Penn Fathom Star Drag Reels
by Penn
$199.95 - $219.95
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| Model TD Code | Mono Cap. (yds/lb) | Braid Cap. (yds/lb) | Bearings | Max Drag | Gear Ratio | Line Retrieve | Weight | Price |
| FTH12 PEN-1017 | 360/10 260/12 230/15 | 525/15 420/20 320/30 | 5+1 | 25 lbs | 6.0:1 | 28 in | 15.5 oz | $199.95 USD | |||
| FTH15 PEN-1018 | 320/12 280/15 190/20 | 500/20 380/30 270/50 | 5+1 | 25 lbs | 6.0:1 | 28 in | 15.6 oz | $199.95 USD | |||
| FTH25N PEN-1019 | 320/20 290/25 220/30 | 650/30 450/50 370/65 | 5+1 | 25 lbs | 6.0:1 | 40 in | 17.9 oz | $219.95 USD | |||
| FTH30 PEN-1020 | 440/20 300/30 250/40 | 625/50 500/65 440/80 | 5+1 | 25 lbs | 6.0:1 | 40 in | 18.4 oz | $219.95 USD | |||
| FTH40 PEN-1021 | 350/30 300/40 220/50 | 725/50 600/65 525/80 | 5+1 | 25 lbs | 6.0:1 | 40 in | 18.7 oz | $219.95 USD | |||
The Penn Fathom Star Drag, with the revolutionary Live Spindle design, is the most castable reel in the market place. The improved configuration allows the spool to spin independently of the spindle and pinion gear, which significantly reduces friction experienced from the extreme acceleration of the spool when casting. Other reels using a ''fixed spindle'' design slow the rotation of the spool and reduce casting distance. Additionally the Live Spindle improves the retrieve of the reel because the spindle and pinion do not need to turn relative to each other during heavy loads, unlike a ''fixed spindle'' reels that result in a difficult retrieve and erratic drag.
Penn Fathom Star Drag features:
- Full metal body and sideplates keep precise gear alignment under heavy loads
- Machine-cut marine grade bronze main gear with hardened stainless steel pinion
- Versa-Drag system with HT-100 washers. By rearranging the sequence of the keyed metal washers and eared HT-100 washers the reel can be set up for fishing a wide range of drag settings without additional parts.
- Live Spindle Design with free floating spool
- Internally adjustable centrifugal braking system
- Line Capacity Rings eliminate the question of how muchline you have left when fighting a fish. The three lines on the spool flange let you know when you have 1/3, 2/3 or a full spool of line. These lines also give you a benchmark for backing your superlines with monofilament.
- 5+1 shielded stainless steel bearing system
- Instant anti-reverse bearing with silent back up ratchet
5 Stars based on 22 reviews
By William
,
Super Smooth and Ergonomic
January 22, 2020
Use this for Tuna and Yellowtail on the West coast and for replacing some older Sealines. This reel works great super smooth yet similar to the Sealines in the best ways.
By Bear
Philadelphia
Penn FTH25N
January 28, 2019
Very smooth casting and well made reel.
Pros
- Great reel for the price with spool spool.
Cons
- none yet
By KP
NC
Great for surf
June 13, 2018
I have 3 of these. Strong drag and cast a mile. No complaints
By HKJonathan
New York, NY
Good bottom fishing reel
January 9, 2018
Bought it.for bottom fishing and it served that purpose well. Obviously it has no level wind so you will have to pay attention to the line lay will retrieving but otherwise no issues.
By pennfan400
Bradenton, FL
Fast spool great surf reel cast's well
November 23, 2016
I bought these reel for surf fishing on beaches for shark very lively spool but casts really well once you adjust the centrifugal brakes a bit. overall easy to clean loud clicker.
By Augustus
Philadelphia, PA
Great Reel
November 12, 2016
This is a all around great reel from fluke to tog can do it all I now own 4
Pros
- Very smooth reel well assigned great drag system
Cons
- None
By bruce
coleman georgia
great reel!!
May 21, 2016
I got to use it snapper fishing in the gulf and hooked a very large shark 220# ...no problems
It replaced an ageing sealine h600 and i will be replacing the other five sealines also..
It replaced an ageing sealine h600 and i will be replacing the other five sealines also..
Pros
- Great feature is defined click on the drag and spool tension knobs
- Smooth and strong drag presure
Cons
- none great reel
By Juan
New York
Great reel!
April 1, 2016
I've been using Penn for a long time and they hit a home run with this reel! The Penn Fathom FTH12 has a nice compact feel but loaded with enough power to tackle large saltwater species! Don't let the 6-1 gear ratio fool you, this reel packs a lot of torque. I recently winched in a 4 foot dog fish ( sand shark), 18 pound tog and a 23 pound cod. It handled the fish effortlessly. It's freespool is amazing, makes a great casting reel as well.
