Flashy and formidable, two speed reels are often associated with affluent anglers, deluxe sportfishers and prestigious big game fishing tournaments. Two-speed models from manufacturers like Penn and Shimano have become status symbols within the sportfishing community. Indeed these shiny, metallic reels are handsome pieces of fishing equipment, but are they really worth their weight in gold when it comes to fighting fish? According to Mike Lackey, veteran skipper of the San Diego-based party boat Vagabond, two-speed reels are as functional as they are attractive. “We encounter some powerful bluefin tuna in the 50-pound class and larger on our 2- and 3-day fishing trips out of Point Loma,” said Lackey. That’s when two-speed reels really come in handy. Having the option of shifting gears when battling big fish is a definite plus.” Lackey points out that during a longer battle with an oversized, such as a big tuna or billfish, factors like a stretched or frayed line or a twisting hook can cause an angler to come out the loser. “I would venture to say that nearly 80 percent of bluefin hooked on party boats are lost if the fish isn’t landed within 25 minutes,” said Lackey. “This is where a two-speed reel really earns its stripes. It allows the angler to overpower a fish and gain back line quickly, eliminating most of the pitfalls that can occur during a lengthier fight.” The innovative technology of two-speed reels allows anglers to shift gear ratios instantly while fighting a fish. A Penn two-speed model like the International 30S, for example, offers a high gear option of 3:8-1, but with the push of a button on the end of the handle, it’s instantly transformed into a powerful 1.8-1 “cranking winch.” The higher gear ratio is useful for reeling in line rapidly, backing down on fish, and keeping up with fast-swimming saltwater predators, while low gear delivers the torque needed to overpower stubborn, “sulking” game fish. Since today’s advanced two speeds let you shift gears “on the fly,” you can shift gears as needed while you are fighting a fish. Although all two-speed reels offer the same basic advantages to the angler, some feature different types of internal shifting systems. Within Penn’s two speed reels, for instance, the main and pinion gears actually engage when the angler presses the shift button. Shimano’s two-speeds, however, feature an internal gear shifting mechanism that is constantly meshed. The latest innovation in two speed reels is the introduction of graphite-bodied models. Penn’s new Formula models, for example, offer anglers the lightweight qualities of graphite construction, as well as the advantage of a high and low gear ratio. Graphite two-speed reels are lighter than the anodized aluminum-bodied models, so they put less stress on the angler during a long day of fishing. These reels are surprisingly sturdy, however, and able to withstand the rigors of marine conditions and powerful, unrelenting saltwater game fish.
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