New Fishing Reels for 2019

Few elements of fishing gear depend more heavily on technological development than do reels. Even the more modestly priced reels among these 17 new models on display at the 2018 ICAST tackle trade show incorporate some impressive advancements in design and materials. Some of these reels are available now; others will become available in coming months. (Note: prices may have been rounded to nearest dollar)

13 Fishing Concept TXZ

Key Features

• Proprietary CZB comp bearing technology plus Black Seal corrosion-resistant high-spin bearings
• 22-pound titanium Bulldog drag system
• Weight — not available
• Retrieve — ratio n/a (26 to 29 inches/crank)
• Capacity — 135 yards of 12-pound mono

13 Fishing Concept Z3

Key Features

• Concept Zero polymer bearings; zero traditional ball bearings
• More than 30 pounds max drag
• Weight — not available
• Retrieve — ratio n/a (33.4 inches per crank)
• Capacity — 135 yards of 12-pound mono

Accurate Tern

Key Features

• Exclusive TwinStarDrag system with drag washers on each side of the gear unlike any other star-drag reel
• Proprietary CVX technology in light, rigid 6061-T6 aircraft-grade aluminum frame
• Available in 300, 400 and 500 size
• Weight — not available
• Retrieve — 4.7 to 1 or 6 to 1
• Capacity — from 325 yards of 30-pound braid (300) to 500 yards of 50-pound (500)

Alutecnos Gorilla 20V 2-Speed

Key Features

• Multi-Disc Drag system provides up to 45 pounds max drag with guaranteed free spool
• Infinite anti-reverse and stainless-steel ball bearings
• Weight — 43.7 ounces
• Retrieve — 3.4 to 1 and 6.5 to 1
• Capacity — 1,094 yards of 50-pound braid; 473 yards of 30-pound mono

Daiwa Exist

Key Features

• Light and tough magnesium monocoque body
• Magsealed body and line roller, max drag 11 pounds (1000) to 22 pounds (4000)
• Six sizes, 1000 to 4000
• Weight — 5.5 to 7.2 ounces
• Retrieve — 4.9 to 1 to 6.2 to 1
• Capacity — 250 yards of 4-pound mono and 200 yards of 8-pound braid (1000); 160 yards of 20-pound mono and 230 yards of 30-pound braid (4000)

Fin-Nor Trophy

Key Features

• Lightweight graphite body and rotor
• Stainless-steel spool shaft; double-shielded stainless bearings
• Five sizes, 25 to 80
• Weight — 9.2 to 26 ounces
• Retrieve — 5 to 1 to 5.1 to 1
• Capacity — 150 yards of 8-pound mono to 240 yards of 20-pound mono

Okuma Azores Blue

Key Features

• Die-cast aluminum body, side plate and rotor
• Dual Force drag system includes oversized Carbonite drag washer beneath the spool.
• Four sizes, 4000, 6000, 8000 and 140000
• Weight — 12 to 25 ounces
• Retrieve — 5.4 to 1 to 5.8 to 1
• Capacity — not available

Okuma Komodo SS 200

Key Features

• New 200 size offers saltwater features of larger Komodos in compact package
• Stainless-steel main gear, pinion gear, drive and spool shafts
• Multi-disc high-output Carbonite drag system and Japanese ABEC-5 spool bearings for 20 pounds max drag
• Weight — 7.8 ounces
• Retrieve — 7.3 to 1
• Capacity — 160 yards of 12-pound mono

Penn Fathom II

Key Features

• Fast Gear Access Sideplate system by removing four screws
• Full metal body and sideplates, with HT-100 Dura-Drag
• Three sizes (15, 20 and 30) and five models (20 and 30 in line-counter models)
• Weight — 19.8 to 27.4 ounces
• Retrieve — 4.3 to 1 to 5.5 to 1
• Capacity — 325 yards of 15-pound mono (15); 375 years of 30-pound (30)

Penn Spinfisher VI

Key Features

• IPX5 seal rating means improved resistance to water penetration
• CNC gear technology and HT-100 drag system
• Nine sizes (2500 to 10500)
• Weight — 10.7 to 38.6 ounces
• Retrieve — 4.2 to 1 to 6.2 to 1
• Capacity — 175 yards of 8-pound mono (2500) to 360 yards of 40-pound mono (10500)

Qualia WAM Single-Speed

Key Features

• CNC billet-machined main frame and spool with CNC aluminum sideplate
• #404 stainless-steel heat-treated gearing
• Three models
• Weight — 21 ounces (Q12)
• Retrieve — 6.3 to 1
• Capacity — 350 yards of 20-pound mono

Quantum Accurist S3

Key Features (baitcast version)

• External ACS 3.0 cast-control dial for precision casting adjustments
• All-aluminum frame with flippin’ switch
• Weight — 7.8 ounces
• Retrieve — 7 to 1
• Capacity — 135 yards of 12 pound mono or 170 yards of 30-pound braid

Shimano Calcutta Conquest

Key Features

• Upgraded version offers HG gear ratio and synchronized levelwind
• Eight-pin Variable Brake System and MicroModule gear system
• Two sizes (300 and 400)
• Weight — 11.6 and 12 ounces
• Retrieve — 6.2 to 1
• Capacity — 150 yards of 17-pound mono or 125 yards of 65-pound braid (300); 160 yards of 20-pound mono or 140 yards of 80-pound braid (400)

Shimano Curado DC

Key Features

• New digital-control technology uses a microcomputer to control brake force during each cast
• Lightweight aluminum frame, MicroModule gears
• Weight — 7.8 ounces
• Retrieve — 6.2 to 1 to 8.5 to 1
• Capacity — 120 yards of 10-pound mono or 150 yards of 20-pound braid

Shimano Tekota

Key Features

• Rigid Hagane body in S-Compact design reduces flex
• CoreProtect technology provides water resistance
• Redesigned for 2018/19 are 500 and 600 models
• Weight — 14.5 ounces (500)
• Retrieve — 6.3 to 1
• Capacity — 285 yards of 16-pound mono or 240 yards of 50-pound braid (500); 240 yards of 25-pound mono or 330 yards of 65-pound braid (600)

Tsunami Evict

Key Features

• Aluminum body and fully machined aluminum, braid-ready spool
• Stainless-steel drive, pinion gear and (sealed) main shaft
• Three sizes (3000, 4000 and 5000)
• Weight — Not available
• Retrieve — 5.6 to 1 to 5.8 to 1
• Capacity — 210 yards of 20-pound braid (3000) and 250 yards of 40-pound braid (5000)

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Tsunami SaltX

Key Features

• Forged, CNC-machined A6061 aluminum body and rotor
• Fully sealed, including Sealed Hammer drag system (max drag 50 pounds, 6000)
• Two sizes, 4000 and 6000
• Weight — Not available
• Retrieve — 4.9 to 1
• Capacity — 450 yards of 30-pound braid (6000)