Best Sellers of 2020: New PENN reels and combos hit the sweet spot

Angling International is looking back at the top selling tackle of a momentous year for the industry – one in which sales of fishing gear rebounded spectacularly when all seemed lost during the lockdowns caused by Coronavirus. We start with one of the most respected reel brands in the world.

PENN delivered a knock-out punch when it launched its Battle III Reels (above) and Combos earlier this year. “These products definitely hit the sweet spot with their best-in-class durability and numerous features, while remaining at a very competitive price point,” said Director of Marketing Mike Rice. PENN added the DX series of reels to its already impressive line-up and, after being named ‘best of show’ for saltwater reels at ICAST Online 2020, the DX has gone on to become a contender for the brand’s best-selling product of the year.

At the heart of the Battle III is PENN’s proprietary CNC super-smooth gear technology, previously a feature only found on its more premium spinning reels. The new combos also feature PENN Dura-Guides, one-piece stainless steel guides that are corrosion resistant and extremely strong.

Rivalling the Battle III Reels and Combos for that best seller accolade are PENN’s Battalion II Slow Pitch rods and Fathom reels (left). The brand’s first slow pitch programme was launched in 2020 in response to a technique that has gained traction across the US in the last two years and encompasses both rods and reels.

“We worked closely with slow pitch pro-staffers around the globe to dial in a new blank construction, key actions and lengths, resulting in an extremely balanced and durable rod,” states Rice. “We have added models to our Fathom reels to match them. We now offer an 8 size star drag and a 10 size lever drag, while the 15 size is available in a lever drag 2 speed. All four of these reels are designed to be extra-narrow to allow for easy line management when working the jig.”

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