8 Best Tuna Reels
Carla Arbuckle
Whether we like it or not, fishing is an equipment reliant sport. In one way or another, the reel you are using is going to stress you out if it cannot keep up with the skill you possess. That is why we are going to help you step up your game today.
Say goodbye to the stress of having lousy fishing reels! With a fish as big as Tuna, you must never settle for reels that cannot withstand the fight. We have collected and tested the best deals of reels to help you out in choosing the perfect one for your next adventure.
Check these reels out.
8 Best Tuna Reels
1. SHIMANO TLD Reels
2. Penn Squall LevelWind
3. Penn Squall Lever Drag
4. Penn Rival Level Wind Conventional Fishing Reel
5. KastKing Rover Round Baitcasting Reel
6. Sougayilang Line Counter Trolling Reel
7. One Bass Fishing Reels
8. Okuma Cold Water Linecounter Trolling Reel
SHIMANO TLD Reels
This Shimano TLF reel is made of four stainless steel ball bearings, gears, main shaft and spool, and a body composed of titanium and graphite. The lever drag is programmable and suits well for live bait fishing, especially with its free spool feature. This reel assures you a smooth drag with its affordable price ranging from $150-$200. To increase corrosion resistance, the bearings were treated to be anti-rust. They now last ten times longer in high salinity environments than the usual stainless steel ball bearings. This reel is lightweight, making it easy to shift. It is recommended for a wide variety of bluewater species like Tuna and Striped Marlin.
Pros
- Affordable
- Easy to use
- Lightweight
Cons
- May not suit left-handed users
Our Take
It really upholds the Shimano quality. This reel is very hardworking and easy to use. Even when fishing Tuna, the drag was flawless and could not get any more smooth. While I have not yet seen the wonders of the increased corrosion resistance, I am excited to see how long the anti-rust bearings will last. A safe projection for this product’s lifetime is around 20 years, which makes its price worth it. It is truly money well spent.
On top of that, it is also amazing how lightweight this reel is. Considering the power and strength it holds to be able to drag fishes like Tuna, I would have expected it to be on the heavier side of reels. There are also different size options, depending on what suits your needs. If you want to have an even lighter one, you can opt to buy one size down. The only challenge when using this reel is when you are naturally left-handed. It is not made for left-handed use, but when one gets the hang of it, it is easy to use. After all, it isn't very easy to look for a reel made for left-handed users. Overall, it is a pretty impressive reel. It is not hard to consider this one as my favorite.
Penn Squall LevelWind
This reel is made of a lightweight graphite frame and side plates. It has a bronze main gear and a stainless pinion gear that make the reel high in strength and durability. The drag system it has is made of HT 100 carbon fiber that results in a powerful drag without having to compromise smoothness. The reel has two stainless steel ball bearings and one that serves as an anti-reverse bearing to stop rotor back play. For less than $150, this Penn Squall Level Wind reel will last long and will help you throughout your fishing adventures! It is easy to use and very reliable.
Pros
- Affordable
- Lightweight
- High quality
- Easy to use
Cons
- May not suit left-handed users
Our Take
The first thing you will notice about this reel is its beautiful look and how lightweight it is. When it comes to fishing and buying fishing gears, not everyone is an expert. It will take some time before you get the hang of using a certain equipment. That is why I commend this particular reel because of how easy it is to use despite your level of expertise. This is not only good for a long-time fisher, but also to those who would like to come along with him or her for recreation. It helps with those anglers who do not know yet how to manually level the line while retrieving. The free spool tensions have clicking sounds that aid you in determining how much adjustments you have made and how much more you need. It is very smooth when dragging, something that would be helpful, especially if you are eyeing a heavy catch. The reel has a good quality of materials overall and has not shown any problems after a few months. For its price point, this reel delivers a kind of performance you would expect from high-end ones. It truly resonates with the Penn quality and would be very suitable for Tuna fishing.
Penn Squall Lever Drag
This Penn Squall Lever Drag 2-Speed is made of graphite, which is a lighter material compared to what is used in reels that are available in the market. This also makes the reel corrosion resistant. It comes in three most popular big game sizes. The drag systems and technology used in the Quick-Shift 2-Speed and Dura-Drag have been transferred down to the Squall platform.These features eliminate snags and hesitation despite extreme drag settings. Its double dog ratchet system lessens the tendency of the handle from reversing. Sold at less than $350, this reel is a real investment that will last you a lifetime.
