Penn Fierce II Spinning Reel Review

The Penn Fierce II or Penn Fierce 2 is a quality reel from a great manufacturer that has been around for decades, so I have decided to review it.

The Penn Fierce II was first released in the fall of 2015. Penn has been producing many reels, and some seem to be very close to each other in terms of features.

The Penn Fierce II slips in between the Penn Pursuit II, the least expensive of Penn’s offerings, and the Penn Battle II, which has developed a reputation for being a rock-solid, affordable reel.

The Bottom Line

This is a solid, inexpensive reel for inshore fishing
Full metal body construction
Shielded stainless steel ball bearings
Proven drag system

The Penn Fierce II provides good value and is available here.

The Fierce II gives you a few upgrades over the Pursuit II, such as moving to the full metal body, adding the Techno-Balanced rotor, an additional bearing, a superline spool, and a heavier aluminum bail wire.

If you are looking for a solid reel in the $59 – $89 range, depending on the size, then this reel is well worth considering. I think this is an easy choice for the additional $20 over the Penn Pursuit II.

Penn Fierce II Features

Full Metal Body and sideplate

The full metal die-cast aluminum body and side plate keep precise gear alignment under heavy loads and provide a more durable reel in the long run.

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 that Penn listens to their customer’s feedback and has addressed this issue.

Techno-Balanced™

The Techno-Balanced rotor is a trademarked rotor design of Penn and is engineered to provide a smooth retrieve. Combined with the 4+1 bearing system, the reel feels silky soft.

4+1 shielded stainless steel ball bearings

The new Fierce II incorporates five stainless ball bearings that provide a smooth retrieve that will last you for years if you take care of the reel.

There are two on the main gear, two on the pinion gear, and one on the instant anti-reverse. These are shielded against water, NOT sealed.

The oiled felt drag system

Penn uses its tried-and-true oiled felt drag system on this series of reels to provide a smooth drag that ranges between 10 and 25 lbs.

Instant Anti-Reverse bearing

The instant anti-reverse is a one-way bearing that provides for a solid retrieve without any backplay in the handle, as we used to find in the older model reels with a racket-style anti-reverse system.

Heavy-duty aluminum bail wire

The Penn Fierce 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 or bent bail will lead to inferior line management and line lay when retrieving.

Superline Spool Line Capacity Rings

The super spool incorporates rubber inlaid into it, meaning you can go directly to it with a braid without backing it with mono.

The rings are marked at 1/3, 2/3, and full line capacity. We are starting to see this feature more and more, with more fishermen choosing mono as their go-to line of choice.

Penn Fierce II Features at a Glance

Full Metal Body and sideplate
Techno-Balanced™ rotor
4+1 shielded stainless steel ball bearings
The oiled felt drag system
Instant Anti-Reverse bearing
Heavy-duty aluminum bail wire
Superline Spool
Line Capacity Rings

The Fierce II spinning reel comes in 8 different models, ranging from the 1000 series with up to 160 yards of 6 lbs braid capacity with a 9 lb drag up to the 8000, which has 475 yards of 50 lbs mono capacity with a full 25 lbs of drag utilizing the oiled felt washers.

The Penn Fierce II is a quality reel at an affordable price that offers several quality features.

What I have found is that if I am willing to spend $60-$70 for a reel, then I can typically find another $20-$30 lying around (don’t order that large pizza this week), and then I can buy myself a slightly better quality reel that offers more features.

The drag system, while not the Penn HT-100 carbon fiber that you will get on the Penn Battle II and above models, is still the time-proven oiled felt washer system that provides a quality, smooth drag that lasts for many years if you take the time to maintain it properly.

You hear me mention maintenance in most of my reviews, as I fish in saltwater, and we have to clean up after each trip, or our gear gets ruined very quickly. For this reason, I like a fully sealed reel, like the Penn Battle II, which is better than the Fierce II.

Penn Fierce II Pros

Affordable
Full metal body
Smooth drag
Improved corrosion resistance

Penn Fierce II Cons

Heavier reel
Wind knots
Not fully sealed
No HT-100 drag system

Penn Fierce II Alternatives

If you are looking for a reel that is even less expensive than the Penn Fierce II, you can always look at the Penn Pursuit II, which runs about $20 less in each size. You give up the full metal body, one ball bearing, the Techno-balanced rotor, and the super line spool. To me, that is a lot to give up for $20.

For a few dollars more, I would look at the Penn Battle II, where you will gain the HT-1000 carbon fiber drag system and add sealed vs. shielded ball bearings.

One more notch up on the scale would be the Pflueger Supreme XT, a high-quality reel that does not cost a fortune. The reel is made of high-quality materials such as magnesium and even incorporates carbon fiber into the handle, keeping the reel strong and lightweight.

In Conclusion: Is the Penn Fierce II a Good Pick?

This is a quality reel at a very affordable price from a well-known manufacturer that will last for years if well taken care of.

There are not a lot of features, so I would call this a basic-quality reel that will withstand heavy use, and it will not break the bank.

I would recommend this as a nice reel for a young angler who has learned not to leave his/her reel in the dirt or underwater.

This reel will not disappoint for the money.

PENN Fierce II & Fierce III Spinning Fishing Reel | Amazon

Featuring a full metal body, stainless steel main shaft, thick aluminum bail wire, and braid ready spool the Fierce II was engineered to provide unwavering performance in the roughest conditions.

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David Edwards

David is a freelance writer. He enjoys fishing as much as you do. He understands the challenge to pick the best fishing rod or learning the lifestyle. He provides a detailed review of the available products in the market. He wants to ensure you make the right decision for your next shopping day.