Penn Battle II vs Penn Fierce II: What's the Difference? | Comparison and Review

Reviewing the 2nd generation Penn Battle and Penn Fierce spinning reels. By now, both reels have proven very successful in the fresh and saltwater markets, and both are great buys. What are the differences? Is the Battle II worth the extra $50 vs the solid Penn Fierce II? Hopefully this vid answers those questions and helps you decide which reel is best for you.
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[@ishwithfish]

If you like what you see, visit www.amazon.com/shop/ishwithfish for ALL the gear I use, review, and approve. These affiliate links directly support future content. Gratitude! 🙏 -------- stuff i may have missed cause i film late in one take: the Battle II has SEALED bearings, the Fierce II has SHIELDED bearings. each +1 bearing is the anti-reverse bearing. both bodies are painted, not anodized. both rotors are dyna-balanced. both spools are sealed at the drag knob. both reels are infinite anti-reverse, and feature an anti-reverse switch in the 2500 size and below. line lay on both are excellent, and can be easily corrected with included spool washers. EDIT: while the first gen Battle and Fierce had similar sized washers that could be swapped (Google various message boards), the second gen appear incompatible because the Battle II's washers are keyed, while the Fierce II's are not.

[@aduden29palms]

Ish With Fish @ I Just got a Fierce II 6000....look up penn parts.com and got ht100 drag washers on the way...my question is how much drag would I gain by upgrading the washers? Also how does the Level Line differ from the Basic Model. Also do you think that the reel (6000) can hold So Cal big Tunas or Yellowtail?

[@horseblinderson4747]

Ish With Fish are the spools interchangable?

[@joseantoniorubiogonzalez9602]

*Great product. **enjoyable.fishing** recommend I have never used a baitcaster before and did a lot of research before buying this one. I bought it with the Torrent casting rod as well and it works very nice.*

[@tt_rider_1432]

Nice review. I feel a little better now because over the weekend, I bought the Fierce II 6000 and 10’ Prevail. New to this, so I was hoping I at least made a decent choice. Sounds like I did. A breakdown and clean vid would be great. Keep up the good work.

[@lendog725]

Both are great reels... I have both and you won't go wrong with either! I have the 8000 fierce for big game fishing and the 4000 battle 2 ... in my opinion the battle is slightly better.... but both are great!

[@IDADDYIproductions]

Great review, thank you so much!

[@jonathanderby5251]

Ish .....beautiful video! Thank you! It was very informative and I learned a lot I appreciate somebody who makes good videos that teach me without killing my brain 🧠 lol

[@ishwithfish]

thx! more reviews to come👍

[@wimvanstaden7525]

Great video. Good comparison. Thanks.

[@carolinakayakadventures270]

Great information!!!! We fish from kayaks in NC salt marshes and totally need a reel that will stand up to the abuse. I'm going to order one of these two today!!! Still undecided though. I may let price be the final say after hearing your review. Thank you for your honesty!!!

[@ishwithfish]

np, thx for the great feedback. the battle ii has been the best value saltwater rated reel for a few years now, at least until the new daiwa BG came around. honestly, if i had to do it again, i would have done this: with the same budget as 1 new fierce ii and battle ii, i would have looked for a used/low-hour fierce ii as backup, and spent the leftover on a new clash. if you can find it on sale online, it can be done. i have a clash 4000 and it's awesome! lighter, tighter, smoother than the battle ii, i totally recommend it for inshore stuff. if you have any thoughts on the conflict, skip it and go clash. i hope to do a battle ii v clash comparison vid soon.

[@MrChronic411]

Great review TY

[@RushVoorhisOutdoors]

good review man!

[@caseylrand]

Thank you! This video is classy as hell

[@ravighoran4637]

hi thanks for the guidance this video will help me to make absolutely right decisions tnx again

[@aramzfishing6024]

You should post a video on how to deconstruct, clean and put back the Fierce reel. that'd be nice.

[@ishwithfish]

ARamz Fishing ha, i think I'm due, every time i feature the fierce i get asked to make a maintenance vid. I'll def do it once crab season ends here.

[@aramzfishing6024]

Thanks man. I bough it last year. I went wade fishing and it almost locked on me the first hour out in saltwater. I tried to clean it but it's working 100% anymore. You should try the Offshore Angler TIGHTLINE reel(by Basspro). I got the 5000 when I started fishing two years ago. The sales guy at basspro said it would be good for a newbie like me. I went wade fishing with a friend several times and I submerged my reel for several minutes on several trips. I basically used my rod as a cane to make sure I would not step on a rock lol. At that time I didn't know about reels locking up on you or anything. I did not clean that reel for almost 1.5 years and I think that reel was underwater for at least 30 minutes throughout the year and a half. It's my favorite reel to date.

[@aramzfishing6024]

THe 5000 is too heavy for wade fishing by the way. I just used it cause that's the only one I had at the time. I got the 4000 now. www.basspro.com/Offshore-Angler-Tightline-Spinning-Rod-and-Reel-Combos/product/13072706263250/

[@ishwithfish]

ARamz Fishing good to know, thx. if my fierce dies ill check this one out. strange, so all my fierce reels see salt only, dunked all, esp the 3000 since i wade in heavy norcal surf. never binds, even when my battle has. my friends fierce has failed on him, but i think I've had better luck because i maintain my stuff.

