In this Penn Battle II review, I will show you why it is one of the best all-around reels you can buy for your hard-earned money.
Best for Saltwater
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.
One of the things I love is that Penn has been able to keep their price point affordable for the average angler, while still producing a quality reel, that if well cared for, will last you for years.
With a lot of anglers looking for a quality reel in the $100 range, the Penn Battle II fits the mark. I understand that $100 is not chump change for a lot of people but if you want a quality reel that will last for years, then this is a solid contender.
The new Penn Battle II first released in 2014, is an excellent mid-tier reel that I would say falls between the Shimano Stradic FK and the Pflueger President from a price and quality standpoint.
Another reel that I want you to put in your options in this price range is the Daiwa BG SW fishing reel. If you are looking for a lighter-weight reel then please check out the Daiwa Fuego LT.
The Bottom Line
- One of my favorite saltwater reels under $100 for inshore fishing
- It is a very smooth reel with great carbon fiber drag
- High level of manufacturing quality, parts are easy to find and reel is easy to maintain
- Full metal body body
If you’re looking for a solid everyday reel that you can rely on, whether you’re an avid weekend angler or a local charter captain, the Penn Battle II is sure not to disappoint you.
Right out of the box the reel has a very solid feel to it in weight and build quality. The rubber knob feels great in your hand even after hours of fishing, and I find the retrieve to be very smooth.
With the release of the new series in 2014, Penn introduced the model 2500 to fill the gap between the 2000 and the 3000-sized reels. The new 2500 is the same size as the 2000 but with a bigger rotor and spool.
Penn offers 8 models to choose from, starting with the 1000 which is an excellent choice for small freshwater species all the way up to the 8000 for larger species like Tarpon and Shark.
If you’re just getting started and looking for a good all-around reel for inshore fishing, I would go with either the 2500 or the 3000 paired with something like a 6 1/2 foot light-medium Ugly Stik GX2 fishing rod or for a few more dollars and with a lifetime warranty, a 7 foot Star Stellar Lite series fishing rod.
Penn also makes fishing rods and offers a great value with the Penn Battle II Combo Package which includes both a Penn Battle II reel and a Penn Battle II graphite fishing rod.
If you are budget-conscious but want quality, then this is a great way to get started on the water with a solid reel and rod combo for a very affordable price.
Features
Full Metal Body, side plate, and rotor
The Penn Battle II features a full metal body, sideplate, and rotor which does make it a slightly heavier reel. It also means that it will not flex under the pressure of larger fish and that it can withstand heavy use such as on a charter boat.
HT-100 carbon fiber drag washers
HT 100 drag system – which utilizes keyed carbon washers in place of the traditional felt washers will lengthen the lifespan of the reel and provide a very smooth, non-jerky drag when under load from a retreating fish.
By using a keyed washer, there is access to both sides of the washer to provide a smooth drag while increasing the possible drag pressure by 20%.
The HT stands for High Tech, a carbon fiber laminated on fiberglass. The 100 in the name stands for the equivalent of 100 miles of line being taken from the reel in original testing without any noticeable degradation, which is pretty impressive.
Instant Anti-Reverse
The instant Anti Reverse eliminates the back play on the rotor when you set the hook. This is accomplished by using a one-way bearing in the reel design.
Heavy-duty aluminum bail wire
The Penn Battle II has an extra heavy-duty bail wire that will withstand the test of time and should not warp over a long period. This is important as a warped bail will lead to inferior line management.
Improved Paint Quality
The better paint quality protects the reel against saltwater spray and chemicals which will always lead to corrosion if you are not careful. This was a reported problem in the previous model. It is nice to see that Penn listens to the feedback of their customers and has addressed this issue.
5 Sealed Ball Bearings
There are now five stainless steel ball bearings. This is the same number of bearings as in the first version of the reel, but now they are stainless steel which adds additional protection against the corrosion from saltwater.
Superline Spool
One of my favorite features is the addition of line capacity rings on the spool which makes sure that you always know how much line you have remaining on the spool. I also like the rubber inlay on the spool which means that I can load the spool directly with a braided line and skip having to back it with mono.
Some guys still prefer to go back with the mono, and I am becoming one of them since the mono provides a layer of protection on the inside of the spool. Making sure that your spool is sufficiently loaded but not overloaded is key when you hook that big one, as you want to be aware of how much line is left on the reel so your catch of the day does not leave you spooled!
