Penn RIV15LW Rival Level Wind, Black, 15 review and price compare 2025

you can compare the product price from Costco, wayfair, bestbuy, lowes, target, homedepot, Walmart, ebay, amazon to find the best price for you

Product overview

Brand	Penn
Material	Aluminum
Hand Orientation	Right Hand
Color	Black
Handle Material	Carbon Fiber
Item Weight	0.49 Kilograms
Bearing Material	Stainless Steel

product features

This fits your .

by entering your model number.
lightweight graphite frame and sideplates
auto-engaging gears
marine-grade bronze alloy main gear
machine cut brass pinion gear
ht-100 carbon fiber drag washers
Sport type: Fishing
Included components: Reel

From the manufacturer

product description

The Penn rival was engineered to be an extremely versatile all-rounder at an affordable price. Features a lightweight graphite frame and sideplates with aluminum frame rings for improved rigidity to prevent frame-flex. Ht-100 drag washers provide smooth drag under heavy loads. Line capacity rings eliminate question of how much line you have left when Fighting a fish.

product details

Is Discontinued By Manufacturer ‏ : ‎ No
Product Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5 x 6.77 x 3.42 inches; 1.09 Pounds
Item model number ‏ : ‎ RIV15LW RIVAL 15 LW REEL BOX
Department ‏ : ‎ Unisex-adult
Date First Available ‏ : ‎ September 6, 2016
Manufacturer ‏ : ‎ Pure Fishing
ASIN ‏ : ‎ B01IDEPBU8
Country of Origin ‏ : ‎ China

important information

you can compare the product price from Costco, wayfair, bestbuy, lowes, target, homedepot, Walmart, ebay, amazon to find the best price for you

Questions about Penn RIV15LW Rival Level Wind, Black, 15

Size of reel

Answer: Weight 17.7 oz

Mine just came in the mail today. The pic shows a depth counter but mine didn't. How can I return it ?

Answer: Put it back in box, go to your Amazon orders, select return, pick a reason, print out shipping label, and drop off at nearest UPS facility, or at least that's how I return stuff

Is this rated for salt?

Answer: Yes all penn reels are rated for both salt and fresh water

tamaño del monofilamento maximo

Answer: Depende de el peso que le pongas yo le puse 80 lbs y me alcanzó 250 ft

Can someone tell me how many yards of 40lb braid this reel will hold?

Answer: 300

How many yards will it hold of 50 pound mono

Answer: I can hold around 200 to 230 Yds. If 50#mono

Answer: This reel just recently broke after very little use, dont buy it

What is the gear ratio ?

Answer: It's a 5:1.1

Is this reel braid capable

Answer: Definitely braid capable. I use a Penn Warfare, the upgrade to the Rival, with 50 lb braid and a mono leader for rockfishing. I can cast as well.

Answer: Not sure but I use leadcore on mine.

Answer: yes, that is what I am using it for

Which sizes are right without the line counter?

Answer: buy a Coldwater 303ds with line counter. 119.00 or so.. my Penns failed me.

these are cheap chinese pieces of crap, for small fish, correct?

Answer: No this not a cheap Chinese piece of crap for small fish, this reel is a very good quality reel not like some of the cheap reels with Teflon gears in them Penn still makes their reels with brass or steel.

Answer: Caught a 28# drum on one yesterday. What’s your definition of small fish? They are not American made Penns, but good reels for the price. Great value in a pretty good reel.

Answer: Actually no they arent cheap and some are made over seas. Penn is my go to reel for catfish and salt water fishing. They are very durable and easily rebuildable. I have a #9 ive had over 30 years. You cant go wrong with Penn!

Answer: I used one last year in the ocean salmon fishing. Held up good, caught a 32 pound king. Going to use it again this year.

Answer: I use this reel on the Minnesota river for catfish and walleyes. With 80# braid I've hauled 30# cats into the boat no problem. It's a good reel with great drag.

Answer: Yes! Mine was defective in the box! I returned it immediately and paid a bit more for Shimano quality!

Answer: Mine started making grinding noises after only a few uses. Had to return it.

Answer: for me it worked fine in both fresh and saltwater.

What’s the line cap on the 15 size rival ?

Answer: I bought this for leadcore trolling. 15 lb leadcore is 100 yards.

Answer: It really depends on the thickness of the line you are using. Great Reel!!!

How many yards of 100 pound Braid will the Penn Rival20 level wind baitcasting reel hold ?

