The PENN Fathom Deep Drop Electric Reel is built to make offshore and deep-drop fishing easier, faster, and more efficient. In this guide, we’ll walk through how to set up, calibrate, and spool your reel so you’re ready to hit the water with confidence.

Out of the Box: Power & Mounting

Straight out of the box, the PENN Fathom battery has enough charge to spool the reel—no waiting around. Simply plug and play, power the reel on, and you’re ready to begin.

PENN includes a complete mounting and rigging kit to ensure a secure fit on your rod. This includes:

• Long and short mounting bolts for different reel seats

• Standard clamps for smaller 30 size reels

• Larger clamps and bolts for 50 and 80 sizes, designed to suit the bigger Ocean Assassin II Deep Drop rods

Also included is the PENN assembly tool and a line-feeding tool, making spooling easier and safer.

Choosing the Right Line

For this setup, we’re running PENN Slammer braid, which is available in small spools through to bulk spools. On the Fathom 80, 65lb braid is ideal—offering excellent strength while minimising line drag in deep water. This allows you to maximise capacity without overloading the reel with unnecessarily heavy line.

Battery Installation & Power-Up

To install the battery:

1. Remove the terminal cover

2. Align the battery terminals and insert with a gentle push

3. Clip it into place to achieve a full seal

To power on, hold both buttons for three seconds until the LCD screen lights up.

Menu Setup & Calibration

Access the menu by holding the menu button for three seconds. Inside, you can adjust:

• Rod tip alarm and distance settings

• Screen text and colour

• Line diameter

• Units (metres or feet)

• Hibernation mode to save battery

For accurate depth readings, set the line diameter to match your braid. In this case, 65lb braid corresponds to 0.36mm, which can be selected from the reel’s range. Once set, choose your preferred units (metres for NZ fishing) and exit the menu.

Drag & Retrieve Options

The Fathom Electric features a pull-to-turn preset drag system. Out of the box, drag is set light—perfect for fishing, but you’ll want to increase it for spooling. Simply pull the preset, turn clockwise, and lock it back in place.

You also have the option of:

• Manual retrieve via the two-speed handle system

• Auto retrieve, activated by disengaging the handle and using the speed control dial

A built-in safety feature prevents injury if the handle is accidentally left engaged during auto retrieve.

Spooling the Reel

To begin spooling:

• Centre the line-feeding tool on the connection pin

• Attach the braid using a loop knot

• Use the tool to guide the knot securely into place

Start by manually winding around 50 metres of braid under firm tension. This creates a solid, even base layer. Once complete:

1. Disengage the handle

2. Switch to override mode

3. Use the speed control dial for automatic spooling

Maintain consistent heavy tension on the braid to ensure it packs tightly—essential when fishing heavy sinkers and deep water.

Final Steps

Once spooled to your desired level (leaving space if adding a mono leader), power the reel down by holding both buttons. The next time you power up, the line counter will be fully calibrated, accurately displaying depth as soon as your line leaves the spool.

Ready to Fish

That’s it—your PENN Fathom Deep Drop Electric Reel is fully set up, calibrated, and ready for action. Whether you’re rigging up in the shed, on the boat, or even at home, this wireless system makes deep-drop preparation simple and stress-free. Get out there and get amongst them.