PENN Battle II & III Spinning Fishing Reel review and price compare 2025

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Product overview

Brand	Penn
Material	Stainless steel;Metal
Hand Orientation	Ambidextrous
Color	Gold, Multicolor
Handle Material	Stainless Steel
Item Weight	1 Pounds
Fishing Line Type	Multifilament
Bearing Material	Stainless Steel

product features

Durable, high-range spinning reel ideal for conquering big saltwater gamefish
Full metal body, side plate, and rotor and heavy-duty aluminum bail wire offer exceptional durability
Specially designed to land hard hitting species
Fluid cranking with 5 sealed stainless steel ball bearings and instant anti-reverse bearing
Superline spool requires no backing, is braid ready, and has line capacity rings marked at 1/3, 2/3, and full capacity

product description

Arm yourself for the most punishing saltwater battles with the PENN Battle II Spinning Fishing Reel. Crafted from durable materials and packed with fish-fighting features, this saltwater reel is engineered to catch fish year after year. From the full metal body, side plate, and rotor to the five sealed stainless steel ball bearings, each component is designed to help you land your catch. The reel's HT-100 Versa-Drag carbon fiber drag system leverages both sides of each drag washer to provide maximum drag, and its instant anti-reverse bearing eliminates pullback so you reel without interruption. Additionally, the drag washers are treated with a proprietary grease to ensure long-lasting performance. Suitable for use with Berkley or Spiderwire Superline, the spool is fitted with a rubber gasket that prevents the Superline from slipping under pressure--meaning anglers can use braided line without a monofilament backing. And thanks to its line capacity rings, the spool displays at a glance how much line is remaining.

product details

Is Discontinued By Manufacturer ‏ : ‎ No
Product Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5 x 4 x 3 inches; 1 Pounds
Item model number ‏ : ‎ 1338217
Department ‏ : ‎ Unisex-adult
Date First Available ‏ : ‎ June 25, 2014
Manufacturer ‏ : ‎ Pure Fishing
ASIN ‏ : ‎ B00LDYJ5X0

important information

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Questions about PENN Battle II & III Spinning Fishing Reel

What is the difference from the 8000 and the 1000 real. The lbs is the same on all when you click on the number.

Answer:

When the spool is rised up the bail gets stuck over it. Is that normal or is it a defect?

Answer: Not sure what you mean about the bail getting stuck over the spool. Is your bail open or closed and how does it get stuck? I ordered 2 and one of them had a spot right when the spool would reach the top while reeling it would stick a little. I decided not try and swap it out due to limited time. They both handled a heavy week of mackeral, amberjack, and shark without flaw. They were running 90lb braid and 5ft, heavy rods. I do recommend a good break down and cleaning of the internals after any extensive saltwater use.

Answer: The bail is hitting the spool when it is in the top position? This is incorrect, should not happen. Return it to us priority mail, do not insure.

Answer: That is absolutely not normal. Sounds like the bail is either bent or defective. I’d return it and Amazon has one of the best return policies you’ll find anywhere

Answer: Are you turning the bail while it’s no closed as they are a manual bail closure and will be stopped by not closing bail correctly

Answer: should not happen, is the spool all the way down on the shaft?

Answer: It's usually a bail defect, but usually slight bowing out of the bail will solve this problem.

Answer: That should not be happening . Bring to your local fishing store to have fixed r send back to your purchaser if it is within the return time .

Answer: i just got mine just an hour ago , it does the same thing (25% of the time ) , i just sent replacement request to amazon , another one will arrive tomorrow ,if it does the same i will do a refund and see another brand

How many ball bearings does it have

Answer: Silvestre, This is another example of incomplete listings on amazon. Our site has a full clear description and specs.

Answer: 5 ball bearings. Thanks for asking.

Answer: sorry i'm just getting back it has 5 ball bearings and i have 2 of these types and i love them great product!!!!!

Answer: There are 6 sealed ball bearings - not shielded but actually sealed, which really helps avoid corrosion.

Answer: The battle II line has 5 sealed ball bearings +1 The sealed system is an improvement over the original battle line.

Answer: 5 + 1 shielded SS ball bearings

Answer: 5

What size is better for 30 pound braided line?

Answer: 30 pound is way too big for a 2500. 30 pound braid on a 4000 casts horribly. I use 4000 reels with 10 pound braid mostly. I have 30 pound on a 6000 reel and landed many sharks over 100 pounds. Some closer to 200

Answer: I use the 2500 for 30 lb power pro plus. Never had a problem.

Answer: The 3000 of 4000 would both be good

Is the reel right or left handed

Answer: Sorry, the reels can be changed to right or left handed. I didn't realize the threads are reversed on one side. Please remove my comment that the reel is only right handed

Answer: The reel can be changed for right and left hand use. Unscrew the handle on one side and the cap from the other. Set it up for your correct style and attached the handle and cap.

Answer: The reel is both right or left handed. There is a cover you can unscrew to switch the handle.

