Shimano Ultegra 2500 FB Fishing Reel
Shimano's new Ultegra 2500 FB reel looks ideal for all float, light feeder and lure fishing applications.
In eye-catching silver and gold livery, it offers superb winding power thanks to the state-of-the-art cold forging technology used in its Hagane gearing system.
The reel lacks a backwind facility, but this shouldn’t been seen as a negative, since its superb precision front drag system – itself a work of art – can be instantly adjusted and relied upon to safely control any hard-fighting fish.
The Ultegra boasts many other key Shimano features, including the latest G Free body technology.
This shifts the reel’s centre of gravity closer to the rod, reducing hand fatigue and making casting more comfortable.
The stiff XT-7 body material offers perfect protection and support for the Hagane gears, X-Ship line-lay system and shielded A-RB bearings, allowing them to work to maximum efficiency.
PAY AROUND
£119.99
Weight: 240g
Gear ratio: 5.0:1
Line capacity: 240 yards of 0.20mm,
160 yards of 0.25mm
Bearings: 1 x S A-RB, 4 x 4BB, 1 x roller
Line retrieval: 73cm per turn
Maximum drag: 9kg
TECH SPEC
X-Ship line lay
Hagane gearing
Coreprotect system
ARC spool
XT-7 framed body
Cold forged aluminium handle
Aero Wrap
Browning Commercial King fishing reel
Browning Commercial King fishing reel. These compact but powerful reels are ideal for landing hard-fighting carp using feeder or waggler tactics.
Available in two sizes - the CK 2-430 and the CK 2-440. The smallest of the pair compliments beautifully float rods used for pellet and standard waggler fishing and its compact size doesn’t unbalance light and short rods.
The bigger CK 2-440 reel on the other hand is just the job for all your feeder work.
Each reel features a shallow spool, a one-touch folding handle for ease of storage and transportation, a sensitive ‘click-stop’ vernier front drag system which allows quick adjustments when playing a fish plus a safe nylon line clip in a lined recess. A spare spool is also supplied for use with different line strengths.
And at just under £60 they won’t break the bank either!
PAY AROUND
RRP £59.99
Daiwa TDM fishing reel
These eye-catching new Daiwa TDM reels should set match angler’s hearts racing. In a classy matt-black and deep red livery, the full TDM range has five models in all, the powerful TDM 4012 QDA (shown here) being the largest.
All feature the latest Quick Drag system. In the event of aggressive runs from big fish, line is given freely without over-runs, and rods are saved from being dragged in. The adjustment is so precise that little more than a half-turn from left to right on the front of the spool instantly puts you back in charge.
This QD system, much favoured by carp anglers who prefer big pit-style reels to freespools, is sure to catch on quickly with match anglers who visit waters renowned for their big, power-packed carp – Boddington and Earlswood reervoirs spring to mind.
The aluminium-bodied TDM reels with single and double handle options are up there with Daiwa’s very best. To Twist Buster line retrieve and super-smooth Digigear meshing, lightweight Air Rotor balance and durable hollow metal Airbail arms you can add mono-friendly line clips. These are ideal when fishing a Method feeder at range or for short to medium range bomb work.
PAY AROUND
£159.99
Ryobi Fixed-Spool Slam NCRT reels
"Immense strength combined with a cool modern look and feel"
PAY AROUND
£129.99
Not so very long ago Ryobi produced a cult-status match fishing reel – the closed-face Mastermatch CF1 was the angling connoisseur’s choice for all stick float and running water waggler work.
These new Ryobi fixed-spool Slam NCRT models in 3000, 4000, and 5000 carry on that tradition, but with a body, side plate, rotor and bail-arm system made from an advanced titanium composite material that is 20 per cent lighter yet 40 per cent stronger than graphite.
This gives the reels immense strength combined with a cool modern look and feel.
Internal features include a 5.1:1 gear ratio, smooth running six ball-bearing system, plus one infinite anti-reverse bearing and a precisely setting multi-disk carbon front drag.
The main shaft system is precision engineered from titanium alloy, which should give these reels a long and trouble-free life.
