Brand: PENN · Parent company: Pure Fishing · Category: Electric reels · Models: Fathom Electric 30, 50 and 80
PENN is the most familiar name in American saltwater fishing. For decades its reels have been the working reels on charter boats, piers and party boats up and down the coast. The Fathom Electric is PENN’s answer to the Japanese electrics. Its defining feature is one most competitors lack: a lithium battery built into the reel. There’s no battery pack clipped to the rod, no separate cable, and no hunting for a plug on the gunwale. You put the rod in the holder and drop.
This review covers all three Fathom Electric sizes, the reel-only versus kit options, what the integrated battery means in practice, and who the Fathom suits best.
Company overview
PENN was founded in Philadelphia in 1932 and is now part of Pure Fishing, one of the largest tackle companies in the world. Pure Fishing also owns brands such as Abu Garcia, Berkley and Shakespeare. PENN reels are sold through nearly every saltwater tackle shop in the US, which matters when you need a part or a quick replacement.
At a glance
| Brand | PENN (Pure Fishing) |
| Website | pennfishing.com |
| Electric model | Fathom Electric (sizes 30, 50, 80) |
| Price range | $779.95 – $899.95 reel only · $949.95 – $1,069.95 kit |
| Power | Integrated, replaceable 12V lithium-ion battery |
| Standout features | Brushless motor, autostop, digital line counter, backup manual handle, IPX6 sealing |
The lineup at a glance
| Model | Gear ratio | Max drag | Braid capacity (yd/lb) | Reel only | Kit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FTH30EL | 2.8:1 | 30 lb | 1,215/20 · 910/30 · 745/40 | $779.95 | $949.95 (FTH30ELKIT) |
| FTH50EL | 1.9:1 | 40 lb | 1,635/30 · 1,335/40 · 1,140/50 | $839.95 | $1,009.95 (FTH50ELKIT) |
| FTH80EL | 1.6:1 | 40 lb | 2,085/40 · 1,780/50 · 1,480/65 | $899.95 | $1,069.95 (FTH80ELKIT) |
Specs and prices from pennfishing.com, September 2026. All models: 5 ball bearings, 12V system, right-hand retrieve.
The integrated battery
PENN describes the Fathom’s power source as “a fully integrated and replaceable Lithium Ion battery pack.” The battery clips into the reel itself.
Reel only or kit?
– The reel-only models (FTH30EL, FTH50EL, FTH80EL) come without a battery or charger.
– The kit versions add one 5Ah lithium-ion battery and a single battery charger, for $170 more.
If you’re buying your first Fathom, get the kit. If you’re adding a second Fathom, buy the reel only and share batteries, or buy a spare battery so you can swap mid-trip.
How long does it last? PENN’s kit listing reports users getting four to five fishing trips per charge. Actual run time depends on depth, weight, current and how many drops you make, so on a long day of deep dropping, carry a spare battery.
Why it matters:
– Any boat, any rod holder. No boat wiring, no Hubbell receptacle, no cable across the deck. It’s ideal for small center consoles, rental boats and anglers fishing on someone else’s boat.
– Fewer failure points. Salt Water Sportsman notes that the Fathom Electric comes with plug-in rechargeable batteries. The plug and cable, the most common failure point on electric reels, are mostly eliminated.
– The trade-off: a 5Ah pack is small compared with the 10Ah+ packs deep droppers use with Daiwa and Shimano electrics, and nothing like hard-wired boat power. It’s a recreational reel, not a commercial one.
Features
- Brushless motor with variable speed control: no brushes to wear, and speed you can match to the situation
- True digital line counter: it counts based on line diameter inputs, so you enter your line and the depth reading matches it
- Autostop: automatically stops the rig at the surface for hands-free retrieval
- IPX6-sealed motor and battery compartments: protection against spray and washdown
- Backup handle for manual operation: if the battery dies, you can still wind in by hand
- 5 ball bearings on all models
Choosing a size
Images: PENN / Pure Fishing
Fathom Electric 30 (FTH30EL). At 2.8:1, this is the fastest Fathom and has the lightest drag (30 lb). With about 745 yd of 40 lb braid, it suits mid-depth bottom fishing: vermilion and yellowtail snapper, mutton snapper on deep ledges, and amberjack. It’s too small for deep tilefish drops.
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Fathom Electric 50 (FTH50EL). At 1.9:1 with 40 lb drag, it holds 1,140 yd of 50 lb braid, about 3,400 feet. This is the all-round Florida deep drop size: enough line for tilefish, snowy grouper and queen snapper, with a lower gear for pulling weight up from the bottom.
Fathom Electric 80 (FTH80EL). The lowest gear (1.6:1) and the most line: 1,780 yd of 50 lb or 1,480 yd of 65 lb braid. Choose it for the deepest drops, heavier braid, and more margin for break-offs, including daytime swordfish depths if you accept the 40 lb drag limit.
