Last Updated: October 22, 2026
Quick Summary
The best trolling reels for Lake Michigan salmon and trout balance line capacity, drag consistency, and counter accuracy. Our all-around pick is the PENN Fathom II 20 Line Counter, with 30 lb of drag and 315 yards of 20 lb mono capacity. Budget anglers can start with the PENN Rival II 15 Line Counter.
- The PENN Fathom II 20 Line Counter holds 315 yards of 20 lb mono or 645 yards of 30 lb braid.
- The PENN Rival II 15 Line Counter offers 15 lb of max drag and holds 320 yards of 15 lb mono.
- The Abu Garcia Ambassadeur C1 6500 is the lightest reel here at 10.58 oz with 11 lb max drag.
- Daiwa Saltist LW and Prorex LWLC both run a 6.1:1 gear ratio for fast retrieve.
- The PENN International VI INT12VI holds 840 yards of 50 lb braid with a 15 lb drag ceiling.
Table of Contents
- Quick Comparison: Best Trolling Reels for Lake Michigan Salmon and Trout
- How We Picked and Tested These Trolling Reels
- PENN Fathom II 20 Line Counter: The All-Around Pick
- PENN Rival II 15 and Abu Garcia Ambassadeur: Best Budget Trolling Reels
- Daiwa Saltist LW and Prorex LWLC: Fast Retrieve for Big Water
- PENN Squall II and Warfare II: Mid-Range Workhorses
- PENN International VI INT12VI: The Premium Lever Drag Option
- Which One Should You Pick?
- Frequently Asked Questions
Quick Comparison: Best Trolling Reels for Lake Michigan Salmon and Trout
The best trolling reels for Lake Michigan salmon and trout balance line capacity, drag consistency, and counter accuracy against how you actually fish. This guide from Elliott's Tackle & Rigging breaks down every reel we'd run on our own boat.
Here's the short version before the details:
| Reel | Price | Gear Ratio | Max Drag | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PENN Fathom II 20 Line Counter | $319.95 | 5.5:1 | 30 lb | All-around pick |
| PENN Rival II 15 Line Counter | $91.99 | 5.1:1 | 15 lb | Budget starter |
| Abu Garcia Ambassadeur C1 6500 | $78.99 | 5.1:1 | 11 lb | Lightest budget option |
| Daiwa Saltist LW | $242.99 | 6.1:1 | 15.4 lb | Fast retrieve |
| Daiwa Prorex LWLC | $290.99 | 6.1:1 | 15.4 lb | Counter plus speed |
| PENN Squall II 15 | $179.95 | - | - | Mid-range value |
| PENN Squall II 30 | $199.95 | - | - | Bigger spools |
| PENN Warfare II 30 LWLC | $160.99 | - | - | Extended trolling |
| PENN International VI INT12VI | $529.95 | 6.75:1 | 15 lb | Premium lever drag |
How We Picked and Tested These Trolling Reels
We picked these reels on four criteria: line capacity for long coho and king runs, drag smoothness under load, counter reliability, and how well each frame survives repeated soakings. Every reel here comes from the Elliott's Tackle & Rigging shelf.
A trolling reel is a conventional or level-wind reel built to hold heavy line and feed it out at controlled speed behind a moving boat.
Our testing is practical, not lab-based: does the drag hold steady through a long fight, does the counter read true after a season, and does the spool hold enough line to reach deep water.
PENN Fathom II 20 Line Counter: The All-Around Pick
The PENN Fathom II 20 Line Counter is the reel we reach for first on Lake Michigan.
The integrated line counter takes the guesswork out of depth management, repeatable depth is the whole game with divers or lead core. The 5.5:1 gear ratio pulls 30 inches per crank, plenty for a steady trolling retrieve.
Capacity is the real story: 315 yards of 20 lb mono or 645 yards of 30 lb braid. Fast Gear Access lets you get inside the reel on the water, and Line Capacity Rings show your fill at a glance.
