Killer Instinct: Penn Torque TRQ 300
You want a fast reel that’s got plenty of line capacity for speed-jigging tunas and other offshore big game? Penn thought so. So they built the Torque TRQ 300. The one I tested was the star-drag version, but a lever drag is also available. Note: getting the lever drag boosts cost by $200. In my opinion it’s really not 100-percent necessary, as the well-positioned star can be adjusted with your thumb without interrupting the fight.
I used the TRQ 300 for an entire season of offshore jigging and grew to love it: the reel’s light enough to swing all day without tiring, the grip feels at home in the palm of your hand, and the drag’s as smooth as they come. I did have a problem with the disengaging pinion, which broke mid-season and had to be replaced, but otherwise it held up well to the marine environment. The reel features an open, single-piece frame which makes level-winding easy and casting an option; when we pulled in close to a dragger being shadowed by bluefin, I could fling my jig into its wake without a problem. The 6.3:1 gear ratio ensures a speedy retrieve, and as you can see from the pictures, tunas jumped all over the jigs as they zipped through the water.
According to Penn the TRQ 300 holds 360-yards of braid, but I packed over 400 yards on mine without a problem. I also like the fact that this reel has lugs, a feature some reels designed for jigging neglect.
Price: A little over $400.
The Highs: Incredibly fast, light weight, and high capacity make it a serious contender for pelagic speed-jigging.
The Lows: I had a pinion problem with my test reel. That said, Penn quickly fixed it, no questions asked.
Who Wants It: Speed jiggers going after big game.
Contact: www.pennreels.com
