Company: PENN Fishing Tackle Mfg. Co. · Founded: 1932, Philadelphia · Parent: Pure Fishing · Category: Deep drop and electric reel rods
PENN is best known for reels, but it also builds rods made to go with its Fathom Electric reels. In the US the main line is the Ally II Electric: five 6′ bent-butt rods in Medium-Heavy, Heavy and Extra-Heavy, with a choice of roller or swivel top, plus a 39″ kite rod. For heavier work there’s a 6′ Ally II Boat deep drop model rated 80–250 lb. In Europe, PENN sells the two-piece Conflict Deep Drop, rated for 500–1,500 g of lead.
This review covers all three, how to match them to a Fathom Electric, and where to buy.
Company overview
PENN was founded in Philadelphia in 1932 by Otto Henze and is now part of Pure Fishing. Its address is 3028 West Hunting Park Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19132 ((800) 892-5444). PENN’s rods are sold through a large US dealer network, so they’re among the easiest deep drop rods to find in Florida tackle shops. For PENN’s reels, see our PENN Electric Reels and PENN Slow Pitch Reels reviews.
At a glance
| Brand | PENN (Pure Fishing) |
| Electric reel rods (US) | Ally II Electric: 5 × 6′ conventional, plus a 39″ kite rod |
| Heavy deep drop rod (US) | Ally II Boat Conventional 80–250 lb, 6′ DD |
| Europe | Conflict Deep Drop, 2-piece, 500–1,000 g and 800–1,500 g |
| Construction | Graphite composite (Ally II) · X-Wrap carbon (Conflict) |
| US price | $229.95 list for Ally II Electric (seen at $172.46–$183.96 on sale) · $329.95 for the Ally II DD |
| Built to pair with | PENN Fathom Electric 30, 50 and 80 |
Ally II Electric: PENN’s electric reel rod
PENN says the Ally II Electric is “designed specifically for use with electric reels” and “built to handle the harshest saltwater environments.” All five conventional models are 6′ long with a moderate-fast action.
| Model | Length | Power | Top | List price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ALLYELIIC60MHRT | 6′ | Medium-Heavy | Roller | $229.95 |
| ALLYELIIC60MHST | 6′ | Medium-Heavy | Swivel | $229.95 |
| ALLYELIIC60HRT | 6′ | Heavy | Roller | $229.95 |
| ALLYELIIC60HST | 6′ | Heavy | Swivel | $229.95 |
| ALLYELII60XHST | 6′ | Extra-Heavy | Swivel | $229.95 |
Models and prices from pennfishing.com, September 2026, where all five were on sale at $183.96. Fishfield also lists an Extra-Heavy roller-top version (ALLYELII60CXHRT) and had the range at $172.46.
Features
- Graphite composite blank, balancing strength and weight for big fish on electric reels
- Sea-Guide stainless XRG frames with aluminum oxide rings
- Sea-Guide roller top or swivel top, depending on the model
- EVA foregrip
- Aluminum bent butt, which drops the reel lower in the rod holder
Images: PENN
Line ratings: PENN doesn’t show them on its own product page. Melton Tackle lists the Heavy roller-top (ALLYELIIC60HRT) as 40–80 lb. Check the rating on the blank of the model you buy.
Ally II Electric Kite rod
The ALLYELIICKITE is a 39″ one-piece rod with a Sea-Guide kite top, EVA foregrip and aluminum straight butt, at the same $229.95 list price. It’s built for flying kites off an electric reel, a common South Florida setup, rather than for deep dropping. It was out of stock at pennfishing.com in September 2026.
Ally II Boat Conventional 80–250 lb DD
For the heaviest bottom work, PENN’s Ally II Boat range includes a dedicated deep drop model, the ALLYBWII80250C60DD. Capt. Harry’s lists it as 80–250 lb, Extra-Heavy, and the model code points to a 6′ conventional rod. TackleDirect describes the Ally II boat rods as one-piece tubular blanks built for saltwater, and had this model in stock at $329.95 in September 2026. Capt. Harry’s listed it at $263.96 on sale but sold out.
At 80–250 lb, it’s a rod for the Fathom Electric 80, big leads and daytime swordfish, not for compact electrics.
Conflict Deep Drop (Europe)
PENN Europe sells a separate deep drop rod, the Conflict Deep Drop. PENN says “every aspect of the PENN Conflict Deep Drop rod has been designed to give you the upper hand in the battle with monsters of the great depths of the ocean,” and recommends pairing it with Fathom Electric reels.
| Length | Lure rating | Action | Price (PENN EU) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.10 m (6’8″) | 500–1,000 g | Moderate | €109.99 |
| 2.29 m (7’6″) | 500–1,000 g | Moderate | €119.99 |
| 2.29 m (7’6″) | 800–1,500 g | Moderate | €129.99 |
Features: X-Wrap carbon to spread load along the blank, spiral-mounted guides to stop the rod twisting under load, saltwater-resistant aluminum oxide guides, a Pac Bay reel seat and a high-density EVA grip. German retailer Angelplatz lists the 6’8″ model as 2 pieces, 1.44 m transport length and 422 g.