[@aramzfishing6024]

I bought the Penn Battle II at Academy when all rod and reel combos were 50% off earlier this year. I haven't used it yet. Thanks for the video uploads. Tight lines.

[@lucasgrant3]

I have the penn battle two combo. The reel is size 4000. Is the reel and the rod too big to fish for largemouth bass?

[@Grouperhunter]

Both the Penn Fierce and Penn Battle are great saltwater reels for the price. I have caught lots of +200 pound,7.5-8.5 foot lemon sharks from land on my size 8000 Penn Fierce.I use my Penn Battle 6000 for vertical jigging and it has done a great job for blackfin tuna,bonitos,snapper, and other fish.

[@ishwithfish]

+grouperhunter agreed, both are great. imo fierce ii best value out there. great catches, thx for sharing!

[@Grouperhunter]

Ish With Fish You are welcome.

[@terrywendt3946]

Thanks i have battle 2 in 8000,5000,4000 an 1000 , love your imput. Peace from michigan/florida

[@monkeyman4131]

I also use Penn Reels, tho I have all but one "SS" (one Gti 320 ) They run from a 320 SS, 2500SSVI. 3500SSVI, 4500SS, 4500SSV, 6500SSVI, 7500SSV. I started buying Penn reels in 1982 . My 320SS works like new still. I also have a 8500SS,tho I've never used it ! It is a big one at the time it was the largest Peen made. For my money ya just can't beat "Peen Reels". I think there great. Thanks for the revue, bloody well good. Tom DB, FL.

[@mightymizzar9672]

Review*

[@Handofseeds]

After watching your review I would say the Fierce 2 is a better option for the price the Battle 2 is not worth the price jump. Thanks for making the video.

[@CrossfitZONE819]

Is the flexibility of rotor of the reel a problem?i have a (daiwa ninga 4000-d )and its rotor flex a lot!

[@showapower3991]

One year later, still very helpful

[@ishwithfish]

thx man🤙

[@jamminjim]

Nice video. I watched after purchasing the fierce 6000 and was very happy the drag washers are interchangeable. I fish the mullet run hard every year out of ponce inlet from the beach just north of the north jetty. Fishing here is extremely rough on gear because the fishing is fast and furious for months.I usually jump several tarpon above above 100 lbs and tangle with bull,blacktip and assorted sharks here in the shark attack capital of the world. Not to mention snook,jacks,ladyfish and every salt water fish that eats mullet. It took me 2 yrs to break down and invest in new reel(s). I needed a cast net and a cart last year and postponed the reel purchase,but my reels have died none of which were penns. I'm a lifelong penn user but many hospital stays took everything I owned and have slowly put humpty dumpty back together. If I'm pleased with the 6000 I'll be getting a 4 or 5 thousand next.I go back to the greenies at 12yrs.old(61now)and was very worried about the overseas manufacturing but between my budget and many reviews it's a done deal. I'll be looking for other videos of yours. jimmyg New Syrmna Beach

[@ishwithfish]

jim graves congrats on getting back into it! re the washers, i may have misspoke; the first gen are interchangeable, these second gen aren't because the Battle II's HT-100 washers are keyed, the Fierce II's aren't. however, there are lots of aftermarket carbon washers for the Fierce II on eBay with good reviews.

[@martymcfly9342]

Ish With Fish So the keyed washers would not fit in the spool?

[@ishwithfish]

Marty Mcfly hi, here's the update i put in my pinned comment: while the first gen Battle and Fierce had similar sized washers that could be swapped (Google various message boards), the second gen appear incompatible because the Battle II's washers are keyed, while the Fierce II's are not. there are many aftermarket carbon washers available for the fierce ii on eBay and Amazon.

[@levij6725]

Thank you much!!!

[@joserdiazalmodovar1898]

I have 2 Battle 2 4000 reels and a Fierce 1 3000 reel and the newest of em all is a Fierce 2 2500 reel. Both Fierce Reels have problems with the bail spring. Also one of the Battle 2 reels also showing fatigue on the same subject. The Fierce reels i use for fresh water Largemouth and Peacock Bass. The Battels are used for inshore salt water Snook, Tarpon, Jacks and other critters. All Reels are on very nice condition i know a little bout maintenance so my issue are the weak bail springs . I

[@jgfunk]

Thanks for the video. I used to fish all the time as a kid using whatever was lying around the house and boat w/o problems. Now that I am back near the ocean, I am looking to get back into fishing along with my kids. I am looking for saltwater set ups that can be used casting into canals (lures/bottom rigs), casting from a small boat, bottom fishing from boat/bridge and maybe (less likely) surf casting. I know that one combo can't really do it all. However, am I accurate in saying that the Penn Battle II reel could be used for this type of fishing? Would 4,000 be an appropriate size (think bay fishing; stripers, blue fish, fluke, flounder, maybe tautog etc)? What kind of rods would I need? I am cost conscious, but would rather spend a little bit more to get the right equipment.

