstrongu003eIs Penn Battle II Spinning fishing reel sealed?u003c/strongu003e
u003cstrongu003ePenn Battle II spinning reels possess 5 plus 1 stainless steel ball bearings. The ball bearings are sealed. However, they are not completely sealed so while angling, make sure the salt water doesn’t enter the reel.u003c/strongu003e
u003cstrongu003eWhere are Penn Battle reels made?u003c/strongu003e
u003cstrongu003ePenn Battle fishing reels company is currently located in West Hunting Park Avenue in Philadelphia. They moved here in 1942 and are still continuing. Therefore, the current Penn Battle II spinning fishing reels are made in Philadelphia. u003c/strongu003e
u003cstrongu003eWhat size of Penn Battle 2 should I buy?u003c/strongu003e
There are spinning reels of different sizes. Each size is suitable for a specific environment and type of fishing. In general, compared to other sizes the size 4000 reel is usable in most situations.u003cbru003eIt’s a medium fishing reel. By with this one, you can go fishing in harbors, light offshore, lakes, rivers, bays, and so on. It’s preferable for catching Cod, Drummer, Bonefish, Morwong, Snapper, Mangrove Jack, Tailor, barramundi, mulloway, etc species.
Conclusion
Penn Battle II spinning reel is one of the very few popular fishing reels that has gained a well amount of people’s trust because of its supreme quality, exceptional durability, and impressive features. So, you can go fishing anywhere and catch perch, trout, or any other larger fish.
Since it’s not 100% sealed, be a little bit careful about that. Overall, Penn Battle has done an outstanding job manufacturing their saltwater spinning reels.
As a beginner, you should definitely try the Penn Battle III Spinning Fishing reel as it will give you a great fishing experience. And if you are an experienced angler, its drag power, drag mechanism, metallic body, high-quality paint, high-quality materials will make it one of your favorite among all the fishing reels available considering the price.