Penn 30 VW: The Write Stuff
Some anglers feel dual-speed gold is over-rated, and single speed reels are really the best for offshore antics. In most cases I have to agree—dual speeds are rarely very useful, and inexperienced anglers often shift them into low gear by accident then wonder why they can’t keep up with a charging fish. Penn’s 30 VW, a one-speed 30-class International featuring a 3.8:1 gear ratio and a 900-yard line capacity, is perfect for this mind-set.
The 30VW has Penn’s Dura-Drag system, four aircraft-grade stainless-steel ball-bearings, and a lever drag with multiple-click settings. The frame is a single, machine-cut heat-treated piece, the spool and side plates are forged and machined. We’ve been testing one for two seasons now, and a feature that’s become a favorite among the anglers is the new handle grip, which has textured hard-rubber that fits well in the hand and won’t slip no matter how slimy you get. Otherwise, performance form this reel is exactly what you expect from an International: the drag is smooth and able to withstand blistering runs, the frame is rock-solid, and the lever drag is a joy to fish with. This reel’s been through chunking for tuna, trolling mixed spreads, and even some kite fishing, and hasn’t let us down yet. The drag lever has tiny clicker settings instead of moving smoothly up and down, which I like; it makes it harder to knock it out of place without noticing, a potential flaw in older Internationals. The drag setting knob is also a cut above, with a push-and-turn knob that’s easy to adjust but hard to change by accident.
Price: A hair over $500.
The Highs: An improved International, with the good attributes of older models plus a few nifty upgrades. Single speed makes sense.
The Lows: Some like multiple speeds for blue water.
Who Wants It: Offshore anglers who know what they like, and they like single speed reels.
Contact: www.pennreels.com
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| The 30VW is perfect when a single speed reel is desired. |
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