Pros
- Durable
- Lightweight
- High quality
- Non-rust and corrosion resistant
Cons
- Expensive
Our Take
From its looks up to its performance, this reel is exemplary! Spending several hours fishing can be tiresome. The strain on your arms and shoulders can truly give you discomfort even days after your activity. One of the contributors to this strain is the weight of the equipment you are using. This reel is lightweight, especially considering its capabilities. It is because the material used is graphite. Another advantage of this product is the fact that salt water cannot destroy it. It is corrosion-resistant, and rusting is not a problem. This reel is easy to use. It is suitable for fishers who have been in this sport for long or even just for beginners. When engaging in big game fishing, it is important to have a reliable reel that can take on any fight that you may have with your catch. I can say that this reel is able to stand by the strong pulls of big fishes like Tuna. Having to pay around $345 for this reel, I had big expectations. I am glad to say that Penn never fails to bring out the quality they have always been known for. This is truly an investment, and if you take care of it well, it will last you long.
Penn Rival Level Wind Conventional Fishing Reel
This Penn Rival Level Wind Coventional reel is friendly to your pockets. For less than $50, this reel was made to cater to your versatile fishing style and needs. It features a lightweight frame made of graphite and side plates with an aluminum frame to improve rigidity and certainly avoid frame-flex. This assures a smooth drag despite heavy weighing loads because of its HT-100 drag washers. This reel also has line capacity rings so that you will always be on track of how much line you have left amidst the fight with your catch. This is made to be all-around and versatile and is surely a steal for its price.
Pros
- Very affordable
- Has a depth tracker
- Good quality
Cons
- Not for quite heavy fishes
Our Take
This reel is basically the low-end alternative to Penn’s Squall series. The similarities in their designs show that it was based on those models. This reel basically has retained the quality of the Penn international 965, only that it is encased in a cheaper body to make it affordable. This product is impressive for its price. The depth counter it has is very helpful because you need no more guessing how deep you are going. It is a useful feature that is well thought of, something that can be considered as a steal for a reel that costs $50. This has worked well for fishes weighing around 30-40lbs., while it is not exactly made for those beyond those digits. Perfect for gift-giving, especially those who are only starting to have interests in fishing. I would highly recommend this to my friends who want to have a piece of good equipment while staying on their budget. It definitely has stood by the Penn quality. Repurchasing in the future!
KastKing Rover Round Baitcasting Reel
The Kastking Rover round baitcasting reel has been improved by thicker and harder anodized aluminum side plates, CNC machined spool, and brass gears that have been formed with precision. To step up its durability and corrosion resistance, this reel is enforced with all alloy flawless level wind, a stainless steel worm gear which is the first in the industry, and a stainless steel shaft. It also assure you of a smooth drag because of its superior carbon fiber drag system. Its newly designed Cymbal Washer system lets you have a smooth drag up to 30 lbs. This reel is built to last and are made with functionality and quality. The handle is made with EVA foam that improves your grip and hold. All these for only $69.99. Grab one now!
Pros
- Very sturdy
- High strength
- Amazing drag
- Cheap
Cons
- Not lightweight
Our Take
Upon arrival, the first thing I have noticed is how well they package the reel. It came in a presentable box and also a nice cloth for future storage. Inside the box was a schematic, which tells us every part of the product and its designated place. This is helpful because after using it for long, a reel would usually need replacement on some parts and that piece of paper can come in handy. The weight of this reel is a bit heavier than I thought, but it is very strong and sturdy. Even the spool looks amazing! It is gold in color and thicker than ones I have had before. The drag of this reel is excellent. I did not have any worries about the reel being unable to take the weight of my catch. This is an ideal reel when fishing for Tuna and other big fishes. It is also easy to grip and hold because its handle is comfortable and not hard. It is a steal for its price! For less than $70, you have a reel that will help you out in your fight with the big fishes. I would highly recommend!
Sougayilang Line Counter Trolling Reel
This reel is very powerful and high quality – a steal for its price! For only $65.99, it has a double dog ratchet system that prevents the handle from reversing. Its multi disc carbonite drag system offers a consistent stopping power with smoothness and extra durability. The spherical handle it has will withstand the harsh saltwater that it is usually exposed to for years.