[@ishwithfish]

if you can only afford one combo, for your needs, maybe look at the battle ii 5000 and ugly stick tiger elite 7' heavy. with that combo, you can fish the surf/pier/yak/boat and handle fish up to 30/40. also consider the BG 4500 or 5000, the better reel imo.

[@paulbeach7129]

I’m looking at pairing a Fierce 2 4000 with an 8’ ugly stick catfish rod as my first-surf setup. What may you say?

[@ishwithfish]

+Paul Beach hi, the fierce ii 4000 is a good starter reel (don't dunk it), but depending on how you'll surf fish, you might want a different rod. the ugly catfish rod is heavier and muuuch softer/parabolic than a lure rated rod. prob ok for big baits, but maybe a heavy tip for small species. the ugly gx2 9' mh salmon rod would be a better all around surf setup, maybe a bit cheaper too👍

[@francishall9554]

What about size of rod surf casting and backwater fishing with penn battle 2

[@deepsouthboggers]

Sorry I'm really late to this party. Fishing the Gulf Coast I've used and actually prefer the fierce 2s for Flounder and Pompano. I find the need for the Battle 2 when stepping up to targeting Redfish due to the fantastic drag. Both are great reels for the money. Like you said keep up on the easy maintenance and they will last a really long time.

[@ishwithfish]

great feedback, thx!

[@riverrat1149]

I love the Fierce.Have a few now.Stiff enough to handle big fish .Easy to maintain and repair.The handles fall off though.I have lost one and a partner has too.

[@ishwithfish]

River rat what's good man! yup, i really dig the fierce. kinda like a mid 90's Honda Civic: cheap, reliable, easy to work on and gets the job done. sorry about the handle, i secure mine with a rubber band while transporting to ensure it doesn't back out all the way.

[@user-kk6lc1th2r]

Great breakdown, and thanks for reminding me to pick up some Penn Grease once dungie season is done! I've got a Battle II 8000 as my crabbing wench and have definitely been super hard on it let alone all the dunking, so I'm a bit scared of what I'm going to find when I open it up :\

[@ishwithfish]

P lol me too, always wonder if ill find a sand crab carcass in there.

[@edfinney1559]

I have a Fierce 2 5000 30 lb braid with an LL Bean 7' 4 piece Travel Rod 10-20 lbs and 2500 Fierce 2 on anUgly Stick travel4 piece rod. I primarily use them for fishing in the Florida Keys off bridges and from the shore. I need travel rods to make it easy for carry on luggage. What are you thoughts about the set ups? I am thinking about buying the 4000 and another pole.

[@ishwithfish]

I think those are good setups! The fierce ii can get sticky quickly if dunked, so if you're on a bridge yie good, be careful of splashes on shore. Check out the fierce ii live liner, i just got the 6000LL and it's great for live or chunk bait.

[@tpatrick6902]

Both nice reels. The Fierce 2 is the buy here. $55-65 yields a comparable experience to the Battle. If you step up to the $85-110 range, the Daiwa BG is the call. Stronger, better made than the Battle. I have used them all folks.

[@ishwithfish]

thx for info! agreed, in my BG vs BII vid, i voted for the BG. it's the only reel i've ever outright recommended.

[@robertedwards8578]

DIAWA has really come a long way with their rods and reels. I'm a Penn guy but Diawa is up there now.

[@DavidRice111]

Great review! Any chance you'll do a review on the KastKing Rover 60? I own one and it performs so well I'm buying a second.

[@ishwithfish]

+David Rice thx! no i haven't. i have an Avet MXJ, tough to beat.

[@archeryandoutdoors1776]

I am kind of new to fishing and I had a couple of questions. I have a PENN Squadron 12-20lb rod with the EVA grips, would a 5000 size Battle II match this rod well? Also, would anyone recommend 15 or 20lb mono? Plan to use this for surf fishing and pier. Thank you. 4 days ago

[@ishwithfish]

is this a 7' rod? i would say a 5000 Battle II would be a perfect match; a little on the big side for any surf casting, but a great size for dunking bait or winching fish up the pier. 20 lb mono is good enough for most species you can catch with that rod, plus it won't fray as much if it rubs up against pier pilings and rails.

[@archeryandoutdoors1776]

Yes it is a 7', and thank you for your reply. I appreciate the help.

[@WhosthatTeamAFC]

Don't use mono. 30lb braid is a perfect all around line to use.

[@horseblinderson4747]

Peirs as with most salt water fishing but more so with piers are incredibly windy I'd go with mono they also make replacement spools for the battle.

[@aniqnadzmi942]

Great review! I have ofmer aldia 6' 10-20lb medium heavy rod. Does 4000 or 5000 are more suitable to pair it with? And what lb for the mainline. Thank you and hoping for your replies.

[@ishwithfish]

4000. pick the max braid poundage your rod is rated for👍🏼

[@philbarrows424]

Which Battle II IS 13.2 Oz? 4000 or 5000

[@djschu116]

Can’t go wrong with a PENN fierce II 3000. I use mine for fresh water as well and have caught plenty of bass.

[@Robert-hr6sh]

I have one battle II 4000, two 5000 and one 8000 for sulf fishing, although I have many other makes and models, I love these Penn's, can't go wrong for the action and drag systems and the price. Tight lines all....

