First, I must say I really like your channel. And I'd like to comment on the Penn Fathoms. I own the first gen 15 and 25, and the second gen 15, 30, and 40. I would discourage most surf casters from going for the 30 over the 15 though for most applications. I quickly learned the 15 is a phenomenal casting reel - especially the magnetic Gen 2 version. (Only my Akios 757 can outcast it, but then the Fathom is a tougher reel with a nicer handle and better drag.) I put 290 yards of 50 lb braid on my Fathom II 15 and use it for leopard/would in/blacktip sharks, rays, white sea bass, and big stripers. Casting with a 12 ft rod easily heaves rigs past 100 yards. And this itty bitty little reel has 30 lbs of drag! For your situation, putting 80 lb braid or heavy mono on the 30 for bigger sharks is sensible though. I can still cast big baits out to 80 yards with the Fathom 30 and 40, but it takes much more practice and concentration to prevent birds nests compared to the 15. Most anglers will prefer to use a big fixed spool such as my Spinfisher 8500 for sharking at night. Just too easy to over spoil in the low light for average Joes like me. Penn's centrifugal braking system has been a bit disappointing for me unlike the mags, which are amazing. Quality on all the Fathom reels is great, and I love using the 25-40 sizes for yellowtail and medium tuna from boats.
I had a squall and the clicker was junk..i swithched to daiwa salstist bg and have been fairly happy..they have a simpler braking system than that penn does..and less to go wrong and still have an awesome drag..I have never tried their surf rods but may when I wear out my okuma longitudes..after years of long casting even just in freshwater I have learned that non levelwind conventional reels are the way to go..alevelwind lasts no time at all throwing and retrieving heavy weight at those distances and I also believe not going through that extra levelwind garbage makes the drag come off smoother
Great review. I do like that reel. I think on my next mid size conventional I will get star drag because my lever drag is a little tricky on kayaks sometimes. Thanks for the video.
I own the Akios 757, which is a top quality clone of your well-liked Abu 7500 with the addition of magnets. The 757 is a good reel that's superbly easy to cast long distances. The Fathom II 15 is going to cast much better than the Abu, and almost as well as the Akios. The Akios holds more line too, but the Fathom is a tougher reel with 50% more drag. If you need more line the Casting Special version of the Fathom II 15 should be back in stores within months. Some folks don't like the big magnetic adjustment knob on the CS but a slim version is available if you contact Penn I've read. The Fathom 30 will not cast as easily as your Abu, but if you need oodles of heavy mono or braid it obliges, and with practice and concentration I have been able to cast heavy baits out to 80 yards on average with the odd cast to 90+ when the wind is not onshore.
I decided on the Penn Fathom 15 2 speed on the st croix mojo cat rod. Is it better to practice with heavier weights or lighter ? My rod suggested between 1/2 oz to 3 oz. I’m a huge fan of your postings Keep em coming ! Oh and it is a lever drag !
Great review! I just ordered one and was curious if you have trouble casting your 100 yards or so 50Lb top shot? I couldn't tell from the clip if the top shot emptied of the spool. Plus I subscribed, keep up the great work brother!
The Newel 400's and 500's would do that. They had a factory alignment process that enabled precise spool control. But they were not good surf reels because the tolerances were too tight and surf water is too dirty for them. They were much better pier and jetty reels if used in clear water. If you find one made today that does it, please let me know.
TF's cast looked to be no more than 50 -60 yards to me, which is enough for many locations, esp. at night when fish come into shallower water. I own the Fathom 15, 25, and 40 models, and find the centrifugal braking system mediocre. In the Fathom II, Penn abandoned centrifugal braking on its smaller 12 and 15 models, switching to the awesome magged setup used on the small Squalls.
@@andrewmorke thanks for the reply I totally agree on the mediocre centrifugal braking. Since then I have modified my 40 with a knobby mag which made a bit of a difference. Tight lines, and screaming drags!
You dont need a glove or finger cover when casting bud. Just simply put your thumb pressure on the side of the spool (gold piece). That way line wont cut you and you wont burn at all. Also easier to apply pressure dude. Nice video thanks mate
Anyone can cast 4 oz lead and large baits with a Squall 15, and the Fathom 15 and the 25N all day without any burning on the braking thumb. Only very light pressure is needed to arrest the spool when the sinker or lure hits the water, or sometimes during the cast when it's gusty, anyway.
