A premium boat reel from Penn, featuring their proven HT-100 drag system and full metal construction
A favourite with boat anglers but equally adept as a beachcaster reel with excellent line capacity and heavy-duty components
Great for experienced anglers requiring professional-grade durability and performance
Feature | What This Means |
---|---|
Full Metal Body and Side Plates | Complete metal construction ensures maximum durability and keeps gears perfectly aligned during heavy fishing |
HT-100 Carbon Fibre Drag Washers | Penn’s specialised drag system using carbon fibre washers that maintain smoothness even under extreme pressure |
30lb Max Drag | Can apply up to 30 pounds of pressure when fighting fish – plenty of stopping power for large species |
4+1 Shielded Stainless Steel Bearing System | Four ball bearings plus one roller bearing, all shielded against saltwater for smooth, corrosion-resistant operation |
Reinforced Levelwind | Strengthened line distribution system prevents insert pop-out and ensures even line lay during retrieval |
Fast Gear Access Side Plate | Quick-release side plate allows easy maintenance access without risking loose parts |
Line Capacity Rings | Visual indicators showing how much line remains on the spool during fishing |
5.5:1 Retrieve Ratio | A versatile gear ratio offering good speed while maintaining plenty of cranking power |
Mono Capacity | Holds 475 yards of 15lb monofilament – excellent capacity for deep water fishing |
Braid Capacity | Accommodates 645 yards of 30lb braid, providing exceptional capacity for deep dropping |
Weight: 740g (20.9oz) | Solid weight reflecting its robust construction, while remaining manageable for extended fishing sessions |
“The PENN Fathom II Level Wind’s heavy duty construction and powerful gears make it a true workhorse and favorite of charter boat Captains. It is designed to handle extreme abuse day-in and day-out. Whether you are bottom-fishing or casting live bait, the Fathom II will stand up to the hardest fishing conditions.
A Full Metal Body keeps precise gear alignment while the Fast Gear Access Sideplate allows for easy maintenance. The Fathom II also houses our powerful HT-100 drag system to stop any fish that bites. Available in standard, line counter and left hand models”
When we assess the build quality of a fishing reel, we test and review the materials used in manufacturing the reel and how it all comes together in the finished product.
This part of the review is fairly self-explanatory and focuses on how well the reel casts and how smooth the retrieve is.
Distance isn't a factor in this assessment whereas accuracy and efficiency is.
On top of the actual, physical performance of the reel we also look at the number and type of ball bearings, the spool, line lay and the gear ratio in comparison to its required use.
When reviewing the drag system on a fishing reel we are testing how smooth the drag is and how convenient it is to use.
There is no bias as to whether a reel has a front or rear drag system, it is solely judged on how smooth it can take out line relative to the amount of pressure that is being applied.
Self-explanatory in terms of an assessment but yet an important part of the review process. This is because it creates more of a level playing field.
Of course, the more expensive a reel is the more quality components it will have and as such will generally score higher.
Having value for money as a criterion allows us to recognise good-performing reels at bargain prices.
The Penn Fathom II Level Wind represents a significant evolution in Penn’s prestigious line of boat reels, building upon the success of its predecessor with thoughtful improvements to durability and functionality. As charter boat skippers’ preferred choice, we were particularly keen to evaluate its performance in demanding conditions.
The build quality is immediately apparent, with the full metal body and side plates providing exceptional rigidity and strength. The stainless steel main and pinion gears, combined with the forged and machined aluminium spool, create a remarkably solid foundation.
The improved levelwind system proves particularly robust, effectively eliminating the insert pop-out issues that can plague lesser reels. During testing, the HT-100 carbon fibre drag system delivered consistently smooth pressure, even when pushed to its 30lb maximum.
In real-world performance, the 5.5:1 gear ratio strikes an excellent balance between power and speed, perfect for both bottom fishing and live bait presentations. The Fast Gear Access side plate proves invaluable for maintenance, while the line capacity rings offer useful at-a-glance information during deep drops.
We found the 4+1 bearing system provided smooth operation even under heavy loads, though some anglers might prefer more bearings at this price point.
In summary, the Penn Fathom II Level Wind stands as a formidable choice for serious boat anglers, offering exceptional build quality and refined features that excel in demanding fishing scenarios.
Its robust drag system and durable construction make it particularly suited to deep-water fishing and targeting larger species. While the weight might be notable, the reel’s smooth operation and reliability make it a worthy investment for anglers prioritising durability and performance.
The combination of thoughtful engineering and practical features justifies its position as a favourite among boat anglers as a top multiplier.
Here is how the Penn Fathom II compares against other products in its category. This table shows the overall rating based on the average of the key attributes that go into making a top fishing reel.
Name | Overall Rating | Price | |
---|---|---|---|
Wychwood Agitator S1 Baitcasting Reel | 8 | £59.99 | Sold Here |
Okuma Surf 8k | 8.5 | £84.99 | Sold Here |
Penn Spinfisher VII | 8.6 | £99.99 | Sold Here |
Daiwa Legalis LT Reel | 8.5 | £70.69 | Sold Here |
Shimano Bullseye 9120 | 8.9 | £377.99 | Sold Here |
Penn Fathom II | 8.4 | £149.99 | Sold Here |
Shimano Tyrnos | 8.8 | £209.99 | Sold Here |
Daiwa BG Spinning Reel | 8.3 | £106.55 | Sold Here |
There are four key attributes that form the basis of our reviews on fishing reels. These include the following:
Build Quality: – When we assess the build quality of a fishing reel, we test and review the materials used in manufacturing the reel and how it all comes together in the finished product.
Cast & Retrieve: – This part of the review is fairly self-explanatory and focuses on how well the reel casts and smooth the retrieve is. Distance isn’t a factor in this assessment whereas accuracy and efficiency is.
Drag System: – When reviewing the drag system on a fishing reel we are testing how smooth the drag is and how convenient it is to use. There is no bias as to whether a reel has a front or rear drag system, it is solely judged on how smooth it can take out line relative to the amount of pressure that it is being applied.
Value for Money: – Again, this is self-explanatory in terms of an assessment but yet an important part of the review process. Having value for money as a criterion allows us to judge how well a reel performs vs its price point and in turn allows us to recognise good-performing reels at bargain prices.
Here is how the Penn Fathom II performed against is peers in each of these important attributes:
Name | Build Quality | Cast & Retrieve | Drag / Clutch | Value For Money |
---|---|---|---|---|
Wychwood Agitator S1 Baitcasting Reel | 8.0 | 7.5 | 7.5 | 9 |
Okuma Surf 8k | 8.0 | 8.5 | 8.5 | 9 |
Penn Spinfisher VII | 9.0 | 8.5 | 8.5 | 8.5 |
Daiwa Legalis LT Reel | 8.5 | 8.5 | 8.5 | 8.5 |
Shimano Bullseye 9120 | 9.5 | 9.0 | 9.0 | 8 |
Penn Fathom II | 8.5 | 8.0 | 8.5 | 8.5 |
Shimano Tyrnos | 9.0 | 9.0 | 9.0 | 8 |
Daiwa BG Spinning Reel | 8.5 | 8.0 | 8.0 | 8.5 |
If you would like to see more fishing tackle check out our full list of featured products below.Â
Copyright 2024 © eTackle | Designed by ‘The Web Page‘