Shimano Exage FD Reel
If you were asked to think of the most popular fishing reel brand of all time then chances are the first name you’ll say will be Shimano – and you’d be right. Shimano has consistently designed and manufactured some of the finest fishing reels to date and the brand has a proven track record for consistent excellence. Rather than resting on its laurels, this has driven the brand forward to produce more and better reels and the brand is constantly thinking of new ways that it can modify and adapt its existing reels to ensure their continued performance for the modern angling audience. The Exage is no exception. One of Shimano’s most popular reels to date, the Exage series has sold over one million copies worldwide – a figure which increases year on year without fail. This is the fourth incarnation of the Exage, the Shimano Exage FD, which replaces the old FC model and features a number of differences which really set it apart from the crowd.
Like the original reel, the Shimano Exage FD is built using Shimano’s P4 concept as a jumping off point. This is an updated version of the P3 concept and it combines power, precision, and performance in its ethos, to ensure that you receive a top quality reel that performs perfectly across the board. However, when you look at the reels side by side you’ll soon start to notice the differences between the pair. Firstly, you’ll notice that the reel boasts a significantly shorter body than the original. This is because the Exage FD has been manufactured using Shimano’s updated compact body concept and the team has managed to shave an impressive 10mm from the body. They have achieved this by effectively lifting the spool, so that it sits almost flush to the rod producing an incredibly sleek line which needs to be experienced to be believed.
The Shimano Exage FD is constructed from XGT-7. As with everything on this reel, this is a new and improved version of XT-7, Shimano’s original go-to high performance body material. This is a lightweight and stiff material which ensures reel rigidity is maintained in even high pressure scenarios. It provides exceptional support to the gearing, as well as the other delicate internal components of the reel. This is complements with Shimano’s four stainless steel ball bearings, which are shielded in order to create an incredibly smooth and reliable performance.
The Exage FD reel features all the technology you would expect from a Shimano reel of this calibre. Dyna-Balance works to reduce reel wobble to an absolute minimum, providing you with an incredibly smooth performance. The Super Stopper II system aids the mirco-incremental settings if quiver tips and bite indicators, as well as allowing for faster hook setting by ensuring that you won’t find free-play on the handle when the reel is set into anti-reverse mode. The Exage FD features a cold forged aluminium spool. The V-shaped lip of this spool ensures the line comes off in much smaller loops than a standard reel, giving more accurate casting over much longer distances. This designed feature is called AR-C, and it also significantly reduces the risk of backlash.
The Exage FD comes in four sizes: Shimano has ensured there is an Exage FD reel out there for all kinds of anglers and the reel covers the majority of general, spinning, and match fishing situations. The entire reel is finished with champagne and gold graphics, making this reel look just as classy as it feels. It’s a far cry from the understated black reels plaguing the market today, and the Shimano Exage FD will ensure you stand out from the crowd in all the best ways.