All About Shimano Fishing Technology
Shimano is a Japanese company that has been producing quality fishing reels for many years. They have many different models and the majority of them are designed for saltwater use, but there are some freshwater designs as well. I will try to explain about Shimano’s technology found in Shimano reels so you can understand what each one does for you.
Shimano’s Propulsion Line Management System
Shimano’s Propulsion Line Management System is featured on their Curado, Chronarch, and Stella brands of reels. These systems feature multi-disc drag washers that work together to eliminate back play in the gearing system as well as increase stopping power by increasing the number of contact points between each gear and one or more of two major drag washers. Shimano calls these systems “PLMS” and they are very reliable as well as smooth running. They also work very well in both saltwater and freshwater applications.
The G-Free Body
You can find this feature found only on the Curado 200G, 300G, and 400G reels (the first generation models). It is basically a machined aluminum body that is heavier than the later models, but it also feels better in your hand. It also contributes to how smooth running these reels are.
Hagane Gear
Hagane Gear (also called Hagane Body) is like G-Free Body which is on some of Shimano’s Curado, Chronarch, and Stella brands of reels. It is a machined aluminum body that is found on the high-end Curado models as well as some Chronarch and Stella models. Their Shimano Calcutta D series of reels also have Hagane Bodies, but they are rare because most people cannot afford them.
Hagane Gear produces longer casts than graphite gear and it is also more durable. It can be found on Curado, Chronarch, and Stella brands of reels as well as the Shimano Calcutta D series of reels.
X-Ship
X-Ship is a bearing supported pinion gear that provides for smoother operation as it reduces friction in the drive train. It was first used in the Stella brand of reels, then found on some Curados, and finally adopted by all of Shimano’s bait casting reels.
Cross Carbon Drag
Cross Carbon Drag is a brake system with carbon fiber discs that are supported by stainless steel plates to provide smooth stopping power with less inertia or weight for increased castability. It was first used in the Calcutta D line of reels, then found on Curado bait caster models. It eventually made it into Chronarch and Stella brand reels as well.
Aero Wrap II
It is also a brake system with two stainless steel plates that are supported by carbon fiber discs to provide smooth stopping power with less inertia or weight for increased castability. It can be found in all current Shimano bait casters and some of them feature a “Dual Force Drag” system which is basically the same thing, but each side has its own dedicated drag. The Aero Wrap II break can also be found on many other brands and models of reels that are made by Shimano (such as their spinning reels).
S A-RB
S A-RB is a brake system with one stainless steel plate and one carbon fiber plate that are supported by two large carbon discs to provide smooth stopping power with less inertia or weight for increased castability. All current Shimano bait casters feature this brake system, but there are some Calcutta D models (even the newest revision) that feature the Aero Wrap II break.
One-Piece Bail
One-Piece Bail is a one-piece stainless steel wire that is used to create the bail on Shimano reels. It provides less friction than the older two-piece wires which can result in better casting distance. It also makes assembling and disassembling these reels easier than it would be with the older two-piece bails. One-Piece Bails can be found on all current Shimano bait casters and some of their current spinning reels as well. Some models perform better than others because of this feature, so it is important to consider when choosing a new reel.
Waterproof Drag
Waterproof Drag is also a brake system with three stainless steel plates and one carbon fiber plate that are supported by two large carbon discs to provide smooth stopping power with less inertia or weight for increased castability. It can be found in some of their newest reels such as the Shimano Chronarch CI4+, some Stella, Calcutta D, and some Curado models.
X-Protect
X-Protect is a corrosion-resistant coating that is used on many Shimano reels. It can be found in Stella, Calcutta D, and some Curado models as well as the new Chronarch CI4+.
MGL Rotor
MGL Rotor is a brake system with one stainless steel plate and two carbon fiber plates that are supported by three large carbon discs to provide smooth stopping power with less inertia or weight for increased castability. It can be found in the Shimano Chronarch CI4+ as well as some Stella and Calcutta D models.
Silent Drive
Silent Drive is a drive system with silent washers to reduce noise and vibration when reeling in line. It can be found on many Shimano spinning reels, some Curado and some Stella models.
MicroModule Gear II
MicroModule Gear II is a gear system that is made up of very light and durable stainless steel pins surrounded by two layers of polymer. This helps provide for smooth rotation and less friction while also reducing weight. It can be found on current Curado, Stella, Calcutta D, and Chronarch bait casters as well as some of their spinning reels.
Long Stroke Spool
Long Stroke Spool is a longer, extended spool that provides more line capacity than the older reels. These are most often found on Curado and Calcutta D reels, but some Stella models also feature this technology.
Rigid Support Drag system
Rigid Support Drag system with one stainless steel plate and carbon fiber discs to provide smooth stopping power with less inertia or weight for increased castability. It can be found on some of their Curado models as well as the Shimano Chronarch CI4+.
CI4+ Drag
CI4+ Drag is an upgraded version of the Coreprotect drag system. The Carbon Infused Concept gives enhanced stopping power without loss of smoothness, plus it has less inertia so you can fish for longer periods of time. It can be found on some Shimano Curado models as well as the Shimano Chronarch CI4+.
Quickfire II
Quickfire II is a brake system with one stainless steel plate and one carbon fiber disc that is supported by two large carbon discs to provide smooth stopping power with less inertia or weight for increased castability. It can be found on Shimano Curado, Calcutta D, and Stella models as well as some of their spinning reels.
Rapid Fire Drag
Rapid Fire Drag is a brake system that features one stainless steel plate that supports six carbon fiber plates to provide smooth stopping power with less inertia or weight for increased castability. It can be found in all current Curado models.
EI
EI is a smooth, stainless steel drive gear that reduces weight but keeps the same durability as the older gears. This can be found on some of their Curado and Stella reels as well as some Calcutta D bait casters.
Fighting Drag
Fightin Drag is an upgrade to Shimano’s Re-Tooled G Free Body Drag. It is a system with two stainless steel plates and six-carbon discs that provide smooth stopping power with less inertia or weight for increased castability. This can be found on some of their Stella, Curado, and Calcutta D models as well as the Shimano Chronarch CI4+.
Final Words
Shimano has been making fishing reels for over two decades, and they are still the most innovative company in the industry. With their wide variety of products to choose from, it’s hard not to find a reel that will fit your needs. Whether you want an inexpensive model or one with all the bells and whistles, there is something for everyone at Shimano. If you need help choosing which type of reel is right for you, contact us today!
Leave a Reply