fathom 25N and 40N

[Bill B]

Made it down to Charkbait this morning for the 20-70% sale. Picked up a Fathom 25NLD2 and a 40NLD2.  Couldn't wait to put them through their paces.  Now I will admit the lever drag and 2 speed is all new to me, so setting the pre-set and drag is taking a while but here is what I'm getting so far without any pre-service.  Take a look at the photographs to see what I'm talking about while moving the lever drag....

25N is giving 3lbs at #1, 4 lbs at#2, 8lbs at #3, 11lbs at KE (last 2 letters for "Strike"), 12lbs at RI, 18lbs at ST, and 27lbs at Full.  Free spool with an empty spool was 1 minute, without cleaning the spool bearings.

40N is giving 5lbs at #1, 11lbs at #2, 17lbs at #3, 23lbs at KE, 24lbs at RI, 26lbs at ST, and maxing my 27lb scale at Full.  Free spool with an  empty spool was 1:54 minutes, again without cleaning the spool bearings.

General observations:  Both handles seem to take a little effort to turn, when compared to a Jigmaster, when set at strike.  Not much, but not as free as a Senator or jigmaster......maybe too much grease in the gear case? The effort is almost nothing in low gear. 

When levering from Strike to Full takes a little effort, again not much but noticeable.  

The wife gave her approval when I unboxed them, saying "They look good, I really like to black color much better than the gold ones"....guess that made it ok, especially when I showed her the new Okuma PCH rods to go with them 😁. Bill

[pjstevko]

Bill those are gonna make a couple killer set ups for wide range of species!

What are you gonna spool then up with?

Pj

[Bill B]

Was thinking of 65 braid/40 mono for the 25N and 100/60 for the 40N.  I'm wide open for suggestions...Bill

[Rivverrat]

  What your feeling is completely normal with most all 2 speed reels when set toward the higher end of their strike range. The 40N Fathom in my mind is a reel for 60 just barely. But what do I know I've never been fishing where your going. Many use it for 80... Jeff

[pjstevko]

Was thinking of 65 braid/40 mono for the 25N and 100/60 for the 40N.  I'm wide open for suggestions...Bill

I think you're right on with the 25N.....

Maybe drop down the 40N to 80# just to get more capacity......

[MarkT]

I wouldn't load the 40 with 100# unless it's Maxcuatro or one of the other super thin lines.  No need if you're fishing 60#.

[CooldadE]

I just ordered a Fathom 40NLD2 from Squidco. Had them fill it with 80# Daiwa J Braid. Going to mount it on my pHD760X2H.
I Love new gear !



Cool

[Bill B]

Yes I was thinking of 80 lb, I like the idea of the additional yardage....80 it is....thanks guys.....Bill

[MarkT]

I just ordered a Fathom 40NLD2 from Squidco. Had them fill it with 80# Daiwa J Braid. Going to mount it on my pHD760X2H.
I Love new gear !

Cool

Perfect combo!

[Brewcrafter]

Those are a couple of sweet reels Bill!  They are going to give you good service.  I'm with Mark on the heavy outfit...

I wouldn't load the 40 with 100# unless it's Maxcuatro or one of the other super thin lines.  No need if you're fishing 60#.

It sounds like those rigs will really perform for you! - john

[alantani]

go with 65 pound braid on the 25N and 80 pound braid on the 40N. 

[Bill B]

10-4 on the 80 lb braid.....now for the loaded question......how long of a top shot? 

[Gfish]

Like Jeff says, there should be some handle friction at strike, on a 2-speed LD in high gear. Also should be some effort on the lever going from strike to full(sunset). Interesting the diffrence in spool spin times between the two...check the "pre-set" drag range when testing, both set at the two extremes(loose & tight) for their prespcetive drag ranges, i.e. set both at low drag range, test 'em,  then both at high drag range and test.

[alantani]

10-4 on the 80 lb braid.....now for the loaded question......how long of a top shot? 

i have 25 yards of mono or fluoro on all of my reels.  i don't mix mono and fluoro together on the same reel.  it's one or the other. 

[MarkT]

I put a mono topshot on just about everything.  I'll tie on a few feet of fluoro with a surgeons knot if necessary.  YT and schoolie YFT, Dorado, etc don't care! You probably need a fluoro leader for BFT.  My cow rigs have 25 feet of fluoro tied to the spectra.