What to pair it with
- Rods: any 50–80 lb class deep drop rod with a sturdy reel seat. See Deep Drop Rods for Florida builders like Crowder.
- Line: braid. PENN’s capacities are listed for braid, and braid’s thin diameter is what makes deep drops possible.
- Spare battery: the simplest insurance for a full day offshore.
Setting up and fishing a Fathom Electric
1. Set the line counter before your first drop. The Fathom’s counter works from the diameter of the line you enter, so a counter set for the wrong line will misreport depth all day. Enter your braid when you spool up, and update it if you change line.
2. Use autostop and trust it. Autostop brings the rig up and stops it at the surface. It saves leaders, hooks and fingers, especially on a multi-hook rig coming up with a fish on every hook.
3. Let the drop do the work. Free-spool the rig down, engage when you hit bottom, and wind up a crank or two to keep the lead off the rocks. When a fish bites, let the motor pull it clear of the bottom before you touch the speed.
4. Carry a charged spare battery. Because the battery clips into the reel, a swap takes seconds. With a spare aboard, a flat battery halfway through a deep drop day becomes a short pause rather than the end of fishing.
5. Rinse and charge after every trip. Rinse the reel with fresh water while the battery compartment is closed (it’s IPX6-sealed, not submersible), dry it, then charge the battery before storage so it’s ready next time.
Pros and cons
Pros
- An integrated lithium battery: no cables, no boat wiring, any rod holder
- Low prices: $779.95 reel only, $949.95 kit
- Brushless motor, autostop and a digital line counter set by line diameter
- A backup manual handle
- IPX6-sealed motor and battery
- PENN’s huge US dealer network and parts availability
Cons
- 30–40 lb max drag, less than the Daiwa Seaborg 500 (50 lb) and Shimano 9000 models (55 lb)
- The 5Ah kit battery is small for long deep drop days, so plan on a spare
- Reel-only models come without a battery or charger
- Not built for commercial daily use or heavy swordfish work
PENN Fathom Electric vs. the competition
| Reel | Max drag | Power | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| PENN Fathom Electric 50 | 40 lb | Integrated 5Ah lithium (kit) | $839.95 / $1,009.95 kit |
| Daiwa Tanacom S500J | 33 lb | External battery or boat | $749.99 |
| Daiwa Seaborg 500J | 50 lb | External battery or boat | $1,199.99 |
| Shimano ForceMaster A 9000 | 55 lb | External battery or boat | $1,189.99 |
| Banax Kaigen 1000 | 44–45 lb (rated) | Boat power recommended | from about $649.99 |
Where to buy PENN Fathom Electric reels
Manufacturer
– PENN: pennfishing.com (reel and kit pages)
Retailers carrying the Fathom Electric (September 2026)
– Bass Pro Shops: basspro.com
– TackleDirect: Fathom Electric kits · tackledirect.com
– Capt. Harry’s Fishing Supply (Miami): Fathom Electric kit · 1-800-327-4088 · captharry.com
– Melton Tackle: Fathom Electric kits · meltontackle.com
– Tomo’s Tackle: 104 Wharf St, Salem, MA 01970 · (978) 498-4187 · tomostackle.com
– Fisherman’s Source: fishermenssource.com
Buy online (Amazon)
Verdict
The PENN Fathom Electric is the easiest electric reel to live with. The integrated battery means you can deep drop from any boat without wiring, cables or plugs, and at $1,009.95 for the Fathom Electric 50 kit, it’s one of the most affordable complete electric setups available. It has less drag and a smaller battery than the premium Japanese reels, so it isn’t the choice for daytime swordfish or commercial use. For recreational deep droppers, small-boat owners and anyone who wants to try electric fishing without rewiring the boat, it’s an excellent buy.
Deep-Drop.com rating: Ease of use 5/5 · Value 5/5 · Power 3.5/5 · Build quality 4/5 · US availability 5/5
FAQ
Does the PENN Fathom Electric come with a battery?
Only the kit versions do. They include one 5Ah lithium-ion battery and a charger. The reel-only models (FTH30EL, FTH50EL, FTH80EL) don’t include a battery or charger.
How much does a PENN Fathom Electric cost?
Reel only: $779.95 (30), $839.95 (50), $899.95 (80). Kits: $949.95, $1,009.95 and $1,069.95.
Which Fathom Electric size is best for deep dropping in Florida?
The Fathom Electric 50 is the best all-round size, holding about 1,140 yd of 50 lb braid with 40 lb drag. For the deepest drops, choose the 80.
Can you reel a Fathom Electric by hand?
Yes. It has a backup handle for manual operation.
Specifications and prices were checked against pennfishing.com and US retailer listings on September 25, 2026.