Answer: While someone else said "Braid only goes to 100' which is completely wrong, 100lb braid is very large in diameter, and the rival is NOT suited for it, the weight of the line itself is too much for the drag of the rival, and you cannot get enough of it on there to be useful, I use 20lb braid on the rival for kokanee, if you are looking for a reel that has the Drag capability and the spool size for 100lb you should be looking at something like a penn fathom 60

Answer: Braid chart only goes to up 50 l bs

Does this reel have a bait clicker

Answer: Yes it does.

It has the same on the left hand?

Answer: What's the question relate to?

Penn is Made in China now?

Whats the max of lb for line can this handle

Answer: the line weight should not exceed the drag weight unless you are fishing areas where abrasion resistence is needed. 25-30lb line is plenty for most purposes this reel is designed for, maybe 50lb braid if you expect the fish to dart under rockshelfs after being hooked and need the line to resist abrasion.

Answer: Probly 50

how much line will go on this reel if using 50lb braid?

Answer: The Penn website says 305 yards of 50lb braid

is this reel right handed

Answer: yes Penn RIV15LW Rival Level Wind, Black, is right hand just pay attention when ordering because they do make a left hand one also. Great Reel I own 4 of them

Answer: The picture shows a right handed reel. The model number for the left handed reel would be riv15lwlh

Answer: You can get it both. But the one you are looking at is. The riv15 lv. The r in the beginning is for right hand a liv would be a left hand.

Answer: Yes, look at the picture.

En que pais está fabricado?

Whats a cheap but decent deep sea spinning reel?

Answer: Penn Battle II works great for almost any type of fishing. I use a 6000 series for Dolphin {Mahi} couple with either a Penn rod or a Ugly Stick

Answer: Not sure, I only use conventional

Is this reel good for casting from the beach

Answer: if you are casting short distances for catfish, this is a great reel option. if you need to get a bait passed the surf, forget it, get a spinning reel and surf rod setup instead.

Answer: Not really for Cassie from the beach. It’s better for short casts and dropping line straight down f

Answer: Type on the internet : "how to cast a level wind reel". There are several youtube sites that will be referred. Should not be much difference between the level wind and the straight conventional for distance, but to halt backlashes you can adjust the spool tension to slow the spool on casting. You'll find those adjustments on youtube if you look up eliminate backlash on a conventional reel. Hope these help.

Answer: I have two of these reels in the 15 size and I use these in the surf at Kure Beach, NC. I have them on 9ft rods. They work fine for me, but it depends on how far you want to throw out. I get good distance but a spinner will always give you more distance.

Answer: Not really. This is a conventional reel, which is normally used for dropping a line from a boat or trolling from a boat. You would want a spinning reel to cast from the beach. Look at the Penn Fierce II. or Penn Battle. I have both of these and love them.

Answer: Not really

How many colors / yards of 27 lb lead core line will this reel handle?

Answer: See Cabela's "lead core line buyers guide". Should answer all you questions about capacity and colors. You can find Rival line capacities on the Penn level wind reel website for Rival.

Where are Penn Reels manufactured?

Answer: There are only a couple reels made by penn that are manufactured in the u.s.a

Answer: There are some Penn reels still made in the U.S.A., Philadelphia, PA. to be exact, but they have moved some of their product manufacturing overseas.

Hi how much 15 pound mono will this reel hold thanks

Answer: The Penn website says 320 yards for 15 pound mono

Answer: I would say 150 yards.

How many ball bearings ?

Answer: Look on the penn website specifications.

Can you cast it ?

Answer: Yes and no . Yes when you use a 2oz weights or higher. No if you are using lures and jigs I use my for catfishing and I cast over 100 feet easy with a 2oz weight on it .hope this answers

Answer: do not get this reel for getting baits passed the surf, you will fight backlashes and never get the distance needed. this is a great reel option for short casting for things like catfish or bridge bait dropping.

Answer: No this is not a bait caster good for trolling

Answer: I have not used it yet, but I don't see why not.

Does it have bait clicker

Answer: Yes it does

Answer: Yes it does.

Is this a lefty?

Answer: On the one that I purchased, handle is on the right side of the reel, however, Penn does make this model with the handle on the left side too. If need a left handle, look for this model number: RIV15LWLH. It's the same price as the right handle model from what I could find.

Answer: No it’s a right handed

Answer: Why would you need a left handed reel?