El fathom tiene lo suyo xq incluye algomuy importante para lograr distancia que es el buje de velocidad y obviamente tambor flotante tengo el fathom 12 yes muy bueno!!
I really enjoy my baitcasters Akios 656cm spooled with 16lb mono 9 ft Star rod and Seigler SM American made 20lb mono 12 ft Penn rod during a brute hook up I feel the battle is controlled better with a baitcaster and I can surf cast further using less weight than with spinning gear.
The glove is kind of optional I use to burn my finger all the time with these kind of reels but I found out that right before you cast pour some water on the line and when you casts its a little wet and does not burn when u put your thumb on it
Qué tal es el Penn Fathom FTH40DLNHS al parecer es de la línea "lever drag" y está la línea más nueva "lever drag 2" con magnético que diferencias en cuanto ha distancia de lance hay ?
So you can catch a 6 to 7 foot shark on 50 pound line on surf? I guess it is up to the drag and fight the fish? I never tried overhead and very curious.
I had to rewind this video back to see you use 50# braid and 50# top shock. Top shock from what I understood was shock absorber for the main line. So goes 50# main line 80-100# shock line. (For sandbar abrasion and flex during casting; small shark abrasions
Im using daiwa saltist bg and like them..looks like your penn has more brake blocks..saltist only has 2 but they give you 2 different size sets with the reel..i use the bigger red colored brakes..saltist has a loud simple easy to repair uf needed clicker..looks like the penn may be a little easier to cast with all the brakes
The side plate has some sort of a breaking mechanism, when activated does it really make a difference in slowing down the spool speed as you make a cast?
The Fathom's centrifugal braking system works very smoothly and effectively. I've got the magged Squall 15, and the Fathom 15 and 25N with the centrifugal brakes. Both types of systems help a lot in preventing over-spooling. The shoes in the centrifugal braking system will wear out at some point, but they are easily replaced for about $8.
I'm not going to lie to you I have a fathom 30 it's got about a hundred yards of 65 lb braid tide to 17 pound mono to a shock leader and I use it offshore and I haven't had a problem with it yet
It's a decent reel if you don't need to be out that far. I fish a few venues where I need at least 160yds, I couldn't get that with the Fathom, but I can with an Akios Shuttle or an Abu C3 Mag fairly comfortable.
so I have the narrow version of the fathom I use it on my jig stick for yellowtail and yellowfin tuna throwing surface irons and mega baits I'd give it an A for its price range
This reel spools 350 yards of 30 lb mono or 500 yards of 65 lb braid. It offers 25 lbs of drag on the gen 1 and 30 lbs on gen 2. That makes it suitable for sharks around six to seven feet - a little more for lethargic species.
A good set up would be a jawbone 1052 paired with a penn 4wide or a daiwa saltist 50ld I have both reels and are amazing on the surf the rods are a bit heavy but can cast big weights and baits when needed to ..on my 4w have about 700 yards with braid and mono ..on my daiwa 50ld 2 speed have 500 yards of 65 xtremebraid and a 150 yard topshot amazing rods and reels for surf casting
just can't cope with backlash... maybe I'm just too much of a spas. got a Penn bait caster from my uncle when I was 18. still have it but after a lot of frustration stuck it in a locker and never looked back.
Practice and technique will allow you to get a useful distance, but the Fathom is not inherently a good caster compared to reels like the Squall 15, Fathom II 15, Akios 656 CTM, and Daiwa Millionaire. Sell your Fathom on eBay or the newspaper classifieds and then treat yourself to a magnetically braked conventional or quality sealed spinning reel with the money.
I just got the 40 and I put braid on it and I keep getting backlashes any recommendations on how to stop getting back lashes ? I keep tension on it with my thumb or perhaps I over spooled it ?..
Two of the main causes of backlash or overrun is having the spool loaded too full and/or snatching/jerking at the start of the cast. As ThresherFishing says, check you have the centrifugal brakes deployed, if you still get problems try using a thicker oil in the main spool bearings.
@@khempleman Not if you're casting out bait.....it doesn't slide as smoothly through the eyes on spinning or casting rods as a FG does,the FG is a lot stronger too for braid to mono/fluro anyhow.
1.5 year later update:
Still doing work for me and no problems.
