Torsa features a Rapid Fire Quick Change Drag Cam System which determines the amount of drag and how quickly it comes on as the drag lever is pushed forward, but the incredible thing about this series is that there are nine completely interchangeable cams available as after-market fittings to suit your style of fishing. For instance, the LRS cam is suited for use with heavy braid for jigging, there’s another ideal for casting baits and lures, another for ultra light line class record chasing, one perfectly matched to cranking up big fish and heavy weights when bottom fishing and so on. The changeover is performed by screwing out the preset knob, is completely tool-free and takes only seconds to perform. A new Sailfish Special cam is also available.

Shimano’s Digitally Controlled Braking System that made overruns or backlash on baitcaster reels virtually extinct has now been integrated into the Trinidad overhead range. Self-energising electronic circuits to assess spool speed at 1/1000th of a second intervals, and then apply just enough resistance to prevent overruns.

For multi-skilled anglers who cast, jig, troll or live-bait, there are no better performing star drag overheads on the market than the Shimano Trinidads.

Trinidads are just loaded with useful features, including a one-piece machined aluminium frame, one-piece forged aluminium sideplates, an aluminium spool, Super Stopper plus an Assist Stopper anti-reverse pawl, six A-RB bearings and one roller bearing, precision click-adjust star drag, rubberised ergonomic power handle, adjustable tension clicker (a Baitrunner system for an overhead no less!) and a Dartanium drag system.

The Tyrnos range has been very popular with light and medium tackle enthusiasts wanting Tiagra performance without a Tiagra price tag. Trolling for Spanish Mackerel or dropping baits for tasty eating fish such as Coral Trout – the Tyrnos range has proved to be very versatile for a variety of applications.

You might think that a diminutive overhead like this would be too small to be really effective, but with the widespread use of braided lines these days, this mighty little reel is certainly up to the big fish challenge.

Shimano’s Tekota reels continue to dominate the medium to heavy levelwind overhead market, simply because these no-nonsense reels are packed with features traditionally found only on the company’s top-of-the line overheads.

With extra strong gears and sensible retrieve ratios of 4.2:1, robust level winds, and super smooth Dartanium drag washers that release line without a hiccup, these reels are versatile enough to be used in a wide range of fishing situations, but have also proven to be excellent braid reels. Spooled with 24-50 kilo gel spun, the TEK800 in particular, has proven to be a superlative deepwater heavy braid weapon.

The evergreen TLD two speed lever drag range has been given a bit of a spruce up for this coming game fishing season.

The composite frame material is new, and there have been a few cosmetic changes to give these reliable workhorse reels a more modern look. Tolerances have been tightened even further, which is especially beneficial to anglers who might use braided lines on them.

Shimano’s TLD reels are arguably the most versatile lever drags around. Great for light to medium tackle game fishing, they also make pretty good casting reels. Place a thumb on the spool, flip the lever back to the ‘free’ position and fire away. Perfect for use out of a boat, off the rocks, or anywhere that big, fast fish live, they are simply brilliant on small marlin and sails, mackerel, wahoo, yellowtail kingfish, yellowfin tuna and albacore, greenback tailor and cobia.

There’s no tougher test for fishing tackle than to have it used on a charter boat, so for this excellent overhead to be named Charter Special, you know it’s going to be good. Taking a beating is what it’s all about and it’s no wonder this tough lasting reel has become Shimano’s top selling reel for chartered operation. From a massive, heavy-duty levelwind mechanism that just will not jam and that spreads line evenly across the aluminium spool, to the light but strong XT7 body, this reel is up to coping with the worst treatment that inexperienced fishos can dish out. For more experienced anglers then, this reel will continue to provide faultless service for many years to come.

Not all fish opt for the ‘easy meal’ of sick or injured baitfish. Many want their dinner lively, on the run, and the faster the better. If you’re spinning for pelagics such as the various tunas, bonito, kingfish, mackerel, or even tailor, blazing fast retrieves are often essential to trigger a strike - and that’s where the 6.0:1 retrieve of the SpeedMaster TSM IV comes into play.

One of Shimano’s hardest working reels is the TR200G overhead. This corrosion-proof XT7 body, star drag reel has been a solid performer in the offshore fishing scene for many years, but has been given a new lease of life in recent times with the advent of braided lines, as it makes an excellent braid reel for inshore fi shing for snapper, pearl perch, kings, jewies, coral trout and red emperor.

Once the exclusive preserve of commercial fisherman, recreational anglers are now investigating the deep reefs that lie either side of the continental shelf drop off, which are home to deepwater ooglies like blueeye trevalla, gemfish, hapuka, bass groper and cod.
Winding a massive sinker or single big fish up out of 70 to 150 fathoms of water requires a lot of effort, but the Shimano Dendou-Maru electric overhead reel makes it easy.