Penn Fathom Lever Drag

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.

Used two new Fathom 30's for the first time recently fly lining live Ballyhoo for sailfish. The reel impressed my fishing buddy who is a die hard Shimano fan and uses high end Talica and Tiagra lever drag reels offshore. It has good line capacity, a very good drag system, good retrieve ratio (maybe a tad slow for kite fishing) and is a solid and smooth performer. Have two on Key Largo 20-30 custom standup rods for light to medium trolling duty from Dolphin to Sailfish in the Keys. An excellent reel at less than retail from through Amazon

Very smooth real. I caught some nice Snapper and grouper with this fishing reel. I also own the 40n and the 60. Haven't used the 40 yet but the 60 work great for large grouper and American red snapper.

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.

Great reel. Landed a 45# King Mackeral. I think the level wind would have been a better choice. Constantly tending the line. Lever drag is excellent.

Great jigging reel for yellowtail

All metal reel for less than $300.00, what's not to like? Really good drag also. I have it spooled with over 650 yds of #80 braid so I can put some hurt on the fish.

was very excited to get this reel for an upcoming saltwater trip.after unpacking, i realized that one of the four main screws that hold on the sideplate was loose. tried tightening the screw, but i kept turning and wouldn't get taught.removed the original screw and tried to replace it with one of the other four screws. the second screw also wouldn't tighten into the original machined hole. took the original screw and it tightened into the second screws opening just fine, meaning the original hole isn't threaded properly?this is the second penn reel i've returned in two weeks - the other being a slammer III that had a faulty drag system. starting to wonder if penn's assembly lines in china are running into some quality control issues?decided to ultimately go with an american made reel from a different manufacturer.