[@Adikus777]

Dear, when you can answer me. Can I use Penn battle 5000 for Cat fishing? I have Penn battle 7000 LC but i will, sold him and buy two other.

[@ishwithfish]

yes a 5000 is perfect

[@Adikus777]

​@@ishwithfish for stationary fishing also?

[@meekou86]

I'm looking for a decent size rod and reel for crabbing. I dnt want some thing too big, But strong enough to hold the crab/ crab snare. What do u reccomend? I know nothing about fishing rods and reel.

[@ishwithfish]

hi again haha, i replied to your previous comment, hopefully it helps! Daiwa BG 6000, 10' H Daiwa Beefstick, you'll catch crabs forever on that combo. if you ever need more gear advice hit me up on ig, np

[@meekou86]

Ish With Fish thanks for the help. I didnt even realized I commented on another of your videos. 😀

[@messenger8860]

Great videos.. you say you've had many of reels.. would you choose penn as better reels than other competitors like shimano or okuma or diawa? I just like to know what you think is the most reliable and best brand ? Cheers

[@ishwithfish]

hi, oh man tough question with so many variables. in general, with today's spinning gear you can catch practically anything with a $100-$150 reel, assuming it's the right size spooled with the right line. in my experience, penn is good but not great but getting better, but not the overall best. in my opinion and experience, in terms of overall quality and features today, the best spinning reels come from Daiwa, then Shimano, Penn, then Okuma. may other brands out there, but these 4 are the biggest that can scale up great value at decent prices.

[@messenger8860]

@@ishwithfish thanks for the reply.. I know I asked a tough question but I'm just a fishing fanatic and i like the very best.. even if its outside my budget its good to know which brands make the best quality, thanks

[@l.i.archer5379]

The Battle II's HT-100 drag washers fit into the Fierce II reels????

[@ishwithfish]

L.I. Archer maybe i misspoke. so i know the first generation drag stacks are interchangeable, and there are aftermarket carbon drag stacks for the fierce ii. the battle ii ht-100 washers are keyed, and most likely won't slip into the fierce ii. i was trying to say the fierce ii is upgradeable, at least the fierce i could take battle i washers. lemme get back to you on this.

[@ekksommath1970yybb]

thanks for vid compare.but can you review penn btl2 vs penn pursuit2 6000 which is better.thankz

[@ishwithfish]

thx for watching. i actually don't like the pursuit too much, imo the fierce is the better value even if it's $20 more. the pursuit isn't in the b2's league so it would be an apples/oranges comparison, but!, i do have a b2 vs bg comparison vid on my channel, check that one out if you're trying to decide which is the best $80-100 reel.

[@northwesthome4692]

I live in the Northwest and I got the Fierce 5000 use it to fish sturgeon with 50lbs braid no problems

[@xyzct]

IWF, I want to buy a quality screwdriver set to maintain my Penn reels. Does Penn use standard or metric? What sizes do I need for a Fierce II 3000 and a Battle II 4000? And can you recommend a driver set?

[@ishwithfish]

tbh i just use whatever tools i have, they work fine. if you want a specific set, look at any Tackle Advisors vid, i think he lists his reel tools in the descriptions.

[@xyzct]

@@ishwithfish, awesome, I will do so. Thank you for your kind response :-)

[@SleepyBoiii]

Would you recommend me to get a Penn Fierce II 6000 or 8000 Reel for a Ugly Stick Gx2?

[@ishwithfish]

Hi, what size gx2?

[@SleepyBoiii]

7 ft med heavy

[@ishwithfish]

Ok, guess depends what you're targeting. 6000 would be good for bottom jigging, otherwise a 3/4000 would be good for casting lures.

[@carlosfung5780]

P, I will most definitely say if I see you in OB. I will just look for a guy with 2 big buckets full of crabs or someone looking for Easter eggs (crabs).

[@levij6725]

I’m trying to find out what I can use for freshwater trout as well as surf fishing and Jetty fishing. will the 4000 series be light enough to toss a 1/8 To 1/4 ounce Lure as well as the heavier swim baits and such for the salt water fishing

[@ishwithfish]

I'd go with a 3000 if you're going that light, better rod balance👍

[@floridaredfishin8209]

Id recommend 4000 series.

[@BFFG-bigfoot-research]

I agree with going with the 3000.

[@floridaredfishin8209]

If youre going saltwater you want 4000 minimum. Its not big but big enough to handle the larger species. Dont under power yourself.

[@steveo201]

The 4000 will be fine I use mine for bass fishing with 15 lb braid all the casting distance

[@ButeoLineatus]

One important difference is aftermarket parts availability. The penn battle 2 has extra spools readily available for sale for cheap ~15$. A fierce spool if you can find one will cost 40$ shipped. Do you know if you can put a battle spool on a fierce?

[@ishwithfish]

good to know. i'm not sure, ill see if they're swappable.

[@ButeoLineatus]

Ish With Fish i found out fierce spools will not fit battle reels. Thanks for the vid man you doing great!

