Company: Everol · Country: Italy · Founded: 1958 · Category: offshore trolling reels
Everol has built reels in Italy since 1958. The company machines anticorodal aluminum and AISI 316 stainless steel, uses double-shielded stainless bearings and carbon-fiber multi-disc drags, and still emphasizes long service life and repairability. Its T-Shot line is designed specifically around modern braid.
Top 5 Everol trolling reels
1. T-Shot 20
The T-Shot 20 weighs about 680 g, uses six bearings, carries roughly 350 yd of 20 lb mono or 450 yd of PE3, and has a fast 6.2:1 ratio. Max drag is about 38 lb. It is the light trolling choice for sailfish, mahi, small tuna and fast-moving fish.
2. T-Shot 30
The 30 weighs around 800 g, has 40 lb max drag and a 4.8:1 gear ratio. Capacity is about 550 yd of 30 lb mono or 450 yd of PE8. It is a versatile trolling reel for wahoo, larger mahi and medium tuna.
3. T-Shot 50
The T-Shot 50 weighs roughly 1,300 g, carries about 650 yd of 50 lb mono or 850 yd of PE12 and develops around 49 lb max drag. Its 3.7:1 gearing gives more torque than the smaller T-Shots while retaining quick line pickup.
4. T-Shot 80
The 80 is the heavy member of the T-Shot family, with roughly 700 yd of 80 lb class capacity and a 3.0:1 ratio. It suits large tuna and billfish where a conventional full-size trolling reel is appropriate.
5. Everol Two-Speed
Everol’s dedicated Two-Speed series is the better choice when low gear is essential. The platform shifts between approximately 3:1 high and 1.6:1 low ratios and uses stainless gears plus seven double-shielded stainless bearings. It is designed for the largest gamefish rather than fast, light trolling.
What stands out
Everol’s appeal is longevity. The company emphasizes simple mechanical construction, long lever-drag travel and parts support for very old reels. T-Shot brings that philosophy into a lighter braid-focused design.
Pros and cons
Pros: handmade Italian construction, serviceable design, strong T-Shot drag-to-weight figures, long brand history.
Cons: limited US retail presence, slower sourcing for custom orders, less mainstream than PENN/Shimano.
Verdict
The T-Shot 30 and 50 are the most useful modern Everols for trolling. The 80 and Two-Speed lines are better suited to dedicated heavy big-game programs.
Everol Special Series: the core big-game line
Everol’s identity is built around the Special Series, not yearly model changes. The company has made lever-drag reels in Italy since 1958 and still offers sizes from 2.5/0 through the enormous 20/0. Current one-speed models use blue drag scales, while two-speed Special Series reels use green scales.
The Special Series is old-school in the best sense: large machined aluminum frames, substantial stainless components, long lever travel and enormous line capacity. Everol also continues to publish parts diagrams and US service locations, which matters because many of these reels remain in use for decades.
Top five Everol Special Series trolling reels
1. Special 4/0 Two-Speed
The 4/0 two-speed is a relatively manageable entry into the Special Series. Current pricing is about $810. It is rated around 30 lb line class with roughly 650 yd capacity, 3.0:1 high / 1.6:1 low gearing and approximately 3.6 lb weight. This is a practical reel for sailfish, wahoo, smaller tuna and classic light big-game trolling.
2. Special 6/0 Wide Two-Speed
The 6/0 Wide increases 50 lb-class capacity to roughly 1,100 yd while keeping 3.0:1 / 1.6:1 gearing. Current pricing is around $940 and weight about 4.3 lb. For many offshore crews, this is the most versatile Everol because it carries serious line without jumping to the six- or ten-pound mass of the largest models.
3. Special 9/0 Wide Two-Speed
The 9/0 Wide is an 80 lb-class reel with roughly 900 yd capacity, 3.0:1 / 1.6:1 gearing and approximately 7.3 lb weight. Current price is about $1,345. It is intended for large tuna, marlin and shark fishing where traditional mono capacity still matters.