Answer: My son says it’s not

Is this reel good for casting from the beach

Answer: if you are casting short distances for catfish, this is a great reel option. if you need to get a bait passed the surf, forget it, get a spinning reel and surf rod setup instead.

Answer: Not really for Cassie from the beach. It’s better for short casts and dropping line straight down f

Answer: Not really

Where can i find replacement parts?

Answer: Mikes reel repair has had every part for every pen I owned!!!

is it for saltwater use

Answer: Yes, can be used for saltwater with great success. Not good for casting.

Answer: Yes, that is why I bought it

Answer: Yes

Is the 15 right hand or left hand?

Answer: This is a left hand. Get the rw model for eight hand.

Is this right right or left hand? The one that you have avaliable for 34 usd currently.

Answer: The picture you show is left handed, judging by the level wind guide in relation to the handle. The level wind guide is always on the front of the reel which faces the tip of the fishing pole. Usually their ads include the choice of a right handed version. Hope that helps.

Answer: It gave me the option to choose left or right....

Answer: The one you are looking at, in the picture is left handed, in the description it says right handed. Cannot help, sorry

Answer: Right hand but can be changed to left if you need to.

Product reviews of Penn RIV15LW Rival Level Wind, Black, 15

Amazon Customer : Four Stars

Good price, works well in salt water.

JDF : worked for 1 new england season......

I ordered this reel last year. I took good care of it, always rinsed with fresh water, oiled periodically. This year the reel is not working. I used it for 5 months last year May -Sept. It is now out of warrantee and to send it to Penn for repairs, the cost would be over the initial cost of the reel.

I have all Penn reels and believe in their product. BUT, this lower price point Rival doesn't hold up. I will not invest more money (more than what I paid for it to repair) into this reel. I'll just buy a replacement - but it won't be a Rival Reel.

don't buy!

Amazon Customer : Good reel really like the power handle

Really like the reel don't know for the longevity only had it for a short while. So far the only down fall i would give it is cast ability it's not for a novice but still castable. Over all satisified with it, for the value it's a good reel.

Michael J Downes : The price was right

The fishing reel was absolutely wonderful

Mike D. : Smooth and Efficient

Top quality reel and perfect for my Sabiki Rod

clint casemore : Garbage

Garbage. Anti reverse crapped out on both reels after two trips. Bent and broke. It will cost more to fix them than just buy new ones. Save your money, buy something else, disappointed with Penn on these

Amazon Customer : Riv is ok!!!

Good reel for the money just a little on the slow side especially for a jigging casting reel.

francis landsberg : Five Stars

lets see, actually to soon to write an honest report

Patrik : Penn is Made in China now

Penn is Made in China now,

scott b. : Like what I got so far.

Haven’t used it yet but from first appearance it looks like a well made product. Will update when i use it.

Amazon Customer : Good reel really like the power handle

chuck watkins : Junk

Used twice jerked to set hook the anti reverse now don’t work plain junk not a real quality penn

Lieutenant Dustin H. Hendry : Strong and durable

Great for shallow water bottom fishing.

clint casemore : Garbage

brent : worth it.

the best value out there. reels and feels like a $140 reel. highly
recommend.

Linda F. Hesemann : Nice reel!

Nice reel. Have no complaints about function. For the price you can't go wrong.

RALPH L HAINSWORTH JR. : Light weight and durable.

I have been using Penn reels for over 50 years. Nice to see they are still producing quality products. This one will be used for lead core line while fly core fishing for stripers. I don’t know what a couple of revues are about line counters, the pictures I see are obviously without line counters. Hope it lasts like my old ones have.

scott b. : Like what I got so far.

Haven’t used it yet but from first appearance it looks like a well made product. Will update when i use it.

Amazon Customer : Great product for the money!

This was a Birthday gift for my Grandson.
He loved it!
A great product for the price. It has a good quality look to it.

joshua morgan crawford : Great to reel, not to cast

You are not going to get this to cast with, it is not a good casting reel. But if you are on a kayak or pier, it has a super smooth retrieve!

brent : worth it.

the best value out there. reels and feels like a $140 reel. highly
recommend.

Linda F. Hesemann : Nice reel!

Nice reel. Have no complaints about function. For the price you can't go wrong.

you can compare the product price from Costco, wayfair, bestbuy, lowes, target, homedepot, Walmart, ebay, amazon to find the best price for you