[@rich3782]

Nice video. I got the Penn Battle ll over the more expensive Penn Slammer lll from your other video I watched. I may get the Slammer if I like the Penn Battle ll. However, I like Shimano, will see how the Penns compare. I bought through your link to Amazon. Hope you get some type of compensation. Thanks.

[@ishwithfish]

Awesome, thx so much! Penns are like pickup trucks; pretty rugged and will get the job done.

[@rich3782]

Got the reel today. Feels solid. Can't wait to try it out. Maybe I'll land a stripper from the surf lol.

[@amgedhabib5030]

I want ask you which one is better in jigging Daiwa bg vs penn battle lI? And which size is best in jigging?

[@ishwithfish]

BG all the way imo. The big main gear adds a lot more torque in my experience. The 5000 series should be good for 20lb fish, scale up or down depending on targeted species👍

[@andrewmorke]

Does the Battle II 6000 trip the bail when you turn the handle?

[@tomporgy1143]

Yes, line will snap and you’ll lose your lure $$$$! : ( 😢

[@jshall1000]

Great video. Can u tell me what the circular groves on the bottom inside of the spool they seem to be spaced at different distances. Never knew what they for

[@ishwithfish]

line capacity rings😁 so you can tell how much line you have left as you spool out. i think each ring is equiv to ~50 yds braid.

[@xyzct]

@@ishwithfish, I thought the rings indicated that the spool is 1/3, 2/3, or full. If you look at the spool's capacity for whatever test mono or braid your using, and do a little math, you can figure out how much line, or backing, to use.

[@tkguyok]

Excellent and informative video. Where are these reels manufactured?

[@ishwithfish]

99% sure both are manufactured in China. if you want a US-made Penn, i think you'll have to pick up a Torque or International.

[@tkguyok]

Ish With Fish. I looked at the Torque and Penn thinks a lot of them, around $200.00. Thank you for your reply, I use to have a Spin-fisher and a Z series both very good reels and made in the USA, but this was back in the 1970s, unfortunately my son eliminated them for me. Hopefully, Penn will bring these jobs back home, we need everyone of them we can get back. I guess Penn is still headquartered in Philadelphia. Wow, how things have changed over the years.

[@tkguyok]

Ish With Fish, correction, $200.00 I wish, like over $600.00, wow.

[@ishwithfish]

haha yeah, pricey stuff. know what? i think the re-released Z series reels are made in usa too. otherwise, yup, hard to find a manufacturer that makes reels in the us. i think the higher end van staals are, but the lower end vr line is made in china. zeabass might be 100% us made, but you're talking about $1000 reels lol.

[@ttinnovations3310]

nice, Amazon has the Penn II B 4000 for $56 now and Walmart on sale for $65, which is +50% off , sweet deal

[@samjames9443]

Hi Anglers! I started fishing last year, and I m getting better at it. I am looking to upgrade my equipment. I live in South Florida and the fish we are catching ranges from 5 pound all the way to 25 pounds. I m debating between the Battle II or Fierce II Combo - I found a good deal on amazon 7' Medium Heavy Rod with 6000 for almost the same price (around 100$) - is that a recommended set up for Pier Fishing? Thanks for your help!

[@ishwithfish]

hi! tbh, tough to beat the daiwa bg. i have another recent vid where i explain the differences between the battle ii and bg, and imo the bg is superior. on average, the bg offers lower gear ratio AND higher line retrieve. that equals more power which can be beneficial for vertical fishing like bottom jigging or pier fishing. mate it to a 7' mh ugly stik and you'll be set👍

[@samjames9443]

Thanks what size reel do you recommend? 4000/5000/6000? Thanks again for your help!

[@ishwithfish]

if you're consistently getting 20 lbers+, I'd go with a 5000. a bit more drag and line capacity👍

[@samjames9443]

Thanks so much for your advice. Really appreciate it.

[@nickvasile5354]

You can replacment the felt washers with carbon ht-100 washers for the fierce 2 6000. Part # 56-cft5000 and you'll need five for the Fierce.

[@ishwithfish]

great info, thx!

[@nickvasile5354]

@@ishwithfish make sure you butter grease the carbon washers on both sides before replacing.

[@831savageoutdoorsman6]

I have the the spinfisher v ll and I'm in love wit it ...but my bday is coming and I feel like treating my self. .so im going to pick up a battle 2 yeee..

[@ishwithfish]

+Juan Castillo treat yoself!

[@arcadioymrareedina3311]

hey im arcadio medina yea i have a penn fierce 2 my first time having one so im going to see how well it does for me in the saltwaters

[@richarde1355]

Now that you have used your Fierce for a year, what are your thoughts on it?

[@Flogrownfishin]

Richard E i love the fierce ive used it for like 3 or 4 years and never had a probelm woth it except for when I broke them 🤣 i always am rough on my reels🤣

[@richarde1355]

I bought a Battle II, and its reel foot won’t fit into my rod (too fat). I returned the Battle aiI and bought a BG4000 to replace the Battle, and the BG reel foot fits perfectly. The BG is also smoother and a little bit bigger than it’s similar sized (model number) Penn.