Features at a Glance
- Full Metal Body, sideplate, and rotor
- HT-100™ carbon fiber drag washers
- 5 sealed stainless steel ball bearings
- Instant Anti- Reverse bearing
- Heavy-duty aluminum bail wire
- Superline Spool
- Line Capacity Rings
The Penn Battle II with its open face reel design is offered in a total of 8 sizes, the smallest being a 1000 and the largest an 8000. All would be considered to have a medium-high gear ratio with the smallest 1000 model starting at 5.2:1 up to the largest 8000 model, which offers a 6.2:1.
These gear ratios make it easy to catch all different sizes of fish from your smaller inshore species such as trout and smaller reds and snook, up to your large tarpon and shark in areas like Boca Grande, FL.
As I mentioned earlier, I am a big fan of the front drag HT 100 drag system which utilizes carbon washers in place of the traditional felt washers – this will lengthen the lifespan of the reel.
The maximum drag setting starts at 9 lbs on the 1000 series and goes up to a full 30 lbs on the 8000 series. Some people feel that the Penn Battle II is a heavy reel, I would describe it as sturdy. Reel weight starts at roughly 8 ounces on the 1000 series and goes up to 30 ounces on the 8000 series, the strongest and largest of the Penn Battle II series.
If weight is a concern, then look at the Daiwa Fuego LT for about the same amount.
For those of you who want all the details I have provided the chart below.
| Model | Mono Cap (yds/lb) | Braid Cap (yds/lb) | Bearings | Max Drag (lbs) | Gear ratio | Line Retrieve (in) | Weight (oz) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BTLII1000 | 275/2 135/4 105/6 | 275/2 135/4 105/6 | 5+1 | 9 | 5.2:1 | 22 | 8.1 |
| BTLII2000 | 240/4 180/6 125/8 | 210/8 180/10 165/15 | 5+1 | 10 | 6.2:1 | 30 | 9.8 |
| BTLII12500 | 210/8 180/10 165/15 | 240/10 220/15 160/20 | 5+1 | 12 | 6.2:1 | 33 | 10.3 |
| BTLII3000 | 210/8 180/10 165/15 | 250/15 180/20 130/30 | 5+1 | 15 | 6.2:1 | 35 | 12.3 |
| BTLII4000 | 270/8 220/10 165/12 | 360/15 260/20 185/30 | 5+1 | 15 | 6.2:1 | 37 | 12.8 |
| BTLII5000 | 225/12 200/15 135/20 | 420/20 300/30 240/40 | 5+1 | 25 | 5.6:1 | 36 | 19.8 |
| BTLII6000 | 335/15 230/20 210/25 | 490/30 390/40 335/50 | 5+1 | 25 | 5.6:1 | 41 | 22.1 |
| BTLII8000 | 340/20 310/25 230/30 | 475/50 390/65 345/80 | 5+1 | 30 | 5.3:1 | 44 | 30.2 |
When fishing the reel, it might at first seem a bit heavy, I personally like the solid feel but I know a lot of guys that prefer to have a slightly lighter setup to balance out the medium light to medium rods they use.
The new spool with line capacity rings is great as you know at a glance just how much line you have available. It has been my personal experience that it is better to not load the reel to its full “capacity”.
I say this because I and many other anglers have had issues with wind knots, and if you are fishing with a quality braided line you know that it does not come cheap.
Also note that if you manually close the bail rather than using the handle, you will find fewer issues with wind knots, which is just my personal experience.
Pros
- Easy on the pocketbook
- Solid feel and build quality
- Smooth drag system
- Anti-reverse
- Marked spool capacity that is braid ready
Cons
- Heavy
- Wind knots
- Not fully sealed
- Some reports of loosening up after use.
In Conclusion
First impressions are everything in life, but then time tells us if our first impression was right.
I am confident that it will be with the Penn Battle II and I can highly recommend this reel especially if you are just getting started and want a good reel for the money.
Best for Saltwater
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.
I am glad to see that Penn decided to update the Battle to the new version and I am very happy with the features such as spool rings, increased drag pressure, higher-quality paint, and stainless steel ball bearings.
I think that we will see the 2500 to be a big win for both the angler looking for a mid-sized reel as well as for Penn as a company.
While this is a great saltwater fishing reel, one must be careful not to submerge the reel as it is not fully sealed. But that is to be expected in this medium-class price range. If you do accidentally submerge the reel, make sure that you are quick to clean it when you get back home.
If this is done you should not have any issues. For more about how to care and maintain your reel, please see our tips on care and maintaining your equipment.
If you are just starting out and you are like me and want a good quality reel without breaking the bank then this is a great choice. If you do not already own a decent rod then I can highly recommend that you look at acquiring your new Penn Battle II as a Rod and Reel Combo.
You should be able to find what you are looking for between $99 and $149 depending on the size.
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