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Dec 30th, 2023
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 Shimano SLX
#13459496
03/04/20 03:15 AM
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Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 7,360
The Tacklesmith
OP
TFF Celebrity
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OP
TFF Celebrity
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 7,360 |
I had a chance this past weekend to tear down a Shimano SLX.
My .02
The reel is impressive and well built.
Hard to believe the retail price is so low.
A couple of minor improvements could be made and I think it would be an amazing reel.
Upgrade spool bearings, add bearing to main shaft and upgrade drag washers.
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Re: Shimano SLX
[Re: The Tacklesmith]
#13460453
03/04/20 10:58 PM
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Joined: Feb 2020
Posts: 92
rcjoutdoors
Outdoorsman
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Outdoorsman
Joined: Feb 2020
Posts: 92 |
I had a chance this past weekend to tear down a Shimano SLX.
My .02
The reel is impressive and well built.
Hard to believe the retail price is so low.
A couple of minor improvements could be made and I think it would be an amazing reel.
Upgrade spool bearings, add bearing to main shaft and upgrade drag washers. What amazes me even more than the price of the reel.....is the price of the combos. It's basically 20-30 dollars more than the MSRP priced reel for a rod and reel.
Last edited by rcjoutdoors; 03/04/20 10:59 PM.
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Re: Shimano SLX
[Re: rcjoutdoors]
#13462102
03/06/20 12:06 PM
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Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 5,397
J-2
"Hotblack Desiato"
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"Hotblack Desiato"
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 5,397 |
I had a chance this past weekend to tear down a Shimano SLX.
My .02
The reel is impressive and well built.
Hard to believe the retail price is so low.
A couple of minor improvements could be made and I think it would be an amazing reel.
Upgrade spool bearings, add bearing to main shaft and upgrade drag washers. What amazes me even more than the price of the reel.....is the price of the combos. It's basically 20-30 dollars more than the MSRP priced reel for a rod and reel. And the rod is pretty good itself.
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Re: Shimano SLX
[Re: The Tacklesmith]
#13496369
03/31/20 08:59 PM
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Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 369
vanhagar
Angler
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Angler
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 369 |
I agree that they are a solid reel. I have 4 of them. The only thing I don't like is the tiny phillips screw under the thumb bar. Easy to strip if it gets stuck due to corrosion or not being opened up for a long time. I've seen this in a few other shimanos as well.
Eating is fundamental
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Re: Shimano SLX
[Re: The Tacklesmith]
#13584489
06/05/20 10:19 PM
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Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,484
bigfishwilb
Extreme Angler
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Extreme Angler
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,484 |
Use this in salt water at all?
Patrick Wilbricht
San Antonio TX
Ardent Outdoors Prostaff
Owner, PFK Limitless Fishing
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Re: Shimano SLX
[Re: The Tacklesmith]
#13584817
06/06/20 02:24 AM
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Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 193
BassMajician
Outdoorsman
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Outdoorsman
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 193 |
I bought my son 2 of them the other day - SLX XT and SLX DC. They seem to be really nice. He's been in the yard every evening casting both of them. I think we'll hit Fork on Monday and let him break them in.
~BJ Duplechain
2020 FXR21
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Re: Shimano SLX
[Re: J-2]
#13584938
06/06/20 06:37 AM
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Joined: May 2020
Posts: 198
shimanodude
Outdoorsman
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Outdoorsman
Joined: May 2020
Posts: 198 |
I just wish the rod had cork handles on it. Call me old fashioned, but I can’t say that I care at all for any of the foam/eva or Winn handles or any of the other foam/rubber feeling handles. I ended up pairing mine to an H2O Xpress Ethos HD rod because of that. The H2O comes with nice cork handles, a solid Fuji reel seat, Fuji guides, and an IM8 blank for a very reasonable price, especially if you catch them on sale. This setup looks and feels perfect combined with the SLX reel.
I really can’t believe that they are able to sell the SLX for only $100 MSRP. It truly has to be the best baitcaster bargain out there right now. I really appreciate the rigidity the aluminum frame provides, as most of the competitors use cheaper graphite frames that you can really feel flex and bind under heavy load. I’ve got an older Caenan 100 reel that retailed for about the same price this new SLX dies and it’s night and day difference between the two. The aluminum frame vs the graphite frame, power grip handle knobs vs the foam ones, the compact size vs the larger body despite having a smaller spool capacity, and the general refinement of the SLX vs the clunkiness off the Caenan almost makes me want to chuck the Caenan into the trash can.
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Re: Shimano SLX
[Re: The Tacklesmith]
#13586917
06/08/20 10:29 AM
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Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,484
bigfishwilb
Extreme Angler
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Extreme Angler
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,484 |
Still waiting about response for use in saltwater.
