The Shimano Fx Spinning Reel is rightfully considered by many anglers the best spinning reel around, as the manufacturer didn’t skimp on employing the latest technologies available in order to obtain the best performance at a very affordable price. Made of high quality materials and coming equipped with well researched features, this is the type of spinning reel that a lot of anglers prefer, as it helps them catch fish in both freshwater and saltwater. Increased versatility and overall great performance make the Shimano Fx Spinning Reel a great choice for anglers of all skill levels.
Our Review
Materials
It is very important for any manufacturer specialized in creating fishing gear to use only the best materials available in order to provide the user with the best experience possible. In the case of the Shimano Fx Spinning Reel, a model enjoying great positive reviews from users, one of the reasons for its popularity is due to the high quality of the materials used in its making.
The frame, the sideplate and the rotor are made of graphite, a very lightweight material that is preferred for maintaining total weight of the spinning reel to a minimum. Why is this aspect important? If you have ever spent an entire day casting your line and fishing, you will surely have an idea about what a heavy fishing reel can do to your wrist and forearm. By including components that are made of lightweight materials, manufacturers manage to keep the total weight reasonable enough to prevent excessive fatigue.
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The spool is made of diecast aluminum, a material that is heavier, but comes with its own advantages. Aluminum is a good choice for gear that must get in contact with water for a lot of time, because it is not as susceptible to corrosion and rust as other metals. This material is also very durable, which is why it is preferred for fishing gear by experienced and casual anglers alike. Last, but not least, while aluminum is not as lightweight as graphite, it is still much lighter than other metals, which adds to its general appeal.
Characteristics
Important features and technologies can be found on this very specific spinning reel. The manufacturer spared nothing when it came to equipping the Shimano Fx Spinning Reel with the best technologies they have access to. They will be presented right away.
Varispeed is a special oscillation system that helps with overall spool speed. Speed is particularly important when you want to make sure that you will catch the big one without risking to break the line. Basically, you will be able to use the line as it stacks at any of the spool ends. The oscillator has an oval shape which adds to its ability to modify the speed of the oscillation cam, so you can enjoy consistent spool speed. When you are casting the line, you will notice right away the improved quality and consistency of casting.
The anti-reverse system can be used whenever you feel like it. In the case of this particular model, it is called Super Stopper and its role is to eliminate the back play of the rotor, for increased stability. For anglers who do not care about this special feature, it can be turned off, depending on the situation and the technique you intend to use.
Another special feature employed by the manufacturer on the Shimano Fx Spinning Reel is Dyna-Balance. The main purpose of this technology is to eliminate the common wobbling effect that happens when you are retrieving the line. The way it does this is by counter-balancing the rotor, so the end result is increased smoothness. This type of balancing redistributes the total weight of the rotor during rotation, and it decreases the vibrations that take place during retrieval. The increased smoothness and stability greatly contributes to the overall great quality of this spinning reel.
Power Roller II is the last special feature employed on the spinning reel reviewed here. An oversized roller, this one is designed to reduce twisting as it happens when you cast the line or you want to retrieve it. By taking a closer look at it, you will notice a tapered area that easily guides the line into the roller with increased speed.
The Shimano Brand
The Shimano company is a multinational manufacturer that produces many technical products, from cycling components to rowing equipment and of course, fishing gear. It even had a division that produced golf supplies but that was shut down in 2005, and a similar thing happened to the snowboarding gear manufacturies that were closed in 2008.
With its headquarters in Sakai, Japan, the company consists of 43 subsidiaries, 32 of which are consolidated and 11 that are not. Although a Japanese brand, the main factories are found in China, Malaysia, and Singapore.
They sell their products all over the globe, with around 35% of their sales being made in Asia, roughly the same in Europe and 11% in North America. While they sell many things, their bicycle division does the best, representing around 80% of the products sold around the globe.
Fishing gear makes up to around 19% in that regard. You might be wondering what cycling parts have to do with fishing tackle, and the answer to that is a simple one – they both make use of rotating mechanisms, and along the years Shimano was able to create and improve designs that facilitate easier spins.
The company started in 1921 when its founder, Shozaburo Shimano, rented a small place where he could produce a bicycle part that was hard to make at that time, the freewheel. For many years the company only did that, although the number of employees became bigger and bigger.
Over the years the brand created and patented many designs that helped the world of cycling, but it was only in 1970 when its fishing department started. This new activity was encouraged by the vision of the company and its owner – Shimano had to contribute to promoting public health through outdoor activities, and fishing was such an activity.
Their first launched product in the fishing industry was the Shimano DUX line of reels. The company managed to get new and innovative products on the market many years afterward. The Bantam design, for example, is known for its precise mechanism, the robustness it offers, and its originality.
Shimano even achieved the performance of creating computer-controlled fishing reels for boats, and it did that in 1981. These fishing reels were equipped with a microcomputer that released the line automatically at a determined depth. They were very complex pieces of equipment as a result of this.
In 1983 Shimano came with a new innovation in the fishing industry, as the company created a new design for fishing rods. To increase the resistance against twisting, the brand invented a technology that winded strong carbon tapes around the rod in X shapes that will provide more structural integrity.
Its research and development team has always been eager to experiment and try new stuff. As a result, in 1985 the team created the TITANOS series of reels. They were created using new materials like carbon fiber with potassium whisker reinforcements.
One of their latest inventions is the use of precisely-made gear teeth that provide smooth reeling.
Summary
You can use this spinning reel for both freshwater and saltwater fishing, due to its outstanding performance. Seeing that it is sold for a very affordable price, this model should not be amiss from any angler’s backpack whenever heading over popular inshore fishing spots.
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