Images: PENN
For US anglers: The Conflict Deep Drop is a European-market rod. We found it at European retailers and on eBay, not at US PENN dealers. Its lighter, longer build suits European deep sea fishing more than heavy Florida swordfish work.
Matching a PENN rod to a Fathom Electric
| Your reel and fishing | PENN rod |
|---|---|
| Fathom Electric 30, snapper and tilefish on lighter leads | Ally II Electric MH |
| Fathom Electric 50, typical Florida deep drop | Ally II Electric H (40–80 lb on the roller-top model) |
| Fathom Electric 80, heavy leads, big grouper and swordfish | Ally II Electric XH or Ally II DD 80–250 lb |
| Kite fishing with an electric reel | Ally II Electric Kite |
These pairings are our suggestions. PENN doesn’t publish a rod-to-reel chart. See our PENN Electric Reels review for the Fathom Electric specs.
Roller top or swivel top?
Four of the Ally II Electric models come in a choice of tip.
Roller top
- A spinning roller cuts friction where the line bends most
- Handles heavy braid and constant electric-reel load without grooving
- Needs a freshwater rinse and a drop of oil so it keeps turning
Swivel top
- Pivots to follow the line, which suits long fights and changing angles
- Fewer moving parts, less to maintain
- The only option on the Extra-Heavy model PENN lists (ALLYELII60XHST)
Pros and cons
Pros
- Built by PENN to pair with its Fathom Electric reels
- Affordable: $229.95 list, often under $190 on sale
- Three powers with a choice of roller or swivel top
- Aluminum bent butt for rod holder use
- A dedicated 80–250 lb deep drop model for the heaviest work
- Easy to find at US PENN dealers
Cons
- PENN doesn’t publish line ratings for most Ally II Electric models
- Only one length (6′) in the electric range
- Graphite composite, not the E-Glass many Florida builders use for deep drop
- The Conflict Deep Drop isn’t sold through US dealers
PENN vs. other deep drop rods
| Builder | Deep drop range | Price |
|---|---|---|
| PENN | Ally II Electric (6′, MH–XH), Ally II DD 80–250 lb | $229.95–$329.95 |
| Star Rods | B50, B80, B130 DDHC (detachable curved butts) | $389.99–$458.95 |
| Crowder Rods | 14 models, E-Glass, 50–130 lb | $329.99–$949.99 |
| Blackfin Rods | Offshore Elite DD, Fin Legacy Deep Drop | $189.99–$722.99 |
Where to buy PENN deep drop rods
Manufacturer
- PENN · Ally II Electric · Ally II Electric Kite
Florida
- Capt. Harry’s Fishing Supply, 8501 NW 7th Ave, Miami, FL 33150 · (800) 327-4088 · captharry.com: Ally II boat rods including the DD
Other US retailers
- TackleDirect · 888-354-7335 · tackledirect.com: Ally II DD 80–250 lb
- Fishfield · fishfield.com: Ally II Electric and Kite
- Melton Tackle · meltontackle.com: Ally II range
Europe (Conflict Deep Drop)
- PENN EU · pennfishing.eu
- Angelplatz (Germany), Maguro Pro Shop (Croatia), Gerry’s Fishing (UK)
Verdict
PENN’s Ally II Electric is the simple, affordable way to match a rod to a Fathom Electric. It’s a 6′ bent-butt rod in three powers with a roller or swivel top, easy to find and often under $190 on sale. For the heaviest deep drop and daytime swordfish work, the Ally II DD 80–250 lb adds a lot more backbone. PENN publishes fewer specs than Florida rod builders such as Crowder or Blackfin, but if you already fish a Fathom Electric, an Ally II Electric is the natural partner.
Deep-Drop.com rating: Value 4.5/5 · Build quality 4/5 · Range 3.5/5 · Spec transparency 3/5 · US availability 4.5/5
FAQ
Does PENN make a deep drop rod?
Yes. In the US, the Ally II Electric (6′, Medium-Heavy to Extra-Heavy) and the Ally II Boat Conventional 80–250 lb DD. In Europe, the Conflict Deep Drop.
How much is the PENN Ally II Electric rod?
$229.95 list. PENN had it at $183.96 and Fishfield at $172.46 on sale in September 2026.
What PENN rod goes with a Fathom Electric 50?
The Ally II Electric Heavy is a sensible match. Melton Tackle lists the Heavy roller-top model as 40–80 lb.
Can I buy the PENN Conflict Deep Drop in the US?
We found it only at European retailers and on eBay. It isn’t listed by US PENN dealers.
Specifications and prices were checked against pennfishing.com, pennfishing.eu, Fishfield, TackleDirect, Capt. Harry’s, Melton Tackle, Angelplatz and Maguro Pro Shop on September 28, 2026.