Penn Fathom ll Casting Special Review Beach Fishing Ray Fishing Bass Fishing United Kingdom

So if your in the market for a hassle free solid winch then this reel is for you with an all black alloy frame and side plates etc.....this is absolutely a solid work horse.....
BUT........why oh why have they put the magnet control where they did why not keep it the same as there mag range I know why it's long for ease of use during the cast but really why did you put it in that position ?
Shocking absolutely shocking no matter how you position you your wrist arm etc its so bloody annoying
Come on and sort this out.....
One way to get a little bit around this is to shorten the mag knob or even supply a long and short.....TELL YA WHAT BLOODY MOVE IT 😡
OTHER THAN THAT ITS SEX ON A REEL SEAT
It's a thumbs up from me like I said you will get use to where the magnets are
For a reel a little over £200
it's a bargain.........
I didn't hold back on this review I like to say it as i
I paid £179.99 its a bargain......
Cheers Dobbo

[@Meirion658]

You can replace the large knob on the side for around £12 like the ones on the Std fathom 2. Did mine yesterday

[@DobbosFishingAdventures]

Hi buddy I've got the same ones as the penn mags already to go on will make the reel far better to use like how you have changed yours Thanks for the comment.... Cheers Dobbo

[@emptypockets9187]

If you find the 525 mag4 reels cheap you can convert them to a casting special model. You use the squall cs model spool and you slightly cut down the screw holes for the mag plus the mag plat so it lowers it down. It’s what I did with mine to give me more line capacity.

[@DobbosFishingAdventures]

Really thats interesting..... any pics at all ?

[@JohnandrewPearson-co4uu]

Just changed the large mag ajustment for the pen 525 mag 2 ajustment reel more comfortable on the wrist

[@DobbosFishingAdventures]

I still need to change mine I've got them but haven't done them yet Still haven't used them since the first casts must change and see the difference Thanks for your feedback Cheers Dobbo

[@growleym504]

First, thanks for that nice review. Thumb up for that. It tells me it's a pretty good reel but not perfect enough to pay the price for one. Wife knows where my guns are and where I sleep so in the interest of domestic harmony and survival I will probably not get one. The unwritten rule in my house is I can not have more than 10% as many reels as she has pairs of shoes, so I must choose purchases carefully and keep them on the low end of the price range if I want to try to fly them in under her man-toy radar. Maybe the reason for the mag knob to be so prominent is so you can adjust it in mid-cast. After the initial release, when the bait is in ballistic mode, you can turn the braking all the way down, and then as it nears the target area you can crank up the braking with a flick of the knob and still use your thumb for a failsafe spool stop. Myself, I would prefer a lever instead of a knob, sort of like the freespool lever. Anyway, it is simple enough to make a low profile knob, or substitute from another reel, or find an aftermarket one made specifically to address this issue for owners who don't like the high knob. My ideal Penn surfcasting reel would be left hand retrieve, because I cast with my right hand on the reel. Then the mag control should be on the left and if it is a lever, then of course the freespool lever should be on the right. It is no big inconvenience to reach across over the top of the reel with my left hand, while my right thumb is on the spool, in preparing to cast. Likewise, no big deal, to reach across to engage spool to gears, before retrieving, all the while controlling the spool as needed with my right thumb. During the cast, a mag lever would facilitate removing all braking during free flight and gradually applying the brakes toward the end of the cast. A lever would be much less fiddley and the lever's range could be adjusted for ideal max and minimum braking. I am actually of half a mind to make a couple of SS end plates for a left hand retrieve Penn 209 with room under the left for a good braking mechanism, and the freespool lever and brake lever positioned so as not to interfere with one another, maybe putting it on the right hand side and with a shaft that runs through one of the frame spreaders. This, for a 209, simply because they are all over fleabay for as little as $20 and are a good solid bulletproof workaday reel, and ready-made parts will always be around. I find it irritating to have to make small parts for reels that are no longer made or supported by the factory. The 209 and to a lesser extent the 309 and 109 will be with us for a very long time, I think.

[@DobbosFishingAdventures]

Thank you for your comment.... Yes that's the only thing that let's the reel down is where the knob is yes it is designed so you back the magnets off during the cast but why put it where it is......so when you wind in it digs into your hand and makes it uncomfortable 🤣🤣🤣 Still other than that it is an OK reel Cheers Dobbo

[@jayd5075]

Ian a great review & well done for being so honest about that horrendous mag knob. Like you said why on earth did they put it there

[@DobbosFishingAdventures]

Hi Jay D Appreciate the comment as always Yes I still can't fathom it out why on earth did they do it length of knob I understand easier to twist get hold of etc but why put it there 9 times out of 10 you are going to rest your wrist there......very very strange !!

[@jayd5075]

Ian otherwise a brilliant multiplier.

[@DobbosFishingAdventures]

@jayd5075 sure is Jay 😃😃😃

[@carldawson832]

Spot on mate. I 4ght the same when they first released them. Ive got the mag 4's n the mag nob is in the right spot. All the best from GRIMSBY.