Answer: It is ambidextrous. You can install the crank handle on either side.

What would be the better reel this or the pflueger president for panfish

Answer: The president is a fun lil reel. Great price too. It is tiny so if size on a 7 foot pole bothers ya then do above a 1000 series president. Ive caught bigger stuff by accident a few times and did its job. Of course the rod should be doing the work.

Answer: Probably this one in The 1000 model. I love the look and feel of it and it cast great !!! I have a Pflueger not the president but I choose the penn.

Answer: This reel would be good for any panfish. Not sure about the president.

Answer: Only used the Penn out of the two. For freshwater pan fish I use a 40 year old Diawa Regal on an equally ancient Lew's Stik. Probably the Penn Battle 2000 would be great of pan fish though - and it is all sealed and all steel, so it should last forever. I wouldn't get any larger than the 2000 for that kind of fishing though, since a blue gill is not going to run 300 yards!

I would buy this product if only you would honor free shipping to where i live,Hawaii. Please let me know if this is feasible.Mahalo!

Answer: You live on an island everything is imported have it shipped by UPS or have a friend coming to visit bring one with them

Hi seller, may i know this stuff is a usa made or china licensed product? and the product in stock?

Answer: As far as I know the penn jig master is USA made I’ve had them since 1955 and they still work

Answer: Made in china

Recommend size for Large Mouth Bass ?

Answer: 2000,2500 or 3000

What is the max drag for the 8000?

Answer: 30 lbs for the 8000

Answer: Max drag 30 pounds

Answer: 30lbs. I just used mine last week at Holden Beach NC and pulled in 2 15 pound stingrays and a 20 pound Bonnet Head shark. It is very smooth and powerful surf reel.

Answer: From Penn's material, it is 30 lbs.

Hi folks, what's a good rod to pair witha penn battle ii 3000, for general fishing use?

Answer: I bout it to pier fish at Gulf State Pier. I have it on a 1-piece 9 ft Fiberglas medium action rod and it does great

Answer: A 7’ or 7.5’ medium action graphite rod such as the St. Croix Mojo inshore or Mojo Yak.

Answer: Ugly stick gsx 2

what size reel for Amberjacks?

Answer: Larger reel than the battle II. I use a Penn 7500 SS for jacks and bull reds.

Answer: The 6000 will perform excellent

What size reel would you use for pier and surf fishing?

Answer: i would think the 4000 would take care of any normal pier fishing including flounder, trout, smaller blues and the like It would even take care of smaller reds I use mine on the pier and on my 19' cc boat

Answer: I have a 5000 and use it for a little bit of everything: surf and pier for Spanish, pompano, and mullet; inshore for red drum and speckled trout; near shore bottom fishing for whatever wants to bite. It's very versatile.

Answer: This BB reel should do the job on the pier and it’s a b perfect surf reel sealed tight to avoid getting sand and salt inside, you will not be disappointed.

Answer: WHAT IS THE BEST SIZE REEL FOR CATCHING SEA TROUT AND RED FISH?

Answer: All the sizes

Can i put 10 to 15 lb test on the btlii6000 and can i pair it with a light to medium action 6 foot rod?

Answer: sorry misunderstood the question. For fluke in NJ the 3000 or 4000 are the best size, the 6 is more for stripers.

Answer: Yes but you are nuder utilizing the reels performance. I just took 2 Penn 6000 and 1 5000 Pursuit 2 all had 30Lb braid. My 8000 Penn Battle 2 had 550 yards of 40lb braid.

Answer: the reel can take the line, not a problem.

Answer: I think it is too big for it.

How many lbs max drag for style: 6000, and style:8000? thanks

Answer: Per Penn... 30lbs on 8000 and 25lbs on 6000.

Answer: not sure that should be in the reel info on website

What type size Rod would you suggest for a Penn 3000?

Answer: I have mine on a Candence 7' medium heavy rod. I, personally, would not match this reel with an ultralight rod. This reel would be overkill for panfish. But that's just my opinion.

Answer: Get a 6-7ft ulira lite ro light action graphite spinning rod

Is this ideal for steelhead

Answer: depending on how you are fishing. this is excellent for drifting or throwing lures but not for trolling.

Answer: Maybe a little large, but It would definitely work well. I bought mine for a surf fishing spinning reel.

Answer: Oh yeah it has a fantastic drag and a high line capacity

Hi, i am locking for a good surf cast feel for mexico beach. it should gonon a 10 or 11 ft rod and hold like 250 y of 50 lbs line. which size 6000?

Answer: sounds like you are not going after babies the battle is a great reel for what you are doing 6000 would be minimun

I have the battle2 6000 combo 9ft mh. Want to put it to the test . what big fish should i target . not afraid of breaking it.

Answer: Anything you want, just depends on how long you want to fight the fish. Drag on these are pretty tough.

Answer: It is important to adjust tourq tightness not much right to not cut the line I believe It can sustain for 28 Kg fish.