Hey on your Fathom how many magnets do you have pushed in?
fathom uses centrifugal
it doesnt has mag
Love my Fathom 15. Brakes do a nice job. Good distance in the surf.
Cape Fox I just bought the 15 2spd lever drag fathom, is it better to practice with heavier weight or lighter
What rod can i use whit this reel for surfishing
First, I must say I really like your channel. And I'd like to comment on the Penn Fathoms. I own the first gen 15 and 25, and the second gen 15, 30, and 40. I would discourage most surf casters from going for the 30 over the 15 though for most applications. I quickly learned the 15 is a phenomenal casting reel - especially the magnetic Gen 2 version. (Only my Akios 757 can outcast it, but then the Fathom is a tougher reel with a nicer handle and better drag.) I put 290 yards of 50 lb braid on my Fathom II 15 and use it for leopard/would in/blacktip sharks, rays, white sea bass, and big stripers. Casting with a 12 ft rod easily heaves rigs past 100 yards. And this itty bitty little reel has 30 lbs of drag! For your situation, putting 80 lb braid or heavy mono on the 30 for bigger sharks is sensible though. I can still cast big baits out to 80 yards with the Fathom 30 and 40, but it takes much more practice and concentration to prevent birds nests compared to the 15. Most anglers will prefer to use a big fixed spool such as my Spinfisher 8500 for sharking at night. Just too easy to over spoil in the low light for average Joes like me. Penn's centrifugal braking system has been a bit disappointing for me unlike the mags, which are amazing. Quality on all the Fathom reels is great, and I love using the 25-40 sizes for yellowtail and medium tuna from boats.
I had a squall and the clicker was junk..i swithched to daiwa salstist bg and have been fairly happy..they have a simpler braking system than that penn does..and less to go wrong and still have an awesome drag..I have never tried their surf rods but may when I wear out my okuma longitudes..after years of long casting even just in freshwater I have learned that non levelwind conventional reels are the way to go..alevelwind lasts no time at all throwing and retrieving heavy weight at those distances and I also believe not going through that extra levelwind garbage makes the drag come off smoother
Great review. I do like that reel. I think on my next mid size conventional I will get star drag because my lever drag is a little tricky on kayaks sometimes. Thanks for the video.
nice i have an Abu 7500i CT C3 Chr highspeed and love it, thinking of getting a oenn fathom for my backup
I own the Akios 757, which is a top quality clone of your well-liked Abu 7500 with the addition of magnets. The 757 is a good reel that's superbly easy to cast long distances. The Fathom II 15 is going to cast much better than the Abu, and almost as well as the Akios. The Akios holds more line too, but the Fathom is a tougher reel with 50% more drag. If you need more line the Casting Special version of the Fathom II 15 should be back in stores within months. Some folks don't like the big magnetic adjustment knob on the CS but a slim version is available if you contact Penn I've read. The Fathom 30 will not cast as easily as your Abu, but if you need oodles of heavy mono or braid it obliges, and with practice and concentration I have been able to cast heavy baits out to 80 yards on average with the odd cast to 90+ when the wind is not onshore.
@@andrewmorke nice I own a Penn fathom ii 15 casting special now and love it.
@@sky2k316 I think you made a good choice. The FTH II 15 CS is heck of a reel. Penn hit it out of the park with this one.
I decided on the Penn Fathom 15 2 speed on the st croix mojo cat rod. Is it better to practice with heavier weights or lighter ? My rod suggested between 1/2 oz to 3 oz. I’m a huge fan of your postings Keep em coming ! Oh and it is a lever drag !
Great review! I just ordered one and was curious if you have trouble casting your 100 yards or so 50Lb top shot? I couldn't tell from the clip if the top shot emptied of the spool. Plus I subscribed, keep up the great work brother!
The Newel 400's and 500's would do that. They had a factory alignment process that enabled precise spool control. But they were not good surf reels because the tolerances were too tight and surf water is too dirty for them. They were much better pier and jetty reels if used in clear water. If you find one made today that does it, please let me know.
TF's cast looked to be no more than 50 -60 yards to me, which is enough for many locations, esp. at night when fish come into shallower water. I own the Fathom 15, 25, and 40 models, and find the centrifugal braking system mediocre. In the Fathom II, Penn abandoned centrifugal braking on its smaller 12 and 15 models, switching to the awesome magged setup used on the small Squalls.
