[digiRAMbo]

I just got a non-levelwind Penn Squall (SQL15). I was pretty impressed on the casting distance compared to levelwind Abu Garcia C4 6600. One thing that I couldn't learn in 2 hours tonight while fishing was how to retrieve the line so that it lays more evenly on the spool. I tried placing my hand below the reel on the rod and using my thumb and also tried placing my hand above the reel on the rod. I actually thought that I have more control of the line when I placed my hand above the reel. While I was spooling it with 17lb mono, I think I had my hand above the reel.

I did a quick search on the forum and also a quick search on google. No luck. I can usually find what I am looking for on google within a few minutes, but no go this time. Maybe I am using wrong keywords.

If anyone has links to videos that show how to properly retrieve a non-levelwind reel, I would appreciate it! Thanks!

 

[gilly21]

It's combersome at first but becomes second nature after a while. Depending on hand size will determine palm placement. I wrap my fingers under the reelseat, left palm against side plate and use my thumb to lay it out. One thing you can try is to count handle cranks as you cross the spool. 5 revolutions of the handle per complete pass is a pretty safe starting point.
When reeling in your rig you should only need your thumb pressure. If reeling in slack pinch the line between thumb and forefinger. If you get low spots as you are reeling in don't pack it in. Adjust your speed as you cross them on subsiquent passes. Go a tad slower but keep the line moving across. So slower across low spots faster across high spots. AS you fill up the spool it will even out pretty well. As long as you aren't stacking revolutions on top of each other you will be fine. Keep your mags set pretty high to allow for your learning curve. Once it's second nature you can mess with mag settings more.
Lastly, take the spool bearings out of that reel and get the grease out of them. Soak in naphtha over night and get them dry. Once completely clean, oil them with a good mid weight oil. Just a drop or two. That reel will be even smoother than it was out of the box. Mobile 1 synthetic is a good oil. As you improve your skills lighter oils can be used but stick with mobile 1 or red rocket fuel.

 

[Tommy]

This may help with the line lay and a little tuning.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jQYZCtBGfNY

Tommy

I just got a non-levelwind Penn Squall (SQL15). I was pretty impressed on the casting distance compared to levelwind Abu Garcia C4 6600. One thing that I couldn't learn in 2 hours tonight while fishing was how to retrieve the line so that it lays more evenly on the spool. I tried placing my hand below the reel on the rod and using my thumb and also tried placing my hand above the reel on the rod. I actually thought that I have more control of the line when I placed my hand above the reel. While I was spooling it with 17lb mono, I think I had my hand above the reel.

I did a quick search on the forum and also a quick search on google. No luck. I can usually find what I am looking for on google within a few minutes, but no go this time. Maybe I am using wrong keywords.

If anyone has links to videos that show how to properly retrieve a non-levelwind reel, I would appreciate it! Thanks!

 

[digiRAMbo]

Thank you! I'll try palming the side of the reel next time I go out fishing and watch the video to see if I can learn something.

I started with the mag dialed up to max, but the casting distance was awful. By the end of the two hour session, I was able to cast with the mag turned down all the way. I had a 2oz sinker and throwing in the direction of the wind (10-14 mph), so I might have been lucky. I guess I will find out when I cast with a lighter rig and without any wind to help out. It's not my first casting reel... It's my first non-levelwind casting reel. One thing I didn't understand with SQL15 was the tension knob. I am able to set the tension so that the 2oz rig falls slowly with both C4-6600 and Orra2 LP. But with the tension knob turned up all the way on SQL15, it would not slow down the 2oz rig in free spool mode. Is the tension setting used differently on non-levelwinds? From my understanding, it is used to reduce backlash and it should be set so that the rig that you are using falls 12-14" (for beginners) or slowly.

As for taking the reel apart and removing bearings and such, I think I will hold off on that. I'm new to fishing and fishing gear so at this point I don't even know where to apply oil and where to apply grease on both spinning and casting reels. All I do right now is rinse off the reels when I get home (I fish bay water) and wipe it down with Penn Reel & Rod cleaner.

 

[gilly21]

The tension nob on the squall is not like a bass reel. What you want is just a slight bit of movement between left and right. If it is set to slowly drop the weight it's too tight.

2oz is very light to get the most out of this reel. Most use 5oz plus. I use mine with 8nbait. The reel really shines 6-10 Oz.

 

[digiRAMbo]

The tension nob on the squall is not like a bass reel. What you want is just a slight bit of movement between left and right. If it is set to slowly drop the weight it's too tight.

2oz is very light to get the most out of this reel. Most use 5oz plus. I use mine with 8nbait. The reel really shines 6-10 Oz.

Ahhh, gotcha on the tension knob. So it does work differently.

That's insane that I'll get most out of it with 5oz plus. The heaviest sinker I carry around is 4oz pyramids. But then again, I am pier fishing now and I try to go with the lightest sinker, 'cause I can feel the bites better (I'm hooked on those pulls). My pier rods are only rated up to 4oz.

I am planning to do more surf fishing this year. My big rods are Penn Prevail 11' (2 - 6 oz) and Ugly Stik Big Water 12' (2 - 12 oz). I know that they're low end rods, but hopefully with 5oz plus, I can learn to cast further than what I can with the 2oz. I know that catching fish is not all about casting as far as I can, but it feels great just learning to cast further. Thanks again gilly21 for some good 411.

 

[Fish'n Phil]

Funny I had the exact same questions about this reel. Got it as a gift last Christmas but never tried casting it. When getting it spooled the guys tested the drag and it was way off (as in too low). My friend took it back to the tackle shop and they supposedly took it apart and fixed it. I don't have a scale and have not checked the drag.

 

[digiRAMbo]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GZgNTRv4ZsA
So when I was talking about having my hand above the reel while retrieving, I was talking about what the guy is doing on the video at 1:00 minute mark.

As for the tension knob, as gilly21 has said, is to adjust the spool 'slop,' which is the side to side play. I've read that you want it slightly noticeable.

I was hoping that I could download the manual on Penn's website, but they don't have them readily available. I am going to request for a digital copy from Penn's website to see if that has any useful info.

 

[Fishman]

An educated thumb. Practace makes perfect.

 

[Mastrbaitr]

You'll need to cast and wind at least 20 times before it feels even remotely comfortable. After a while it becomes second nature. After that you don't even need to thumb it anymore. You'll be able to rock the reel back and forth to lay the line using gravity as you get better. You'll only need your thumb if you have to give the line a slight nudge to correct the line lay.