Penn Fathom II FTHII8XNSD Star Drag Reel Review | J&H Tackle

[@239peytonn7]

Can I throw swimbaits with this for snook or stick with a low profile

[@Fj4LiFe23]

if thats all youll use it for id check out the new low profiles

[@jandhtackle]

Yes but a low profile with cast control might be a better option.

[@jandhtackle]

Congratulations! You won the $20 gift card giveaway. DM me on Instagram with your name and address and we will get it out to you. @jandhtackle

[@1BatJam]

Love J and H, it’s like an adult candy store ! First time there but not the last! Picked up a Diawa Ballistic 6000 and a Trophy ll pole, the guys there were all friendly and very helpful in my choices of gear! I’ve been telling all my friends about what a great place and they really need to make a trip out to J&H !

[@jandhtackle]

Glad you had a good experience.

[@fadelover123]

Ooooohh wow!!!! I have been waiting for this! Siiick reel!

[@jandhtackle]

Hope you like it!

[@captdemosthanos7110]

I bought this and am really looking forward for snapper season. Thnx for recommending!

[@robhintzen]

Solid! Is all you can say about this reel! Definitely have to have a few. Thanks J&H!

[@jandhtackle]

You bet

[@robertsolares994]

Looking to buy the fathom 200 low profile

[@jandhtackle]

It's up on our site.

[@pitangwb8906]

Can this reel withstand againt's 20/25lbs Sailfish and cobia? Paired with tiger lite Or 14 torium? Or get bigger size?

[@jandhtackle]

Yes.

[@TheBattaxxx]

It’s going to be an awesome reel to compete with Avet!

[@fadelover123]

Unless the Avet is a Raptor the fathoms are better... If you were to spend the amount of money on a raptor I would get a torque though. Fathoms are unmatched price and performance wise, I like my Torques though..

[@johnhall20]

I love my Fathom 12 star drag . Can’t wait to get this one.

[@jandhtackle]

👍

[@dak8840]

Would this reel work good to pitch live bait up around hydroelectric dams? I need something with great free spool capability with light weight?, but have power to pull a big striped bass against the raging turbulent waters.

[@johnhall20]

I have the 12. Best free spool on a 200 dollar reel I’ve ever seen. Casts a mile. It has a metal internal side plate unlike the Saltist and Torium with a bronze main gear and 316 stainless pinion gear.

[@jandhtackle]

Yes.

[@emarroquin77]

What are your thoughts or recommendations in this $ range on this reel for a 200g-300g slow pitch rod

[@tonito6197]

I was think of using it for slow pitch jigging as well

[@jandhtackle]

This is a solid choice.

[@ourluckfishing2801]

Thanks for the review I needed this for my purchase

[@jandhtackle]

No problem 👍

[@steveokon5431]

I'm going to order one in a couple weeks! Thanks

[@jandhtackle]

Hope you enjoy it!

[@fantomphoenix6170]

How would it do casting out smaller live bait free lined? Thinking of something to get mojarra or shrimp out there but seems like it would be too light, I know it can chuck a mullet though. I haven’t seen anyone make a casting test with it.

[@geraldsaved]

I fish Juno for snook. Would you recommend this as a bottom rig ?

[@sonnyarce]

Can’t wait to buy one!

[@jandhtackle]

👍

[@clemansky3320]

That reel looks awesome. So compact!

[@jandhtackle]

I think so too!

[@jaychino1621]

Nice! Way to go Penn!

[@hassanharake6473]

Honestly I’ve never seen anybody ever do something better than you guys you guys have been the best fishing company I’ve ever bought from keep on the great business guys and sick reel

[@jandhtackle]

Thanks!

[@rivalramayoga1052]

Is that same line capacity with 300 size low profile?

[@williebailey1537]

Do you know if they are gonna make a left handed version

[@jandhtackle]

I don't think they will.

[@seanhorner219]

Could you review the lever drag 2 speed 15xn!!!

[@jandhtackle]

Yes!

[@yoonsiongchan6316]

hi , just wanna this model any left handed?

[@tonybishop51]

Looks sweet but I think I’m going to wait until I can get one of the magnetic ones

[@josephtyminski8595]

I want this exact reel too but magged. They have the wide version magged in this reel. They call it the Casting Special. Where Penn placed the mag I seen on the user videos online that alot people are complaining about the mag knob digs into your wrist when you try to lay the line with your thumb. If they don't come out with this model magged in a few months from now. Then I'm gonna go with magged Squall or this reel because the mag knob is placed on the back of the side plate , not forward like the fathom is. Also I'm not a fan of the wide spool reels because they are more wobbly w/o a tight grip and you have to pay more attention to line lay. I will buy this reel and install a mag kit myself then. Yeah but I'm hoping Penn will do the same thing as you are.

[@jandhtackle]

Different purpose than this reel.

[@joerussella6123]

Is there a left hand set up ???