Answer: I use the Penn6200 on all Ocean species. Eg king mackeral, wahoo, dolphin and cobia.

What size reel for a 7ft. Ugly stick medium heavy, 9ft. ugly stick medium, and a 10ft medium heavy Penn.? I will be using these to surf fish.

Answer: 4000 is a nice fit for a 7ft inshore surf rod. I had the 6000 for my 11’ surf rod and it worked well till one of the gears died. 8000 is for much bigger game, but if you like fighting sharks, 8000 is the least you need.

what size reel do I need for lake fishing for bass

Answer: I would go with a 1000 if you are using spectra and a 2500 if you are using mono. I have a 2500 with spectra for ocean fishing and It is way more than I need. It really is a great reel.

Answer: I have used a 2500 model for fluke, sea bass, and tog. A 1000 should be more than enough..... especially if spooled with braid

Answer: I use the 4500 for salmon, carp and cat fish.

Answer: Penn produce great reels, I own 10 . For your application I would honestly ask a local expert. I’m in NZ

Answer: 2500. I use mine from panfish to king salmon.

What is the weight of the 5000?

Answer: It's literally in the Product Details of the product page above:

Can the anti reverse be switched off so the handle can be turned backwards?

Answer: You can unscrew the handle and switch it to the other side if you prefer the handle on the other side. Most modern reels can do this.

Answer: Yes it can, but I would not recommend it. The reels are specifically designed to be used on the underside of a spinning rod, and line retrieved by the left hand while holding the rod with your right hand. It may seem awkward at first, but with a little practice, it will become second nature in no time. Some models of spinning reels have an ambidextrous handle which can be moved to either left or right side to suit the user. Not sure about your specific model. Not all have this feature. Good luck, I hope this helps you

Answer: Nope, No switch is present.

Answer: no it cannot

Answer: Yes

What lb line is best for the 1000

Answer: If you are choosing mono, the best would be 4-6lb. Could use 8lb for saltwater applications. Braid would be 10 or 15lb for most applications.

Answer: Just google the test for the 1000 I have a 6000 are use like 4050 test so you probably use like a 10 test just Google it

Answer: 10 or 12 works berry well

Is there any way to get the reel as shown in pictures?

I'm having some trouble attaching the handle on the reel. How do I do this?

Answer: Which way are you turning it on. I know righty tightly but it's the other direction lefty tighty

Answer: It just screws on

Just got a ugly stik gx2, med/heavy. i got the 5000 reel, was that the right one to get or should i have gotten a different one? (casual fishing)

Answer: 5000 might be too big and heavy considering for casual fishing.. The battle 2 is full metal. For me 3000 is good enough

Answer: For gx2 - 5000 reel is good. But for sturgeon for example is a little week . I use 7000 and 8000 for action 20/50

Answer: I didn't have any luck with the Penn reels I returned and exchanged 2 2000's and went with a Pflueger 6930 good luck; if it won't cast braid consider a Pflueger. Ugly stick is all I use, had a 30=LB carp snagged an rod was bent double, landed it and let it go.

Answer: Sounds like a good combination. I am big on the Penn Battle II - great reels. I have an ugly stick bait cast rod which I use for bass fishing and like that brand as well. I am mostly salt water, sight fishing in the bay for reds and trout, and use lighter gear with a Penn Battle II 2000.

Answer: That's perfect, not too big and not too small. Happy fishing.

Answer: Probably should have got a smaller size.

Answer: You should be ok. Great real!

Which one is best for casual bass fishing-ugly stik gx2?

Answer: As others have said, for casual bass fishing go with the 2500 or 3000 though, in my opinion, the 3000 is pushing it (I have the 3000).

Answer: Depends on whether you want to yank them in with a winch or make it more of a challenge. I like my 2500 for bass. Here's a link to the Penn page. http://www.pennfishing.com/penn-reels-spinning-reels-penn-battle/penn-battle-ii-spinning/1347894.html#specifications

Answer: 2500 to 3000

Can the 8000 handle say a 180 blue fin ?

Answer: No

what is the drag rated on the 5000?

Answer: Max Drag 25lb/11.3kg

Answer: The Penn website has all the information you would ever want to know about their reels

can i do 25lb braided on the 2500

Answer: It will work fine that’s what I have on mine a little less capacity but casts well

What size reel is this?

Answer: Size: 8000 (BTLIII8000)

Answer: It is on the larger side of the spinning reel spectrum. The 8000 I have is large enough for almost any fish in the gulf of Mexico.

Answer: Yes. I tend to believe any fisherman, whether saltwater or fresh, needs at least one 8000 with 80-100 lbs line. I have recently purchased five 8000 Penn ( Wrath, Pursuit lV, 2-Fierce lll) and Dawia BG 8000 Saltwater. I mainly use them for surf fishing. It’s a family thing with my daughter and her friends.

Answer: The 8000 is around one kilo without the rod. It’s heavy enough to take on just about anything in the Gulf of Mexico if set up properly.