PENN Rival II 15 and Abu Garcia Ambassadeur: Best Budget Trolling Reels
Budget doesn't have to mean fragile. The PENN Rival II 15 Line Counter and the Abu Garcia Ambassadeur round reels cover the entry level without cutting the features that matter.
The Rival II 15 runs an auto-engaging level wind and HT-100 carbon fiber drag with 15 lb of max drag.
The Abu Garcia Ambassadeur C1 6500 pairs a lighted digital line counter with a synchronized level wind. It's the lightest reel here at 10.58 oz and holds 255 yards of 17 lb mono.
Daiwa Saltist LW and Prorex LWLC: Fast Retrieve for Big Water
Speed matters when you're covering water or chasing a fish that turns and runs at the boat. The Daiwa Saltist LW and Prorex LWLC both run a 6.1:1 gear ratio for a fast retrieve.
The Saltist LW size 20 is the lightest in its series at 18.5 oz and pulls 35 inches per crank. It holds 350 yards of 14 lb mono or 260 yards of 50 lb J-Braid, with 15.4 lb of max drag.
The Prorex LWLC adds an integrated line counter to the same fast gearing and pulls 34.4 inches per crank. It holds 490 yards of 14 lb mono or 370 yards of 50 lb J-Braid. The UTD drag system uses carbon washers and stainless plates for a smooth, low-inertia pull.
Where these shine: wire divers and long coho spreads where you're constantly resetting.
PENN Squall II and Warfare II: Mid-Range Workhorses
The PENN Squall II and Warfare II sit between the budget reels and the premium lever drags, and the right pick depends on which trolling method you run most.
The Squall II 15 and 30 share a Fast Gear Access sideplate, HT-100 carbon fiber drag, and a forged aluminum spool.
The Warfare II 30 LWLC adds a line counter and machined brass gearing to a graphite frame.
PENN FTHII20LWLC Fathom II Level Wind 20 w/Line Counter →
Setup-by-setup, here's how we'd rig them:
- Downriggers: Squall II 15 with 20 lb mono or 30 lb braid. The 15's lighter spool and 5.1:1 retrieve are fine for stacking lines and resetting quickly. Pair with a conventional trolling rod and a release that matches your line diameter.
- Divers: Squall II 30 with 30 lb braid. The bigger spool gives you the capacity to run long leads and still have backing when a king turns. The 20 lb drag ceiling is the headroom you want for a diver that loads up at speed.
- Lead core: Warfare II 30 LWLC. The line counter is non-negotiable here, lead core depth is a function of feet out, and a counter lets you repeat a 5-color or 7-color set without guessing. Fill with 30 lb braid backing and a mono top shot.
- Copper: Warfare II 30 LWLC with 30 lb braid backing. Copper is diameter-heavy, so the 30-size spool is the minimum we'd run. The counter keeps your 100-foot and 200-foot copper setups repeatable.
Don't push a mid-range reel past its drag rating. Set drag with a scale and let the fish run.
Bring your rod to the reel decision. A level-wind reel pairs with a conventional trolling rod, while a lever drag pairs with a heavier stand-up rod. Mismatched pairings cost you casting distance and fighting use.
Line counter accuracy is the other factor. Counters drift over a season. Check yours against a measured pull before your first trip each year, and recalibrate if it's off.
PENN International VI INT12VI: The Premium Lever Drag Option
If you want the best drag in the lineup, the PENN International VI INT12VI is it.
Where this reel earns its keep is seasonal work. Spring coho and trout are smaller and shallower, so a 15-size reel with 15 lb mono is plenty.
Setup-by-setup, here's how we'd run it:
- Downriggers: INT12VI with 30 lb braid and a mono top shot. The lever drag lets you set strike precisely and adjust on the fly when a king makes a run at the boat. Pair with a heavier stand-up rod.
- Divers: INT12VI with 50 lb braid. The 840-yard capacity means you can run long leads and still have backing when a big fish turns. The 2-speed gearing is the difference between landing and losing a summer king on a diver.
