Hi so I'm currently using a set of three Shimano Ultegra 5500 XTB's I purchased from a friend around three or four years ago which actually pushed me to get back into carp fishing. Although I say back into it, it soon became quite apparent very quickly how little I knew and was actually into fishing in the first place.
Anyway I've learnt and progressed over the past couple of years and I'm certainly seeing the results now for my efforts and hard works (I mean blanks!).
I'm looking at reel options, last year I purchased x3 Fox Horizon x4's in 12ft 3.5tc and I actually like the 5500's on them I'm not a huge caster although I'm trying to progress on that I'm only fishing waters at the moment that requires me to be able to achieve 100 yards which I can do although not perfectly (this I'm achieving without the use of a shock leader and just 15lb syncro straight through) I'm under the impression that a larger reel would aid casting distance if I was to start fishing lakes where I require further distance so with that in mind for the future regarding a upgrade now I'm open minded however I look at some of the reels my friends have got and I feel they are just a massive over kill even if distances of around 150/160 yards were required?
I estimate these XTB's are around 10 years old now, they are these one's? https://www.anglingdirect.co.uk/shimano-ultegra-xtb-reel-size-5500xtb-weight-imp-12lb and I do really like them, they are hopefully being sent away to Shimano for servicing next week via my local tackle shop which I believe will cost me around £80/£100 plus anything they find that needs replacing on top. I have been looking for some time at potentially purchasing another two of these they seem to sell from anything between £80/£100 each. This would allow me to have a two 10ft outfit but I've also considered buying three larger reels for my 12ft set-up and having two 5500's for the 10ft's with the third as a spares/donor.
I then started to think well if I looked at replacing these and selling them on would I regret it? Some comments I've read people say the new Shimano reels aren't as good as the old (like most things these days disposable). Then what to I buy next? Do I go bigger? I looked at the Dawia Emblem 35 which appears to be very similar to the XTB's I'm using https://www.daiwasports.co.uk/product/18-emblem-35-scw-5000c-qd by the time I've had the Shimano's serviced if I sold them there wouldn't be anything in changing to a brand new set, but I don't know how they compare I mean would I be down grading? Then there is the whole Shimano Vs Dawia debate? I love Shimano stuff coming from a cycling background but then I've never tried Dawia?
Any advice would be great, apologies it's been a long post but I'm hoping I've given a clear picture of what I'm looking to achieve and the use I intend to use the reels for.
Thanks in advance.
Anyway I've learnt and progressed over the past couple of years and I'm certainly seeing the results now for my efforts and hard works (I mean blanks!).
I'm looking at reel options, last year I purchased x3 Fox Horizon x4's in 12ft 3.5tc and I actually like the 5500's on them I'm not a huge caster although I'm trying to progress on that I'm only fishing waters at the moment that requires me to be able to achieve 100 yards which I can do although not perfectly (this I'm achieving without the use of a shock leader and just 15lb syncro straight through) I'm under the impression that a larger reel would aid casting distance if I was to start fishing lakes where I require further distance so with that in mind for the future regarding a upgrade now I'm open minded however I look at some of the reels my friends have got and I feel they are just a massive over kill even if distances of around 150/160 yards were required?
I estimate these XTB's are around 10 years old now, they are these one's? https://www.anglingdirect.co.uk/shimano-ultegra-xtb-reel-size-5500xtb-weight-imp-12lb and I do really like them, they are hopefully being sent away to Shimano for servicing next week via my local tackle shop which I believe will cost me around £80/£100 plus anything they find that needs replacing on top. I have been looking for some time at potentially purchasing another two of these they seem to sell from anything between £80/£100 each. This would allow me to have a two 10ft outfit but I've also considered buying three larger reels for my 12ft set-up and having two 5500's for the 10ft's with the third as a spares/donor.
I then started to think well if I looked at replacing these and selling them on would I regret it? Some comments I've read people say the new Shimano reels aren't as good as the old (like most things these days disposable). Then what to I buy next? Do I go bigger? I looked at the Dawia Emblem 35 which appears to be very similar to the XTB's I'm using https://www.daiwasports.co.uk/product/18-emblem-35-scw-5000c-qd by the time I've had the Shimano's serviced if I sold them there wouldn't be anything in changing to a brand new set, but I don't know how they compare I mean would I be down grading? Then there is the whole Shimano Vs Dawia debate? I love Shimano stuff coming from a cycling background but then I've never tried Dawia?
Any advice would be great, apologies it's been a long post but I'm hoping I've given a clear picture of what I'm looking to achieve and the use I intend to use the reels for.
Thanks in advance.
In reply to Post #1
Whilst I can't comment on the exact reels you will not be down grading if you switch to Daiwa. Both shimano and Daiwa make excellent reels.
I only have two shimano reels left (on a lure rod and spod rod). Having owned 5500 size shimano carp reels in the past I now use Daiwa 25 reels (cast'izm and emcast) and prefer these to the shimano they replaced. Others will prefer the shimano, all personal preference but both will be more than up to the task of landing carp.
Whilst I can't comment on the exact reels you will not be down grading if you switch to Daiwa. Both shimano and Daiwa make excellent reels.
I only have two shimano reels left (on a lure rod and spod rod). Having owned 5500 size shimano carp reels in the past I now use Daiwa 25 reels (cast'izm and emcast) and prefer these to the shimano they replaced. Others will prefer the shimano, all personal preference but both will be more than up to the task of landing carp.
In reply to Post #1
Why not try the 5500 size reels with a shockleader and 12lb line on one rod and see if you can get the distance you need. massive reels are not always needed unless you are boating out baits 100s of yards on huge lakes.
Why not try the 5500 size reels with a shockleader and 12lb line on one rod and see if you can get the distance you need. massive reels are not always needed unless you are boating out baits 100s of yards on huge lakes.
They are the original baby big pits shimano brought out, they are great reels, I've still got mine. I would keep them if I was you, unless your set on selling.
You dont need a shock leader fishing 15lb straight through, also as the other poster said, why not try 12lb with a leader for a little extra distance.
You dont need a shock leader fishing 15lb straight through, also as the other poster said, why not try 12lb with a leader for a little extra distance.
In reply to Post #4
Sorry lads I seem to have confused matters, yes I could put a shock leader etc but I'm main concern is would I regret selling them really? Also would I regret changing for Dawia? I do prefer the smaller reel.
Sorry lads I seem to have confused matters, yes I could put a shock leader etc but I'm main concern is would I regret selling them really? Also would I regret changing for Dawia? I do prefer the smaller reel.
In reply to Post #5
I have the same reels as you amongst others. Can't comment on daiwa equivalents. I really can't see the point in going up in reel size, unless you are buying out and out distance rods, and looking to gain every possible yard.
I have the same reels as you amongst others. Can't comment on daiwa equivalents. I really can't see the point in going up in reel size, unless you are buying out and out distance rods, and looking to gain every possible yard.
In reply to Post #6
I've chosen to send my XTB's in for service 🤞
I've chosen to send my XTB's in for service 🤞
In reply to Post #7
On my Nash dwarfs because I want to travel light I got daiwa ninja reels on them they are small and compact and they balance the 6'dwarfs beautifully and all pack away discreetly too,but I only fish canals and small waters where there no need to lump it far,them days for me have gone now prefer catching carp close in.
On my Nash dwarfs because I want to travel light I got daiwa ninja reels on them they are small and compact and they balance the 6'dwarfs beautifully and all pack away discreetly too,but I only fish canals and small waters where there no need to lump it far,them days for me have gone now prefer catching carp close in.