Aeroglass Construction
A proprietary blend of advanced glass fibers to enhance sensitivity and insure durability.

Adjustable Clicker
This clicker system allows the angler to adjust the amount of freespool tension while the clicker is on.

Adjustable Handle Shank
For deep water or cranking-deprived anglers, the handle shank can be extended to increase the amount of leverage that can be applied.

Aero-Wrap
This two-speed oscillation system layers the line onto the spool in a crisscross pattern that reduces line-to-line friction for longer casts. AeroWrap reels utilize a patented worm gear design to move the spool upward quickly and downward slowly to wind the line in a precise pattern, reducing friction, and giving smoother, longer casting ability.

A-RB
These stainless steel ball bearings are specially treated to drastically increase the corrosion resistance of the bearing. These bearings will last at least 10 times longer than standard stainless steel ball bearings in high salinity environments.

Assist Stopper
Assist Stopper is a back up anti-reverse system to the Super Stopper that consists of the traditional pawl and ratchet. Should the Super Stopper roller bearing slip due to cold weather or over-lubrication, the Assist Stopper kicks in to provide a solid hookset the instant the roller bearing begins to slip. Most of the time the angler will not even know when this feature engages, because by quickly stopping the backwards rotation of the roller bearing, the Assist Stopper greatly reduces the chance of permanent damage to the Super Stopper allowing it to continue to function as designed.

Baitrunner
The Baitrunner Lever, providing a secondary drag system, allows an angler to feed out line in tension-controlled freespool with the bail closed. This enables the angler to feed line out, lets the fish take the bait and run, while still maintaining line control by having the bail closed. To engage the primary drag and set the hooks, simply turn the handle or flip the Baitrunner lever to the ‘Baitrunner Off’ position, and the fight is on.

Clicker
When engaged, the clicker increases the tension on freespool and activates a clicking alarm to alert you as to when a fish bites.

Cold Forged Handle
Reels with this feature use a handle shank that is cold forged. Cold forging allows more metal to be used and results in a much more dense construction. This means the handle will be much stronger and allows for deeper anodization.

CTE Clicker
This clicker is strategically located for easy use, yet at the same time, out of the way so that it cannot be accidentally turned on or off.

Dartainium Drag
This drag material provides a wider range of drag settings, along with the smoothest Shimano drag performance ever.

Double Drag Plate System
This system uses two drag plates and one drag washer to effectively double the drag surface over traditional drag systems. On a traditional drag system, a drag plate is pressed against the drag washer to create drag. On the double drag plate system, the drag washer is suspended between two drag plates. This utilizes both sides of the drag washer and gives twice the drag surface of a single plate system.

DynaBalance
This feature eliminates wobble during the retrieve by counter balancing the rotor to enhance sensitivity and smoothness. By using computer balancing, an approach similar to car tire balancing, we are able to redistribute the rotor weight to create smooth rotation and eliminate vibrations.

Drilled Spool System
The drilled spool system is designed for those anglers who require longer casts and can sacrifice line capacity to do so. The drilled spool system features a larger spool arbor that is cross-drilled to reduce its weight. By moving the arbor of the spool outward, the mass of the spool is closer to the rim of the spool. Like a lightweight bicycle wheel, where most of the mass lies in the tire, the majority of a drilled spool system mass lies in the arbor and the line it is spooled with.

Easy Access Sideplate
On reels with this feature, to access the VBS system, a setscrew on the handle side of the reel is loosened and the opposite sideplate rotates open. From here the VBS weights can be adjusted without having to remove the spool or any other parts of the reel, for easy, worry-free adjustment on the water.

Easy Mag
This magnetic cast control system can actually allow for a true freespool setting. With traditional magnetic systems, the magnets are moved away from the spool. So, even at the zero setting, the magnets still apply some force upon the spool. With Easy Mag, the magnets are rotated away from the spool and towards each other. At the zero setting, the magnets face each other and cancel themselves out, applying zero force to the spool.

Ergonomic Power Handle
The handle grip, made of a comfortable, non-slip rubber, is formed to provide maximum comfort and allows the angler to apply an incredible amount of torque when fighting a fish.

Fightin’ Drag
This drag adjustment system allows the angler to set the drag for the reel using the rear drag adjustment knob. During the fight, the angler can quickly increase or decrease the amount of drag by using the Fightin’ Drag lever.

Fluidrive
Fluidrive brings the highest tolerances and utmost control in the gear cutting process, which provides the angler a smooth, powerful retrieve.

Fluidrive II
Building upon the successes of Fluidrive, Fluidrive II features a large master gear polished using a wrapping process, increasing the efficiency of the retrieve.

Handle Side VBS
Round reels equipped with this feature allow the angler to remove the handle side sideplate and adjust the VBS brake weights without removing the spool from the reel. This allows the angler to easily adjust the amount of cast control while the line is threaded through the rod.

High Efficiency Gearing (HEG)
HEG consists of not only the gears, but also the frame, setplate, and handle-side sideplate. First we increased the size of the drive gear and the pinion gear to offer increased leverage and power. By using a one-piece frame that incorporates the setplate and adding a one-piece stamped sideplate, we have eliminated flex in the drive train that causes gears to bind under pressure. By eliminating the flex and increasing the leverage, we are able to provide incredibly high-speed retrieves and deliver an unbelievable amount of torque, all while maintaining the smooth, silent retrieve Shimano is famous for.

Hydrothermal Drag
In any big-game reel, the heat build-up in the drag system caused by a hard-running fish will change the original drag setting. On our reels that use the Hydrothermal Drag system, graphite washers are used that provide a wide range of drag settings and low start up inertia. Graphite washers lose pressure with heat, which is better than gaining pressure with heat that could lead to the reel locking up. To compensate for this loss, we installed an oil filled cylinder that expands when heated, immediately bringing the drag back to within 10% of its original setting.

