Penn Wrath II spinning reel

Overview

The PENN Wrath II is a spinning reel built as PENN's affordable entry point into saltwater and coastal fishing, spanning six sizes from the compact 2500 to the powerful 8000. Instead of the Full Metal Body found on the Fierce IV and Battle IV, PENN has fitted the Wrath II with a lightweight, corrosion-resistant graphite body, keeping the reel affordable without abandoning durability.

Every size shares a machined and anodised aluminium spool, a 2+1 bearing system (two shielded stainless-steel ball bearings plus an Instant Anti-Reverse bearing) and a front-mounted felt drag. Line Capacity Rings give a quick visual check of remaining line, and the handle is right/left interchangeable for either-handed retrieval.

Despite the budget-friendly graphite construction, maximum drag scales significantly through the range - from 4.5kg/10lb on the 2500 up to 11.4kg/25lb on the 8000 - so there's a genuine spread of power across the six sizes, and weight climbs from 297g to 866g to match.

Perfect For

The smaller 2500 and 3000 sizes suit light coastal lure fishing, estuary work, harbour fishing and bass lure fishing from the shore, where a lighter, more compact reel is preferable. The 4000 is best described as an all-round shore spinning size, offering a useful step up in capacity and drag over the 3000 for very little extra weight.

Moving up, the 5000 marks a clear jump into heavier spinning and general sea-fishing territory, with drag rising to 9.1kg/20lb and considerably heavier line ratings. The 6000 and 8000 suit heavy shore, rock and boat fishing, with the 8000's 11.4kg/25lb drag and high line capacity making it the choice for demanding saltwater applications requiring heavier lines.

Technical Insight

The graphite body doesn't corrode the way an unprotected metal chassis can, and it keeps the Wrath II affordable while PENN reserves its Full Metal Body construction for the Fierce IV and Battle IV. It's worth noting that PENN makes no waterproof or fully sealed claim for the Wrath II, so the bearings should be described as shielded rather than sealed.

The machined and anodised aluminium spool adds a solid platform for mono or braid despite the graphite body, with the anodising providing extra surface protection. The felt front drag, rather than PENN's HT-100 carbon drag used on higher-tier models, still delivers a workable spread of stopping power, increasing from 4.5kg on the 2500 to 11.4kg on the 8000.

The 2+1 bearing arrangement keeps the drivetrain simple and reliable, and PENN specifies an upgraded Instant Anti-Reverse with backup on the larger 6000 and 8000 sizes for added dependability under heavier saltwater loads.