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.
Korum Free Spool 8000
PAY AROUND
£54.99
Korum is expanding into the carp world, and its new Free Spool reels offer terrific value for money.
The 8000 model shown here is the bigger of two offerings and promises to be a decent all-round workhorse. With five ball-bearings and a freespool facility for well under £60, it’s well worth a closer look.
Shimano Baitrunner X-Aero RA
PAY AROUND
£189.99 to £199.99
This new Baitrunner will be available in three popular sizes 6000, 8000, and 1000 and is claimed as a major leap forward in free-spool evolution as it combines all the benefits of a traditional Baitrunner with the casting performance of a compact big-pit model.
To help achieve its outstanding casting performance Shimano has built the X-Aero RA with a 30 per cent larger than normal spool.
Shimano Aernos 1000FB
PAY AROUND
£84.99
Matching perfectly with the Yasei Red Spinning Perch 190 rod is this lightweight, small bodied reel. Shimano’s petite but outstanding new Aernos 1000FB models have been re-introduced and re-vamped for 2015.
For the first time on any model of this type, Shimano has included expensive top-end features such a Diecast X-Ship gearing - a system that helps to increase the winding efficiency and power, and also aids smoothness on the retrieve.
Shimano Baitrunner ST-FB
PAY AROUND
£69.99
You're looking at the least expensive yet most technically advanced Baitrunner reel that Shimano has produced since the legendary marque was launched over a quarter of a century ago.
The new, entry-level, match-sized ST-FB model is designed to appeal to anglers on a budget who still want the iconic reputation and kudos of a Shimano Baitrunner loaded with famous features.
The ‘Bait Runner’ freespool mechanism first appeared on the Shimano Triton Sea Spin reel (top left) back in 1987 but coarse anglers were quick to catch on to the then revolutionary concept of allowing big fish to charge off without dragging the rod and reel off the rest and into the lake.
The ‘sea’ tag was soon dropped and the iconic, and jealously protected, trade-marked Baitrunner (as opposed to the original Bait Runner) brand became a generic term for the hoards of freespool reels that subsequently mimicked it.
The ability to fish ‘hands-free’ with the Baitrunner mechanism engaged, yet click back into fish-fighting gear at the turn of a handle, has always been a brilliant feature. It means you can pour a cup of tea or mix groundbait secure in the knowledge that your valuable rod and reel aren’t going to be pulled in. As someone who lost a rod and reel in the blink of an eye while pouring a cuppa on a commercial many years ago, I know just how easy, and how fast, this can happen.
Even when big fish are less active in winter it can still happen on the commercials, or on the rivers after chub or barbel, so it’s always best to engage that handy freespool lever.
The new, two ball bearing, ST-FB front drag reel is available in two sizes. The 2500FB float and light feeder size has a recommended retail price of £69.99 but is likely to sell in the shops for £54.99. The feeder/light specialist 4000-size model has an RRP of £74.99 but a suggested selling price of £59.99. In 2014 terms, that’s cheaper than the original Triton Sea Spin, yet the ST-FB is light years ahead on technology in every department.
Shakespeare Agility FS reel
PAY AROUND
£59.99
The Agility FS reel, available in 60 and 40 sizes, is the ideal partner for either EXP Specimen rod. This freespool model is reliable and strong, backed up by a wealth of a technical specifications such as a super-robust large diameter bail-arm, two line clips per spool, oversized line roller guide, and a 5.0:1 gear ratio.
Other features include two deep aluminium spools and a double handle option. The smaller Agility FS 40 is perfect for all light carp, Method feeder and barbel fishing, while the 60 size steps up a gear for specimen carp and predator fishing.
Browning Ambition FD & RD
PAY AROUND
£34.95
These affordable Ambition reels come in front and rear drag versions. Features include a balanced rotor, folding aluminium handle with left or right-hand configuration, non-twist line roller, rugged hollow alloy bail-arm, and a spare spool as standard. In 3000 and 4000 sizes.
Browning Black Viper
PAY AROUND
£129.95
Browning is known for designing tackle specifically for long-range feeder tactics –commonly used across mainland Europe. The eye-catching new all-black Viper MK 850 FD reel is a perfect example of a purpose-built distance caster, loaded with specialist features including sophisticated worm shaft gears for effortless retrieve and impeccable line-lay.
Its wide, shallow-profiled spool can be filled without resorting to lots of backing that can often impair the line-lay.
Frenzee FMR 300 Reel
PAY AROUND
£94.99
An ideal companion for the Pro FXT 10ft Feeder rod is the matching Frenzee FMR 3000 sized reel. This model, like its larger 4000 stablemate, incorporates a unique Precision Braking System that gives the angler full control of the backwind facility when the anti-reverse lever is switched off – with no worries about over-spins and tangles.
