Your success as an angler depends heavily on your fishing reel. So, you should never compromise the quality of your reel. There are a good amount and varieties of fishing reels. Therefore, it’s hard to pick a specific kind or brand of fishing reels.
There are numerous types of fishing reels for different fishing types. Spinning reels are one of them. Spinning reels are used in spinning fishing rods.
They are usually attached to a spinning rod. Have a static spool on the side of which is a wheel metal arm that hangs onto the line and swathes it onto the spool as a handle is turned. The metal arm gets detached while casting so that the line spirals openly leaves the spool, held by the cast lure.
So today’s question is Penn Battle II vs Daiwa BG: which one should you buy?
Penn Battle II spinning reels and Daiwa BG spinning reels. Both brands are very popular for their excellent quality fishing reels.
Penn Battle II and Daiwa BG are both so great about their products and their prices are close to each other too. In this case, you might wonder which one you should choose.
Penn Battle II Spinning Reel
Penn Battle is one of the best and well-known brands for fishing rods and reels. Penn Battle II spinning reel is perfect for saltwater fishing. It’s recommended by many anglers for both beginners and experienced people.
Penn Battle II spinning reel, its handle, and ball bearing are made of stainless steel. Available in black and gold color combinations. Possesses multifilament fishing lines and is long-lasting which is outstanding for saltwater fishing.
Its HT 100 carbon fiber drag system delivers a substantial drag with ultra smoothness. It was designed with solid substances and fish-fighting features.
Features
- Very enduring and high ranged spinning reel
- Its body is fully metaled, side plate, and rotor and heavy-duty aluminum bail wire provides high stability
- Fluid cranking with 5 sealed stainless steel ball bearings
- Instant anti-reverse bearing
- Its superfine spool doesn’t require any backing and is braid ready
- Line capacity rings marked at 1/3, 2/3, and full capacity
Its accuracy and longevity make it one of the most used fishing reels in saltwater. And they perform great in freshwater as well. Many anglers stated that they’ve been using the same reel for over a decade with comfort and ease.
Daiwa BG Spinning Reel
Daiwa BG is another famous spinning reel among the anglers. Their spinning reels are made from high-quality materials with a simple outlook. It’s made of synthetic and the handle is made of aluminum.
This model of the spinning reel has so many spectacular features. A high retrieve rate is one of them. It separates them from most other reel lineups and makes them perfect for high-speed lure retrieval applications.
The reel weighs 0.25 pounds and comprises a braided fishing line. They do impressive jobs both in freshwater and saltwater but work more smoothly in freshwater.
Features
- Black Anodized Machined Aluminum Housing
- Oversized Digigear system
- Solid screw-In Handle and air rotor
- Braided Line Ready Spool
- Waterproof Drag System
- Line Per Handle Turn: 37.4
The Daiwa BG is built of black anodized machined aluminum and this “Hard Bodyz” design is featured on the body and side cover. The oversized Digigear system makes it work smoother and increases its longevity.
Penn Battle II vs Daiwa BG Spinning Reel: Highlighted differences
| Penn Battle II | Daiwa BG | |
| Size | 1000 to 8000 | 1500 to 8000 |
| Build material (body & side plates) | Aluminum | Aluminum |
| Build material (Rotor and bail arm) | Aluminum | Plastic |
| Line capacity (Mono) (Model: 5000) (yd/lb) | 135/20 | 280/20 |
| Retrieve Rate | 22″ to 44″ | 28.3″ to 53.3″ |
| Weight | 8.10 to 30.20 oz | 8.50 to 30.00 oz |
| Ball Bearings (Number) | 5 + 1 | 6 + 1 |
| Ball Bearings (sealed) | Yes | No |
| Anti-reverse gear | Yes | Yes |
| Anti-reverse switch | No | Yes |
| Gear ratio | 5.2:1 to 6.2:1 | 5:3:1 to 5.7:1 |
| Braid ready spool | Yes | Yes |
| Maximum Drag Pressure | 9 to 30 lb | 4.4 to 33 lb |
| Price |
Penn Battle II vs Daiwa BG: In-depth comparison
Well, let’s compare these two in detail and then find out by this article. Not to mention, there are some significant differences between these two brands. Before we discuss that, let’s learn a little about the subjects of their principal differences.
Ball Bearings
Generally, a ball bearing is a rolling-element bearing that controls the gap between the bearing races by using balls. Ball bearings’ motive is to decrease rotational friction and to back up radial and axial loads.
Spinning reels manifest ball bearings inside the frame to provide consistency, cooperation, and constancy. mostly, the more ball bearings you have the more smoothly your spinning reel will work.
So, select a reel that will be able to carry as many ball bearings as possible. You should choose a reel with at least four ball bearings in case of emergencies.