Penn rampage jigging heavy 5'8" rod and a 6000 battle II reel, is this a good set up for yellowtail?

Answer: This is a good set up but I like a 7 ft rod that’s my own preference you can cast a little better and handle the fish at boat side

Can someone recommend a fishing rod compatible with this reel? i was told that i needed at least a 10 ft rod for striped bass in red river, texas.

Answer: You don't need a 10 foot rod for this reel. I pair the reel with a 7 foot Penn Slammer Rod and I get a decent distance when casting. I go for large mouth bass in a lake here in Florida and have caught up to 6 pounders with no problems. With at least a 7 foot medium to medium/heavy action rod, you should be fine.

Answer: Got it, dam fishing .. yes it would be similar to what we would call a surf-casting rod. I would be wary of rods that have ceramic eye inserts in the line guides(from Shakespeare). You may pay a bit more but may look at PENN rods, I have a lower end Fierce rod w/ PENN reel .. no complaints. would look at surf-casting rods you may see other models/makes that would fit the length and size need as well. ...85.00 is a really good deal for the Battle II,(they wanted 119 at a local boat show, Look at a PENN Torque and Prevail lines.. the Torque line has Full S/S eyelets..

Answer: I have two Ugly Stick Elite 7'2 spinning (USESP701MH) rods medium heavy action (50.00 each) I have more expensive rods.. but gravitate to the ugly sticks. , both outfitted with the battle II 4000.. Great set up.. I use a 30 lbs braided line .. Catch Redfish that pull the boat around.. give them a bit of drag and hold on for the ride. Shakespeare was really good on a couple of older rods that had eyelet problems .. they discounted the new rods to 20 bucks each.. very satisfied , and they have a good warranty program on the Elites.. HOLD ON TO YOUR RECEIPT THOUGH.

Answer: I use an ugly stick with mine. I fish from a kayak. I also use it for surf fishing. My ugly stick is just under 7'.

What size reel and line weight is best for catfish up to 30 lbs. ?

Answer: Would probably go for size 5000+, to have larger spool size and drag force

Can't find the capacity of different models. bought one 2000. too small. not sure if 6000 satisfies. my line is 0.61mm diameter.

Answer: I am not sure, but the 6000 has a much larger spool than the 2000.

Answer: http://www.pennfishing.com/penn-reels-spinning-reels-penn-battle/penn-battle-ii-spinning/1347894.html

New to fishing, would this work in fresh water okay? Like for bass? Or mainly for just salt water?

Answer: Hello

Answer: Yes! This reel is suitable for fishing in fresh water 'or' salt water. Please let us know if we can be of further assistance, we're here to help you with all your fishing needs!

Answer: I use the reel for both saltwater and freshwater and it works great for both. If it's partially designed for saltwater, it'll just last that much longer in freshwater.

Answer: This would be fine for fresh water fishing.

Answer: I would use it in fresh water, great reel for both fresh or salt.

Answer: Yes sir for sure it will.. it's an amazing reel.

Answer: What pole will pair best with this reel for salt/freshwater

Answer: I use mine for both. This is a great reel. It will last for a long time with lots of abuse.

Answer: will this reel be compatible with a 9 ft med/light rod/

Es izquierdo o derecho?

Answer: derecho

Answer: Pescas con derecha, lo manipulas con la izquierda. Pero creo que se puede cambiar de lado.

What pound test do i put on the 5000? Going after cobia, snapper, wahoo, king mackerel. Thanks!

Answer: I tend to fish rather light and I target the same species as you with the exception of Wahoo. Never caught one of them. I also am a pier fisherman. With that being said, my “big fish” set up is a Penn Battle II 4000 loaded with Trilene XT 15# mono w/#6 treble hook on a 27# single strand steel leader. I fish a lot lighter than most other pier fisherman, but it pays of in a higher strike rate. Once hooked up, I depend on the awesome drag system on my reel to handle the fish and it does a fantastic job. Hope this helps and good luck

Answer: 18 pound test Stren braid. You have to use your skills to land a 30 pound fish. Very little stretch with this type of line. That's why it's called fishing, and not catching.

Answer: You would be good to go with a nice brand of 30-40lb test. I use braid for my saltwater surf fishing setups but mono on my off shore reels.

Answer: 20 # test should get the job done, certainly not more than 30#

Answer: Use 30lbs test

How much line does this hold?

Answer: Depends on the size and species targeted. It holds more braid than mono.

Answer: Depends on if your using braid or or conventional line, and how many pound test.

Answer: You didn’t say what lb test you’ll use I pack morel with 30 lb braid with 200 yards and the backing with mono 100 yds

Answer: Depends on size but I believe 280 yds 20# test

Answer: You can get that information on any Penn reel at Pennfishing.com. It will give tou the mono and braid capacities.

Answer: 400 yds of 15# test mono, 350 of 20#, 250 of 30#

What model would be best all around for crappie, bass, and occasional catfish (up to 15-20lbs), on a 6ft or 6ft 6in medium ugly stik (i have both)

Answer: Hello

is this item applicable with saltwater?