The function is easy to operate by fine-tuning the setting knob on the reel’s handle. Packed with features, the FMR 3000 also has precision-cut steel gearing and a well-balanced double handle that prevents any wobble on the retrieve. It runs seamlessly on 7 + 1 Titanium Nitrate ball-bearings, producing a gear ratio of 5.2:1. And it’s supplied in its own carry case with a spare spool.
Shimano Rarenium CI4+ FB reel
PAY AROUND
£219.99 to £249.99.
The elegant Rarenium C14+ FB reel is constructed from Shimano’s exclusive CI4+ composite. With four models in the range, they carry a host of features, including Shielded A-RB bearings, one-piece bail, waterproof drag, Dyna-Balance and Power Roller.
Fox Rage Ultron Pro 1500, 2500 and 3500 Reels
PAY AROUND
£54.99
Designed to complement the Rage range, these front drag reels, are perfect for jigging, spinning, twitching or drop shotting. Available in three sizes – 1500, 2500 and 3500 – they cost £54.99, £59.99 and £69.99 respectfully. Technical features include extreme lightness (195g, 275g and 350g); 5.1:1 ration and six SS ball bearings.
Daiwa Basiair Z45QD
PAY AROUND
£999
Hang the expense – to match your new Basia AGS rods, you may as well go the whole hog and sort yourself out with a matching pair of new reels.
These latest Basiair Z45QDs are simply the best that money than buy, and Daiwa can provide. Ridiculously lightweight at just 15.5oz for a big pit reel, they have every conceivable technical feature.
Daiwa Legalis Reel
PAY AROUND
£79.99
Apparently this reel is not to be pronounced ‘leg-less’ and I was severely rebuked for suggesting that it was for weekends only. Between them, the five models offer an ideal choice of body sizes that will cope with all fishing methods. Boasting fast retrieve rates of up to 6.0:1 as well Daiwa Twistbuster line rollers and Digigear drive mechanisms, the reels come with a spare spool.
Daiwa Exceler Reel
PAY AROUND
£99.99
The latest Exceler range offers improved features, more choice of model size, and a lower price than before. All five models share the same precision-moulded aluminium body for enhanced performance, feel and durability. A new lightweight graphite rotor has also been incorporated, helping to deliver a smoothness of rotation and retrieve that belies its cost. A spare spool is included.
Daiwa Ballistic EX
PAY AROUND
£189.99
Much favoured by World Feeder Champion Steve Ringer, the new Ballistic EX has an improved mag seal around its rotor system, which is not only impervious to any ingress from water and debris, but helps to keep the reel’s showroom feel and winding smoothness in top order.
Daiwa Caldia Reel
PAY AROUND
£225
This latest Caldia carries many of the technical features of its predecessor, but at an altogether more angler-friendly price. Manufactured to Daiwa’s four top-end design specifications, it boasts extraordinary winding power and a fabulous Ultimate Tournament drag system. In body sizes 2000, 2500, 2508, 3000, 4000.
Daiwa Tournament S (Series Black)
PAY AROUND
£360
The Daiwa Tournament 5000ST is one of the all-time classic carp reels. It’s built a well-deserved reputation as a virtually indestructible workhorse, and can be found attached to the rods of the some of the sport’s biggest names.
It’s received a makeover for 2014, and during a recent trip to the Daiwa headquarters in Glasgow for the company’s trade show we were privileged to get our hands on the highly anticipated Series Black. We were not disappointed.
This all-black reel features an identical specification to the original, including a micro-adjustable 10-washer front drag, worm gear oscillation for superb line lay, a spring-loaded line guard to prevent spool tangles, and Super Duraluminium gears and Super Metal rotor for durability.
And of course, the reel still boasts a one-touch folding handle if you’re a fan of fishing your rods nice and tight with the handles folded!
Indeed, on holding the reel it feels solid and reliable, just as you’d expect of a Daiwa product, and it appears to be more than up to the job of coping with whatever you can throw at it.
Expect to see plenty of these resting on black banksticks and buzz bars very soon.
Greys GFR 4000 Free Run Reel
PAY AROUND
£64.99
This latest Greys GFR 4000 Free Run reel is constructed with no fewer than nine ball-bearings, plus a roller bearing, ensuring it delivers a super-smooth performance with awesome cranking power – perfect for all heavy feeder work.
Other features include left or right-hand handle options and seamless freespool engagement. It comes with spare aluminium spool.