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The best conventional reels are not all built for the same job. A fast star-drag reel makes sense for jigging, live bait, and casting, while a two-speed lever-drag reel becomes more useful when heavy sinkers, deep water, and sustained load enter the picture. For most buyers who want one capable conventional reel for mixed saltwater use, the PENN Fathom II Star Drag 15 is the strongest all-around starting point.
Choose the reel by fishing job, not by maximum drag alone
Pick the PENN Fathom II Star Drag 15 for the broadest mix of casting, live bait, jigging, and bottom fishing. Choose the Shimano Torium 20HGA when fast line pickup matters, the PENN Squall II 12 when you want a lower-cost star-drag option, the Shimano SpeedMaster II 12 when a true two-speed lever drag solves a heavier offshore problem, or the PENN Special Senator 113H2 when you prefer a simple low-geared workhorse with substantial line capacity.
This guide is based on the current US search intent, current manufacturer specifications, exact Amazon.com US model mapping, and recurring owner-use patterns. Each recommendation below names the exact reel variant tied to its Amazon ASIN. Dynamic Amazon prices, ratings, review counts, and stock claims are intentionally excluded.
Our conventional reel picks at a glance
PENN Fathom II Star Drag 15
A metal-framed size 15 with 30 pounds of published maximum drag and a 6.1:1 ratio for anglers who want one versatile conventional reel.
Shimano Torium 20HGA
A 46-inch-per-crank star drag that fits fast jigging, live bait, and bottom-fishing situations where quick recovery matters.
PENN Squall II Star Drag 12
A lighter-duty graphite-frame path into the same general star-drag format, with useful capacity and 20 pounds of published maximum drag.
Shimano SpeedMaster II 12
A 5.7:1 high gear, 3.1:1 low gear, and 40-pound published maximum drag for deeper or heavier offshore work.
PENN Special Senator 113H2
A slow 3.3:1 star drag with large line capacity for buyers who value low gearing and a long-running conventional design.
What a conventional reel is, and why the category is broader than trolling
A conventional reel places a revolving spool in line with the rod rather than hanging a fixed spool below it like a spinning reel. That format covers several very different jobs. Anglers use conventional reels for bottom fishing, live bait, vertical jigging, deep dropping, surf casting, and trolling.
That matters because a search for the best conventional reels is not the same buying problem as a search for a dedicated trolling reel. A trolling-first buyer may care heavily about line counters, levelwind systems, repeatable spread placement, or a reel that spends most of its time in a holder. This roundup prioritizes broader conventional-reel usefulness and keeps specialized line-counter decisions out of the ranking.
If you are new to overhead reel systems, remember that the rod must match the reel. A conventional reel belongs on a conventional or casting-style rod with the guide train and reel seat designed for a reel that sits above the blank. Our spinning rod vs casting rod guide explains the basic layout difference.
Best conventional reels: how the five picks compare
| Reel | Best for | Drag and gearing | Key trade-off | Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PENN Fathom II Star Drag 15 | All-around saltwater use | 30 lb max, 6.1:1 | Costs more than graphite-frame value reels | Check availability |
| Shimano Torium 20HGA | Fast jigging and live bait | 24 lb max, 6.2:1, 46 IPT | No low gear for sustained heavy cranking | Check availability |
| PENN Squall II Star Drag 12 | Value-focused star drag | 20 lb max, 6.1:1 | Graphite frame instead of a full metal body | Check availability |
| Shimano SpeedMaster II 12 | Heavy bottom work and two-speed control | 40 lb max, 5.7:1 / 3.1:1 | Heavier and less casting-oriented than star-drag picks | Check availability |
| PENN Special Senator 113H2 | Low-speed traditional bottom fishing | 20 lb max, 3.3:1 | Slow retrieve and old-school two-bearing design | Check availability |
PENN Fathom II Star Drag 15
All-around saltwater
30 lb max
6.1:1
Shimano Torium 20HGA
Jigging and live bait
46 in/crank
24 lb max
PENN Squall II Star Drag 12
Budget-conscious buyers
20 lb max
6.1:1
Shimano SpeedMaster II 12
Deep and heavy work
5.7:1 / 3.1:1
40 lb max
PENN Special Senator 113H2
Low-speed bottom work
3.3:1
20 lb max
PENN Fathom II Star Drag 15
Pick #1
The most balanced choice here if you want one conventional reel that can move between casting, live bait, jigging, and bottom fishing without stepping into a much heavier two-speed platform.