Answer: Hi Samer... this item is applicable for saltwater and freshwater use. Thanks!

Answer: It's made for saltwater use

Answer: Yes this will work fine in a salt water environment. It is what I use but like any reel you will want to rinse

Answer: Yes it is, but I suggest spraying down with fresh water after every use, because salt is corrosive I use a spray bottle for light mist

Answer: Yes it is. Best reel I have and fish the intercoastal and the gulf weekly with it

Answer: Definitely. Have 2 and use for redfish and trout in SC, FL and LA

Answer: Oh yes, I would recommend the 8000 size if you're doing any offshore.

Answer: Yes

What size reel for ugly stik tiger elite 7foot heavy 14-40lbs

Answer: penn battle 11 6000 reel should work fine! hope this was some help!

Is this the newest models of Battle II?

Answer: I don't know. I bought from Amazon prime. But I read some review. It isn't real sealed reel. If some saltwater comes in. The reel will stick on some point.

Answer: I really don't know I bought for my grandson he loves it and has had a lot of commits

What is the best size for freshwater fishing - bass, walleye, panfish, etc? Fish under 20-25#.

Answer: I would use a 2500 or 3000.

What is the warranty?

Answer: 1 year from date of purchase , but not cover from missed used

Para pez vidriola de 10 kg. Sirve?

Answer: Hola soy de Argentina , aqui no se conoce ese pez, yo lo uso para pesca liviana maximo 2.5 kg . recojiendo con el carrete regulando para no romper.

Will the 4000 model reel work well with my Fenwick 6 foot Hooksetter Graphite pole

Answer: i believe it will work just fine I have two one on a one piece 6' and the other on a two piece 7.5 medium graphite both are great

Answer: Certainly you will be happy with this reel on a 6 ft. rod. I use mine on a light 7' rod.

Hola, el carrete es para uso de mano izquierda y derecha?

Answer: Mano derecha

Answer: Siiii solo se afloja el power handle y se cambia de lugar puedes ver mis videos en YouTube mar-ven fishing

I wanna run 8 to 10lb test. Which model would be best?

Answer: I have found that the 2500 or 3000 models do well with 8 or 10lbtest

Answer: I run 10 lb power pro on the 2000 for throwing plastics on a 6'6" med fast rod

Answer: 2500 or 3500

Product reviews of PENN Battle II & III Spinning Fishing Reel

KwidLi : Solid design, high end feel and operation

Ive had the original Penn Battle 5K for about 5 years and while its still going strong, I decided to try the new Battle II paired with a new surf fiahing rod. Really nice. The improvements over the original are noticable (full metal body). Bail seems much beefier and bearings seem a lot smoother. Bought another one to match to my other surf rod and this is what I take to the beach now. Really pleased with the battle 2, and for the price, you can't beat em'

Ryan A. : Abused

Box came in absolutely smashed and The crank has a slight bend in it from the pressure. Someone obviously is handling these like a gorilla. Super disappointed I bought this online will never do that again. At least at the Tackle shop you know you won’t get trash.

NegroL : Nice reel

I bought this reel because of the so many positive reviews. It's a good reel. Used it in salt water and it performed well. I washed it after every use and when I went back to use it after a few months without use it was jam. I disassembled it, oil it, and it came back to life. I give it 4 stars because I have lots of Shimano reels and never had a problem like that with non of them. And because of the weight, in my opinion it is too heavy.

JJSFla : Good quality reel

Using this for medium salt water fishing, only had it out a few times but it casts well and handled fish well.

Dave : Ready for Battle

Good value. Desirable features. Not water proof like some reels but should hold up well for most conditions encountered on the jetty, the surf, or boat.

Fernando G : Solid spinning reels

I own a few of these and you won't find a better value in a spinning reel for this price point. This reel delivers the most bang for your buck for serious use in all saltwater fishing applications

david : Reel was disassembled and broken

Real was broken

AMNSBFL : I like my reels

I use my TWO Penn Battles for inshore saltwater fishing in Florida. I use one for live bait and the other for jigging. After a lot of research I bought these and I am glad I did. I highly recommend them. And Amazon's price was right too....

4strokes : Will out cast most in it's class & is smooth.

I like everything about this reel, good build quality & super smooth.
The drag is rated at 9lbs. but I'd bet it will out perform the ratings, I fish Lake Guntersville a lot & there is a some BIG Bass in this lake si I'm sure it'll get the chance to prove itself sooner than later :)
I loaded it with 20lb. Berkley 9X braid & it will easily cast a 3/8oz. lure 160' consistently & will also throw finese worms farther than you'll want them to go.
What's' not to like about this reel, nothing I can find.

Fred Block : Spectacular value for an ultra light reel!

