Tsunami is at it again, bringing you a top quality spinning reel at a reasonable price. Something not everyone knows about the Tsunami crew, is that it’s a small company that employs a salty team of hardcore anglers. This cuts through the fluff and ensures that these reels get all the stuff they need to perform, and none of the stuff they don’t need that would otherwise cost you extra money. I happen to know several of their top guys personally and I can vouch for their passion for fishing and for bringing you the best products at the best prices possible.
The Shield II builds on the concepts and successes of the original Shield reel and bolsters some of the most important parts of the design with new technology. The entire lineup features all-metal body design and 12 internal seals to keep water out, all the time. Sizes 2500 through 4000 feature graphite rotors and their A-Drive aluminum gearing for a super lightweight and tough product, sizes 5000 to 8000 come with aluminum rotors and B-Drive brass gearing for added rigidity under the strain of a big fish. Regardless of drive, all gearing is digitally-optimized for tight, reliable torque at all times. Another great feature is that the CF3 drag system is also sealed and watertight. And the guts are finished off with 5+1 sealed stainless steel ball bearings.
The Shield II features a manually operated bail system, which offers the angler complete control and eliminates those surprise bail closures on the cast, the usually result in a snapped line and a pricey lure headed for Davey Jones’ locker. The machined handle and non-slip power knob are made well and comfortable. And the spool comes ‘braid ready’ meaning you don’t need backing, you can tie your braid right to the spool. I think the most striking thing about this reel is the smoothness. When you pick one up, you can feel how precisely the gearing was designed and you can feel that buttery, almost perpetual motion, smoothness of the reel as you crank the handle. The sealed drag is smooth and ‘snag free’ as well, with drag outputs ranging from 12 to 50 pounds, depending on size.
The bottom line is this, if you’re looking for a reliable reel that can cover many species, the Tsunami Shield II can get you there. The 2500 would be a great freshwater reel covering everything from finesse largemouth bass to steelhead. The 4000 would cover, tog jigs, albies and backwater stripers, the 6000 would be a great surf reel and the 8000 could cover the Canal or even jig and pop tuna. The prices range from $160 to $210… how can you go wrong?