Instagage
A useful feature for flipping or pitching, Instagage features two thumb bars. The lower bar disengages the clutch, while the top bar engages the drive train. Without even turning the handle the angler can instantly put the reel in gear.

Instagage II
This feature brings all of the benefits of the original Instagage using a one-piece thumb bar, and also gives much more access to the spool. This makes threading the line through the line guide easier, gives the angler’s thumb more room to control the spool during the cast or other freespool applications, and much more room to pick out backlashes.

Line Counter
This convenient feature allows the angler to place the lure in the strike zone over and over again. The line counter tracks how much line has been cast off
of the spool, and can be reset to zero by pushing a button.

Magnesium Spool
By constructing a spool out of lightweight magnesium, the start up inertia of the spool is extremely low.
This means more energy from the cast is used in projecting the lure. These spools also feature a large arbor so that the mass of the spool is closer to the spool’s rim, allowing the spool to spin longer.
Magnesium is highly corrosive in saltwater, so use of a reel using magnesium in saltwater or brackish water will void the reel’s warranty.

Maintenance Port
The maintenance port is an easily accessed hole strategically located for easy maintenance of the reel.
Using a slot-head screwdriver, the rubber-sealed plug can be removed from the reel. Here one drop of lightweight oil or grease can be inserted into the drive train to prevent corrosion and protect the smooth retrieve of the reel. Be sure not to over-lubricate the reel as excessive lubrication can cause the reel to become sluggish. Also, the use of after market spray lubricants contain cleaners and degreasers that can actually remove the grease and oil that protect the reel and cause premature corrosion or damage to the reel.

Before using an aftermarket lubricant, we recommend that you contact our Customer Service Department at 1-877-577-0600 to be sure it will not damage your reel.

Manual Bail Trip
Reels equipped with Manual Bail Trip do not have an auto trip mechanism and the bails must be closed manually. This feature brings added line control during freespool that is imperative to big game-seeking saltwater anglers.

Metal Series
The metal construction showcased in some of our finest reels now appears throughout our line of Metal Series products. Metal frames not only keep moving parts in precise alignment, they also feature the use of the latest anodizing, plating and painting techniques for beautiful and durable finishes.

Non Disengaging Levelwind System
On wide spool reels with a non-disengaging levelwind system, the levelwind remains engaged during the cast allowing the levelwind to track back and forth with the line as it flows off of the spool. This eliminates the drastic line angles caused by a disengaging levelwind system that can cause extreme
friction which lead to short casts or frustrating backlashes. By doing this we have increased the efficiency of the cast, allowing more distance with less effort.

Platinum Service Plan
With the Platinum Service Plan, when submitting your Warranty Registration card points, you will receive coupons for discounts on clean and lubes (from half off to free!) Also included are Priority Shipping labels guaranteeing 48-hour turn around time from Shimano or participating Shimano
Authorized Warranty Centers.

Power Roller
Line twist arising from repeated casting and retrieving is reduced by as much as 50% on reels equipped with the Power Roller line twist reduction system. Power Roller’s special grooved design assures the line will be wrapped on the spool to minimize unwanted loops and twists during the cast.

Quick Fire II
For easy and fast one-handed casts, the line and trigger self-center and are within easy grasp of the angler’s index finger.

Recessed Reel Foot
By recessing the reel foot further into the frame, the reel sits lower in the reel seat. This allows for a much more palmable feel when the reel is mounted on a rod than traditional round reel designs. Not only does it increase the comfort level, but because of its lower profile in the reel seat it makes the reel much more maneuverable with casting styles such as underhand and roll casts.

Super Slow Oscillation
The Super Slow Oscillation system evenly layers the line onto the spool, reducing the gaps between the line wraps that can cause unwanted friction or hang-ups during casting. By laying the line in an extremely tight parallel pattern, when layers of line are wrapped on top of a lower layer of line there are no crevices or gaps for the upper layer to embed itself into. When the bail is open and the reel is cast, the line flows effortlessly off of the spool for a longer cast than found with a traditional oscillation system. Reels with this feature also come with extra spool support washers to optimize the winding shape based upon line diameter (see owner’s manual for instructions).

Super Stopper
Super Stopper anti-reverse uses a one-way stainless steel roller bearing that eliminates back-play. This provides the angler with instant hook setting power.Super Stopper II

Super Stopper II
Super Stopper II anti-reverse uses a one-way roller bearing that eliminates back-play. This provides the angler with instant hook setting power.

Titanium Coated Spool Lip
The titanium coated stainless steel spool lip provides incredible durability with today’s braided lines.
It also drastically reduces the friction during the cast allowing for smooth, effortless casting distances.

Two Speed Gearing
This shifting mechanism is designed so that gearing changes are quick and easy, even while fighting a fish. The low gear ratio used for high power retrieves is selected by pushing the button on the base of the handle. Return to the high-speed ratio by sliding the release button along the handle shank. By using two sets of gears, the drive and pinion gears are always engaged. There is no gear meshing during the shift.

Variable Brake System (VBS)
VBS uses centrifugal force rather than magnets to aid in controlling the cast. When turned on, the individual brake weights are forced outward at the beginning of the cast when backlashes most often occur, causing friction that reduces the speed of the spool. Once the spool speed begins to slow, the
pressure with which the brake weights contact the raceway lessens, allowing the spool to continue spinning. The result is a much more consistent spool speed that is easier to manage and takes advantage of the reel’s maximum casting distance. Settings range from zero weights turned on for true freespool or up to 6 weights turned on for extremely windy conditions and maximum cast control.

Waterproof Drag
With the use of rubber gaskets the drag is sealed against intrusion of the elements such as water and dust.