@@andrewmorke thanks for the reply I totally agree on the mediocre centrifugal braking. Since then I have modified my 40 with a knobby mag which made a bit of a difference. Tight lines, and screaming drags!
You dont need a glove or finger cover when casting bud.
Just simply put your thumb pressure on the side of the spool (gold piece).
That way line wont cut you and you wont burn at all.
Also easier to apply pressure dude.
Nice video thanks mate
Anyone can cast 4 oz lead and large baits with a Squall 15, and the Fathom 15 and the 25N all day without any burning on the braking thumb. Only very light pressure is needed to arrest the spool when the sinker or lure hits the water, or sometimes during the cast when it's gusty, anyway.
El fathom tiene lo suyo xq incluye algomuy importante para lograr distancia que es el buje de velocidad y obviamente tambor flotante tengo el fathom 12 yes muy bueno!!
I have the 25 and I love it
I really enjoy my baitcasters Akios 656cm spooled with 16lb mono 9 ft Star rod and Seigler SM American made 20lb mono 12 ft Penn rod during a brute hook up I feel the battle is controlled better with a baitcaster and I can surf cast further using less weight than with spinning gear.
I got a size 12 for big redfish and it’s a tank for how small it is
What camera did you use to record this? Looks really good
Is the Prevail 12' a Spinning or Casting rod? I'm running conventional reels as well and wondering what works best
Use casting rods with casting reels.
The glove is kind of optional I use to burn my finger all the time with these kind of reels but I found out that right before you cast pour some water on the line and when you casts its a little wet and does not burn when u put your thumb on it
Qué tal es el Penn Fathom FTH40DLNHS al parecer es de la línea "lever drag" y está la línea más nueva "lever drag 2" con magnético que diferencias en cuanto ha distancia de lance hay ?
So you can catch a 6 to 7 foot shark on 50 pound line on surf? I guess it is up to the drag and fight the fish? I never tried overhead and very curious.
Could you do a quick tip video on casting conventional surf rods and on how to guide line onto the spool?
I had to rewind this video back to see you use 50# braid and 50# top shock. Top shock from what I understood was shock absorber for the main line. So goes 50# main line 80-100# shock line. (For sandbar abrasion and flex during casting; small shark abrasions
Im using daiwa saltist bg and like them..looks like your penn has more brake blocks..saltist only has 2 but they give you 2 different size sets with the reel..i use the bigger red colored brakes..saltist has a loud simple easy to repair uf needed clicker..looks like the penn may be a little easier to cast with all the brakes
Hey @Thresherfishing what is your line setup for surfcasting? Braid and mono?
The side plate has some sort of a breaking mechanism, when activated does it really make a difference in slowing down the spool speed as you make a cast?
The Fathom's centrifugal braking system works very smoothly and effectively. I've got the magged Squall 15, and the Fathom 15 and 25N with the centrifugal brakes. Both types of systems help a lot in preventing over-spooling. The shoes in the centrifugal braking system will wear out at some point, but they are easily replaced for about $8.
I'm not going to lie to you I have a fathom 30 it's got about a hundred yards of 65 lb braid tide to 17 pound mono to a shock leader and I use it offshore and I haven't had a problem with it yet
That reel needs to be chunking 8 oz metal jigs to tuna. Get a trip at new moon time in October for the Diana/Boomvang area.
What knot do you use to connect the mono top shot to the braid?
Panfish FG can not be beat.
Hey man...I enjoy your videos. Where are you based? No matter where you are in our great state, keep up the good work!!
+Levon de Carlo thanks. Corpus Christi
It's a decent reel if you don't need to be out that far. I fish a few venues where I need at least 160yds, I couldn't get that with the Fathom, but I can with an Akios Shuttle or an Abu C3 Mag fairly comfortable.
Happy plucker what? Yes you can.
have you considered fitting a magnetic brake conversion
2021 still very helpful video
How to adjust the centrifugal brake? Can it be tightened up? Thanks
have you used it as a high speed spin reel? also if you where going to use say 20lb (10kg) what size would you go with?
Nice review
Btw I would like to know what model of the Fathom would be best for yellowtail? Thanks
831sabino I have the penn 25n and it works perfectly for yellowtail and White Sea bass
Thanks i've been looking for a conventional reel
Hey, do throw jerk baits or big lures with this reel? I'm concerned about throwing lures on a conventional.
