Top 30-Pound-Class Reels
For anglers chasing billfish around the world, 30-pound-class reels, with their increased line capacity and drag strength compared to their 20-pound-class counterparts, provide more versatility. Ideal for stand-up fishing, their compact size is perfect for anglers pitch-baiting for sailfish or targeting small blue or white marlin. They also provide increased power and capacity if a larger fish shows up in the spread; many also offer two-speed capability as well, allowing the angler to downshift into low gear when a trophy game fish goes deep during the fight. This is Marlin’s roundup of the best saltwater conventional reels for offshore fishing.
Accurate BX-600 Boss
Accurate’s BOSS BX-600 features its patented TwinDrag system, which provides smooth drag pressure from each side of the spool. The reel features seven class-5 ABEC stainless-steel bearings and stainless-steel gears. The AccuDrag system provides upward of 30 pounds of drag at full, and boasts a gear ratio of 5-to-1 to generate 33 inches of line per crank. The reel is one of the lightest in the roundup of 30-pound-class reels, weighing 26 ounces. Manufactured and assembled in the United States, the reel is also available in a left-handed model.
Specifications
- Specifications Maximum Drag: 30 pounds
- Retrieve Per Crank: 33 inches
- Gear Ratio: 5:1
- Weight: 26.0 ounces
- Mono Capacity (40lb): 300 yards
Accurate FX-600 Fury
Constructed of the same 6061 T6 billet aircraft aluminum with an aluminum finish as the BOSS line, the Fury FX-600 differs from the BX-600 with only a single wet drag rather than incorporating Accurate’s TwinDrag technology. Lighter and more comfortable to use, the reel also features four class-5 ABEC stainless-steel bearings and generates a 33-inch retrieval rate at a gear ratio of 4-to-1. Backed by a one-year warranty and the protection of AccuCare, this reel is a value at an MSRP of $319.99. The Fury FX-600 is also available in a left-handed model upon request.
Specifications
- Specifications Maximum Drag: 30 pounds
- Retrieve Per Crank: 33 inches
- Gear Ratio: 4:1
- Weight: 26.0 ounces
- Mono Capacity (40lb): 300 yards
Alutecnos Albacore 30 Single Speed
The Albacore series of reels from Alutecnos are designed with the serious angler in mind and constructed with some of the finest materials. The 30-pound-class reels come in four different configurations, with both narrow and wide configurations with single or two speeds. The narrow single-speed reel holds 875 yards of 30-pound mono and has a gear ratio of 3.3-to-1. Just like the rest of its models, the Alutecnos 30 utilizes carbon-composite drag washers and incorporates five tempered stainless-steel bearings in its construction. Made in Italy, these reels are held to the highest of quality-control standards.
Specifications
- Specifications (Single Speed Narrow 30) Gear Ratio: 3.3:1
- Weight: 53.0 ounces
- Mono Capacity (30lb): 875 yards
Alutecnos Albacore 30W Two-Speed
Just like its narrow 30-pound counterpart, the two-speed wide model reel from Alutecnos adds a new dimension by providing a low gear that generates a ratio of 1.7-to-1 for when you encounter a stubborn fish. Adding only three ounces compared to its single-speed model, the wide reel increases its line capacity to 1,090 yards of 30-pound mono.
Specifications
- Specifications Gear Ratio (High/Low): 3.1:1 / 1.7:1
- Weight: 56.0 ounces
- Mono Capacity (30lb): 875 yards
Daiwa Saltiga Two Speed
The Saltiga two-speed reel from Daiwa is one of the sleeker-looking and lighter reels of the group. Weighing in at just 18.3 ounces, the machined-aluminum spool holds 230 yards of 25-pound mono and provides a max drag at strike of 13.2 pounds and a max full drag of 26 pounds. The helical-cut stainless-steel gears provide the highest gear ratio of 6.3-to-1, allowing the reel to pick up 37.2 inches of line per crank.
