The reel also has 2 ball bearings that ensure smooth operation and longevity. The stainless steel front cone and rear cover are durable and resist wear and tear. The Insta-Grab dual pick-up pins make it easy to retrieve your line and the reel is designed for both right and left-handed users. Overall, the Shakespeare Synergy Reel is an excellent choice for shakespeare fishing rods anyone looking for a reliable and easy-to-use fishing reel. The Shakespeare Glacier Reel is a fishing reel designed to make your angling experience effortless and enjoyable. Its lightweight composite construction makes it easy to handle, while the Ultra wide arbor spool picks up 8.2 inches of line per turn, allowing you to reel in your catch quickly.
The Elite is usually only about $10 more than the GX2 at any given length, which isn’t a lot of money, so you might be wondering why it isn’t our top pick. First off, as a stiffer rod, the Elite isn’t as well-suited to bait fishing for smaller catches. That isn’t necessarily a bad thing if that’s what you know you want, but it’s worth noting if you’re a first-timer trying to start small. Second, while the GX2 is the direct successor to the classic Ugly Stik, which had four decades of acclaim behind it, the Elite series is a newer line. While that extra 35% of graphite sounds appealing on paper, it’s still too early to tell whether that might decrease the long-term durability.
The soft touch rubber knob provides a comfortable grip for extended use. The graphite body is lightweight yet durable, making it easy to handle. The aluminium coil is flat and designed to distribute the line evenly, reducing the risk of tangles and improving casting accuracy. Whether you’re fishing in freshwater or saltwater, the Shakespeare Superteam Reel is an excellent choice that will make your next fishing trip more enjoyable. The Shakespeare Synergy TI Spincast Reel, also known as Shakespeare Synergy Reel, is a top-quality fishing reel ideal for anglers of all skill levels. This fishing reel features a gear-driven, adjustable multi-drag system that allows you to adjust the drag to suit your needs.
They’re functional, and I’ve managed to land fairly large fish on them, but they’re brittle and unreliable. If you know you want something stiffer for doing more lure fishing, the Ugly Stik Elite series is a good bet. The added stiffness makes the Elite ideal for manipulating lures and giving them “action” (a fishing term for making lures dance or hobble like wounded prey). Compared with the similarly priced Ugly Stik models, the Shimano Saguaro is a stiffer graphite composite. While this design can be advantageous for casting plugs, it offers less “play” or give, which can hinder other applications like setting the hook while bottom fishing with bait and a heavy sinker, where some flex is advantageous.
We spoke with senior editor and lifetime angler Grant Clauser about his preferences for tackle storage. And though he agreed that there is likely no single bag that will suit anything from fly-fishing to deep-water trowling, he had a few suggestions for what to look for. His tackle splits its time between a classic (and unfortunately discontinued) L.L.Bean tackle bag (which straps easily to the front of his kayak) and a similarly vintage side-sling number from Piscifun. The numerous loops and side compartments in the sling bag make it easy to keep essentials like pliers and multi-tools within reach; it also has a convenient water-bottle holder. Costing around $30, the updated version of Piscifun’s side-sling model features supportive, padded shoulder and waist straps, as well as compartments to sort bait from gear. We are currently testing this new model and will update with our results.
Bulk items will only be delivered within a 100km radius of the Store. The Shimano Baitrunner performed well, but its lack of durability took it out of the running after we did our teardown test. After just a few weeks of use, it showed some early signs of corrosion. Ultimately, I’ve had to repair the secondary (freespool) drags on the Baitrunner, which is another reason why I suggest buying a conventional setup if you’re going to fish bait.