The Workhorse of the Water: An In-Depth Look at the Penn Fathom Reel Series

In the world of saltwater fishing, few names command as much respect as Penn. For decades, their reels have been the benchmark for durability and power, trusted by charter captains and serious anglers who demand equipment that will not fail. Within this storied lineup, the Penn Fathom series has carved out a reputation as the definitive “workhorse” reel—a versatile, powerful, and remarkably durable platform that offers professional-grade performance without the ultra-premium price tag of its International cousins.

From jigging deep wrecks to live-baiting for pelagics and casting from the surf, the Fathom family has grown to include a specialized reel for nearly any heavy-duty application. This article explores the core features that define the series and breaks down the different models to help you understand which Fathom is the right tool for the job.

Core DNA: What Makes a Fathom a Fathom?

While the series has diversified, most Fathom models are built around a shared set of core principles and features. The recent “Fathom II” generation has refined this platform, but the philosophy remains the same: power, rigidity, and serviceability.

Full Metal Body and Sideplates: This is the non-negotiable foundation of the Fathom. The rigid metal frame ensures that under heavy load—like when cranking on a big tuna or deep-water grouper—the internal gears and components remain in perfect alignment. This prevents torque and flex, which are the primary causes of gear binding and premature wear in lesser-quality graphite-frame reels.
HT-100™ Drag System: Penn’s legendary High-Performance (HT-100) carbon fiber drag washers are renowned for their smooth, consistent performance and stopping power. They are designed to handle the long, smoking runs of pelagic fish and the brute force of bottom dwellers without sticking or fading.
Machined Stainless Steel Main and Pinion Gears: The heart of the reel is its gearing. The Fathom uses immensely strong, machine-cut stainless steel gears (or marine-grade bronze in some models) to deliver massive cranking power and long-term durability.
Fast Gear Access Sideplate: A feature beloved by anglers who maintain their own gear. This design allows you to quickly open the sideplate to clean, grease, and service the gears and drag system without having to fully disassemble the entire reel.
Line Capacity Rings: A simple but brilliant feature. These rings, milled into the spool, show you how much line you have left (1/3, 2/3, and full) at a glance. This is incredibly useful when fighting a fish that is dumping your spool or when deep-dropping.

Exploring the Fathom Family: Models and Applications

The Fathom series is not a one-size-fits-all reel. It’s a family of specialized tools. Here’s a breakdown of the primary models.

1. Fathom II Lever Drag (Single & 2-Speed)

This is arguably the flagship of the Fathom line, built for the serious offshore angler. The lever drag system offers precise, on-the-fly drag adjustments during a fight.

Key Features:
- Dura-Drag™ System: On the larger 2-speed models, Penn implements its top-tier Dura-Drag system, which is essentially a scaled version of the drag found in their elite International VI reels. It’s designed for extreme heat and heavy-pressure trolling.
- Quick-Shift II™ 2-Speed System: The 2-speed models (e.g., FTHII40NLD2) are the ultimate in versatility. A button press shifts the reel between a high-speed gear (perfect for retrieving jigs or clearing lines) and a powerful low-speed gear (essential for lifting stubborn fish from the depths).
- Pull-to-Turn Preset Knob: This smart design prevents you from accidentally bumping and changing your carefully set drag. You must pull the knob out to adjust the preset drag, then pop it back in to lock it.
Best For: Trolling, chunking, live-baiting, and jigging for offshore species like tuna, wahoo, kingfish, sailfish, and bottom-dwelling monsters like halibut and grouper. The wide range of sizes (from the narrow 10XN to the massive 80) covers everything from inshore kingfish to offshore marlin.

2. Fathom II Star Drag

The Fathom Star Drag is built for anglers who prioritize casting distance and a more traditional, “in-gear” feel.

Key Features:
- Live Spindle Design: The spool spins independently of the pinion gear and main shaft, resulting in significantly reduced friction. This, combined with an internal centrifugal or magnetic casting brake (on smaller sizes 12 and 15), makes the Fathom II Star Drag an exceptional casting reel for its size.
- Versa-Drag™ System: This star drag uses the same HT-100 washers but allows the angler to quickly and easily set it up with the maximum possible drag.
- Power Gear Ratios: Many models are available in lower gear ratios, providing the extra torque needed for bottom fishing.
Best For: Surf casting (a favorite for “chunking” big baits for striped bass), live-baiting from a pier or boat, and bottom fishing. It’s the go-to for anglers who need to cast a heavy rig and then lock down to winch a fish.

3. Fathom II Level Wind

The Level Wind models add a layer of convenience and line management, making them ideal for trolling and bottom fishing, especially for anglers who may not be as practiced at “thumbing” the line back onto the spool.

Key Features:
- Level Wind System: A worm gear mechanism guides the line evenly back onto the spool, preventing line-lay issues and “bunching” that can lead to tangles or line dig-in.
- Heavy-Duty Construction: Unlike many level wind reels that are built for lighter duty, the Fathom retains its Full Metal Body and powerful internals, making it one of the most robust level wind reels on the market.
- Line Counter Models: Available in versions with a mechanical line counter, which is an invaluable tool for precision trolling or deep-dropping to specific depths where fish are marked on the sonar.
Best For: Trolling (especially with lead-core or wire lines), deep-drop bottom fishing for species like snapper and cod, and fishing for sturgeon or salmon where consistent line management is key.

4. Fathom Low Profile

This is the outlier of the family, but it carries the Fathom name for a reason. It packs the series’ trademark power into a compact, ergonomic, inshore baitcasting footprint.

Key Features:
- Full Metal Frame & Crank-Side Plate: Maintains the rigidity needed to handle strong fish, even in a small package.
- Brass Main Gear & Supported Pinion: Engineered for power, making it a favorite for throwing large swimbaits and musky lures.
- 6+1 Bearing System: Provides a smooth retrieve, critical for casting and retrieving all day.
Best For: Inshore saltwater fishing for species like striped bass, redfish, and calico bass. It has also gained a massive following in the freshwater world as a top-tier reel for musky, pike, and big swimbaits for largemouth bass.

5. Fathom Electric

The newest addition to the lineup, the Fathom Electric is a game-changer. It’s a fully cordless electric reel with an integrated lithium-ion battery, freeing the angler from cumbersome external battery packs and cables.

Key Features:
- Integrated Cordless Design: The 5Ah lithium battery pack clicks directly into the reel, offering portability and convenience.
- Digital Line Counter & Auto-Stop: Allows for precise, hands-free retrieval. You can set it to automatically stop at a specific depth, making it perfect for kite fishing or deep-dropping.
- Brushless Motor: Provides incredible torque (up to 40 lbs of winding power) and speed.
Best For: Deep-drop fishing (for tilefish, grouper, etc.), kite fishing for sailfish, and for anglers with disabilities who need power-assist.

Final Verdict

The Penn Fathom series has successfully established itself as the new standard for high-performance conventional reels in its price bracket. It bridges the gap between lighter-duty graphite reels and the top-of-the-line “legacy” reels like the Penn International or Shimano Talica.

Whether you are a private boater looking to outfit your vessel with a set of reliable trolling reels, a surf angler needing to send a bunker chunk 100 yards, or a deep-drop specialist exploring the canyons, there is a Fathom built specifically for your needs. Its combination of a Full Metal Body, powerful gears, and a best-in-class drag system ensures that when you hook the fish of a lifetime, your reel will be the last thing you need to worry about.