Top value and silky smooth, Penn is my goto for spinning reels. The Battle III 1000 is my favorite UL reel to date (I upgraded from a Fierce 1000 to get sealed bearings). Hands down the reel is a pleasure. Holds plenty of light braided line and just performs so well! Highly recommend!

angie baker : Penn battle no need for anything else

Great reel I have converted completely to Penn battles I have several from the 8000 to the 2000
They hold up really well around saltwater with minimal care. I don’t care for the reversing switch on the 2500 to 1000 it’s completely unnecessary and a potential knuckle buster

KenCrawford at Southern Heat Creations : Penn = Perfect.

I am relatively new to Penn reels...and I was very quickly Hooked on them! So for my new offshore rod I wanted something serious...and this reel is IT! It is pretty much perfect, right down to the handle because I have a crippled hand that can still handle the angle and size of the handle!

R.J. George : Effective but not durable

My primary use for this reel was surfcasting in New Jersey for inshore species, like bluefish and striped bass. I used it regularly for one season and it served me well: the drag was smooth and I landed many fish with it. I cleaned and maintained the reel as per the manufacturer's recommendations. Unfortunately, after one season the main gear failed a few months following the expiry of the warranty. This reel may suit your needs if you fish occasionally, but due to my experience I would not recommend this reel for regular use.

Missie Michael Alex : Over priced paper weight.

I bought this reel because a friend told me I should try a penn reel. I have pretty much used shimano and abu Garcia forever. When I receiver the first reel. I noticed while retrieving a slight knock the first time I used it. Not a big deal but I did a little research and found that penn tells you it is normal. The next time I used the reel the knocking got worse. I then called penn and sent the reel back. They replaced the gears in the reel and returned it back to me. This process took about a week. So the next time I went fishing the reel did the exact same thing plus it tightened up one time while retrieving and spooled all the line at the top of the spool. I then called penn back and they once again took the reel back to fix it. After I told them the reel tightened and spooled at the top they replaced the reel all together. This process took a little over a week. I then went fishing again. This reel does the exact same thing just not as bad yet. Again penn told me that a little knocking is normal in there reels. So if you want a reel that is smooth all the way through. Stay away from this reel. At 80$ this reel is probably only going to be good for a paper weight.

Brandon Dethrow : Reel arrived broken

Usually I don't do negative reviews, but this time the reel arrived broken. Ihave other penn products and they usually work really well. The reel would spin but i noticed a slight knocking sound. The spool wasn't moving up and down like it should, but it was spinning. I know the question is why didn't I just return it. The answer is, I need to use the reel immediately. The crosswind gear usually has a small knot it out which usually allows the shaft to spin the reel. The one I got was broken. Luckily, I had another one laying around the house. I thought it would be a simple replacement, but I soon discovered the shaft and drag knob also were bent slightly. Needing the reel, I ordered the parts for repair because they would come faster than me returning the reel. 36 dollars later the reel finally functioned as intended. I don't know if this was a manufacturer issue or an Amazon issue. Either way the reel should've been checked by someone. Customer support gave me the option of sending it back to Amazon, but it would be pointless to send them a fully functional reel. I also have an extra 36 dollars invested now. Moral of the story, Check your stuff thoroughly even if you order it new.

Christopher Croom : About As Good As It Gets for the Price

I used this to replace a Daiwa that is getting harder and harder to crank after being used in one of the harshest environments for reels I've ever fished in. The Battle II has held up far better and longer, and the sealed bearings make a big difference. I think I've caught close to 50 fish with it already, and the drag has always been smooth. Great for fluorocarbon line!

Sean T. : Heavy-duty

Purchased for catfishing, this reel is HEAAAAAVY. It's tight as a drum, drag is amazing. But I will say it again, heavy heavy heavy. The quality is outstanding though, and the large knob on the handle feels great on the retrieve.

R.W. : Possibly the best inshore reel for the money.

The Penn Battle II in the 5000 is a 5 or possibly 4 star reel. The only "Cons" I can come up with is it's a heavy reel and it's not as smooth as a Pflueger President series which is half the price. Having said that, you can't compare the Penn and Pflueger, they're in two different leagues with the Penn being on top, if for nothing else it's unbelievable drag smoothness and 25# drag capability. If the price point can stay where it's at and we have to put up with the weight, I'm OK with that. The handle is very well designed and feels really nice. The bail closes smoothly. This reel feels like its built like a tank and I expect it will be with me for many years catching a variety of inshore salt water and fresh water salmon. Penn battles have a great reputation among inshore salt water guys and the battle II is even better.

ay : Overall not bad.

It feels sturdy overall but compared to its competitor (Daiwa BG) I believe the overall construction is lacking. I only used this for a couple of weeks and the BG for 2 years. So I can only comment on limited features. But I would say Penn Battle II is more suited for smaller reel sizes 3000 and below.

Amazon Customer : A good reel.

Nothing bad, keep sand out of the inside and lightly hose it down when done. The high speed helps you keep up when fish run at you. Good for surf fishing for pompano.

Chris : Too much heavy grease, reels stiff!