Penn Battle II spinning reel has 5 plus 1 ball bearings while Daiwa BG reel has 6 plus 1. That’s why Daiwa BG functions smoother. Also, the Penn Battle reel has rubber-sealed bearings where Daiwa’s ball bearings are regular ones.
The fact of ball bearings being sealed isn’t a problem during freshwater fishing. But it’s a severe matter when it comes to saltwater because sealed bearings are corrosion-proof. So, your reel stays safe from corrosion.
Although, the greatest difference isn’t the bearing numbers. Instead, it’s mainly the manufacturing of the ball bearings.
Build Material
Build material refers to the materials which are used to build a certain object. Hence, the materials that are used to create spinning reels would be considered as their build materials.
Spinning reels are mostly made from either aluminum or graphite. Comparatively, aluminum frames are more powerful and more persistent than graphite. On the other hand, graphite is more lightweight and impervious to corrosion.
There is one more material and that’s magnesium. It blends the positive features of the other materials. It’s both corrosion-proof and light. Hence, it’s the best choice of all.
The body and side plates of both Penn Battle II and Daiwa BG are made of aluminum. Battle II reel’s rotor and bail arm are also metallic. On the other hand, Daiwa BG’s rotor and bail arm is plastic made.
The plastic rotor and bail arm might be very lightweight but relatively they’re neither sturdy nor stable enough.
Retrieve rate
Retrieve rate is the number of inches of the line back on the spool for every full turn of the handle depending on the line size particularized for the reel.
Even though it is possible that there will be a range of difference in the number with lines of different diameters. However, if they are close enough then the retrieve rate will also be close to the included numbers.
You might not always find the correct answer from the gear ratio. But you can know exactly how fast you can get the line back by the retrieve rate.
Between Daiwa BG and Penn Battle II, the Daiwa spinning reel has a higher retrieve rate than Penn. For instance, the Daiwa BG 5000 model’s retrieve rate is 47.4” meanwhile, the same model of Penn Battle has a retrieve rate of 36”.
The main difference between their retrieve rate is that BG has the bigger spools and diameter. It allows more lines on the spools per turn.
Line Capacity
The maximum range of line that the spool can handle without overcharging the reel is known as the line capacity. The fishing line diameter rises together with its stability. This means, higher test line takes up more space on the spool.
Mostly, line capacities are listed for both monofilament and braided lines by the reel manufacturers. Usually, the monofilament line capacity is not as high as the braided lines.
That is because the braided line is made from materials that can attain higher test in smaller diameters compared to nylon such as Dacron and Spectra fiber. Match the line capacity with the size of the fish you’re willing to catch while choosing a reel.
Since BG has large spools than the Penn Battle, naturally BG has a bigger line capacity as well. For example, BG’s 5000 model’s line capacity is almost 2x times as Penn’s.
Size
Different manufacturers set different ratings for their fishing reels so there is no certain rule for reel size. Generally, the smaller the model number would be, the smaller will be the reel.
For example, a 20 or 2000 and a 25 or 2500 reel size may look different but they can also be the same estimated size. It depends on how the processors branded their products.
A pattern of the range of fishing reel sizes is given below:
Small size spinning reels
| Reel Size | Suggested Line | |
| Mono | Braid | |
| 1000 | 2-4lb (1-2kg) | 4-8lb (2-4kg) |
| 2000 | 4-6lb (2-3kg) | 5-10lb (2-5kg) |
| 2500 | 5-8lb (2-4kg) | 5-12lb (2-6kg) |
| 3000 | 6-10lb (2.5-5kg) | 6-15lb (2.5-7kg) |
| 3500 | 6-10lb (2.5-5kg) | 6-15lb (2.5-7kg) |
Medium size spinning reels
| Reel Size | Suggested Line | |
| Mono | Braid | |
| 4000 | 8-12lb (4-6kg) | 8-20lb (3.5-9kg) |
| 5000 | 10-15lb (4.5-7kg) | 10-25lb (4.5-11kg) |
| 6000 | 12-18lb (5.5-8kg) | 12-30lb (5.5-13.5kg) |
Large size spinning reels
| Reel Size | Suggested Line | |
| Mono | Braid | |
| 7000 | 14-20lb (6.5-9kg) | 15-40lb (7-18kg) |
| 8000 | 15-25lb (7-11.5kg) | 20-50lb (9-22.5kg) |
| 9000 | 20-25lb (9-11.5kg) | braid 20lb-60lb (9-27kg) |
Biggest size spinning reels
| Reel Size | Suggested Lines | |
| Mono | Braid | |
| 10000 | 20-30lb (9-13.5kg) | 25-70lb (11.5-32kg) |
| 14000 | 40lb+ (18kg+) | 30-80lb (13.5-36kg) |
| 20000 | 50lb+ (22.5kg+) | 60lb+ (27kg+) |
| 30000 | 60lb+ (27kg+) | 80lb+ (36kg) |
Penn Battle reel sizes generally start from 1000 and Daiwa’s starts from 1500. Both of their size ranges are quite alike. Still and all, if you compare the same size of both reels side by side, Daiwa BG reel might look bigger than Penn Battle II.