It also has a depth control feature which lets you know how much line you have left. This gives you a better gauge at how deep your lure is at the moment. This reel is easy to use and to set up, giving you more time for the actual fishing spree. A 3-year worry free warranty also comes with purchasing this reel! Any kind of service you might be needing will be covered by the company.
Pros
- Good grip
- Has a depth indicator
- Affordable
Cons
- Plastic clicker button is not very sturdy
Our Take
This reel performs very well! Especially if you are working with a tight budget, this one is for you. For only $65.99, you have a good performing reel that works great even for deep, bottomfishing. This is because it has a line counter, or a depth indicator that gives you a good gauge of how much line you have left. The oversized handle also makes in very easy to grab and hold onto. I find this particularly helpful because it is a feature that is oftentimes underrated. Having a bigger handle gives the user a better control of the entire thing. It was non-slip and even when there were splashes of water, I did not have a hard time taking a hold of it. The reel is very sturdy, something that surprised me for its price point. One more good thing about this product is the customer service the company offers. Offering a 3-year worry free warranty is a huge weight off of the customers’ shoulders since reels are usually exposed to heavy duty jobs. Overall, this reel has met my expectations and I would recommend it to my friends.
One Bass Fishing Reels
If you are looking for a high quality reel that fits your tight budget, you have found the right one! This reel uses a multi-disc carbonite drag system that gives the user consistent stopping power and durability. It also uses 14 stainless steel ball bearings one stainless steel roller bearing that are able to withstand the harsh saltwater environment throughout the years.The reel is also ergonomic with its handle, making everything perfectly fitting in your hand. The frame is made of aluminum that offers excellent durability. It has a flawless drag system as it utilizes the best aircraft brake material. Dragging with this reel is always smooth and clean. On top of all this, the company offers a 3-year worry free warranty that covers services you might need in the future.
Pros
- Affordable
- Sturdy
- Durable
Cons
- Not lightweight
Our Take
I had a few doubts in mind before I bought this product. Looking at how inexpensive it is as compared to the other ones in the market, I thought it will not be able to deliver the performance I want. After putting it to the test, I am impressed by this reel. It truly could withstand a fight with a big catch. This reel is ideal for big game fishing on a budget. It looks exactly like the picture and has a very pristine finishing. It is very sturdy and tough, something that suggests of its durability. Although it is not as lightweight as other reels that are made of plastic, this one is not going to burden you with its weight as well. This one is also easy to use, especially for beginners, and highly suitable for casting. My experience with this one opened my doors to less expensive reels in the market. It is because this reel has proven that even cheaper ones can deliver a good performance. For its price, I am very impressed. This is worth repurchasing.
Okuma Cold Water Linecounter Trolling Reel
Just like all other Okuma products, this reel will impress you as well. Its frame is made to be lightweight which will be of great benefit to fishers who enjoy fishing for long hours. A little difference in the weight of your reel and rod can determine the strain on your shoulders and arms for the next days. This reel is also made of corrosion-resistant frame and sideplates, something you will appreciate when you realize that the product is heavily exposed to saltwater conditions. It also offers both right hand and left hand retrieve so that anyone will be able to use this reel. It boasts a powerful drag foundation and a heavy-duty machine cut brass prinion gears. On top of all this, it has a dual anti-reverse system and a full carbonite drag system. This reel guarantees durability, and a long-term alignment of gears and shafts.
Pros
- Good quality
- Durable
- Lightweight
- Has both left and right retrieve
Cons
- Needs readjustment after a while
Our Take
Okuma never fails to deliver an excellent performance through its products. This is very much worth the price I paid for. Usually, when it comes to line counter reel, the first main problem is the dysfunctionality of the line counter. However, I never encountered that problem with this Cold Water Okuma reel. The drags are smooth and pretty consistent, something that most fishers will be wiling to pay for a huge amount. This is such a catch for its price point. The features and quality it offers can be found only usually on expensive reels. Beyond that, it also looks very classy and clean. Out of the other line counter reels out there, this by far has been the best. It does not fog despite the conditions surrounding it and it always offers a clear view. The click feature it has is also helpful because you will be able to know if it is reeling too fast even if you are not looking. You can multitask with this one.This is easy to use and comfortable to grip because its handle has the perfect size. This reel is very reliable to use for big game fishing, like Tuna or Salmon, because it is light and durable. I would recommend this to my friends and family. Truly a great catch!