This is the 2nd newer Penn reel that I purchased over the last couple years. The other is a Spinfisher 3k. Like my Spinfisher the gear housing is packed with so much thick blue grease the reel reels stiffly, like there is resistance on it. This makes the reels unusable in my opinion.

My older Penn reels are smooth and easy to reel, my Shims on reels are smooth and easy to reel.

I am not sure what Penn is doing but unless they address this issue this will be the last Penn spinning reel I will buy.

DocHolliday : One fine salmon reel.

Powerful salmon reel. I bought this to catch Kenai salmon. It does this with great ease. I use braid. The reel holds > 300 yards of 50lb. The cast is as nice as any spin caster I’ve used. The drag adjusts precisely, in well defined clicks, and hold. The retrieval is smooth, precise and powerful. Fighting a salmon becomes fun, not a chore.
I would like Penn to add a means of reversing the bail for those times when I’ve jammed the weight against the top ferrule and have the bail not in position to trip.
Overall, this is one fine fishing reel.

pl : Purchased two and both are seized up or grinding.

I purchased a pair of these reels with the assumption they are sealed for saltwater. I've used them 3 times and both are seized up. I rinse my reels down with salt away after each use and they still got water inside the gears and corroded. I pulled one apart in at attempt to apply new grease, hoping this was the issue. It didn't help at all. I have a Penn Fierce that I've used over 5 years without a single problem. Very disappointed.

W : Buttery smooth

Love this fishing reel. Feels smooth and casts a mile. Very easy to disassemble and clean. Used it over a hundred times at least and still feels as smooth as the day I bought it. Very much worth the price.

tyteline : QUALITY, LIGHT, RIGID REEL.

I bought the PENN BATTLE 2 4000 for mostly so.cal. surf fishing. I've been fishing for over 50 years for everything from bluegills to blue fin tuna. I bought it for casting jerk baits, lead heads, and small irons with a Shimano 10' stick. I spooled up with 20lb. braid directly to the reel(no mono backing needed with the rubber gasket on the spool, though some people still like a mono backing) to the top fill line. 30lb. mono leader, and I was very happy with the performance, from the way the bail clicks into place when open and stays there, to how smooth and quite it is. the HT-100 drag system is a reliable, tough and is a long lasting set up. I have not had any wind knots or issues with line coming on and off in a weird way. After fifty or so casts I can really feel the difference with that light weight reel. It's half the weight of my older 4000 size reels. I'm also getting a quicker release when casting with less weight, which translate to way more distance for me. The components of this reel are what set it apart from others in this price range. I looked at others, and they are good as well. I would recommend this reel primarily for the drag system and overall feel over the DAIWA BG for instance. I hope this helped you.

David in CA : So far

I got the high speed model for plugging. It's smooth. The black finish on the bail comes off way to easily. Otherwise, it's a Penn and hopefully dependable.

4strokes : Will out cast most in it's class & is smooth.

Brandon Dethrow : Reel arrived broken

W : Buttery smooth

Bern : Great reel

My wide and I have one of these each. We use them for Salmon and steelhead fishing. They preform well. They are very responsive and feel like they can take a beating. They are slightly heavy, but not a concern because we bought a large reel for a reason. The weight is a non issue. I would buy them again.

QUITARZAN : Had an issue out of the box

I have 2 of these that have been flawless and are awesome reels.
However this one upon removing the spool to have it filled, the retaining clip for the drag washer stack popped out. I re-inserted it, took the spool down to get filled. During the spooling process it came out again. I spread it out a bit to put more tension on it, took it home and used it the next day. The clip came out again during use causing bad scraping noise when the drag was used. I returned it. I had to purchase another locally as I needed it the next day also.

Cristian : PENN BATTLE III 4000 STRONG ENOUGH TO PULL A 23 IN SPOTFIN CROAKER ON CORONADO BEACH

I very much enjoyed pulling a 23 in spotfin croaker while fishing on Coronado Beach in San Diego. It is very smooth, all metal solid and great to look at. I have a Daiwa BG and I bought this Penn because of the sealed bearings. While I equally like them both, I would strongly recommend the Battle III to add to anybody's arsenal of reels should you plan to fish the salt water.

Sean T. : Heavy-duty

BullNY : Very smooth and a great size

I really like the size of the reel. Very smooth and a nice steady drag.

Although I can't say the same about Penn's Customer Service. I had an issue with the line lay(which they supply washers to adjust). After swapping the washer to get the line to lay correctly the drag has become almost inaudible. And to this point I have gotten very little to no help from writing Penn. While the reel still works fine and maybe it's just mental; it doesn't feel perfect.

LEO SCHUENEMAN : Best reel I’ve ever owned

Best lightweight reel I’ve ever owned. Caught a Permit and a small Barracuda and reeled them right in what a great fight. Tension setting worked perfectly. I recommend this reel for saltwater shore fishing, cannot wait to try it with walleye, bass and pike!!!

david : Reel was disassembled and broken

Real was broken

Andrew Chan : ... high expectations of this reel after reading plentiful of good reviews. However

I was having high expectations of this reel after reading plentiful of good reviews. However, after unboxing and my first feel of it did not really impressed me as much but enough to make me feel awesome though. Perhaps I was overly expecting it to be better than all reels below it's retail price.

