PENNFathom Lever Drag

I took a friend's advice and bought a few Penn Lever drags. I have a variety of Tiagras, Avet's and Internationals-all of which still have their time and place. However, the Fathom, narrow, single-speed reels are just darned impressive. I am fishing heavier line from smaller reels when going after larger fish than any time in the last 20 years and have found this reel to be perfect for putting in time at the rail without the arm fatigue of my heavy metal reels. This is not a "cow tuna" reel, as any and all graphite reels tend to crack or break at the reel foot under prolonged extreme high drag pressure (which is simply the nature of a super stiff graphite frame), but it is a fair trade for less weight and less "wobble" compared to my "Big reels." In fact, I am certain that having aged a bit, that this reel produces more drag (#40lbs max) than I care to hold onto while fighting big tune; BUT, that high drag is just the ticket when locked-down for those last 30-50 feet to the gaff on a big fish. I use this for tuna up to 75-100 lbs; for bigger fish a 2 speed is easier on the arms and back, but the reel can and has handled tuna up to 150lb with perfect aplomb- if I do my part. Price point is terrific and it does not have that annoying Avet Reel whirring.

I really like this reel - caught it on sale for 30 bucks less. Perfect size reel to horse up fighting bottom fish. Caught my limit on seabass within 2 hours of a 12 hour trip. I paired it with a PENN 7ft CARNAGE II with 80lb braid. It will be tested in the gulf of Mexico this summer.

I purchased 6 of these reels with the intent to use them in Costa Rica mainly for sailfish. The retrieve rate is excellent, also the spool capacity and overall size is nice as well. Unfortunately the overall quality has been terrible so far, the clicker mechanism is a very poor design and stops working regularly. On initial use the clicker button actually fell right out of one of the reels. So far I have repaired the reel clickers on these reels 7 times, and don't see any way to improve their dependability. Also, while fighting a nice dorado (mahi mahi) one day, the reel handle fell right off the reel in mid-fight...luckily the screw wasn't able to fall out of the handle and I was able to put it back together later that day. Penn...you are better than this, aren't you?

I have only gotten to do two trips with this real this past season. It does seem like Penn did a great job with this product. It is very smooth it seems to be durable and is relatively light.time will tell. Haven’t got to bring in anything big with it yet but it seems to be powerful by design.Seems like they did a good job to come up with something cheaper than their rival companies but still have good quality.As I mentioned before, this real has not gotten a lot of use yet. I have had penn reels that have been bulletproof for many many years and I have had some that have been problematic. This one looks simple enough that I think it will be a good one.

I own eight Peen reels. This model is the first one that I have ever had any problems . I have two 113hlw that are almost 20 years old and a 6/0 that is over 30 years old and they have worked fine after all of these years.This reel worked well for about one year. If you purchase it please buy the warrantee. The brag is defective. I am extremely disappointed.

Great reel with a very strong smooth drag and the high speed retrieve is very fast

The second day of receiving it I went deep fishing in Dana Point CA, I did catch 14 fishes, I love the full control of break, speed and drag.

Super reel for deep water bottom fishing.....Even better than I Anticipated.....As a positive side effect this reel is super for diamond jigging bluefish and striped bass.. For the blues it isn't necessary to crank your arm off...the lure flies through the water with slow cranking.....You know, 60 inches per turn ,with a full reel of 80lb power pro,the lures catch.....HZ