The Fathom II 15 earns the top spot because it avoids pushing too far toward either extreme. It has more structural emphasis than the graphite-frame Squall II, but it remains a fast single-speed star-drag reel rather than a heavier lever-drag winch. For an angler building one conventional setup for mixed boat fishing, that middle ground is valuable.
The size 15 is also a sensible point in the Fathom II family. PENN publishes 355 yards of 12-pound mono, 305 yards of 15-pound mono, or 200 yards of 20-pound mono, plus 550 yards of 20-pound braid, 415 yards of 30-pound braid, or 290 yards of 50-pound braid. That is enough reserve for many inshore and offshore jobs without jumping to the bulk of a 30 or 40 size reel.
The trade-off is straightforward: you are paying for the stronger frame and a higher-end star-drag platform. If the reel will mostly soak bait in moderate water and budget matters more than frame material, the Squall II 12 can make more sense. If you routinely need a low gear under heavy load, the SpeedMaster II 12 solves a different problem better.
Good fit if you want
- A metal-framed conventional reel for mixed saltwater jobs
- 30 pounds of published maximum drag in a size 15 star drag
- A free-spool design that still makes sense when casting matters
Skip it if you need
- A true two-speed low gear for repeated heavy cranking
- The lowest-cost path into conventional fishing
- A line counter or trolling-first control layout
Shimano Torium 20HGA
Pick #2
A strong choice for anglers who value fast line recovery for jigging, live bait, and bottom fishing more than the extra low-gear leverage of a two-speed reel.
The Torium 20HGA is the speed-focused pick. A 6.2:1 ratio does not tell the whole story by itself, but the published 46 inches of line pickup per handle turn makes the role clear. That can be useful when a jig needs to come back quickly, when you need to recover line after a fish changes direction, or when a live-bait presentation demands fast slack management.
At 19.2 ounces, the 20HGA is also much lighter than the 25.7-ounce SpeedMaster II 12. Those reels are not direct substitutes because the SpeedMaster adds a lever drag, a low gear, and much more published maximum drag, but the weight difference helps explain why the Torium feels like the more natural choice for active rod-in-hand techniques.
Do not buy it only because 46 inches per crank sounds impressive. Faster pickup can also mean less mechanical advantage in the working gear. Shimano offers power-gear Torium variants for anglers who prioritize torque. The 20HGA makes the most sense when speed is part of the technique.
Good fit if you want
- Very fast published line pickup in a star-drag reel
- Strong capacity for 50 to 80 pound braid classes
- An active reel for jigging, live bait, and bottom fishing
Skip it if you need
- A low gear for prolonged heavy-load cranking
- More than 24 pounds of published maximum drag
- A slower power-oriented retrieve
PENN Squall II Star Drag 12
Pick #3
A practical value pick for anglers who want a current fast star-drag reel with useful line capacity but do not need the Fathom II’s full metal body.
The Squall II 12 is not a cheaper Fathom II in every meaningful sense. The frame material is the main dividing line. PENN gives the Squall II graphite frame and sideplates, while the Fathom II uses a full metal body and sideplates. For moderate-duty use, many buyers would rather put the savings into line or a better-matched rod. For harder loads and buyers who prioritize frame rigidity, the Fathom II has the clearer case.
Capacity remains useful for the reel’s size. PENN lists 430 yards of 10-pound mono, 295 yards of 12-pound mono, or 250 yards of 15-pound mono. Braid figures are 560 yards of 15-pound, 455 yards of 20-pound, or 345 yards of 30-pound. That puts the size 12 in a compact conventional class rather than the heavy deep-drop end of the market.
The exact Amazon mapping matters here because the Squall II family contains several sizes and a Casting Special variant. This pick is specifically SQLII12SD, ASIN B08DDD2QCC, not the size 15 or 15CS.
Good fit if you want
- A lower-cost route into a current star-drag conventional reel
- Compact size with meaningful mono and braid capacity
- Fast 6.1:1 gearing for general-purpose use
Skip it if you need
- A full metal frame and sideplates
- More than 20 pounds of published maximum drag
- A two-speed lever-drag system
Star drag vs lever drag: choose the control system before chasing specs
Star-drag reels such as the Fathom II, Torium, Squall II, and Special Senator adjust drag pressure with a star-shaped control beside the handle. They are common on conventional reels used for casting, jigging, live bait, and bottom fishing. The control is simple, compact, and easy to adjust while fishing.