Pros
- Compact, castable, loaded with power.
Cons
- None
By Michael
Pelham, NY
Great Bass/Blackfish reel
March 25, 2016
Use this reel for both Blackfish and Bassing on a Lamiglass rod - the reel is like butter, drag is great and completely capable of handling big Togs or 30+ lb bass.
By Jesse
Nipomo CA
Great reel for the price !!!
March 2, 2016
Smooth drag with plenty of power.
Pros
- Its all good
Cons
- Got nothing
By Tony
Pasadena, MD
Nice Conventional reel
December 1, 2015
Great reel for inshore fishing. Has a stronger drag system then the Squalls for fighting larger fish. Reel is smooth and handle is position nice for cracking down while fighting the fish.
Cons
- Price
By Alan B.
NYC
Solid
September 28, 2015
Was pleased with weight, size and solid drag system. Bought for Blackfishing but broke in on sea bass and summer codfish. A lot of guts for a small non metal real. Looks like good value at this $$.
Pros
- Light weight but feels solid.
Cons
- Not yet
By Michael
Boynton Beach, FL
Sick reel
April 28, 2015
Good for bottom and live bait
By cristian
Lake worth, FL
trolling reel
April 22, 2015
this is my go to trolling reel for big dolphin and tuna in south florida
By Michael
Ottawa, Ontario
Great reel! Hesitation from free-spool into gear = normal
February 3, 2015
I got the Penn Fathom 15 star drag, and I am real pleased with it! Had to buy it online, so never had the reel in hand before I ordered it. The local stores don't carry ANY salt water products here....
Anyway, the reel feels really solid, a touch heavy, but that's to be expected with the solid metal frame. I think it will outlast the light weight graphite reel (Squall).
(!) When I got the reel, I played with it for a bit. Engaging the free spool, and than back in gear. And, when I put the reel back in gear.... there is a "grinding" sound feeling almost before it finally clicks into gear. It almost takes for you to reverse the handle to have it "click" back into gear.
So, naturally, I was concerned and called the seller right away, and they were really good and refunded me, and I re-ordered the same reel.
(!) On some of the fishing forums, I brought this issue up. Someone asked me if I had line on the reel when this occurred. I didn't. He said it's normal for that to happen if there is no line or weight/resistance applied. The little bit of weight from the line will make the reel click right back into gear.
Something I din't know and thought of before hearing about it on this forum. Disadvantage of online shopping I guess. So, it's normal. The new re-ordered reel does the same thing,
Anyway, the reel feels really solid, a touch heavy, but that's to be expected with the solid metal frame. I think it will outlast the light weight graphite reel (Squall).
(!) When I got the reel, I played with it for a bit. Engaging the free spool, and than back in gear. And, when I put the reel back in gear.... there is a "grinding" sound feeling almost before it finally clicks into gear. It almost takes for you to reverse the handle to have it "click" back into gear.
So, naturally, I was concerned and called the seller right away, and they were really good and refunded me, and I re-ordered the same reel.
(!) On some of the fishing forums, I brought this issue up. Someone asked me if I had line on the reel when this occurred. I didn't. He said it's normal for that to happen if there is no line or weight/resistance applied. The little bit of weight from the line will make the reel click right back into gear.
Something I din't know and thought of before hearing about it on this forum. Disadvantage of online shopping I guess. So, it's normal. The new re-ordered reel does the same thing,
Pros
- strong, solid
- fast retrieve
- great casting, with free spindle
- looks great
Cons
- wish they had a lefty, but can make due
- Penn should advice about noise and resistance when switching gears without line. Could cause "false-alarms"
13 Questions &
14 Answers
jennifer yingling
from rancho cordova asked:
February 17, 2019
is this one offered in left handed?there wasn't an option
1 Answer
It is only available in a right hand retrieve.
Submitted by:
Bernie
on February 20, 2019
W.M. Brockwell
from Virginia asked:
January 17, 2022
What does the N stand for in the FTH25N ?
1 Answer
The N Stands for "Narrow Spool" which are intended for jigging applications. Please let us know if theres anything else we can assist you with. Tight Lines.
Submitted by:
Brendan - TackleDirect Customer Service
on January 18, 2022
Bill
from Flemington, NJ asked:
February 3, 2020
When will these original Fathom FH15 reels be in stock? Best little reels ever for Fluking! Don’t like the new heavier FHII series.
1 Answer
Unfortunately we will no longer be carrying these models.
Submitted by:
Rebecca Redington
on February 5, 2020
Guy
from New York asked:
February 11, 2018
I want to pair the fathom 40 with a rod primarily for diamond jigging and using live-lining bunker for striped bass and bluefish from a boat. Which rod do you recommend. 7-foot long or so rods are a good length to work around my outbords. Thank you.