I sometimes throw 2 to 3 oz steel spoons on the Fathom 15. No problem, but more work than my my Penn Spinfisher VI Long Cast for that work.
I've got to get one for sure
Hi
I want to buy new rod and reel fir casting .
What do u recomand please .
Nice dude ,great vids have subscribed, and a big hello from Australia, we love our surf fishing here! Like the way you keep it real,awesome!
Thanks homie.
Hey on your Fathom how many magnets do you have pushed in?
so I have the narrow version of the fathom I use it on my jig stick for yellowtail and yellowfin tuna throwing surface irons and mega baits I'd give it an A for its price range
@Baja Dan 25n
What beach do you fish? I never see anyone else on the beach when you fish.
Padre island national seashore.
Nice reel how much
I recommend you get something a little bigger the 30w squall would be a nice step for you.
I have a 9/0 for big game.
the 2speed life man, especially here in corpus
Do you have any videos on rigging for sharks and mackerel
Do the conventional reels cast farther that spinning reels?
Stefan Samaroo kinda
Yes. If you know how.
Whats the biggest shark youd feel comfortable taking on this reel?
Booker Fritz 2 inches or less
This reel spools 350 yards of 30 lb mono or 500 yards of 65 lb braid. It offers 25 lbs of drag on the gen 1 and 30 lbs on gen 2. That makes it suitable for sharks around six to seven feet - a little more for lethargic species.
Looks like a great reel
looking for a lever drag reel, what about the penn squall lever drag?
avet reels are good
A good set up would be a jawbone 1052 paired with a penn 4wide or a daiwa saltist 50ld I have both reels and are amazing on the surf the rods are a bit heavy but can cast big weights and baits when needed to ..on my 4w have about 700 yards with braid and mono ..on my daiwa 50ld 2 speed have 500 yards of 65 xtremebraid and a 150 yard topshot amazing rods and reels for surf casting
Trudog620 , I have an Avet sx the little thing is an absolute monster, I can give you more info about Avet if you need it!
You should get a Penn fathom 60ld It handle sharks and big tarpon no problem
Would this reel be appropriate for catfish? If not which reel would you recommend ?
Abu 7000
Thanks From Tarpon Springs..
just can't cope with backlash... maybe I'm just too much of a spas. got a Penn bait caster from my uncle when I was 18. still have it but after a lot of frustration stuck it in a locker and never looked back.
Give it to me
Practice and technique will allow you to get a useful distance, but the Fathom is not inherently a good caster compared to reels like the Squall 15, Fathom II 15, Akios 656 CTM, and Daiwa Millionaire. Sell your Fathom on eBay or the newspaper classifieds and then treat yourself to a magnetically braked conventional or quality sealed spinning reel with the money.
Referring to the Fathom 30 in my post
Is your Penn prevail 12ft a heavy?
Do you have it spooled with all mono or mono and brid
Braid main line.
Ya I commented that when I wasn't all the way through. Check out my channel man. Really like yours. Thanks for the fast reply.
Thanks GEE
I have a fth25nld 2 speed.
Can I use it for the surf
Could you do a review of the penn slammer III?
Is the Penn Prevail , Casting or Spinning Rod?
They sell both. Check for a C for casting or S for spinning in the name.
I just got the 40 and I put braid on it and I keep getting backlashes any recommendations on how to stop getting back lashes ? I keep tension on it with my thumb or perhaps I over spooled it ?..
+superchrisbeatz1 did you turn on the centrifugal brakes?
Two of the main causes of backlash or overrun is having the spool loaded too full and/or snatching/jerking at the start of the cast. As ThresherFishing says, check you have the centrifugal brakes deployed, if you still get problems try using a thicker oil in the main spool bearings.
So thanks for making me by a penn reel 😆 ps i love it
You didn't give the price ?
Just Google it :)
is that polymer or metal?
Metal.
braid to mono knot? What do you use?
robo42053 FG
Mondo Nando best knot to use is called a double uni knot
@@khempleman Not if you're casting out bait.....it doesn't slide as smoothly through the eyes on spinning or casting rods as a FG does,the FG is a lot stronger too for braid to mono/fluro anyhow.
@@rider660r you are correct..I use them trolling
FG with a tiny drop of superglue at the top.
Medium heavy
not a big reel.
It's a relative term.
i dont need to look at you as you speak, just film it like with head on go pro