Penn Fathom II 30 Star Drag Overhead Reel
The second generation PENN Fathom II star drag reel is built with a rigid metal frame and sideplates, now with added features to make it more angler friendly than ever. Featuring our fast gear access sideplate, any angler can service their gears and HT-100 drag system quickly and efficiently. The PENN live spindle design offers long, effortless casts, while the power gear ratios (select models only) give ultimate torque for winching up deep fish. Magnetic casting brake available on 12 and 15 sizes only.
The second generation PENN Fathom II star drag reel is built with a rigid metal frame and sideplates, now with added features to make it more angler friendly than ever. Featuring our fast gear access sideplate, any angler can service their gears and HT-100 drag system quickly and efficiently. The PENN live spindle design offers long, effortless casts, while the power gear ratios (select models only) give ultimate torque for winching up deep fish. Magnetic casting brake available on 12 and 15 sizes only.
The second generation PENN Fathom II star drag reel is built with a rigid metal frame and sideplates, now with added features to make it more angler friendly than ever. Featuring our fast gear access sideplate, any angler can service their gears and HT-100 drag system quickly and efficiently. The PENN live spindle design offers long, effortless casts, while the power gear ratios (select models only) give ultimate torque for winching up deep fish. Magnetic casting brake available on 12 and 15 sizes only.
The second generation PENN Fathom II star drag reel is built with a rigid metal frame and sideplates, now with added features to make it more angler friendly than ever. Featuring our fast gear access sideplate, any angler can service their gears and HT-100 drag system quickly and efficiently. The PENN live spindle design offers long, effortless casts, while the power gear ratios (select models only) give ultimate torque for winching up deep fish. Magnetic casting brake available on 12 and 15 sizes only.
in 15 offers
The lowest price for Penn Fathom II 30 Star Drag Overhead Reel right now is $207.99 at Hot Tackle, compared across 15 retailers.
The all-time low was $170.00 on 8 June 2026 — today's price is 22% above the lowest ever. It has been notably cheaper before — worth setting a price alert.
Prices last updated 9 June 2026.
Last updated at 09/06/2026 19:19:17
PENN Fathom II 12 Overhead Star Drag Reel
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Penn Fathom II Star Drag Overhead Reel, 8XN STAR DRAG REEL
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NEW Penn FATHOM II 12 STAR DRAG Overhead Reel 12 / FTHII12SD
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PENN Fathom II Star Drag Overhead Reel 8XN
Free delivery
PENN Fathom II Star Drag
originally posted on ebay.com
With the exception of the mag dial in the wrong place, and the rather small reel seat, this reel is one of the best surfcasters you can get for the money. Let's start with the good. The free spool is outstanding. This comes with upgraded bearings, and although I don't know how upgraded they are, I have no desire to change them out unless I could get the mag brake down to zero. Right now, they spin faster than I can cast. Fishing with bait and a 3.5 oz sputnik, I'm casting 90 yards into the wind and the skies the limit with no wind. I am not new at casting these reels and I'm not the best caster either, consider me intermediate so if you are more experienced, you will cast farther. the mag full on is great for beginners, it really slows things down so you can get the ... MoreWith the exception of the mag dial in the wrong place, and the rather small reel seat, this reel is one of the best surfcasters you can get for the money. Let's start with the good. The free spool is outstanding. This comes with upgraded bearings, and although I don't know how upgraded they are, I have no desire to change them out unless I could get the mag brake down to zero. Right now, they spin faster than I can cast. Fishing with bait and a 3.5 oz sputnik, I'm casting 90 yards into the wind and the skies the limit with no wind. I am not new at casting these reels and I'm not the best caster either, consider me intermediate so if you are more experienced, you will cast farther. the mag full on is great for beginners, it really slows things down so you can get the hang of it, I'm running mine in the middle. The spool holds more line than the regular Fathom II, I'm getting about 400 yards of 15lb mono. The good thing about this reel is the mag in the zero spot is all the way off, no mag at all, the way it should be and the way it is not for many magged reels out there. All other functions of the reel operate as they should including the HT-100 drag which is one of the best drag washers made. I use HT-100 drags in all of my casting reels, regardless of their make. Now for the bad. The location of the "knobby" mag could not be in a worse place, which is the lower left of the reel. Like others have said, it will dig into your wrist and it will bother you. I like others have, ordered the Squall mag dial and screw so it would come at the same time as the reel, knowing this was going to be an issue. The Squall mag dial is flat and it's out of the way and simple to install, fits perfectly, problem solved if you don't want to adjust the mag in mid-cast. It's a problem if you do want to adjust the mag in mid-cast though, so think it through. I don't think I'd buy this reel if I could not have changed out the dial. Looking at the regular Fathom II, the mag is in the same place. The reel seat is small and there are a few rods I own where I have to use tape around the seat to build it up so it won't be loose. This could be a problem if you are after big fish, but I am not. I'm a pompano fisherman. I have caught some big string-rays on it and the reel did stay in place, however. It also has a clamp but if your rod is too thick, this won't work either. Having said all of that, it is quickly becoming one of my favorite reels. It is made in China and that made it hard for me to pull the trigger on, I like the old USA and Japanese stuff, but no matter, we all buy therestuff anyways, and the quality is good, made sure by Penn. I have included a pic with the mad dial swapped out.
