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Looking for bass fishing gear can sometimes be a bit tricky. People often don’t have the time to go out and test new stuff that may or may not work. Furthermore, searching for a reel for striper fishing might be time-consuming.
Striped bass is a huge fish that requires exceptional and high-quality gear to capture. And for that reason, we believe that the Penn Squall Levelwind is the best reel for striper fishing.
Its design and construction provide anglers with the power and performance they need to handle these fish, while its smooth drag system ensures that every fight is an exciting one. Compact and lightweight, it is easy to take on any striped bass fishing trip, making it the perfect choice for anglers who want the best experience.
However, there are a number of different striper reels on the market, and not all of them are manufactured by Penn. While the Penn Squall Levelwind is a good reel for striped bass, there are other options available that may be a better fit for your needs. In this article, we will take a look at four other different striper reels that are worth considering for your next striped bass fishing trip.
1. Penn Squall Level Wind
The graphite frame and side plates on this striper reel allow power and durability but keep the reel lightweight. There’s no added weight but only that of the fish you catch. It weighs about 20.09 ounces.
The main gear is made of marine-grade bronze alloy and adds strength to the whole piece. Plus, the high-strength stainless steel pinion gear allows smoothness and ease of use at all times.
The Penn Squall Levelwind has a unique HT-100 drag feature that makes it an ideal choice for bass fishing. The HT-100 drag is a smooth and consistent drag system that provides the power to handle big fish. The HT-100 drag also prevents fishing line breaks, which can be a common problem with other bass fishing reels.
It’s equipped with an anti-reverse system as well as the 2+1 shielded stainless steel bearing system.
This one is used by many professionals around the world, so its quality and durability are well-tested.
Lastly, there are two gear ratios available on the Squall Level Wind, 4.0:1 and 4.9:1. The benefits of these gear ratios are that it gives anglers more options when it comes to what speed they’re fishing at and how much power they need. The 4.0:1 gear ratio is great for finesse fishing at slow speeds, while the 4.9:1 gear ratio provides more power for anglers when they need it, such as when fishing for larger fish.
2. SeaKnight Rapid Saltwater Spinning Reel
It features the stainless ball bearings and a thicker main shaft. On top of that, its carbon fiber high quality drag system has 15kg/33lb drag allowing you to catch some of the largest fish.
It’s produced with the latest technologies and impressive craftsmanship noticeable at first glance. The 10+1 shielded stainless steel ball bearings allow smooth action and effortless operation.
The SeaKnight Rapid Saltwater Spinning Reel has two gear ratios, 6.2:1 and 4.7:1. This is an important feature to have because it allows you to fish in a wider range of situations. The 6.2:1 gear ratio gives you a fast, smooth retrieve when you need it, while the 4.7:1 gear ratio provides more power for those big fish.
It features a sealed aluminum spool and rotor structure which protects the gearing from sand and water. It’s fast, durable and has enough power to tackle most of freshwater and saltwater fish such as Walleyes, Northern Pike, Bass, Catfish, and Stripers.
Lastly, the SeaKnight Rapid Saltwater spinning fishing reel goes well with the KastKing SuperPower Braided Fishing Line, which is strong and durable. This combination ensures that you’ll have a smooth, consistent experience when casting and reeling in your catch. The SuperPower Braided Fishing Line is also abrasion resistant, so it can withstand the wear and tear of fishing in saltwater conditions.
3. Ugly Stik Striper Round Combo
This combo is ideal if you want to dedicate a reel and rod to use just for striper fishing. It’s a durable and robust combination of quality components that guarantee smooth performance.
It features the Ugly Stik clear tip that provides more sensitivity and strength. It’s great for large fish, but because it’s as sensitive, you’ll feel even the slightest strike of a smaller fish.
The Ugly Tech construction is made from graphite and fiberglass and is well-balanced. The one-piece Ugly Tuff stainless steel guides provide durability and allow you to use all kinds of lines, including braided.
The rod also features the brand’s Clear Tip that’s designed for sensitivity and extra strength. The reel has a double paddle aluminum handle and two ball bearings. It’s a size 20 line counter reel with an on/off bait clicker.
4. Abu Garcia Ambassadeur Striper Special Baitcast Reel
It’s engineered for smoothness featuring three stainless ball bearings. It also has one roller bearing for additional ease of use. The Carbon Matrix drag system is consistent and provides low-friction drag while reducing line breakage.
It features a 6-pin centrifugal brake that uses constant pressure allowing the most precise cast. Its extended bent cranking handles provide additional cranking power for all those massive fish, striped bass include.
This one is built upon the Swedish round reel platform and with proven high-quality components. It’s durable and can take a beating, but most importantly it can endure some of the most extreme saltwater conditions.
5. Para USA Penn Z Series Spinning Reel
It features a full metal body with graphite side plates. The combination of high quality materials results in a durable construction that’s ideal for heavy fish. All the metal components and gear are precisely machined to deliver precision and strength.
The Para USA features an HT-100 carbon fiber drag system that’s powerful but still smooth and easy to work with. Another few pieces worth mentioning are the pancake handle and the three shielded stainless steel ball bearings.
