Is a Penn 15 too small? - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

Dave Legacy · 01-05-2017, 11:00 AM

Hey all,

I've got some incentive points to burn at work and I was think about getting a reel to use on the kayak. There's really only a limited selection of reels, so I don't get to be picky about sizes. I was thinking about trying a Penn Squall Star Drag 15 for flylining, deadsticking, and general medium-sized tasks. The furthest south I fish is Dana Point, so I wouldn't be actively targeting yellowtail and I have a Daiwa Sealine-40 to fit that category anyway.

Is a Penn 15, rated to hold 190/20# mono, a useful kayaking reel? I searched around a bit and it doesn't seem like many favor the smaller star drags, but most of those conversations were based around an interest in YT.

If you guys use conventional non-levelwind reels this small what do you use them for and how have you line'd them.

Thanks in advance for the advice,

Dave

alanw · 01-05-2017, 12:03 PM

Probably not my first choice in reel sizes but sure, why not? 20# line or 50# braid and plenty of drag. I'd find a use for it.

Apex · 01-05-2017, 12:40 PM

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.

BIG JOAQUIN · 01-05-2017, 01:28 PM

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.

Dave Legacy · 01-05-2017, 02:41 PM

Quote:

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.

Quote:

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 · 01-05-2017, 03:47 PM

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

monstahfish · 01-05-2017, 04:52 PM

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.

01-05-2017, 11:00 AM	#1
Dave Legacy Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Hacienda Heights, CA Posts: 427	Is a Penn 15 too small? Hey all, I've got some incentive points to burn at work and I was think about getting a reel to use on the kayak. There's really only a limited selection of reels, so I don't get to be picky about sizes. I was thinking about trying a Penn Squall Star Drag 15 for flylining, deadsticking, and general medium-sized tasks. The furthest south I fish is Dana Point, so I wouldn't be actively targeting yellowtail and I have a Daiwa Sealine-40 to fit that category anyway. Is a Penn 15, rated to hold 190/20# mono, a useful kayaking reel? I searched around a bit and it doesn't seem like many favor the smaller star drags, but most of those conversations were based around an interest in YT. If you guys use conventional non-levelwind reels this small what do you use them for and how have you line'd them. Thanks in advance for the advice, Dave

01-05-2017, 12:03 PM	#2
alanw Made in U.S.A. Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Dana Point Posts: 1,625	Probably not my first choice in reel sizes but sure, why not? 20# line or 50# braid and plenty of drag. I'd find a use for it. __________________ Hobie PA 14 ¸.·´¯`·.´¯`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸><(((º> Jackson Kraken ¸.·´¯`·.¸.·´¯`·.´¯`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸><(((º> Malibu X-Factor ¸.·´¯`·.´¯`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸><(((º> Malibu Stealth-12 ¸.·´¯`·.´¯`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸><(((º> Its not a spelling B its a fishing B ~yakjoe

01-05-2017, 12:40 PM	#3
Apex Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Riverside Posts: 130	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. __________________ Louis

01-05-2017, 03:47 PM	#6
Apex Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Riverside Posts: 130	Squall is essentially the same reel as the fathom. Spins like a top and pretty versatile tool to have. __________________ Louis

01-05-2017, 01:28 PM	#4
BIG JOAQUIN Member Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: C'mont Posts: 33	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.

01-05-2017, 04:52 PM	#7
monstahfish Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Posts: 421	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.