Trolling reels are the workhorses of offshore fishing. A good trolling reel must hold enough line for long runs, maintain smooth drag pressure under sustained heat, survive saltwater exposure, and shift from fast line pickup to low-gear torque when a tuna, marlin or wahoo turns the fight vertical.
This directory covers 8 major trolling-reel manufacturers from 4 countries. Each manufacturer page includes five detailed reel reviews, current specifications, best uses, pros and cons, service and buying notes, and special attention to the newest 2026 releases.
Full reviews
- PENN Trolling Reels Review — International VISX, VISW and VIS big-game reels
- Accurate Trolling Reels Review — ATD Platinum TwinDrag big-game reels
- Avet Trolling Reels Review — HX, HXW, EX, EXW and T-RX lever drags
- Shimano Trolling Reels Review — Tiagra 20A through 130A
- Daiwa Trolling Reels Review — Saltiga Lever Drag, including the new 2026 LD80-2SPD
- Okuma Trolling Reels Review — Makaira and Makaira SEa big-game lever drags
- Alutecnos Trolling Reels Review — Albacore 2-Speed and Gorilla 2-Speed
- Everol Trolling Reels Review — handmade Italian Special Series big-game reels
Trolling reel manufacturers by country
| Manufacturer | Country | Key trolling lines | Best known for |
|---|---|---|---|
| PENN | USA | International VISX, VISW, VIS | Traditional offshore big-game trolling and broad US service support |
| Accurate | USA | ATD Platinum TwinDrag | US-made CNC construction and TwinDrag pressure on both sides of the spool |
| Avet | USA | HX/HXW, EX/EXW, T-RX | Machined aluminum lever drags, true left-hand options and strong value |
| Shimano | Japan | Tiagra | One of the world’s benchmark trolling platforms from 20-class to 130-class |
| Daiwa | Japan | Saltiga Lever Drag | Modern compact lever drags and the new 2026 Saltiga LD80-2SPD |
| Okuma | Taiwan | Makaira, Makaira SEa | Heavy-duty two-speed reels with Dual Force Drag and strong price/performance |
| Alutecnos | Italy | Albacore 2S, Gorilla 2S | Italian CNC-machined offshore reels with distinctive two-button shifting |
| Everol | Italy | Special Series | Handmade big-game reels, huge capacities and a calibrated drag-scale concept |
Best new trolling reel for 2026
Daiwa Saltiga LD80-2SPD — NEW for 2026. Daiwa spent more than six years developing its largest Saltiga lever drag. The LD80-2SPD uses a one-piece machined aluminum frame, oversized stainless-steel gearing, ATD carbon drag with up to 59.5 lb of pressure, and capacity for about 700 yd of 120 lb braid. It is the most important genuinely new heavy-trolling reel in this group for 2026 and is designed for giant tuna and marlin.
Okuma also has fresh Makaira SEa special editions, including new Gold and Yellowfin Tuna versions, while the classic Shimano Tiagra, PENN International, Accurate ATD, Avet, Alutecnos and Everol platforms remain current because their core designs are built around long-term serviceability rather than yearly cosmetic replacement.
What to look for in a trolling reel
- Line capacity: match the reel to target species, line class and realistic run distance. Wide 50s, 80s and 130s are still the standard when capacity matters more than weight.
- Two-speed gearing: high gear clears line quickly; low gear provides torque when a fish settles deep.
- Drag stability: sustained pressure generates heat. Large carbon drag surfaces and rigid frames matter more than headline maximum-drag numbers.
- Frame rigidity: one-piece or heavily machined aluminum frames keep gears and bearings aligned under load.
- Service: tournament and charter reels are long-term equipment. Parts availability and competent service can matter as much as purchase price.
How we review
Each manufacturer page is built from current manufacturer specifications, current US or factory pricing where available, and model information checked in October 2026. We separate genuinely new releases from established reels that remain current, and we focus on offshore trolling for sailfish, wahoo, mahi, tuna, swordfish and marlin rather than general conventional-reel use.