Korum Front Force Reels
TECH SPEC
FRONT FORCE 4000/3000
Gear ratio: 5.1:1
Features: Powerful front drag, soft-touch handle, lightweight, compact body, Uni-bearing system
Capacity: 4000 takes 25m of 0.26mm (0.23mm for the 3000)
Extras: Spare spool
PAY AROUND
£34.99
FAST RETRIEVE
The 5.1:1 retrieve rate is perfect for lure work and floatfishing when you need to get line back at a good speed. Smoothness comes via the Uni-bearing oscillation system.
LIGHTWEIGHT
The reel’s body is made from a sturdy yet light material finished in fashionable black livery and balances perfectly with the Xpert 11ft Lure Rod, also from Korum.
SOFT TOUCH HANDLE
A comfortable handle is especially important on a reel in constant use, such as when spinning or drop shotting. This one has soft touch technology, and can be converted from left to right-hand wind.
The £34.99 new Korum Front Force reels in 3000 and 4000 body versions offer super high quality at a bargain price.
In their stunning all-black livery, they are packed with features including quick folding soft touch handles, a super-fast 5.1:1 gear ratio and a dependable Uni-bearing oscillation system.
This makes them ideal for a wide range of applications including feeder, float and lure fishing, although the more compact 3000 model would be my first choice for float work.
Maver Match Monkey reel
PAY AROUND
£74.99
This stunning looking all-black front drag reel with red accents has a performance to match.
The lightweight aluminium body features a large arbour spool for distance casting, making it ideal for commercial feeder and float work.
Seven ball-bearings ensure a silky action, and you also get an easy-access backwind facility, hard wearing titanium-plated anti-twist line roller, ambidextrous handle and soft line-friendly clip.
Middy Baggin Machine CXR 3000 & 4000 reels
TECH SPEC
Ball-bearings: Five
Gear ratio: 5.2:1
Features: Two Free-Flow machined aluminium spools, low friction line roller, one-touch folding handle, lightweight polymer body
PAY AROUND
3000 £54.99
4000 £57.50
Shop-around price £39.99/£42.50
These 3000 and 4000 sized CXR reels are the latest additions to Middy’s popular Baggin Machine range.
The compact, lightweight polymer-built reels both feature instant response front drag, hard-wearing aluminium Free-Flow spools and press-button folding handles, perfect for when you carry rods ready set up.
Mono-friendly line clips won’t snap you off should you hit the clip a little over-zealously when casting.
Gearing runs smoothly on five bearings, with a robust stainless steel shaft, and a balanced rotor oscillation system keeps everything on the level when the reels are under stress from playing heavyweight fish.
The smaller 3000 sized reel is designed for pellet waggler and light lead work, while the larger 4000 is an out-and-out feeder tool.
Both reels are ideally suited to modern commercial fishery tactics.
Shakespeare Superteam 35FD reel
PAY AROUND
£59.99
I have to say that this is a very impressive little front-drag Shakespeare reel which could quite possibly be the best that the famous old firm has ever produced. The live testing model worked smoothly, efficiently, and faultlessly and its matt black and silvery livery looks great. Available in two sizes - 35 and 45 - both reels have been specifically developed for the demanding match angler, and will handle any type of commercial or natural venue tactic.
Daiwa Saltiga SG6000GT, SG6500 and SG6500H
PAY AROUND
£1,199
Daiwa and top quality reels go hand in hand and from a company that’s produced such legends as the Basia for carpers and the TDR range for match and pleasure anglers comes two stunning new releases for salt and freshwater anglers – and boy are they good!
The Saltiga and Exist range were showcased by the Scottish giants at Japanese trade shows to rave reviews and they landed in Europe at the big Carrefour National Pêche et Loisirs show in France a few weeks back to equal levels of excitement. They’re not cheap but they really do represent the vanguard of reel design and are simply stunning – no further words are needed to describe the range.
For the freshwater angler, the Exist offers two models, the 2506 and 3012 and they’re capable of feeder, float and light carp and predator work including spinning, packed with Daiwa’s award-winning technologies to produce an unbelievably light yet powerful and durable reel.