[@DobbosFishingAdventures]

Hi Carl......yeah shocking still the conversions have turned up so I can fit them if needs be and they certainly wont be in the way.........

[@trickyrick8621]

Just purchased a Fathom II Star Drag Casting Special... Got home, took it out of the box, and inspected it. With the spool engaged and holding the spool stationary with my thumb, I can move the crank handle in reverse about 3 or 4 degrees. This just seems way too sloppy and very disappointing. I'm thinking where the pinion gear mates with the spool drive is where all the slop is.

[@DobbosFishingAdventures]

Hi Bud... Yeah there not the best quality of reels.....but then it is Penn its not in the same league as Daiwa or Shimano but that is very poor I used mine once put back in box and stored away 🤣

[@trickyrick8621]

@@DobbosFishingAdventures I took it back ...... Checked 2 other new in the box, they all had the same problem. They are made in China .... I cant believe Penn would allow this. Its in the pinion gear where it mates with the spool drive is where the slop is. Its like using a 11mm wrench to break a 10mm bolt loose ..... You know its going to strip given enough force.

[@DobbosFishingAdventures]

@trickyrick8621 terrible really....considering the price you expect it to be right........

[@trickyrick8621]

@@DobbosFishingAdventures I took it back ...... Checked 2 other new in the box, they all had the same problem. They are made in China .... I cant believe Penn would allow this. Its in the pinion gear where it mates with the spool drive is where the slop is. Its like using a 11mm wrench to break a 10mm bolt loose ..... You know its going to strip given enough force.

[@seafishing-jonesygonefishi9532]

7 months in what are your views on the cs ?. Its got its faults, hungry on bearings , the pinion end bearings are also prone to breaking down. The rachet assemble is like chocolate and the mag assembly inside the reel is very poorly moulded and prone to cracking. The star drag also can strip the threads. As for the reel casing ( like all PENNS) are prone to blistering and have seen a reel seat come off one of these reels. As mentioned the dial for mag control is shocking to say the least but I know some anglers that manage well with the 'sticky out' knob. My reels lasted just about 12 months and its a shame, brand new these look the bollocks and they do fish well but for longevity and reliability its certainly a no. As you said back to the drawing board regarding the mag control knob. I contacted Penn Europe and asked why not make a 'hybrid' CS incorporating the fathom SD design (in my eyes fair superior for reliability) and the CS characteristics, drag etc and reduced spool size slightly to aid better bearing life (reduced spool weight) .. the reply I had was .. ' interesting concept !!' .. watch this space Mk 2 CS on its way, its got to happen . Tightlines 👍

[@DobbosFishingAdventures]

Hi buddy I will be honest I used them once for a very quick session And to be honest unless I had a one off pair but the bearings are knackered straight from the box horrendously loud and almost feels tight which the spool is not not so I've got 2 in a box stored away 😪😪 In my opinion not good reels at all I shouldn't have to upgrade any bearings should come with the best for that kind of money.......

[@SputnikManFishing]

Deciding between this or an Avet SX raptor plus what would you recommend?

[@DobbosFishingAdventures]

100% avet all day long but the penn will give you more distance I've got the avet msc reels with magnets great reel but if your looking for distance the penn is the reel but if distance isn't an issue and loaded with heavy line or braid then Avet all day long Hope this helps Cheers Dobbo

[@raymondjones6024]

I don't have any issues with the Fathom 2 casting special it's definitely a more powerful reel than my ABUs with 30lb of drag they have there place which is much cheaper than my $960.00 Vanstaal VSX 200 with it loaded with Suffix 832 30lb braid they are just tools for fishing.

[@DobbosFishingAdventures]

Hi Raymond With out doubt better than than the abu reels The only real problem is where the magnets are placed especially when winding in other than that pretty robust reels 😀

[@thesweetcornkid266]

The Mag 4 you can turn the side plate upside down and it still works, can you do the same with this reel?

[@DobbosFishingAdventures]

Hi buddy I don't know to be honest I've only used them once and I still havent changed the knob on it got them ready to go.............

[@johnmcclurg9007]

dont know what the problem is i have no issue

[@DobbosFishingAdventures]

Hi john I do agree to a certain point but it is poor for putting it where it is.....when it could of gone slight further round and to the top more Very true it does take a little getting use too..... Cheers Dobbo

[@kevinturner8343]

Love Penn reels but I do find their product naming confusing. I saw a Penn Fathom II review then quickly realised it was nothing like my Penn Fathom Ii level wind. I wonder what it is that is common between all the Fathom II stuff. Mind you nothing is as confusing as the Fiiish Black Minnow sizes and names. That was dreamt up by a lunatic 😂

[@DobbosFishingAdventures]

Hi kev Very true I think in most cases a tweek here a tweek there Yes those lures are confusing 😕

[@andrewtadd4373]

And yet they managed to get it right with the 525 mag 4s??

[@DobbosFishingAdventures]

Hi Andrew All the mags are correct and in a good position 😆