[@theeliaslife]

Can you switch out the spools? They look the same size

[@ishwithfish]

+Elias Callejo I'm not 100% sure. I misquoted myself in the vid: the battle ii has keyed washers, the fierce ii does not, so they aren't interchangeable (but you can still buy fierce ii specific carbon washer upgrades). That might affect the way each spool sits on their body's center shaft.

[@rust8663]

which one should i get for an light rod setup?

[@ishwithfish]

+RUST targeting saltwater? battle ii. freshwater only? fierce ii.

[@christopherlua11]

I am new to fishing. Should I get the battle 4000 or 6000? I am fishing for striper in the California delta.. Not sure if the 6000 is overkill for that..

[@ishwithfish]

hi, if you can afford two, get a 4000 for lures, 6000 if you're trolling (and don't want a conventional) or dunking live bait. if you can only have one, i'd lean towards the 4000; i know guys that have caught surf stripers up to 20 lbs on it.

[@christopherlua11]

Ish With Fish awesome thanks!

[@levij6725]

So there is a fierce 2 4000 at Walmart for $60 but the battle 2 4000 is at sportsman’s warehouse for $110 if I buy the fierce 2 will I be disappointed??

[@ishwithfish]

i think you'll like the fierce ii. it's very similar to the battle ii, only difference is the fierce ii has composite rotor, one less bb and felt washers. honestly though, the pursuit iii is spec'd better than the fierce ii, so i bet the fierce iii will be even better. if you have 60-100 to spend on one reel though, consider the daiwa bg, best reel under 100 today.

[@ishwithfish]

check out my product review page www.amazon.com/shop/ishwithfish for all of the gear i've reviewed and approve

[@todddickinson3262]

Daekj32 Really appreciate all of your comments! I just bought a II 4000, and you're input and sources for upgrades etc are extremely valuable!

[@RH421939]

i use both for surf shark fishing the penn fierce 7000 handled a 200 pound sand tiger with no issues

[@ishwithfish]

+Saltwater Angler that's awesome 👏👏 always surprised to hear how far these fierce ii's will go.

[@glennplatvoet7111]

That was a good review.i have a penn lol got it when first came out great cranking reel for large bait's or trolling. I hate spell check that's penn2

[@keilanidakoala351]

do they both sound the same wen line is being peeled out from a running fish....my fierce sounds loud ....but i like it cause it lets every know i got my freshone on...

[@ishwithfish]

very similar. the battle and fierce ii's spools and drag clickers are pretty much the same design and made from the same materials. in my limited experiences catching fish big enough to run on both, i couldn't tell the difference. the battle ii's HT-100 drag does feel smoother though.

[@hanasobi9583]

I love penn

[@jomon723]

Reels don't seem that much different from 40 years ago.....haha....how many more New and improved can we make?

[@edwinsurillo7059]

Will mono work as well on the Penn Battle 2 ?

[@tomporgy1143]

Mono never 👎 works as good as braid! Duh 🙄

[@WhosthatTeamAFC]

Fierce, Fierce II and any Penn reel in the $60 range has lasted me 3 seasons tops. Granted, I fish very often and my maintenance consists of only a fresh water clean after every use. Just upgraded to a battle II and spinnfisherV this year. We'll see how long they last. Had a slammer that lasted me 10 years before it got dropped to the bottom.

[@ishwithfish]

+MostlyFishing thx for the feedback, my hope is people learn from others' product experiences like this. personally my fierce ii's are running fine after a couple years moderate use, battle ii is doing just ok but has seen the majority of surf abuse in my arsenal. i'm reviewing a comparable daiwa bg soon, stay tuned.

[@heavyriffs4807]

Are this both reels suits for 14ft rods?

[@ishwithfish]

yup, they'll work👍🏼

[@ilijacvorovic6523]

Can i use Fierce 3000 for freshwater spinning??

[@ishwithfish]

of course!

[@djschu116]

I’ve caught plenty of bass with my Penn Fierce II rod n reel combo. Sometimes I switch out the rod though with a smaller one.

[@pablocontreras8767]

If you want to service your reel, and want to see the details to disassembly and reassembly the reel, I recommend you follow this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/q5Wsgq13ZqyJZrc

[@kevinnguyen7044]

Which one would you prefer?

[@ishwithfish]

+Kevin Nguyen i guess it depends. my vote is, if you're looking for west coast surf setup (like i did) get a fierce for light tackle, skip the battle ii and get a clash for plugging.

[@horseblinderson4747]

Kevin Nguyen the battle you can get spare spools for, the fierce comes in a baitfeeder at typically $50 less than competitors. The thing that sets Penn's reels apart is the side plate just comes off with a few screws I've yet to see a modern saltwater reel fail because saltwater got in it my Okuma got shredded because I dropped in in the surf while trying to fight on another line trying to get it cleaned out was such a pain because I'd have needed to take everything off just to get into the gearbox.

[@horseblinderson4747]

Sand sand getting in it was the point I was trying to make.

[@Adikus777]

@Sweswio and what is best?

[@Adikus777]

@Sweswiobut you told that penn is badass, that mean that you didn't prefer penn, my question is what do you prefer? sorry for my english :-)

[@beautifularsesbf]

Can you do a penn servicing video please?!!!

