Tackle Tuesday... Shimano Ultegra 14000 XTD Reel

This entry was posted on 2nd August, 2016

When we heard that Shimano had announced a new big pit you can imagine our excitement. The brand has developed some of the best carp fishing reels over the years so we automatically set the bar high when we first heard about the Ultegra. This new launch has certainly lived up to our expectations.

The first thing you’ll notice when you open the box is the improved matt black cosmetics and, although the Ultegra 14000 XTD is more than just a pretty face, this classic finish will be a great addition to any existing setup. This reel looks like it should cost above and beyond its price point and it is sure to be a firm favourite among carp anglers.

Moving onto the reel itself, you’ll be awed by a sleeker spool design and line guard. The instant drag is simply a joy to use. When you loosen the mechanism you can utilise the freespool function but with just a small turn you can gain control and begin to play the carp with all the control that you demand.

The super slow oscillation on this reel is more commonly seen on typically high end reels. You can be sure to keep your line in pristine condition with great line lay and full control with this reel. This feature drastically slows the movement of line on the spool and ultimately gives an increased casting distance but with less effort. In short, the Shimano Ultegra 14000 XTD gives a longer and more accurate cast that can more than contend with other high end reels.

X-Ship and X Aero Wrap are two of the other impressive features on this reel. These offer huge advantages in terms of line lay and winding power and you can retrieve a whopping 103cm of retrieve per handle turn.

As you would expect from Shimano, you receive several other extras in the package, including one additional spool per reel. This ensures you can change main line in no time at all. Four line reducers allow you to fill up each spool perfectly, irrespective of diameter or mainline breaking strain.

Although all of these improvements are small in the terms of reel production history they certainly add up to one big advantage in terms of performance. First impressions for this reel are certainly promising and we can’t wait to get it out on the water. If it’s anything as good we suspect then we won’t be disappointed.

Buy The Shimano Ultegra 14000 XTD Reel