Patrick Wilbricht
San Antonio TX
Ardent Outdoors Prostaff
Owner, PFK Limitless Fishing
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Re: Shimano SLX
[Re: bigfishwilb]
#13590789
06/11/20 04:05 AM
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Joined: May 2020
Posts: 198
shimanodude
Outdoorsman
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Outdoorsman
Joined: May 2020
Posts: 198 |
The SLX seems to be marketed in some markets as saltwater ready, but it does not have all the seals to keep the saltwater out of the reel that higher end models do. A Tranx would probably be better suited to saltwater fishing since it’s designed for that, but it is also a lot more expensive. You could buy 3 SLXs for the same price and just discard if they get too corroded or damaged, but I wouldn’t think that would be too much of an issue since the reel is mostly aluminum and plastic. Rinse the saltwater off thoroughly after each use and oil and grease it often and it should be fine.
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Re: Shimano SLX
[Re: The Tacklesmith]
#13598971
06/18/20 12:49 AM
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Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,484
bigfishwilb
Extreme Angler
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Extreme Angler
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,484 |
Patrick Wilbricht
San Antonio TX
Ardent Outdoors Prostaff
Owner, PFK Limitless Fishing
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Re: Shimano SLX
[Re: shimanodude]
#13602885
06/21/20 03:37 PM
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Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 1,833
TxDanFishMan
Extreme Angler
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Extreme Angler
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 1,833 |
I just wish the rod had cork handles on it. Call me old fashioned, but I can’t say that I care at all for any of the foam/eva or Winn handles or any of the other foam/rubber feeling handles. I ended up pairing mine to an H2O Xpress Ethos HD rod because of that. The H2O comes with nice cork handles, a solid Fuji reel seat, Fuji guides, and an IM8 blank for a very reasonable price, especially if you catch them on sale. This setup looks and feels perfect combined with the SLX reel.
I really can’t believe that they are able to sell the SLX for only $100 MSRP. It truly has to be the best baitcaster bargain out there right now. I really appreciate the rigidity the aluminum frame provides, as most of the competitors use cheaper graphite frames that you can really feel flex and bind under heavy load. I’ve got an older Caenan 100 reel that retailed for about the same price this new SLX dies and it’s night and day difference between the two. The aluminum frame vs the graphite frame, power grip handle knobs vs the foam ones, the compact size vs the larger body despite having a smaller spool capacity, and the general refinement of the SLX vs the clunkiness off the Caenan almost makes me want to chuck the Caenan into the trash can. I recently picked up and SLX and really like it and has the 8.2 gear ratio. I don't see the need for the XT or DC models, the standard version is great. Regarding older Caenan 100's I like those too, if you ever want to git rid of yours let me know. I like the way they fit in your hand, good brake system and 7 bearings but I definitely agree the handle and drag are not very good. Need more time with the SLX to see how it holds up.
Slide right, coming in .... Fish On!
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Re: Shimano SLX
[Re: TxDanFishMan]
#13603694
06/22/20 05:21 AM
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Joined: May 2020
Posts: 198
shimanodude
Outdoorsman
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Outdoorsman
Joined: May 2020
Posts: 198 |
Well [censored], you are a day late. I literally just sold my Caenan yesterday and upgraded to a Daiwa Tatula CT. Personally, I never really loved using the Caenan. I owned it for probably 7 years maybe, I rarely ever used it and it still looked absolutely mint when I sold it, no scratches or anything. Any time I go fishing I always opt for a Curado or my SLX instead.
I’m really looking forward to trying out this Tatula. It’s my first Daiwa baitcaster ever and it feels amazing in hand. 8 bearings I believe, aluminum frame, 8.1:1 gears, nice handle, and it feels very smooth when you turn it. I’m so used to shimano VBS brakes so not sure how I feel about the dial controlled ones yet. We’ll see how it compares to the SLX.
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Re: Shimano SLX
[Re: The Tacklesmith]
#13621042
07/06/20 05:20 PM
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Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 199
cajuncountryman
Outdoorsman
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Outdoorsman
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 199 |
Sure that is a nice reel at that price point-
may also look at the Lew's SS at $99.99 Retail.
That reels specs blow away a lot of comparable reels- 10 bearings, 15# Mx Drag, Alum frame, 95mm handle, P2 pinion.
Would be worth a look.
Good fishing all!
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Re: Shimano SLX
[Re: shimanodude]
#13622173
07/07/20 03:45 PM
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Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 16,431
forkduc
TFF Guru
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TFF Guru
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 16,431 |
You will love the Tatula!
My 3rd is being delivered today from a great July 4th sale, $109
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