Drag System
In simple words, a drag is usually a pair of friction plates that belongs inside of fishing reels. When a fish pulls on the line forcefully then the friction gets overcome and the reel gets rotated reversed.
It lets the light out and protects it from breaking. You should set the drag on your fishing reel before you cast for the first time in a day. It can be tough for you to adjust the drag while fighting a fish.
Moreover, trying to adjust the drag during fishing can damage the reel. You should have your drag too loose so that you’ll be able to fish longer. Tight drags are not very helpful during you fighting a fish.
Approximately, Daiwa BG and Penn Battle II spinning reels have similar drag systems. Both of them possess carbon fiber drags.
Gear Ratio
The gear ratio of a fishing reel is the idea of how many times the reel spool turns each time the reel handle is turned. For example, if a ratio is 7.2:1 that means the spool turns 7.2 times for every one revolution of the reel handle.
Surely, a fast gear ratio will bring your line back faster. Although, two reels with the same gear ratio can recoup slightly divergent amounts of actual line-per-reel turn depending on the spool size and the quantity of line.
Nowadays a new low profile reel has been allowed which is beneficial for the anglers. Because they are very fast and ergonomic. They also decrease fatigue and boost your fishing ability.
Normally, both of the series have almost the same gear ratios as well. Even though some small-sized reels of Penn II hold a relatively higher gear ratio than the other one.
Anti-Reverse
Anti-reverse is an attribute of spinning reels that forbids the reel from reverse twirling and occupies with the drag. Some spinning reels come with an Anti Reverse switch by which the anglers can choose if it’s engaged or not.
This system helps you “back-reel” rather than letting the drag fight the fish. It can be very convincing for catching small fishes. However, it’s recommended by many anglers not to rely on anti-reverse since it can also be a weakness sometimes.
Both Penn Battle II and Daiwa BG reels own anti-reverse gears but only Daiwa BG has an anti-reverse switch. Thus, you get the chance to backtrack with your handle with Daiwa BG.
Weight
The weight of a fishing reel varies from one another depending on the reel size. Different sized reels weigh differently. Let’s discuss the weights of fishing reels.
Small (1000 to 3500) reels are considered lightweight reels. The monofilament reels usually weigh 2-10lb (1-5kg) and the braid 4-14lb. They are mostly used for 6-7 ft fishing rods for catching small fish species.
Medium-sized (4000 to 5500) fishing reels are normally used for 6-7ft snapper or barramundi style rod and the monofilament reels weigh about 8-14lb (4-7kg) and braid weigh 8-25lb. The larger (6000 to 9500) spinning reels usually weigh 6-15kg+ (monofilament) or 12-30lb (braid).
Usually, Penn Battle and Daiwa BG spinning reels weigh similarly regarding the fact that both are made from similar materials. Even so, you might find the Penn Battle reels a little heavier than Daiwa BG reels since they’re fully metallic.
Which one to buy and why?
After comparing these two brand products one thing is clear for sure. And that is, both of them did an amazing job designing such beneficial and fascinating products. They are both made from high-quality materials and have wonderful features.
Penn Battle II spinning reel gets extra points for its well-built strong construction and great stability. It’s necessary to have these attributes when you’re fishing in saltwater.
On the other hand, the Daiwa BG spinning reel has a much faster retrieve rate. So, it becomes useful in cases of high-speed spinning applications.
Before choosing any one of them keep in mind that both of these spinning reels are first-class reels with their own characteristics and materials. They’re two of the top brands in the market. So you can surely buy any of them without any hesitation.
After a detailed comparison between the Penn Battle and Daiwa BG, we came to discover that, if one of them must be chosen, that would be Penn Battle II.
Because, other than its exceptional persistence and responsibility, it has a higher gear ratio and is able to manage bigger fish species with a maximum drag. Moreover, Penn has sealed ball bearings and it’s marvelous for saltwater fishing.
And thus, Penn Battle II wins.
Conclusion
Penn Battle II and Daiwa BG tried to provide the anglers a good fishing experience and having so many satisfied anglers we can say that they really succeeded in their target.
Each of them is exclusively designed with top-class materials. After analyzing and comparing them thoroughly, it can be gladly said that it was a fierce competition indeed which is incredible.
You can purchase either one of them depending on your own requirements and that will be great. However, if you are a freshwater angler then you might need to go for Daiwa. It’s best for freshwater fishing.
Meanwhile, Penn is an absolute gem for saltwater fishing.
