Shakespeare Cypry XT reels
Shakespeare has just unveiled these eye-catching Cypry reels. The freespool models, in three sizes, cover all aspects of carp fishing. The 40 body size is ideal for small commercial match carp waters, while for big open-water venues there’s the 80 reel with its long-cast spool to achieve maximum distance.
Keen prices are matched with plenty of key features such as large-diameter bail arms, aluminium spools, proven winding reliability, retrieve ratios of between 4.1:1 and 5.2:1 and super-smooth grease felt drag systems.
To go with these, Shakespeare has also released a range of three matching Cypry carp rods.
PAY AROUND
XT40 FS £29.99
XT60 FS £34.99
XT80 FS £39.99
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
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
Daiwa EM MS fishing reels
PAY AROUND
£155 SSP
Daiwa's recently released EM MS limited edition reels were originally intended to appeal mainly to discerning lure and sea anglers.
All five in the range boast a raft of features such as the latest Automatic Tournament front drag system, graphite Air Rotor, and super-lightweight yet tough Zaion-built body.
These combine with proven Daiwa technical wizardry such as Digigear (which makes for smoother rotation and meshing of the gears) and Twist Buster (combining an oversized line roller with clever rotor geometry to eliminate up to 90 per cent of line twist).
The winding power of these EM MS reels is quite phenomenal, not to mention a faultlessly flat line lay with mono up to 10lb. So it's little wonder that they are being snapped up by all-round feeder fans or specialist barbel and big-fish hunters from the freshwater fraternity.
First look at the Shakespeare Agility 2LC reel
PAY AROUND
£59.99, £79.99 and £89.99
This latest Agility 2LC model, which comes in three body sizes - 4000, 7000 and 8000 - has been designed specifically for the match angler as a long cast feeder reel. The smallest version is well-suited to commercial fishery work as its wide spool can be used safely with thicker diameter lines, while the reduced sized body makes it easy to transport.