I have an Abu Garcia Pro Max SP30 reel and comparing the 'dry spin' and 'feel' on both reels, the SP30 is smoother and is as solidly built as the PB II 2000. I then oiled it up with a drop of super reel oil on both the spool and handle bearing and it flew like a feather. I am very delighted indeed. One rather exceptional feature I like most about the PB II 2000 is the higher spinning ratio of 6.2:1, which not many spinning reel has.

I am pairing my Penn Battle II 2000 with an Ugly Stick Elite 6' 6" Ultralight rod (which I ordered here at the same time with this reel) and intend to spool it up with Kastking Copolymer 6lbs/0.2mm line. Will comment more after some field tests.

Dan : High quality reel that will make you want to go fishing.

Got this for my dad two years ago for Christmas after his 30+ year old Penn was starting to run itself out. No issues as we expected with Penn. No snags, no hangups, and the bearings are still smooth as glass even though we toss the rod around and store it in a dusty old garage.. Definitely highly recommend this reel. He loves it and it works with most lines, even the braded stuff.

JB : A good solid reel

I love the Battle II series of reels. They balance extremely well on a rod, and are very smooth, with superb drag system. And, they're affordable.

Amazon Customer : May be seconds or counterfeit

First time I used this reel in the surf it started binding on retrieve; after a little bit it started retrieving smoothly. But the next time I used it the same thing happened. The second day it froze up all together. I have a couple of other cheaper reels that are 5 years old and I rinse them all the same way. The older cheaper reels are still working fine. That's why I think that a top brand like Penn would not have produced this product. I would have sent it back but after using it once in salt water 6 months after purchase I figured it would be suspicious to try to send back. I tried to clean it out and re-grease it but its got some major defect as that did not help. Really disappointed in the amount of money I spent for something that I thought would last a long time.

R.W. : Possibly the best inshore reel for the money.

Anna : Disappointed

Locked up on the very first use. Its been more than 30 days so i cant return it.

sean s. : Worth every penny

I am a charter captain in Tampa bay. I use the Penn Battle II 4000 on every rod I have wish 30lb power pro braid. I have yet to have a problem with any of the 6 reels (except 1 that was dropped in the water). After countless fish caught, abuse from careless customers and almost daily usage I can say these reels are worth every penny. Just clean and lube them on a regular basis and they will last a long time.

superglide2004 : Love my Penn reels

Just bought another Penn Battle this is my 4th one . I have Penn Fierce reels as well but this 4000 battle is hands down my favorite go to reel. I'm fishing salt and freshwater and these Penn reels perform flawlessly . I take these out with confidence knowing a good day of fishing without reel problems is what I'm getting . Can't go wrong on a Penn reel ....proud owner of 5 Penn fierce and 4 Penn Battle from the 2500 to the 8000 models.

Eric : Four Stars

Nice and smooth reel with reasonable price. Fast shipping.
Here is my update for this Penn Battle II - 5000 reel. Very well built. Using it for last few months. Lucky to catch about 7 cow nose ray in one day. No problem to land them all. Here is the largest one. Estimate over 70 lbs.

dave805 : California surf perching

This reel was a great pick for surf perch after cleaning all the garbage blue grease they put in it very smooth reeling in casting was a breeze. Large non slip handle.
The reel i bought was the 2000. the 2500 was actually made for us socal perch guys but i still considered it to big for my ultra light setup. See you at 5th street!!

Setup:
Diawa presso 8feet
Penn battle 2000
Pline floro clear 8lb 50 ft about 100 yards 15 lb braid
Setup Carolina rig

Jonathan Homesley : Great Reel for the Money, One Minor Complaint

Purchased the 5000 size. Overall I’m happy with the reel. The fit and finish is tight/clean. Drag is strong. Casts well. I’ve mostly been fishing bottom rigs on the surf w 2/3/4 oz weights on a 9’ heavy rod.

My one complaint about the reel is that the handle can come loose by reeling backwards. In my opinion, there ought to be a screw that threads into the handle from the other side of the reel.

JB : A good solid reel

I love the Battle II series of reels. They balance extremely well on a rod, and are very smooth, with superb drag system. And, they're affordable.

angie baker : Penn battle no need for anything else

Hanna JBauer : This reel is a must! High quality!

If your looking for a reel that can go anywhere this is the one. I got this since april and it runs super smooth, ive been going out to fish 2-3 times a week since I got it and it still runs as smooth as when I first got it. It's super silent when you cast your line. It feels good on rods medium and up. Great job pen.

you can compare the product price from Costco, wayfair, bestbuy, lowes, target, homedepot, Walmart, ebay, amazon to find the best price for you