- Lead core and copper: INT12VI with 50 lb braid backing. The line counter on the LWLC models is more convenient for repeatable depth, but the INT12VI's capacity and drag make it the choice when you're targeting the biggest kings of the season.
If you troll a handful of weekends a year, the Fathom II covers you for less. If you're on the water every week from spring coho through fall kings, the INT12VI's drag, gearing, and capacity are worth the investment.
tip Bring your rod to the reel decision. A lever drag pairs with a heavier stand-up rod, while a level-wind reel pairs with a conventional trolling rod. Mismatched pairings cost you casting distance and fighting use.
Which One Should You Pick?
Match the reel to how you fish, not to the spec sheet:
- One reel for everything: PENN Fathom II 20 Line Counter. Best drag, best counter, best capacity.
- Tight budget: PENN Rival II 15 or Abu Garcia Ambassadeur. Enough reel for coho and trout.
- Fast retrieve for divers and long spreads: Daiwa Saltist LW or Prorex LWLC.
- Mid-range all-season workhorse: PENN Squall II or Warfare II.
- Premium drag and capacity: PENN International VI INT12VI.
One thing most guides miss: reel size should follow your line, not the other way around.
Bring your rod to the reel decision. A level-wind reel pairs with a conventional trolling rod, while a lever drag pairs with a heavier stand-up rod. Mismatched pairings cost you casting distance and fighting use.
Line counter accuracy is the other factor. Counters drift over a season. Check yours against a measured pull before your first trip each year, and recalibrate if it's off.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best size reel for salmon trolling?
For most Lake Michigan salmon and trout trolling, a size 15 to 20 conventional reel covers the widest range of setups. Size 15 reels like the PENN Rival II 15 handle braid-backed downrigger and diver rods well, while a size 20 such as the PENN Fathom II 20 gives you more line capacity for copper and lead core. Step up to a size 30 only when you need extra backing for long copper lengths or wire divers.
Do you need line counter reels for salmon trolling?
They are not required, but line counter reels for salmon make repeatable depth control far easier. Once you find a depth that produces, the counter lets you return to that exact spread instead of guessing. Reels like the PENN Fathom II 20 and Daiwa Prorex LWLC include integrated counters, while the Abu Garcia Ambassadeur C1 6500 uses a lighted digital counter for the same job.
How much line capacity do you need for salmon trolling?
Trolling reel line capacity depends on your presentation. A size 15 reel with roughly 320 yards of 15 lb mono is enough for braid-backed downrigger rods, while copper and lead core setups need more room. The PENN Fathom II 20 holds 315 yards of 20 lb mono or 645 yards of 30 lb braid, which covers most Lake Michigan setups with backing to spare.
What drag settings should I run for salmon trolling?
Set reel drag settings for salmon trolling so line pulls out smoothly under a steady load without slipping on the strike. Start light, then tighten in small steps until the drag releases line evenly with a firm pull. Reels with HT-100 carbon fiber washers, such as the PENN Squall II and Fathom II, hold consistent pressure better than entry-level drag stacks, which matters when a king salmon makes a hard run.
What gear ratio is best for a salmon trolling reel?
Most trolling reels for salmon run between 5.1:1 and 6.1:1. Lower ratios like the 5.1:1 on the PENN Rival II 15 and Abu Garcia Ambassadeur deliver torque for pulling divers and copper, while a 6.1:1 reel such as the Daiwa Saltist LW retrieves 35 inches per crank for faster line pickup. Match the ratio to your presentation rather than chasing the highest number.
Choosing the right trolling reel for Lake Michigan salmon and trout comes down to matching drag, capacity, and counter accuracy to the way you actually fish. At Elliott's Tackle & Rigging, every reel on this list is hand-selected by a captain with forty years on the water, backed by free shipping and 30-day returns. Browse our trolling reel collection and get the gear that works harder and lasts longer on your boat.
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