Penn Warfare II Level wind

Overview

The PENN Warfare II Level Wind is a conventional saltwater multiplier reel designed for boat, trolling and general bait fishing. Built around a lightweight graphite frame and sideplates, it pairs a forged and machined aluminium spool with machined brass main and pinion gears for a straightforward, dependable drivetrain. PENN's HT-100 carbon-fibre drag washers deliver a maximum drag of 7kg / 15lb across all three sizes – 15LW, 20LW and 30LW.

Despite its accessible price point, the Warfare II includes features often found on higher-spec reels, such as an automatic Level Wind system and an Instant Anti-Reverse bearing. The spool also carries PENN's Line Capacity Rings, letting anglers gauge remaining line at a glance – particularly useful on the higher-capacity 20LW and 30LW models.

Rather than a Full Metal Body construction, PENN opts for graphite in the frame and sideplates to help control both weight and cost, positioning the Warfare II as a capable step-up from the Rival II Level Wind without moving into Fathom II Level Wind territory.

Perfect For

The 15LW suits compact, general boat fishing, drifting and bait fishing where large line capacity isn't essential. The 20LW is the all-round UK boat size of the range, offering considerably greater line capacity than the 15 while retaining the same 5.1:1 gear ratio and 15lb drag.

The 30LW switches to a lower 3.9:1 gear ratio and dramatically increased line capacity – up to 590yd of 65lb braid – making it suited to heavy boat bait fishing, deep-water work and heavier wreck or ground fishing, depending on the rod, line and species targeted.

Technical Insight

The automatic Level Wind travels side to side across the spool as line is retrieved, distributing it evenly without the angler needing to guide it manually with their thumb – a genuine convenience for boat anglers concentrating on winding down a fish. This mechanical simplicity trade-off means the Warfare II Level Wind is better suited to boat, trolling and down-tide fishing than shore-casting, where an open conventional reel is usually preferred.

Moving up through the range from 15LW to 30LW doesn't increase maximum drag – it stays at 7kg / 15lb throughout. Instead, the larger reels trade gear speed for line capacity and thicker line diameters, so the choice between sizes should be based on capacity and gearing needs rather than drag strength.