originally posted on store.purefishing.com
I bought Fathorn II 15SD six months ago, tested it on several dozens of hard fighting fish — 5 foot Leopard sharks, 3 foot Halibuts, 6 foot Stingrays, 4 foot Bat Rays that fight as if you hooked a Russian spy submarine — the reel performed great. It casts like a dream, definitely my favorite reel...The reason for 4 stars is poorly designed and cheap IAR that is not stainless steel; as a result, it leaks rust into the reel. To make it even worse, you cannot remove, clean, and lubricate it. IAR is glued to the side plate. Spacer sleeve Is also not removable. On the other side, it is covered with a bearing that I also could not remove. So, the rusting IAR is not accessible for service.
originally posted on store.purefishing.com
This is my favorite flyline reel for fishing 25 and 30 lb fluoro leaders. Ive had this reel for about 1 year, its holding up great. The little 15 star drag has hooked and landed a ton of bluefin in the 20-50lb class and many between 50-80lbs. My favorite reel for fishing 25lb and 30lb bait. I choose this reel for light line every time, paired with a GP 90 Mega fishing 25 or with a US 80 Tilefish Jr fishing 30. I also use the Fathom 12 star drag for 25lb bait and the Fathom ii 25nsdp for 30 and 40lb bait . Highly recommend the Fathom star drags
| Artist / Author | Gianni |
PENN Fathom II 12 Overhead Star Drag Reel
Affiliate Disclosure: We may receive a small commission for purchases made through this link at no extra cost to you. This helps support our site. Thank you!
Penn Fathom II Star Drag Overhead Reel, 8XN STAR DRAG REEL
Free delivery
Penn Fathom ll Star Drag 30 Overhead Fishing Reel
Free next-day delivery
PENN FATHOM II - FTHII25NSD
Delivery $14
NEW Penn FATHOM II 12 STAR DRAG Overhead Reel 12 / FTHII12SD
Free delivery between 17–22 June
With the exception of the mag dial in the wrong place, and the rather small reel seat, this reel is one of the best surfcasters you can get for the money. Let's start with the good. The free spool is outstanding. This comes with upgraded bearings, and although I don't know how upgraded they are, I have no desire to change them out unless I could get the mag brake down to zero. Right now, they spin faster than I can cast. Fishing with bait and a 3.5 oz sputnik, I'm casting 90 yards into the wind and the skies the limit with no wind. I am not new at casting these reels and I'm not the best caster either, consider me intermediate so if you are more experienced, you will cast farther. the mag full on is great for beginners, it really slows things down so you can get the ... MoreWith the exception of the mag dial in the wrong place, and the rather small reel seat, this reel is one of the best surfcasters you can get for the money. Let's start with the good. The free spool is outstanding. This comes with upgraded bearings, and although I don't know how upgraded they are, I have no desire to change them out unless I could get the mag brake down to zero. Right now, they spin faster than I can cast. Fishing with bait and a 3.5 oz sputnik, I'm casting 90 yards into the wind and the skies the limit with no wind. I am not new at casting these reels and I'm not the best caster either, consider me intermediate so if you are more experienced, you will cast farther. the mag full on is great for beginners, it really slows things down so you can get the hang of it, I'm running mine in the middle. The spool holds more line than the regular Fathom II, I'm getting about 400 yards of 15lb mono. The good thing about this reel is the mag in the zero spot is all the way off, no mag at all, the way it should be and the way it is not for many magged reels out there. All other functions of the reel operate as they should including the HT-100 drag which is one of the best drag washers made. I use HT-100 drags in all of my casting reels, regardless of their make. Now for the bad. The location of the "knobby" mag could not be in a worse place, which is the lower left of the reel. Like others have said, it will dig into your wrist and it will bother you. I like others have, ordered the Squall mag dial and screw so it would come at the same time as the reel, knowing this was going to be an issue. The Squall mag dial is flat and it's out of the way and simple to install, fits perfectly, problem solved if you don't want to adjust the mag in mid-cast. It's a problem if you do want to adjust the mag in mid-cast though, so think it through. I don't think I'd buy this reel if I could not have changed out the dial. Looking at the regular Fathom II, the mag is in the same place. The reel seat is small and there are a few rods I own where I have to use tape around the seat to build it up so it won't be loose. This could be a problem if you are after big fish, but I am not. I'm a pompano fisherman. I have caught some big string-rays on it and the reel did stay in place, however. It also has a clamp but if your rod is too thick, this won't work either. Having said all of that, it is quickly becoming one of my favorite reels. It is made in China and that made it hard for me to pull the trigger on, I like the old USA and Japanese stuff, but no matter, we all buy therestuff anyways, and the quality is good, made sure by Penn. I have included a pic with the mad dial swapped out.