[@beautifularsesbf]

😃

[@ishwithfish]

Toenee Tran for sure, def in the near future.

[@happycat0411]

Penn Pursuit is by far the best buy if you don't need the anti reverse mechanism.

[@andrewcrocher5932]

Thanks 😊

[@jackfunk5765]

I play on the beaches and flats around Tampa Florida. I have battle 2s is 8000 6000 and 4000. I have fierce in 4000 and 6000. To be honest I can't tell a difference in the performance between the 2. I will say I have gone through a set of the felt drag washers on my 4000. Other than that issue I will never fish with another reel. Oh the washers cost like 8 bucks.

[@gointo1000]

Is Battle II really for saltwater?

[@ishwithfish]

yup. splashes only, don't submerge it.

[@dynasty4851]

Cool I just bought the Penn fierce 2 6000 as a combo. I was wondering if I made a mistake for getting this rather than the daiwa bg5000.

[@danjagermeister16]

NO way, The Fierce II is a better, longer lasting option. You made the right choice.

[@BusyBee11226]

@@danjagermeister16 Cocaine is a helluva drug. 😑

[@BusyBee11226]

They are no where near the same class. I own both of them. It's like comparing apples to oranges. Fierce 2 has felt washers. Garbage. I had to switch them out to carbon. The BG comes with carbon. The Penn is a ok reel. It works. Where the real difference between them is the material of the gearing. Penn's gearing on there entry level reels (which the Fierce is) is pot metal. Good luck trying to crank a monster in. Stripped city.

[@garyredmond6873]

Music is annoying. Otherwise very good video. I fish penn clash on st croix mojos, looking for a beater to keep in the truck. Thanks for the info, I’m going with a 2000 battle.

[@ishwithfish]

yeah i don't know what i was thinking with the music lol. thx for watching through anyways, good choice on the 2000, i use one for my kayak sabiki setup👍🏼

[@gersonorellana4637]

Can the fierce 2 handle a big striper.. or big bass

[@ishwithfish]

a few season's worth, but those felt washers will burn out after repeated runs and gum up in salt.

[@stevewilliams4882]

Ive seen carbon washer upgrades on Ebay, curious how well they work

[@ishwithfish]

i've heard those carbontex washers are pretty good!

[@elijahf111]

what rod would you put the fierce 4000 with?

[@ishwithfish]

depends what you're targeting. if you're fishing from the surf, i think a 9' Ugly Stik GX2 salmon rod is the perfect match.

[@elijahf111]

I like the rod but the lure rating is only 3/4 oz. I'm fishing the Monterey bay for perch/striper

[@ishwithfish]

+Elijah French you could throw 1 oz bucktail no prob, 2 oz lead no prob. i know alotta guys that use this as their medium setups, give it a shot🤙

[@929cosmodude]

how do u rate the kastking kodiak vs the battle??

[@ishwithfish]

my next vid will be a full 6 month, 60 salt-hour review of the Kodiak, and honestly i've found the Kodiak to be just as good as the battle.

[@929cosmodude]

good stuff, i have the battle in a 4000 size and like it

[@ishwithfish]

+Ashley Petersen me too, it's a great reel, my battle ii 4000 is my light tackle bottom jigging reel

[@thetoxictuna7065]

Ashley Petersen do you know how big the 4000 size is compared to a penny or a dollar?

[@augustinek.sorboh457]

just got my second FRC2ii 6000 , i am so disappointed that after a month of use the main shaft damage again, the first lasted about 8 months with the same problem. like it so much out of box,

[@ishwithfish]

sorry to hear my man. i put my Fierce II 3000 and 6000 under a lot of saltwater use, they can bind up if i'm not careful so i make sure to keep them maintained. never had any problems with the main shafts, maybe you should consider higher end reels with stainless steel or brass.

[@augustinek.sorboh457]

I fishing a lot, about 4 times per week for about four hours each day, i got a grouper about 60lbs two weeks after first usage, and more than 8 other catch , smaller ones. Was thinking i was abusing the reel, with the frequency and my 3oz spoon, and 7 inches tsunami poppers.

[@augustinek.sorboh457]

now i have two main gear and two crossbar gear to replace

[@ishwithfish]

Augustine K. Sorboh sounds like the fierce ii isn't designed for your high level of fishing. most of its gearing is cheaper alloy. have you considered a heavier duty reel, like a Saragosa?

[@augustinek.sorboh457]

budget can not allow me and here in africa where i am it so hard to find equipment

[@nutsack-1904]

Sup Ish! When are you hitting up pacifica pier next? Dungy season almost over. I might go Friday morning. Been catching nothing but females lately. Take it easy

[@ishwithfish]

NutSack-1 yeah lots of females out there, at least they're biting. can't this week, i might go a fee times next week though. i'm craving some crabs and rice!

[@user-kk6lc1th2r]

This late in the season males seem to be a super rarity unless you're dropping pots really deep. I pulled a limit this past Sunday at Ocean Beach and only 2 of the keepers were male, which still surprised me since I hardly see males there. OB is thick with the females though.

[@nutsack-1904]

P All the females I have been catching are skinny but I guess the numbers make up for that

[@nutsack-1904]

P Its get tough at ocean beach sometimes. how much weight do you use and what size line?