[@jandhtackle]

Nope.

[@thatoneguy9842]

I'm very interested in buying this reel as a 1st time purchase from you guys. What would be a really nice medium/heavy line and rod combo for this reel if I want to do some lure fishing inshore with it?

[@WLW873]

Looking forward to using this reel.

[@joeyboucree]

Such a compact little reel lol. The spool is so little.

[@jandhtackle]

👍

[@lachyelmulatiko7435]

What rod would you pair it with thats not too expensive, for bottom fishing with 30lb braid

[@skyler4980]

If you want to go cheap buy a tiger lite ugly stick

[@2ndGenDurgo]

My favorite blank for bottom fishing nj, 8-10 oz sinkers and jigs 3-7oz is a rodgeeks 803 Two seasons in and many more to go

[@jandhtackle]

Tsunami Trophy Slow Pitch.

[@jandhtackle]

Yuck!

[@bgarcia856]

I’m torn between this and the fathom LP can you help me out?

[@davebogacz2710]

Lovin it super tiny! Lots of features!

[@jandhtackle]

It really is!

[@josueportillo9006]

Awesome review 👏

[@jandhtackle]

Thanks!

[@Thepondguy85]

That reel looks sweet

[@jandhtackle]

👍

[@CapeCodCanalFishing]

Wow this reel is perfect for us kayak guys, nice compact size yet can handle most fish we target on the yaks, especially with the drag this reel has to offer! Can’t wait to get mine!

[@jenbilbrey1089]

Hey I have a question I kayak fish as well. Do you think this real would be good for targeting big catfish off of my yak? Thank you

[@CapeCodCanalFishing]

@@jenbilbrey1089 absolutely! I’m gonna be using mine for salt water fish

[@jandhtackle]

You got that right!

[@oscarjagal1081]

Left handed its available in same size ? Thx

[@jandhtackle]

No lefties.

[@danielvielma9279]

Thank you for all the info

[@jandhtackle]

You bet!

[@gowrestle160]

interesting offering from Penn.

[@jandhtackle]

👍

[@GratefulFloyd24]

Dope reel dope review

[@jandhtackle]

Appreciate that

[@MR-lq4zv]

Oh yeah that's my new Must have.

[@jandhtackle]

👍

[@carolinaoutdoors7787]

I’m getting the clash 2

[@jandhtackle]

👍

[@pitangwb6507]

Tiny stuff for everyone's waiting And we all got even more excited if competitor make "6"

[@jandhtackle]

👍

[@Jonathan_HK]

Thanks for the review

[@jandhtackle]

No problem 👍

[@AZfishrman01]

It would be awesome on a tautog rod

[@jandhtackle]

Exactly!

[@matthewfish3306]

Love the matte black

[@jandhtackle]

It looks great!

[@larrybenson3514]

Looks like it would work great for jigging. I'll have to try one .fair price too. Thanks

[@rtorres3442]

Like it so much I grabbed a 2nd one.!

[@jandhtackle]

👍

[@Joel-lopez]

Hey great video This thing is my new reel I must get 😅 how much 30lb braid would fit in it? Would it be able to handle a good sized yellowtail here on the west coast in the islands you never know when you get smacked by one… 30lb drag is nuts on a reel that size!👏🏼

[@markr447]

I loaded the reel with 300 yards of 30# RUNCL Powerbraid 8X

[@Joel-lopez]

@@markr447 ohh wow thank you I’ve been looking around and it seems you can fit 300 yards of 30lb thin braid I think that’s what I’m a go with👍🏼

[@alanalonso1920]

Need to get myself one of them

[@jandhtackle]

👍

[@seanpolcha4550]

Sick reel!

[@jandhtackle]

Yes it is!

[@evantisdale3042]

Rod for bottom fishing live bait?

[@jandhtackle]

How much do you want to spend?

[@evantisdale3042]

@@jandhtackle with a budget of 200

[@jonathansagun9469]

Awesome reel

[@jandhtackle]

I love it

[@briannajera88]

Perfect size

[@jandhtackle]

Sure is

[@bryanli8584]

Sick reel

[@jandhtackle]

👍

[@reefinvestments]

Such a sweet reel!

[@jandhtackle]

👍

[@lukegallagher2054]

That’s a sick reel!

[@jandhtackle]

Yes it is!

[@cookebbs]

Wow that’s a pretty cool reel!

[@jandhtackle]

It sure is!

[@monkeyslap]

Penn's star drag and handle assembly pisses me off. The main cog nut to keep the handle in place needs to be reverse threaded because that tiny screw next to it doesn't do a good job of keeping the nut in place. Every time you reel, you can basically unscrew the main nut. Screwing things back together again, the star and handle can be tightly bound together to where you lock up the drag. Ridiculous.

[@danielmccormick4664]

Great looking reel

[@jandhtackle]

It sure is!