I bought Fathorn II 15SD six months ago, tested it on several dozens of hard fighting fish — 5 foot Leopard sharks, 3 foot Halibuts, 6 foot Stingrays, 4 foot Bat Rays that fight as if you hooked a Russian spy submarine — the reel performed great. It casts like a dream, definitely my favorite reel...The reason for 4 stars is poorly designed and cheap IAR that is not stainless steel; as a result, it leaks rust into the reel. To make it even worse, you cannot remove, clean, and lubricate it. IAR is glued to the side plate. Spacer sleeve Is also not removable. On the other side, it is covered with a bearing that I also could not remove. So, the rusting IAR is not accessible for service.
This is my favorite flyline reel for fishing 25 and 30 lb fluoro leaders. Ive had this reel for about 1 year, its holding up great. The little 15 star drag has hooked and landed a ton of bluefin in the 20-50lb class and many between 50-80lbs. My favorite reel for fishing 25lb and 30lb bait. I choose this reel for light line every time, paired with a GP 90 Mega fishing 25 or with a US 80 Tilefish Jr fishing 30. I also use the Fathom 12 star drag for 25lb bait and the Fathom ii 25nsdp for 30 and 40lb bait . Highly recommend the Fathom star drags
I bought two of these reels, I use them for fresh water & salt water fishing. They are great reels, the mag control does dig into your wrist a little but the dial from a Squall and the Fathom ll sd is interchangeable so it can be swapped out for a lower profile mag control. The reel casts great, has plenty of drag and is smooth reeling. I plan on buying 2 more before next summer.
Great reel for casting. Holds lots of heavy line. Would love to see Penn make a 20 model! However, reel is awesome!
Fishing has been my hobby for 57 years and I own a lot of reels, including large Penn golds. Most of my surf fishing is done with conventional open face reels, and have at some point gotten a backlash with each. But, let me tell you, I fished with this reel at Virginia Beach last weekend, and it was nothing but beautiful. What a marvel of engineering and precision. I will replace my worn out 525 Mag with another one of these when it becomes available.
Nice reel, strong, great prices for these on eBay, well built, nice free spool and gear ratio, great drag! you can land some really nice size fish with this reel. Negatives none so far, doesn't cast very far, but that could be just me needing more practice.
Handle seems a little "loosy-goosy". The screws supplied for the reel clampare about ¼" too short (for a 1" diameter Fuji reel seat). Customer serviceperson had just the correct length screws available and said he put them inthe mail about a week ago (March the 16th) -said I'd have them by end ofweek. I have not seen them yet.The company could supply instructions for attaching the reel clamp. Withoutusing the 2 small "innocuous" nuts given, this job'll have you pulling out yourhair -about impossible! This process is tougher with a smaller reel. It would begood if this feature (the reel clamp) were redesigned.The rating I gave is strictly for this PENN product I purchased. I have an older'15' (not a "II") for the big (13') surf rod and it works great.
Its an amazing reel. Probably my favorite.The mag knob does rub my wrist the wrong way when Im laying line back to the spool while reeling in but I easily adjust the way I lay the line. The reel foot and clamp are a problem. They wont fit an Okuma Longitude surf rod. Planning to buy an Ocean Master surf rod to pair it with this reel as I hear itll fit the reel clamp.All in all a beast if a little reel.
would i purchase again !! yes but the mag knob puts me off , there is a conversion you can buy to fit, £12/15 but why should you have to modify a reel at the retail price £200 plus , come on Penn get you act together.
| Artist / Author | Gianni |