[@user-kk6lc1th2r]

No, you're right. A 6.25" male is going to give about as much meat as two 6" females it seems. Still, lots of 6.25~6.5" females out at OB, along with the occasional male. Putting up numbers definitely helps haha

[@slowrider8110]

Do you have penn spinfisher live liner?

[@ishwithfish]

unfortunately no, but i do have a new fierce 6000LL, hope to review it soon, need to put some fish on it first.

[@slowrider8110]

@@ishwithfish hope u will do a video catching fish with it 👍

[@polikalo74]

@@ishwithfish please do i have just ordered the set from 2500, 4000, 6000 and 8000 fierce ii live linerss... they apear to be excellent value

[@cofieleven]

can you reel in a 450lb 9 foot Marlon with this reel?

[@ishwithfish]

+Cofi Annon tbh that's way outta my league. I don't think either reel in an 8000 size could handle that, drag would burn up. might have to consider a torque or even better, a daiwa dogfight.

[@edgarrivalking5624]

Ish With Fish a penn slammer will put up a fight but will take the L

[@CruzReviews_Opinions]

I have the battle 2 5000 , 3000 , and fierce 8000.. battle 2s are much smoother,, y The 8000 is heavy

[@michaeljohnson3913]

Turn of the music

[@ishwithfish]

haha true, i scaled it back in my newer reviews.

[@adventureforth4389]

Penn or Daiwa BG?

[@ishwithfish]

+Gianni Enne i have a vid coming up that compares battle ii vs bg. basically, i recommend battle ii for surf casting, bg for everything else.

[@adventureforth4389]

Nice. Thanks.

[@candymantackle5684]

Main gear in battle 2 crapped out it one season. Have 2 pen fierce and packed them with grease . Tired of having to take it apart and clean and regrease after a dunk so I packed it. Not a big fan of pen. Threw many in the garbage over the years. Will not by another pen real again. I am a shimano man now. Just threw a tsunami shield away too. Used it 6 times and the main gear shreddex to shit. The fishing I do its just not worth goin cheap.

[@ishwithfish]

yup, sounds like you outfish the 100 range lol. i picked the bg over the b2 in my comparison vid for that exact reason: daiwa's superior main gear.

[@BULLISHGUY-fg3so]

Good video but that music is killing me😢💀💀

[@ishwithfish]

haha my bad, i've since toned it down.

[@MrFebles29]

Pursuit II va Crossfire daiwa

[@fabriziobocelli3059]

The pen Battle i pen fierci good ....pen Battle filament good. Spool

[@nutsack-1904]

Daiwa df100a baby!

[@ishwithfish]

NutSack-1 don't know that one, i gotta check it out👌

[@nutsack-1904]

Ish With Fish its a beast of a reel. It'll put hair on your chest if you take it out crabbing lol

[@ishwithfish]

NutSack-1 oh wait, that's the daiwa giant right? that things a beast! pretty popular at the pier. always wondered if it flexes alot for crabbing.

[@nutsack-1904]

Ish With Fish no flex that I can tell. I own 2 that I crab with and Its a strong reel. I think my arm would break before the reel lol The only "bad" part is it can hold 500 yards or more of 60lb braid........ You will never get spooled again lol

[@livenhfree]

Man, that background music really interferes with your audio-- which isn't clear to begin with. I can't get past the 1:00 mark. :-(

[@ishwithfish]

yeah my bad. i pulled the music in my recent reviews because of the same feedback👍🏼

[@livenhfree]

@@ishwithfish The idea is nice, don't get me wrong.

[@serwhit2490]

Music is annoying. Nice comparison. A little monotone

[@theeabster1983]

I used to buy Penn reels religiously simply because they were made in the USA. But they all seem to be made in China now.

[@ishwithfish]

true. i think the only USA made penns are the torque, new 704z, and international. but remember, mid range daiwas and shimanos are also made in china, malaysia or vietnam.

[@wahyudion8037]

Can I us penn fierce ll 6000 for popping?

[@ishwithfish]

technically yes, it's on the faster side at 6.2:1 for the mid sizes. but!, if you're popping you're probably targeting bigger fish, maybe big saltwater fish, and imo the fierce's drag and bearings will fail over time. if you're popping with a penn, at a minimum go with the battle ii: the HT-100 is a keyed drag system that's impervious to the heat of a long run. also the battle ii has sealed bearings which should help in salty conditions. hope this helps!

[@wahyudion8037]

Wow......thanks

[@scottf4236]

The music is distracting.

[@ishwithfish]

agreed, i dropped the music in later review vids.

[@drkrm]

The Tinkerbell music was very distracting and made the video hard to listen too. So, in the end, I don’t know which reel you liked better. Watching was a waste of time.

[@ishwithfish]

😂😂accurate music description. it was a video to explain the differences, not a video to tell you which one i liked better. i think i like you most though.

[@noureddineelaroussi7680]

I'm one minute into this video and the background music is driving me crazy, why put music in a learning video is beyond me, I'll try to finish watching if I can!

[@ishwithfish]

true, i ran background music way too loud back then. i dropped the background in my recent reviews👍