The machined Zaion body, Daiwa Air Rotor and Daiwa Air Spool technology comes as standard coupled with the Mag Sealed magnetic oil system and a staggering 12 CRBB bearings, meaning the Exist is almost entirely corrosion proof to make it last a life time. A real innovation in particular is the Mag Sealed line roller that does away with line twist while removing any chance of corrosion of the roller’s bearing, which can render a reel useless when it goes! Smooth on the cast and even smoother on the retrieve, you’ll also find the Ultimate Tournament Drag for playing big fish with ease plus a line clip and aluminium machine cut handle with coated cork handle knob.
Moving on to the Saltiga, there’s 11 reels in the range that have been extensively tested for fresh and saltwater lure fishing in countries such as Japan, the USA and New Zealand and are certain to be a hit for lure and sea anglers on home soil.
Beautifully light to complement the slender kit used for this type of fishing, the key feature of the Saltiga range is their resistance to salt water corrosion, which does for many reels within 12 months of use but with the space age Mag Sealed magnetic oil system, a strong seal is formed to prevent water intrusion between the reel’s rotor and body.
Light it may be but the Saltist has bags of power to take on pike, zander and sea species like bass with Digigear™ digital gear design, a 15 bearing system for utter smoothness on cast and retrieve, automatic rotor brake, Ultimate Tournament Carbon drag for putting the brakes on hooked fish and a sealed two bearing line roller.
Saltiga reels will be available in the UK from April 2015 and the Exist models from May 2015.
Daiwa Exist EX2506 and EX3012
PAY AROUND
£999
Daiwa and top quality reels go hand in hand and from a company that’s produced such legends as the Basia for carpers and the TDR range for match and pleasure anglers comes two stunning new releases for salt and freshwater anglers – and boy are they good!
The Saltiga and Exist range were showcased by the Scottish giants at Japanese trade shows to rave reviews and they landed in Europe at the big Carrefour National Pêche et Loisirs show in France a few weeks back to equal levels of excitement. They’re not cheap but they really do represent the vanguard of reel design and are simply stunning – no further words are needed to describe the range.
For the freshwater angler, the Exist offers two models, the 2506 and 3012 and they’re capable of feeder, float and light carp and predator work including spinning, packed with Daiwa’s award-winning technologies to produce an unbelievably light yet powerful and durable reel.
The machined Zaion body, Daiwa Air Rotor and Daiwa Air Spool technology comes as standard coupled with the Mag Sealed magnetic oil system and a staggering 12 CRBB bearings, meaning the Exist is almost entirely corrosion proof to make it last a life time. A real innovation in particular is the Mag Sealed line roller that does away with line twist while removing any chance of corrosion of the roller’s bearing, which can render a reel useless when it goes! Smooth on the cast and even smoother on the retrieve, you’ll also find the Ultimate Tournament Drag for playing big fish with ease plus a line clip and aluminium machine cut handle with coated cork handle knob.
Moving on to the Saltiga, there’s 11 reels in the range that have been extensively tested for fresh and saltwater lure fishing in countries such as Japan, the USA and New Zealand and are certain to be a hit for lure and sea anglers on home soil.
Beautifully light to complement the slender kit used for this type of fishing, the key feature of the Saltiga range is their resistance to salt water corrosion, which does for many reels within 12 months of use but with the space age Mag Sealed magnetic oil system, a strong seal is formed to prevent water intrusion between the reel’s rotor and body.
Light it may be but the Saltist has bags of power to take on pike, zander and sea species like bass with Digigear™ digital gear design, a 15 bearing system for utter smoothness on cast and retrieve, automatic rotor brake, Ultimate Tournament Carbon drag for putting the brakes on hooked fish and a sealed two bearing line roller.
Saltiga reels will be available in the UK from April 2015 and the Exist models from May 2015.
Preston Innovations PXR Pro 3000 Reel
PAY AROUND
£79.99
If you fancy a classy high-performance reel to partner the Korum Twin Tip Drop Shot rod, look no further than Preston innovations’ striking PXR Pro 3000.
This lightweight (252g) aluminium-bodied reel in superb black and red livery boasts a host of features ideal for drop shotting.
You get a fast retrieve 5.1:1 gear ratio, hard chrome braid-resistant plated line roller, shallow spools (which cut the cost of spooling up with expensive braid), as well as a precision front drag system.
The reel purrs along effortlessly on six stainless steel ball-bearings.