Specifications
- Specifications Maximum Drag: 26 pounds
- Retrieve Per Crank (in) (High/Low): 37.2 / 18
- Gear Ratio (High/Low): 6.3:1 / 3.1:1
- Weight: 18.8 ounces
- Mono Capacity (25lb): 230 yards
Daiwa Saltist Two Speed
Even lighter than the Daiwa Saltiga, the Saltist 30 weighs in at only 15.3 ounces. The frame and left-side plate of the reel are constructed from a solid piece of aluminum for increased strength. Matched with a speed knob, the helical-cut stainless-steel gears and six ball bearings produce a high gear ratio of 6.3-to-1, retrieving 36.6 inches of line per crank. With only 22 pounds of drag at full, the reel does not have the backbone that other reels do, but sure makes up for it in weight and quickness.
Specifications
- Specifications Maximum Drag: 22 pounds
- Retrieve Per Crank (in) (High/Low): 36.6 / 18
- Gear Ratio (High/Low): 6.3:1 / 3.1:1
- Weight: 15.3 ounces
- Mono Capacity (25lb): 230 yards
Fin-Nor Marquesa Pelagic 30
Fin-Nor Marquesa reels are precision-machined from 6061-T6 aluminum, and features one of the strongest drag systems ever put into a reel, with a fast 6.1:1 retrieve and a powerful low-gear 3.1:1 retrieve for even greater versatility and control.
Specifications
- Maximum Drag: 45 pounds
- Retrieve Per Crank (High/Low): 51 / 26 inches
- Gear Ratio (High/Low): 6.1:1 / 3.1:1
- Weight: 28.5 ounces
- Mono Capacity (30lb): 320 yards
Fin-Nor Santiago 30
Available in both narrow and wide varieties, the Fin-Nor Santiago reels are the flagship model of the brand. Finished with the classic anodized Fin-Nor gold finish, the Santiago is constructed from a one-piece aluminum frame that incorporates a forged-aluminum spool. The heaviest of the bunch, weighing in at 70 ounces, the narrow reel holds 800 yards of 30-pound line. The reel utilizes four hybrid ceramic stainless-steel ball bearings, and the reel incorporates a push-button and dial-release two-speed shift system to change from a high ratio of 3.79-to-1 to a low ratio of 1.75-to-1.
Specifications
- Specifications (SA30) Maximum Drag (lb): 70 pounds
- Retrieve Per Crank (in) (High/Low): 40.9 / 18.9
- Gear Ratio (High/Low): 3.79:1 / 1.75:1
- Weight: 70.0 ounces
- Mono Capacity (30lb): 800 yards
Okuma Makaira 30 II
The T6-machined-aluminum frame and forged side plates of the Okuma Makaira are made to withstand a beating. Backed by a five-year warranty, the helical-cut stainless-steel gears provide a high gear of 3.8-to-1 and a retrieval rate of 39.4 inches of line per crank. Combined with a ratcheting drag lever that precisely engages the Carbonite Dual Force Drag system, it can produce upward of 37 pounds of drag at strike and 55 pounds of drag at full for situations when that kind of drag is needed.
Specifications
- Specifications Maximum Drag: 55 pounds
- Retrieve Per Crank (in) (High/Low): 39.4 / 17.5
- Gear Ratio (High/Low): 3.8:1 / 1.7:1
- Weight: 50 ounces
- Mono Capacity (30lb): 850 yards
Okuma Makaira 30 Special Edition
The Makaira SE (Special Edition) adds some additional features to the Makaira II, including an open-spool design and the use of TSI-301 oil to increase free-spool speed. Most notable is the gun-smoke-and-black anodizing on the aluminum frame, rather than the gold finish, which also incorporates a marlin etched into the side of the reel.
Specifications
- Specifications Maximum Drag: 55 pounds
- Retrieve Per Crank (High/Low): 39.4 / 17.5 inches
- Gear Ratio (High/Low): 3.8:1 / 1.7:1
- Weight: 48 ounces
- Mono Capacity (30lb): 850 yards
Penn International 30 VISX
The Penn International 30 VISX is the wide-bodied variety of the popular line of reels from Penn. Constructed with a one-piece aluminum frame, the two-speed reel provides 37 inches of line per crank with its 3.8-to-1 gear ratio. One of the heavier reels, at 58 ounces, the reel holds 900 yards of 30-pound line and features 30 pounds of stopping power thanks to its Dura-Drag system.