4. Special 14/0 Two-Speed
The 14/0 is a 130 lb-class reel with roughly 1,000 yd of mono capacity. It weighs about 10 lb and currently sells around $1,580. Everol publishes very high drag capability for this size, but it should be treated as a chair or heavy bent-butt reel, not a stand-up outfit.
5. Special 20/0 Two-Speed
The 20/0 is one of the largest production fishing reels in the world. Everol rates the two-speed model for 300 lb line class with roughly 1,150 yd capacity, 3.0:1 / 1.6:1 gearing and about 13.6 lb weight. Current price is around $2,450. It is specialized equipment for giant sharks, giant tuna and extreme tournament applications.
Special Series comparison
| Model | Line class | Capacity | Gearing | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4/0 2-Speed | 30 lb | 650 yd | 3.0:1 / 1.6:1 | 3.6 lb |
| 6/0 Wide 2-Speed | 50 lb | 1,100 yd | 3.0:1 / 1.6:1 | 4.3 lb |
| 9/0 Wide 2-Speed | 80 lb | 900 yd | 3.0:1 / 1.6:1 | 7.3 lb |
| 14/0 2-Speed | 130 lb | 1,000 yd | 3.0:1 / 1.6:1 | 10.0 lb |
| 20/0 2-Speed | 300 lb | 1,150 yd | 3.0:1 / 1.6:1 | 13.6 lb |
Why Everol reels are so large
Everol’s biggest reels were designed around thick monofilament, not modern thin braid. A giant tuna or shark can remove an enormous amount of line, and in the era before braid the only solution was a physically huge spool. That design philosophy remains valuable in fisheries where long mono topshots, extreme capacity or maximum heat dissipation matter.
The downside is obvious: a 10- to 14-pound reel changes the entire outfit. Rods, butts, fighting chairs and boat hardware have to support it. These reels are not intended to be held casually while trolling for mahi.
The drag-scale concept
Everol reels are visually distinctive because the lever moves alongside a calibrated scale. The scale is intended to make drag settings more repeatable and easier to reference during a fight. Rather than relying only on a generic “strike” position, crews can record a known setting and return to it.
A scale does not replace a drag gauge. Actual pressure still depends on spool fill, line angle and calibration. The correct procedure is to set drag with a scale, then use the reel’s markings as a repeatable reference.
Two-speed Special Series
The current two-speed Specials use approximately 3.0:1 high and 1.6:1 low across a remarkably wide range of sizes. That consistency makes the operating logic easy for a crew. High gear recovers line while the fish is moving or the boat is backing down; low gear increases torque when the fish settles deep.
On very large spools, even a low numerical ratio can recover substantial line per crank because the spool circumference is large. This is why giant reels do not need high gear ratios to remain effective.
Drag capability and safety
Everol publishes extraordinary drag figures for its largest reels. The company’s US pricing comparison lists the 14/0 at a very high drag range and the 20/0 at even more extreme levels. These numbers demonstrate mechanical capability, not sensible everyday fishing settings.
At extreme drag, the reel may be the strongest component in the system. Rods can break, reel seats can fail, harness loads can injure anglers and line can part violently. Heavy Everols should be used as part of a professionally rigged fighting system with realistic drag settings.
T-Shot: the lighter modern Everol
The T-Shot line deserves mention because it shows a different side of the company. T-Shot 20, 30, 50 and 80 models are lighter and designed with braid-era fishing in mind. Current prices run approximately $580, $615, $660 and $1,015 respectively.
The T-Shot 20 uses 6.2:1 gearing and weighs about 1.5 lb; the 30 uses 4.8:1 and weighs about 1.8 lb; the 50 uses 3.7:1 and weighs roughly 2.9 lb; the 80 uses 3.0:1 and weighs around 3.9 lb. These reels are far easier to use for ordinary trolling than a Special 14/0 or 20/0.
