Shimano beach reels

At the suggestion of various members and given the magazines will run a mile from criticising a piece of kit, here is your chance to tell us what you really think about a rod, reel, line, lure... keep it legal please!

Moderators: Seaniebo, corbyeire

Message
Author
User avatar
Jayball10
SAI Sea Dog!
Posts: 670
Joined: Fri Mar 26, 2010 5:48 pm
Favourite Rod: Enticer
Favourite Reel: Shimano 6000
Favourite Fish: Wrasse
Location: Meath
Has thanked: 64 times
Been thanked: 66 times

Shimano beach reels

#1 Post by Jayball10 »

Just wanna get a few opinions on the Shimano reels folks. As everyone (I think) knows Shimano are the best for affordable fixed spool reels. I have been using an Aerlex since the start of the year and love it. I have a crappy Leeda reel for my second rod that I want to get rid off. I will be buying a new Shimano hopefully soon. Whats the best one to get? I have read up on the biomaster, the navi and the ultegra. Are these the main ones (as well as the aerlex) or are there much more? Whats the best for an all rounder. Rough ground, beach etc... I am practicing on a multiplier but am way off so am gonna stick to fixed spool for a while. All opinions welcome and appreciated.
The way to a fisherman's heart is through his fly...
User avatar
seanie35
SAI Megalodon!
Posts: 2197
Joined: Tue Aug 26, 2008 8:35 pm
Favourite Rod: shimano beastmaster bass rod
Favourite Reel: shimano ultrega
Favourite Fish: anything with a spin
Location: west waterford
Has thanked: 86 times
Been thanked: 85 times

Re: Shimano beach reels

#2 Post by seanie35 »

my ultegra died last night in youghal :cry: , it lasted 10 months but thats 2 months longer than any other bait reel ive owned and have used it some weeks 6-7 times , top of my list when i get another reel 8)
Species....good film.....I'll get my coat
User avatar
Dave
SAI Sea Dog!
Posts: 676
Joined: Wed Oct 04, 2006 12:07 pm
Favourite Fish: All of them
Location: Dublin
Has thanked: 8 times
Been thanked: 7 times

Re: Shimano beach reels

#3 Post by Dave »

I use the 5500 Ultegra myself although admittedly I haven't used it very much this year but its a lovely reel and mine is still going strong. I use mine with either a Bze or a Super Match FX and generally over cleanish ground so I couldn't say how it would cope over rough ground.
User avatar
Jayball10
SAI Sea Dog!
Posts: 670
Joined: Fri Mar 26, 2010 5:48 pm
Favourite Rod: Enticer
Favourite Reel: Shimano 6000
Favourite Fish: Wrasse
Location: Meath
Has thanked: 64 times
Been thanked: 66 times

Re: Shimano beach reels

#4 Post by Jayball10 »

Thanks lads. Gonna get started on that letter to Santa :)
The way to a fisherman's heart is through his fly...
User avatar
BigPhil
SAI Megalodon!
Posts: 2425
Joined: Sun May 29, 2005 10:16 pm
Location: North Antrim
Has thanked: 10 times
Been thanked: 11 times

Re: Shimano beach reels

#5 Post by BigPhil »

if u plan to use on the rough ground the ultegra would be the best of them...14000
Not the BigPhil from Irish Angler mag, I'm the original, i swear!!!!
BassBE
SAI Lug Worm
Posts: 23
Joined: Sat Jan 23, 2010 1:25 pm

Re: Shimano beach reels

#6 Post by BassBE »

There's a new version of the ultegra out, CI4 ultegra. It's supposed to make the reel about 90grams lighter in weight, smallest one is about 490grams I think. I'm looking into buying one myself but haven't seen alot of reviews on it yet.

Can't go wrong with an ultegra though, had the XSA-series myself for 2 years and they were very reliable (just don't drop em in the surf). My father has the newer Ultegra XSB and it's a very solid reel as well.
oli
SAI Hammerhead
Posts: 329
Joined: Mon May 11, 2009 4:20 pm
Favourite Rod: shakespeare k2
Favourite Reel: shimano biomaster
Favourite Fish: sea bass
Location: Cork
Has thanked: 4 times
Been thanked: 2 times

Re: Shimano beach reels

#7 Post by oli »

shimano biomaster....new 2010 mod is on market iswell...
bass total:
2009-1
2010-35
2011-65
2012-16
2013-6
User avatar
Jayball10
SAI Sea Dog!
Posts: 670
Joined: Fri Mar 26, 2010 5:48 pm
Favourite Rod: Enticer
Favourite Reel: Shimano 6000
Favourite Fish: Wrasse
Location: Meath
Has thanked: 64 times
Been thanked: 66 times

Re: Shimano beach reels

#8 Post by Jayball10 »

Nice one lads.
The way to a fisherman's heart is through his fly...
gerryl
SAI Hammerhead
Posts: 259
Joined: Wed May 05, 2010 12:42 am
Has thanked: 1 time
Been thanked: 36 times

Re: Shimano beach reels

#9 Post by gerryl »

Got this little beauty...put 60lb braid on (like me braid with similar dia' as me mono)...can't wait to get it wet!

SHIMANO CARDIFF 401 Lefty.... (400 Right-Hand

Cardiff 401- 150YD x 12lb (suitable for 50/80lb braids!)
one piece die-cast aluminium body, versatile 5.2:1 gear ratio ’VBS’ centrifugal breaking system, instant anti-reverse, thumb bar release.
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
User avatar
shaft666
SAI Bait Ball
Posts: 75
Joined: Wed Nov 19, 2008 2:12 pm
Favourite Rod: Penn Powerstix Pro 13'
Favourite Reel: Shimano Ultegra XTA 12000
Favourite Fish: Cod/Bass
Location: Dingle Bay
Been thanked: 5 times

Re: Shimano beach reels

#10 Post by shaft666 »

I've 3 of the Ultegra XTA 1200's, been using them for a few years now and no problems, highly recommended

Paul
[color=#FF0000][b]"Vegetarian" - Ancient native Indian word translates as "Crap Hunter"[/b][/color]
User avatar
shaft666
SAI Bait Ball
Posts: 75
Joined: Wed Nov 19, 2008 2:12 pm
Favourite Rod: Penn Powerstix Pro 13'
Favourite Reel: Shimano Ultegra XTA 12000
Favourite Fish: Cod/Bass
Location: Dingle Bay
Been thanked: 5 times

Re: Shimano beach reels

#11 Post by shaft666 »

I have 3 of the Ultegra XTA 12000's and used them for a few years now without any problems, highly recommended

Paul
[color=#FF0000][b]"Vegetarian" - Ancient native Indian word translates as "Crap Hunter"[/b][/color]

Return to “Tackle Reviews by Sea Anglers”