Lever-drag reels such as the SpeedMaster II use a lever that moves through a defined drag range. That format is especially useful when you want a repeatable strike setting and a clear path toward heavier drag pressure. On a two-speed model, the second benefit is mechanical: press the shift control and the reel moves from a fast retrieve to a lower gear that trades speed for leverage.
Neither system is automatically better. A two-speed lever drag adds capability but also mass, complexity, and cost. If your normal day is active jigging, live bait, or moderate bottom fishing, a high-quality star drag can be the cleaner tool. If the job regularly includes heavy sinkers, deeper water, or fish that make you appreciate a low gear, two-speed becomes easier to justify.
Shimano SpeedMaster II 12
Pick #4
The best fit in this group when high gear for line recovery and a real low gear for leverage matter more than keeping the reel compact and casting-friendly.
The SpeedMaster II 12 is the clear step toward heavier work. In high gear it retrieves 42 inches of line per crank, close enough to the Torium’s 46 inches to recover line quickly. Shift to 3.1:1 and pickup drops to 23 inches per crank, giving you a lower gear when the load gets harder to move.
The capacity also fits that role. Shimano publishes 580 yards of 50-pound PowerPro, 400 yards of 65-pound, or 355 yards of 80-pound. That is a different operating envelope from the compact Squall II 12 even though both carry a size 12 label. Reel size numbers are manufacturer-specific and should never replace exact line-capacity comparison.
The trade-off is 25.7 ounces of reel and a control system aimed more at heavy offshore work than easy casting. If you are holding and working the rod all day with moderate tackle, the Torium can be easier to justify. If you expect to use the low gear, the SpeedMaster’s extra mass has a purpose.
Good fit if you want
- A real high and low gear in the same reel
- 40 pounds of published maximum drag
- Large braid capacity for deep or heavier offshore use
Skip it if you need
- A light reel for active casting and jigging all day
- A simpler star-drag control layout
- A compact setup for lighter line classes
PENN Special Senator 113H2
Pick #5
A deliberately slow, high-capacity conventional reel for buyers who want low gearing and a traditional bottom-fishing layout rather than modern high-speed refinement.
The Special Senator 113H2 belongs here because not every conventional-reel buyer wants a small high-speed reel. Some need a straightforward reel that carries a lot of line and turns slowly under load. PENN lists 440 yards of 30-pound mono, 370 yards of 40-pound, or 270 yards of 50-pound, plus braid capacities up to 925 yards of 50-pound.
The design is intentionally traditional. It uses Bakelite sideplates reinforced with stainless steel rings, a machined anodized aluminum spool, bronze main gear, stainless pinion, multi-disk star drag, two shielded stainless ball bearings, and a convertible power handle. Buyers who equate a high bearing count with quality may find the two-bearing specification surprising, but this reel is built around a different design philosophy than a compact high-speed reel.
Its limitation is equally obvious: 3.3:1 is slow. That helps when torque is the point, but it is not the reel to choose when you constantly need to rip a jig back to the boat or pick up slack quickly. The Torium sits at the opposite end of that decision.
Good fit if you want
- Low gearing for deliberate bottom-fishing work
- Large mono and braid capacity
- A traditional power-handle and clicker setup
Skip it if you need
- Fast line pickup for active jigging
- Modern compact ergonomics
- A two-speed drivetrain
How to choose a conventional fishing reel
Start with the actual technique
Do not begin with brand or maximum drag. Start with what the reel will spend most of its time doing. Casting bait from the beach or boat favors a reel with good free-spool behavior and manageable size. Vertical jigging rewards line pickup and comfortable rod-in-hand weight. Bottom fishing puts more value on capacity, frame strength, handle leverage, and sometimes a low gear. Heavy trolling and deep-drop work can move the decision toward lever drag and larger frames.
Match reel size to line, depth, and the fish you actually target
There is no universal size scale across conventional reel brands. A size 12 in one family does not automatically match a size 12 elsewhere. Compare exact line capacities and reel weight. The useful rule is to buy enough line reserve for the fishing, then avoid carrying unnecessary spool and frame mass. Our fishing reel size guide goes deeper into why reel-size labels should be treated as family-specific shorthand.
