Every year, particularly in the largemouth bass market, you can count on reel companies releasing new baitcaster models that are lighter and stronger than previous generations, some with a new twist or innovation.
The new Shimano Calcutta D got a facelift for 2013. This reel has been a longtime favorite for freshwater anglers and inshore fishermen. It’s a killer shallow-water fluke reel, and is also great for school stripers, weakfish, blues, pike, muskie, bass and so on. The body of the reel has shrunk quite a bite, while the spool size and line capacity has remained the same. The reel’s star drag has shrunk as well, making it less obtrusive and easier to fine tune.
Daiwa released a new innovative baitcaster with the Daiwa T3 series, which employs the T-Wing System. Instead of the usual tight levelwind found on baitcasting reels, Daiwa’s new T-shaped levelwind creates less friction on the cast and therefore increases casting distance. When you engage the reel to retrieve the line, a hood on the front of the baitcaster snaps shut and the line settles into the notch at the bottom of the “T” for an even line lay. Pretty cool.
The winner of best freshwater reel in this year’s New Product Showcase was the Abu Garcia Revo. The reel impressed show-goers with its new magnetic braking system that evenly distributes the drag and braking force to the spool. The carbon matrix drag system on the reel gives this small baitcaster as much as 20 pounds of drag pressure, more than you’ll ever need when casting at bass. The frame is corrosion resistant and light, and the bent handle design makes the reel more balanced and comfortable in the hand.
Quantum added some sizes to their EXO Line. The EXO baitcaster was introduced at last year’s ICAST as an incredibly light, super-strong reel. One look at the EXO and you can see Quantum dropped weight everywhere they could without compromising the reel’s strength. After rave reviews, Quantum added a larger 200 and 300 size to the series for 2013. Paired with an rod from the EXO series, one of these combos can weigh as little as 9-ounces!
I work for Gander Mountain, fished for 62 years, guided for 35 years, owned my own tackle shop for 30 years.
I operated the new Quantum EXO at the store and found that it did not fully engage after the free spool. Just a fact.
Price of daiwa tatula T Wing R100xsl