All the components are sealed and protected from water, but make sure to rinse the reel after fishing in saltwater. It’s durable, sturdy, and equally as suitable for fish smaller than striped bass.
Buying Guide: Reels for Striper Fishing
Eels
Eels are easy to find, store and keep alive. It’s one of the best choices for striper fishing because, for some reason, striped bass cannot resist the lure. These are especially suitable for nighttime fishing.
Records take by the state, and IGFA show that the majority of fish have been caught on eels during nighttime. You can use them in deep water on fishfinder or 3-way rights. However, lobbing them into rocky areas without additional weight is also a good idea.
Diamond Jigs
Diamond jigs are a classic lure that’s effective in deep water with a strong current. These are shiny, long and look like butterfish, herring, menhaden, and squid.
It’s a good choice for when you’re fishing deep because their weight and shape allow them to reach the bottom quite quickly. You should free-spool it to the bottom and then lift the rod tip sharply. Many lures come with treble hooks.
Mackerel
These are among the best baits for stripers from Cape Cod through southern Maine. Hook the bait upward through the upper jaw and throw it along the rocks or under a foam float.
The best way is to live-line them with or without a float. Throw it around exposed rocks where the big bass is lurking to find injured or confused baitfish.
Parachute Jigs
This one doesn’t really look like anything striped bass would be interested in until you see how it behaves under water. The parachute should be jigged to make the reverse skirt flare. This way, the lure imitates a squid or large baitfish.
Choose white, pink or chartreuse parachutes for best results with herring, shad, squid, and menhaden. Use darker colors such as black and purple for sea bass, scup, and cunner. These lures can be trolled up to 40’ or 50’ without weight.
Menhaden
Live bait can be slow trolled or drifted if you hook them crosswise through the nose. You can use treble, circle, and single Octopus hooks for this one.
If you opt for chunking, try to hide the hook inside the bait in a way, so the fish doesn’t see it. The natural slime coating and color of the dead bait make a huge difference in getting the fish to eat.
Scup
Live scup is an excellent choice especially during midsummer since that’s when other large species are quite rare. Scup has to be over the legal size limit.
Rig them on a fishfinder or a 3-way rig with an 8’ leader and a circle hook. Hook it through the lips and make sure to drift it in deep water. Fish usually gather over hard-bottom areas so try and focus on that area.
Large Surface Swimmers
Goo Goo Eyes, Danny Plug, and Gibbs Casting Swimmer are traditional wooden plugs. They’re old but still quite effective.
It’s a good choice when the bass is feeding on herring, menhaden, and squid near the surface. They wiggle similarly to a wounded baitfish when you retrieve them slowly. Plus, the wide profile is easy for the bass to spot in turbulent water.
Choose dark purple and black for nighttime and yellow, rust orange and white for daylight.
Tube & Worm
Tubes come in many colors and lengths, but the most popular are 18’’ and 24’’ versions. The best colors to go for are black, red, and fluorescent.
These are trolled on wire or 4-pound lead-core line. It allows the lure to get close to the rocky bottom of the area. They work the best when you troll them slowly. Still, the best way to use them is with a seaworm on the rear hook. This emits natural scents and attracts the target.
Bunker Spoons
This one imitates large menhaden, shad or a herring. It’s best to use in schools of these fish. Use them on wireline and troll them very slowly around the outskirts of schools and rocky bottom areas.
Large spoons, otherwise known as mega-spoons, work well around river mouths at the time herring return to the ocean at the end of the spring spawn.
Soft Plastics
These are the most effective around rocks, in rips and similar turbulent zones. Use them only where the fish are feeding below or near the surface. Go for the biggest size to attract the attention of big fish.
It’s best to use them on a 7’ medium-action rod while you slowly retrieve them. You can try a faster retrieve if you notice the fish is more aggressive.
FAQ: Reel For Striper Fishing
Are There Surf Rods and Reel Combos Available for Striper Fishing?
Yes, there are certain reels and rods that work great for striper fishing. The Zebco Quantum Optix is a great choice. This rod and reel combo is better suited for surf fishing because the Quantum Optix allows anglers to make longer casts.
What Size Reel is Good for Striper Fishing?
The recommended size for striper fishing is 4000 to 5000 with a medium power rod.
Final Thoughts on the Best Striper Fishing Reels
Striper fishing is always exciting, especially after a few successful casts. More so, if you use the right equipment and lure, you can go home with a trophy fish sooner than later.
However, for such adventures, you need a reliable stripier fishing reel that’s explicitly designed to tackle big fish such as striped bass. Buying a reel isn’t always as simple especially if you’re a beginner. For this reason, we recommend the Penn Squall LevelWind as one of the best choices.
Still, it’s up to you to decide which of the five best reels for striper fishing would work the best for you. For best results, make sure to consider your needs and preferences before you make the final decision.
Josh Hassell
There's nothing better than going out to the lake early in the morning, and catching some fish! Like many other anglers, I find fishing to be very therapeutic. I've been fishing since I was about 10 years old, and fell in love ever since. I hope to share my expertise and knowledge with the community, and help everyone become better anglers.