For most recreational Florida anglers, a T-Shot 30 or 50 is more practical than the giant Special Series. The Specials become relevant when the target, line class and fighting method are intentionally traditional and heavy.
Materials and construction
Everol describes its current reels as built from anticorodal aluminum and AISI 316 stainless steel with double-shielded stainless bearings and carbon-fiber multi-disc drags. The emphasis is durability and repairability rather than minimal weight.
The company’s history matters because it still supports old designs. Parts diagrams are available for Special Series reels, and US service locations are listed. That is important for a reel expected to remain on a boat for decades.
Florida model selection
Sailfish and mahi: T-Shot 20 or 30; a Special 4/0 can work for anglers who prefer traditional equipment.
Wahoo: T-Shot 30 or 50. Faster gearing is useful for line recovery.
Yellowfin and smaller marlin: T-Shot 50 or Special 6/0 Wide Two-Speed.
Large marlin and heavy tuna: Special 9/0 Wide or 14/0 depending on line class.
Extreme shark and giant-game applications: Special 18/0 or 20/0. These are specialist reels that require dedicated rods and fighting systems.
Everol versus modern compact reels
A compact Accurate, Avet or Saltiga can produce remarkable drag from a small frame. Everol Special reels take the opposite approach: large spool diameter, high capacity and massive components. Neither approach is automatically better.
Compact reels are easier to hold and use with braid. Large Specials offer reserve line, thermal mass and traditional ergonomics. The choice should reflect the actual line system. If the reel will be filled mostly with braid, an enormous 14/0 may be unnecessary. If the fishery requires 1,000 yards of heavy mono, compact reels cannot replace physical spool volume.
Line capacity: mono versus braid
Everol’s Special Series capacities are traditionally expressed by line class and yards of mono. Braid can multiply capacity dramatically, but filling a giant spool completely with thin braid may be impractical and expensive. Many anglers use backing to build spool diameter before adding the working line.
Large reels should be filled under controlled tension. Loose braid can bury into lower layers under drag, while overly tight packing can place unnecessary pressure on the spool.
Maintenance
After use, rinse gently and dry the reel completely. Pay attention to the lever slot, clicker, handle and harness lugs. Back off the drag for storage. On a large reel, the cost of line alone can be substantial, so inspect the spool underneath the line periodically for corrosion or trapped moisture.
Everol lists US service options including Reel Quality SRQ in Nokomis, Florida, and Superior Tackle in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Having domestic service support is a major advantage for an Italian reel with a very long production history.
Buying and custom orders
Everol publishes current US pricing and also offers custom anodizing and engraving on special orders. Custom work generally requires a non-refundable deposit. Because some models are built in relatively low volume, lead times can be longer than for mass-market reels.
When buying used, confirm the exact generation and whether parts are available. Everol has produced reels for decades, and older examples may differ in drag scale, internals or gear configuration from current models.
Who should buy Everol?
Everol makes the most sense for anglers who value mechanical simplicity, giant capacity and long-term ownership. It is particularly attractive to heavy-tackle traditionalists, land-based shark anglers and crews that want a reel designed to be rebuilt rather than replaced.
It makes less sense for anglers chasing the lightest possible stand-up outfit. A modern braid-focused reel can provide enough capacity and drag at a fraction of the weight.
Frequently asked questions
Are Everol reels still made in Italy?
Yes. Everol states that it continues to manufacture its reels in Italy.
What is the largest Everol?
The Special Series 20/0 is among the largest production fishing reels in the world and is designed for extreme line capacity and drag.
Which Everol is best for normal trolling?
The T-Shot 30 or 50 is the practical modern choice. In the Special Series, the 4/0 and 6/0 Wide are much easier to integrate into ordinary offshore programs than the giant models.
Can old Everol reels be serviced in the US?
Everol publishes US service locations and parts diagrams for the Special Series, which supports long-term ownership.