If you're targeting wahoo or yellowfin tuna offshore, a 50 class wide reel is essential. These reels are built to be durable, powerful, and capable of holding massive amounts of line, which is exactly what you need when chasing giants off Southeast Florida, running planners, Nomad DTX plugs, or high speed leads.
Three two-speed reels dominate this category: the Shimano Tiagra 50 WLRSA, the Okuma Makaira 50W II, and the Penn International 50 VISW. Here's our take on how they stack up:
Price
| Reel | Price |
|---|---|
| Shimano Tiagra 50 LRSA | $840 |
| Penn International 50 Wide | $800 |
| Okuma Makaira | $760 |
The Okuma Makaira is the most budget-friendly of the three, while the Shimano Tiagra sits at the top as the priciest option. The Penn International lands right in the middle of the two. If you're looking for a budget-friendly powerhouse reel, the Okuma is your choice. You get the same top-of-the-line performance without getting up past the $800 mark.
Gear Ratio
All three are two-speed reels, meaning they have a high gear and a low gear. Switching between them is done through a button on the side of the handle that lets you engage or disengage as you fish.
| Reel | High Gear | Low Gear |
|---|---|---|
| Shimano Tiagra | 3:1 | 1:3 |
| Okuma Makaira | 3:2 | 1:3 |
| Penn International | 3:5 | 1:3 |
For species like billfish or wahoo that are known to turn and charge the boat, quick line pickup matters. The Penn International has the highest high-speed gear ratio of the three, giving it a slight edge for fast retrieves. It may be a small numeric difference, but you'll feel it on the water.
Weight
| Reel | Weight |
|---|---|
| Shimano Tiagra | 86 oz |
| Penn International | 67 oz |
| Okuma Makaira | 65 oz |
The Tiagra is noticeably heavier than the other two. The Makaira and Penn International are nearly identical in weight, with just a small 2 oz difference. You always want to take weight into account when choosing the reel for your setup. No matter how great the performance is, if your reel is too heavy, you're not going to want to use it. The Makaira is the lightest of all three, with the Penn not far behind. We highly recommend getting your hands on each of these reels in-store with us so we can find which one is right for you and your setup.
Line Capacity (100 lb Braid)
| Reel | Capacity |
|---|---|
| Shimano Tiagra | 1,200 yd |
| Okuma Makaira | ~1,200 yd |
| Penn International | 1,800 yd |
The Penn International holds significantly more line than the other two; 1,800 yards of 100 lb braid compared to roughly 1,200 yards on the other two. That said, all three hold far more line than most Southeast Florida fisheries require, but if you're fishing in areas like the Gulf or up in the Northeast, 100 lb braid is going to be your go-to for those bigger fish. As you drop down in line diameter (80 lb, 65 lb), capacity increases on all three reels so you can't go wrong with any of these three.
Handle
The Shimano Tiagra has the thickest, largest diameter handle of the three, giving you maximum grip when you're grinding on a big fish. The Penn International is similar in length but slightly thinner.
The Okuma Makaira stands out here; its handle is thinner in both diameter and length, and it sits at an angle rather than straight up and down. This design may actually suit anglers with smaller hands better, but if you're pulling hard on an 80 lb setup and want the most leverage, the Tiagra's handle would be a good fit.
Drag System
All three reels position the drag lever in the same spot- on the back side behind the handle, making it easy to engage and adjust whether the rod is in the gunnel or in your hands.
| Reel | Max Drag |
|---|---|
| Okuma Makaira | 60 lb (85 lb total max) |
| Shimano Tiagra | 57 lb |
| Penn International | 45 lb |
The Okuma Makaira leads on drag power. It also ships from the factory with a Cal Sheets upgraded drag system, an aftermarket upgrade that would otherwise cost $250–$300 to have done on any of these reels. If raw stopping power is your priority, the Makaira wins.
Drag Lever Feel
The Tiagra features deep, hollowed-out notches on the glide plate, giving a very distinct click-in feel as you increase drag pressure notch by notch. The Makaira offers a similar tactile experience, with smaller grooves that let you dial in incrementally. The Penn International has a smoother drag lever that slides quickly from light to heavy with less resistance, which is good if you want to make quick adjustments.
Build & Origin
All three reels are built primarily from stainless steel and aluminum on the exterior (frame, glide plate, and handle arms). Where they differ is country of origin:
- Shimano Tiagra: Made in Japan
- Okuma Makaira: Made in Taiwan
- Penn International: Made in the USA
Color Options
- Shimano Tiagra — Champagne gold only
- Penn International — Gold and silver
- Okuma Makaira — Gold, silver, and black (special LBS/land-based shark editions)
If you're building a matched boat outfit, the Makaira gives you the most flexibility to coordinate colors throughout your setup.
Rod & Butt Pairing
All three reels are 50 class, meaning they can be fished on a #2 butt — no need for a bulky #4 that forces you to fight from the gunnel. A popular pairing is a two-piece rod like the SW 5100 with SIC guides for braid, a wind-on brawler tip, and a Winthrop Terminator #2 adjustable butt, which lets you quickly switch between a bent butt (high-speed trolling) and straight position (stand-up fighting).
Bottom Line
All three reels are excellent choices and any of them would serve you well offshore. Here's a quick summary of where each one leads:
- Best gear ratio / most line capacity: Penn International
- Lightest weight / most drag power / best value: Okuma Makaira
- Best handle grip / premium build: Shimano Tiagra
Ultimately this is a Ford vs. Chevy debate. The right reel comes down to your personal preference, hand size, fishing style, and budget. If you want to know more, try any of them out, or need help choosing the right reel for you- call us at (954) 876-1631 or visit us in-store and we'd love to help you out!