1 Answer
I'd suggest looking into either the Shimano Tallus. St. Croix Mojo Salt, or Penn Carnage II.
Submitted by:
Devon
on February 13, 2018
nigel joseph
from trinidad asked:
March 27, 2015
is this reel ideal for bottom fishing?
1 Answer
Hello Nigel.
This would be an excellent bottom fishing rod. Please feel free to contact us if you have any more questions.
Submitted by:
Brandon
on March 28, 2015
Brian
from LA asked:
February 16, 2015
What is the max drag on these reels? The order chart says 25lb and in the video the guy says 30lbs. Also what does he mean by "cheating" with 80lb braid? Also is a bronze main gear better than a stainless main gear like in the Fathom lever drag model?
1 Answer
Brian, the max drag can range from 25 lbs with a full spool to 30 lbs with a low spool. He means that the reel can handle 80lbs braid when he says "cheating". The Bronze gear is a little stronger and little more corrosion resistant.
Submitted by:
Frank
on February 25, 2015
nigel
from trinidad asked:
January 16, 2015
What is the best suited rod to compliment the Penn Fathom 30?
1 Answer
That really depends on how you will be fishing. From shore and casting? From a boat trolling or jigging or bottom fishing? We need more information from you to answer your question.
Submitted by:
Customer Service
on January 19, 2015
Nick
from Woodstown, NJ asked:
September 1, 2014
I am torn between the Fathom and the Squall 15 star drag for a double duty surf fishing and boat reel. Mostly tog, fluke, and striper off the boat. And striper and blues from the beach using bait. I haven't picked any rods yet but don't want to spend a fortune as I will need two rods eventually. We will focus on the boat fishing first. Any thoughts on which reel to purchase for my intended uses? Thanks
2 Answers
For an all around, go with the Fathom. It has a better drag system and is more substantially built.
Submitted by:
Customer Service
on September 2, 2014
The Fathom is a quality reel, no doubt about it! I just got mine, and is feels like a SOLID reel!
Not to bad-mouth the Squall, as it is a great reel as well. There are just slight differences.
The Fathom is built stronger than the Squall, but is a bit heavier therefore as well.
The Squall does have "cast-control" on the #12, #15. So if that is something you need/want, than that can make a difference.
Nutshell: Squall is bit more of a lightweight compared to Fathom, but does have "cast-control"
Hope that helps
Submitted by:
Michael
on February 3, 2015
from Ottawa
Sean
from Tampa, Florida asked:
August 26, 2014
Hey guys,
I'm looking for a rod in the 7 foot range to pair with the Fathom 12. I looked at a few Shimano trevalas and was looking to see what you all recommended besides them. I am going to be fishing for smaller reef fish with it like snapper, scamp, grunts, black sea bass, porgies, triggerfish, etc. As it is, I fish for these fish with a penn international 965. My grouper rod that use is a shimano talica 12II and I would use it for these fish but, it is way too heavy. I'm looking to fish 30-40 lb braid for these fish.
Thanks
1 Answer
Sean, thanks for the question.Take a look at these rods. Both are extremely light but powerful and would pair up really nicely with the Fathom 12 reel. GLoomis Pro-Blue (GLO-0225) 7' ,15-30# line. Lamiglas Inshore (LAM-0073) 7', 15-30# line.
Submitted by:
Customer Service
on August 27, 2014
Chris
from San Diego, California asked:
February 17, 2014
I am looking for a good bait rod in the 8ft range to pair with the Fathom 15 and will also use it for occasional jigging because it casts so great. Do you have any recommendations? Fishing in San Diego area for Calico Bass and Yellowtail in and around the kelp beds and Coronado Islands.
1 Answer
The Penn Legion Inshore Casting Rods would make a great combo for this reel. I would recommend looking into the 7' medium through heavy models, depending on the size of the fish you are expecting to encounter.
Submitted by:
Customer Service
on February 18, 2014
joe
from old forge ny asked:
November 21, 2013
is this reel good for tuna fishing out of montauk ny i also want match it with a penn ally boat rod 5 1/2 foot long 50/100# also 80# powerpro thanks
1 Answer
This reel would be good for that. For 50+ pound fish I would recommend the largest model.
Submitted by:
Customer Service
on November 23, 2013
k Hatch
from benicia, ca asked:
September 15, 2012
does this reel funtion ok using braid lines ??
will braids increase wear and tear ??
1 Answer
Yes, it is braid ready.
Submitted by:
Customer Service
on September 15, 2012
Thomas
from Santa Barbara, CA asked:
May 18, 2012
Where is it made, and what is it made of?
1 Answer
The Fathom Star Drag reels have full metal body and sideplates and are made in China.
Submitted by:
Customer Service
on May 22, 2012
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