Read gear ratio together with line pickup
Gear ratio describes how the drivetrain multiplies one handle turn, but spool diameter changes how much line actually comes back. The Torium 20HGA and SpeedMaster II 12 both retrieve more than 40 inches in their high gears, while the Special Senator is intentionally much slower. For a broader explanation, see our fishing reel gear ratio guide.
Do not treat maximum drag as a ranking score
A reel with a higher published maximum drag is not automatically better. The useful drag range must fit the line, rod, target species, and technique. Frame rigidity, line capacity, smooth adjustment, handle leverage, gearing, and how the reel is held all matter. The 40-pound SpeedMaster II has more published maximum drag than the Torium 20HGA, but that does not make it the better reel for active high-speed jigging.
Frame material changes the value equation
Metal frames are attractive when heavy loads and alignment under pressure are priorities. Graphite frames reduce cost and can be entirely reasonable for lighter or moderate work. That is the core Fathom II versus Squall II trade-off in this list. Buy the more rigid platform because your use justifies it, not because metal is always necessary.
Check exact hand, model code, and variation before ordering
Conventional-reel families frequently contain multiple sizes, gear ratios, retrieve hands, casting-special versions, and levelwind or non-levelwind variants. The product name alone is not enough. Every Amazon link in this guide maps to the exact model named in the card, but you should still confirm the selected variation on the retailer page before checkout.
Which conventional reel should you buy?
Buy the Fathom II Star Drag 15 if you want the broadest all-around fit and are willing to pay for a full metal platform. Buy the Torium 20HGA if fast pickup and active fishing are the priority. Buy the Squall II 12 if you want a sensible current star drag at a lower tier. Buy the SpeedMaster II 12 if the low gear and 40-pound published maximum drag solve a real heavy-load problem. Buy the Special Senator 113H2 if your idea of a good conventional reel is a slow, high-capacity workhorse rather than a compact high-speed tool.
How GearAndFish chose these reels
GearAndFish compared current US search intent, current manufacturer specification tables, exact Amazon.com US product pages and ASINs, and recent owner discussions that describe how conventional reels are used for bottom fishing, live bait, jigging, surf casting, and heavier offshore work. The shortlist was then organized around distinct buyer roles rather than five nearly identical reels.
Each Amazon CTA is tied to one named model code and one verified ASIN.
Gear ratio, line pickup, drag, weight, and capacity are used only for the exact variant when published.
Every pick needs a distinct reason to exist, such as speed, value, two-speed leverage, or traditional low gearing.
Prices, stock, ratings, and review totals change, so they are not hard-coded into the ranking.
Research date: October 7, 2026. Product models with unresolved Amazon variant mapping were excluded rather than guessed.
Conventional fishing reel FAQ
What is a conventional fishing reel?
A conventional reel uses a revolving spool mounted above the rod. The category includes reels used for bottom fishing, jigging, live bait, surf casting, deep dropping, and trolling, so the right design depends on the technique rather than the label alone.
Is a star drag or lever drag better?
Star drag is a clean choice for many casting, jigging, live-bait, and moderate bottom-fishing setups. Lever drag becomes especially useful when you want a repeatable drag position, heavier drag pressure, or a two-speed drivetrain with a low gear for leverage.
What size conventional reel do I need for bottom fishing?
Choose by exact line capacity, reel weight, depth, sinker load, target fish, and rod match rather than the size number alone. Brand size labels are not standardized, so compare the published capacity of the exact model.
Are conventional reels good for casting?
Many star-drag conventional reels are designed with casting in mind, especially models with free-spool systems and compact frames. They require spool control and practice, and a trolling-first levelwind or heavy two-speed reel may be less suitable for repeated casting.
Can I use a conventional reel for trolling?
Yes. Many conventional reels can troll effectively, but a trolling-first buyer may prefer features such as a line counter, levelwind, clicker, or lever drag. This guide ranks broader conventional-reel versatility rather than dedicated trolling features.
Do I need a special rod for a conventional reel?
Yes. Pair a conventional reel with a conventional or casting-style rod designed for a reel mounted above the blank. Do not mount it on a spinning rod just because the power rating looks similar.
