The brand Shimano brand is packed with reel models for both casting and spinning. As a generalist in this field, the brand offers a range of reels that can be adapted to both freshwater and sea fishing techniques.
For big game fishing, Shimano pêche has developed several reel models to enable you to tackle both powerful and sometimes very heavy fish. Whether you're casting back to fish with lures or trolling, you're bound to find a model that suits both your needs and the demands of these fish.
Which Shimano models are suitable for big game fishing?
To get it right, you need to turn to the most solid range from Shimano. This is of course the series designed for sea fishing, which has the advantage of having much more metal frames than a freshwater product, and often very solid stainless steel bearings.
The addition of metal to the reel's structure provides greater resistance to torsion and deformation when using heavy lures or in fierce battles with sometimes monstrous fish. The downside is a heavier overall weight, even if aluminium or magnesium are used.
Stella, the king of reels
The Stella remains the model of choice for all anglers. The price is indeed very high, but it represents the very best for fishing this type of fish, ensuring power and endurance.
The latest technology from the Japanese brand is always on show, pushing the limits of what's possible just a little bit further.
Lately, we've been able to appreciate a spool cooling system on the big sizes, ensuring that you can prolong fights without altering the quality of the line you're using, or a different crank design for each size.
The Twin Power, a challenger worthy of the greats
Just below it in terms of price and range, you can trust the Twin Power. We particularly like the look of this model.
In terms of technology, it's very similar to the Stella. You'll find something to suit all tastes, as the models available range from size 4,000 to size 14,000, which we reckon is the most popular tuna lure.
The Saragosa, an excellent choice for tight budgets
Moving down the range a little, we come across the Saragosa. This model is quite surprising, as it is really very, very resistant to situations that can sometimes be critical. The batis are cold forged and the ball bearings are clearly not ready to ovalise over time.
What's more, many anglers use this model to go after catfish that can sometimes exceed 100 kg, which puts the power of this product to the test.
Our selection for trolling
For trolling, the Shimano brand also has an international benchmark that can stand up to comparison with reels from Daiwa or the market leader peine. The top of the range will clearly be the Tiagra, which offers a particularly hard-wearing design that withstands both the pressure of battle and the corrosion of salt water.
You can also turn to the other models in the range, which are more than up to the task of fishing the seas and oceans around France. The Talica and TLD, for example, are robust reels that can cope with tough conditions and regular use.
Finally, there are reels designed for jigging. Ocea Jigger or Conquest offer top-quality construction for fetching fish at depths of several dozen metres. The brake and crank handle will be perfectly adapted as will the retrieve ratio and speed.
Sizes to choose when fishing for big fish
The size of a reel is regularly expressed in multiples of 1000. While size 500 or size 1000 reels are designed for very light fishing such as trout fishing, you'll quickly realise that you need to go up in size to get models that are perfectly suited to fishing for very big fish and can hold several hundred metres of line.
In spinning, we tend to target sizes above 10,000. This allows you to count on a sufficient capacity of aluminium spools in nylon or braid line to ensure safety during hard-fought battles.
For example, the 14,000 size will be ideal for all tuna lure fishing, while the larger size will be more suitable for grazing techniques, capable of catching the fish of your life. A Stella 30 000 will be ideal for this technique.
For trolling, you'll want to go for the 50, 80 and 130 for the Tiagra, which are designed to take 80lb and 130lb line bodies respectively. The other models in the range will also be in size 50 to withstand the pressure of these pretty fighters.
What technologies does Shimano use for big game fishing?
This fishing technique is probably the most demanding for a reel. Shimano has developed a number of specific technologies that will give you the response and peace of mind you need during a fight.
Heat Sink Drag is clearly the technology that sets Shimano apart from the competition. With this innovative concept, you can count on easier cooling of the aluminium spool during battles, allowing you to maintain the initial characteristics of your line body while still being able to apply the brake without any doubt.
The combination of X-Shield and X-Protect gives your reels a watertight frame for maximum protection against the ravages of salt water on the gears. The result, of course, is longer life, but also reliability at all times, especially when you're in the thick of the action.
Finally, we could mention the X-Tough Drag, which brings a very high-end level of expertise to anglers, with an ultra-sturdy, waterproof and perfectly progressive brake.
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