Specifications
- Specifications Maximum Drag: 30 pounds
- Retrieve Per Crank (High/Low): 37 / 15 inches
- Gear Ratio (High/Low): 3.8:1 / 1.6:1
- Weight: 58 ounces
- Mono Capacity (30lb): 900 yards
PENN Squall 30 VSW
The two-speed Penn Squall 30VSW incorporates a graphite frame and side plates to reduce its weight to 38.5 ounces, in contrast to the heavier International line of reels from Penn. The aluminum spool holds 1,035 yards of 30-pound mono and incorporates capacity rings into the spool, which allow an angler to determine how much line is left with just a quick glance. The quick-shift system allows anglers to effortlessly switch from a high gear of 4.2-to-1 to a low gear of 1.8-to-1, allowing them to quickly gather line or dig in on a fish. The Dura-Drag system eliminates hesitation in changes in drag and can provide a maximum of 32 pounds of drag at full.
Specifications
- Specifications Maximum Drag: 32 pounds
- Retrieve Per Crank: 41 / 18 inches
- Gear Ratio (High/Low): 4.2:1 / 1.8:1
- Weight: 47.0 ounces
- Mono Capacity (30lb): 1,035 yards
Shimano Tiagra 30
The Tiagra TI30A reel from Shimano is the company’s top-of-the-line reel. Featuring a hydrothermal drag system that eliminates drag variances due to temperature changes, the TI30A produces a max drag of 34 pounds at full and max drag of 25 pounds at strike. At 52.4 ounces, the Hagane body construction eliminates body flexing and combines with a cold-forged aluminum spool that can carry 700 yards of 30-pound mono. Incorporating four A-RB ball bearings and a gear ratio of 3.9-to-1 when in high gear, the reel gathers 41 inches of line per crank.
Specifications
- Specifications Maximum Drag: 34 pounds
- Retrieve Per Crank (High/Low): 41 / 18 inches
- Gear Ratio (High/Low): 3.9:1 / 1.7:1
- Weight: 52.4 ounces
- Mono Capacity (30lb): 700 yards
Shimano Tyrnos 30 II
The Tyrnos two-speed from Shimano offers many of the same great features of other Shimano reels at a slightly lower price point compared to the Tiagra and Talica lines without cutting performance. The reel incorporates a gear system in which the gears are always mashed together, allowing an angler to change between high and low, even under pressure. The TYR30II provides a high gear of 5-to-1 that allows an angler to pick up 45 inches of line per crank and a low gear of 2-to-1 with 18 inches of line per crank. Holding 600 yards of 30-pound mono and weighing 40.9 ounces, this reel is a favorite among traveling anglers, tournament teams and charter operations.
Specifications
- Specifications Maximum Drag: 33 pounds
- Retrieve Per Crank (High/Low): 45 / 18 inches
- Gear Ratio (High/Low): 5.0:1 / 2.5:1
- Weight: 40.9 ounces
- Mono Capacity (30lb): 600 yards
Shimano TLD 30 II
A workhorse reel for many years, the TLD series is still going strong thanks to its durability, light weight and overall reliability. The reel shifts easily into low gear when needed as an adversary goes deep as well.
Specifications:
- Maximum Drag: 24 pounds
- Retrieve Per Crank (High/Low): 37 / 16 inches
- Gear Ratio (High/Low): 4.0:1 / 1.7:1
- Weight: 37.5ounces
- Mono Capacity (30lb): 600 yards
Shimano Talica 25 II
The Talica series reels are high-speed, compact lever drags with powerful gears and drag curves, designed specifically for tackling the world’s toughest game fish standing up. They’re perfect for light-tackle angling for any billfish species.
Specifications:
- Maximum Drag: 45 pounds
- Retrieve Per Crank (High/Low): 46 / 20 inches
- Gear Ratio (High/Low): 5.2:1 / 2.3:1
- Weight: 33.2 ounces
- Mono Capacity (30lb): 550 yards