[@bjodaddyo]

I've never known a conventional reel that you didn't have to put into gear manually.

[@jandhtackle]

There are some.

[@shannonhughes9515]

Akios

[@jacktelford5500]

Looks great

[@jandhtackle]

Thanks!

[@Chris_STR]

Idc penns are workhorses and built to be fished idc about trends penn has been here and will continue to be here for a long time

[@mattinlo7]

Penn with the 🔥

[@jandhtackle]

👍

[@matthewfish3306]

Looks clean

[@jandhtackle]

👍

[@mattryan3600]

Sweet reel

[@jandhtackle]

👍

[@nightsniping]

looks legit!

[@jandhtackle]

👍

[@konstantinostsoukalas362]

Sweet reel...

[@jandhtackle]

👍

[@Fj4LiFe23]

going from the 8 to 12 almost doubles the line capacity and doesn't even add a whole ounce and lets you use the same real for many more purposes. tough to justify the 8

[@marcopugliese7284]

8 is meant for slow pitch jigging. You need a really tiny reel to be able to get the jig working really good and to balance the light rods

[@Fj4LiFe23]

@@marcopugliese7284 its like a .6 ounce difference

[@tunanorth]

@@Fj4LiFe23 It is quite a bit narrower, and nests in your hand better. Very true that the 12 is more versatile; if you need that, the 12 is perfect. This model is meant more as a specialty tool for the SPJ technique.

[@Fj4LiFe23]

@@tunanorth absolutely i just mean with the very small difference if your between the two or others theres no reason not to get the 12 because it can be used for so much more.

[@tunanorth]

@@Fj4LiFe23 But if you want a reel specifically for SPJ only, the 8 is the perfect choice.

[@gralandrogers1649]

Surf real ??

[@jandhtackle]

It's a boat reel.

[@arunrajhansa1892]

Nice reel

[@jandhtackle]

Thanks!

[@richienegron7886]

Nice!!

[@jandhtackle]

Thanks!

[@Mike_Y.]

Love it

[@jandhtackle]

👍

[@stevenajpvv]

Awesome

[@jandhtackle]

👍

[@xaviermarroquin4507]

Wow..compact..30lb drag

[@jandhtackle]

Not bad

[@Drundel]

Too bad its not lefty. Would be a great jigging reel.

[@dewatabalii]

Niceee 👍👍👍

[@dakang2341]

Nice

[@jandhtackle]

Thanks

[@Sean-s]

Cool

[@jandhtackle]

👍

[@coralb6966]

🤙

[@jandhtackle]

👍

[@พรานปลาน้ําจืด-ท6ฤ]

😍😍😍😍😍

[@jandhtackle]

👍

[@kongxiong6005]

It looks sweet but not going to lie when you get down to conventional reel that size there's almost no advantage compared to a 200 size baitcaster. Actually I don't even think there's a advantage at all to even spinning reels at that size the one good thing about conventional was that they can hold a ton of line.

[@marcopugliese7284]

It’s meant for slow pitch jigging and shallow water. Slow pitch rods are so thin any bigger reel makes it feel unbalanced. Also slow pitch jigging really needs conventional reels. Also bottom fishing for stripers seabass cod and tautog you really don’t need that much line

[@kongxiong6005]

@@marcopugliese7284 you proved my point Marco the size of this eight size reei is so small already that a bass size baitcaster reel a 100 or 200 or a size 20 or 30 spinning reel can do what this real can do with more finesse. I'm I'm thinking that the fans who love conventional or probably buy this reel but the size of it is treading on a lot of competition.

[@marcopugliese7284]

@@kongxiong6005 for slow pitch u need the drag and the long handle

[@kongxiong6005]

And boom the penn squall LP just dropped. This reel is dead.

[@2ndGenDurgo]

@@kongxiong6005 I think the reason alot of guys opt for the smaller spooled conventional, rather than the new penn low profile bait casters (which are sick), are because of the leader. For me, I'll be fishing 50-140ft for tog and always use a 12-15ft leader with a splice knot. I do love my baitcaster but running that splice knot, no matter how neat, does get sloppy when casting and on your retrieve especially when a fish is adding tension Just my opinion. I do really like this real, the 10 is a perfect size but it's a shame it's only lever drag. I may get an 8 with berkeley x9 braid to add a couple yards due to its smaller diameter for it's test rating

[@lil_cheese_xdlil_cheese_xd2287]

Kayak fishing machine!

[@jandhtackle]

You got that right!

[@tinngoufish]

hope I win

[@jandhtackle]

👍

[@MrDenverharbor1]

Ouu wee

[@jandhtackle]

👍

[@russloret2816]

Sweet reel....

[@jandhtackle]

I love it

[@ematibag1]

Nice reel

[@jandhtackle]

Sure is

[@donaldschumacher6592]

Nice

[@jandhtackle]

So nice

[@wilk7958]

Nice

[@jandhtackle]

So nice