Penn Fathom II Casting Special

Overview

The PENN Fathom II Casting Special is a conventional casting multiplier reel designed specifically for shore anglers who need both casting distance and genuine fishing power. Built on the size-15 Fathom II platform, the FTHII15SDCS combines a Full Metal body and sideplates with a factory-adjustable four-magnet braking system, a free-floating Live Spindle spool and a machine-cut marine-grade bronze main gear paired with a hardened stainless-steel pinion.

Unlike the standard 15SD, this Casting Special version houses a much deeper spool, giving roughly a third more line capacity while retaining the same core drivetrain, gear ratio and magnetic braking technology. PENN's Versa-Drag system with HT-100 carbon-fibre washers delivers up to 13.6kg / 30lb of maximum drag, while a 6+1 bearing system of six shielded stainless-steel ball bearings and an Instant Anti-Reverse bearing keeps the retrieve smooth and direct.

This is an open-cage, no-level-wind design, meaning the angler lays the line across the spool manually during the retrieve, keeping the casting system uncluttered and purely focused on distance.

Perfect For

UK specialist retailers describe this reel as an all-round high-speed beach reel suited to beach casting, surf fishing, clean-ground and mixed-ground marks, as well as rough-ground shore fishing where casting distance and strong retrieval both matter. Its deep-capacity spool holding up to 430m of 0.35mm mono or 385yd of 50lb braid makes it well suited to distance bait fishing and heavy bait presentations that need to be cast into wind.

Based on the reel's specification, it's a sensible choice for UK sea anglers targeting bass, cod, smoothhound, rays, bull huss, dogfish, conger, whiting and flatfish, depending on the rig, line and ground being fished.

Technical Insight

The four-magnet braking system provides non-contact control from the moment the lead or lure is released, which is particularly useful when casting bulky bait presentations, clipped rigs or multiple hooks into a headwind or crosswind. Because the magnetic strength is adjusted via an external dial, anglers can retune the brake for different leads, baits and conditions without opening the sideplate.

PENN's Live Spindle arrangement separates the spool from its shaft, reducing rotational load throughout the cast to help produce longer, more effortless casting distance. This is paired with a braid-ready spool featuring a textured arbor section that helps stop superline slipping, so PE line can be loaded without needing mono backing purely to prevent spool slip. A manual ON/OFF clutch lever further protects against accidental re-engagement of the clutch during the cast.