Shimano Ultegra XTD 5500 Reel

• The Ultegra XTD & XSD are Shimano’s best-selling Big Pit/Surfcasting reels and have been for many years. The compact 5500 models are supreme their category, combining exceptional value with undoubted performance and credibility.
  If you are the type of angler who fishes smaller carp waters, the Ultegra 5500 XTD, with its compact size and stealth finish is worth a serious look. The compact size balances lighter test curve rods perfectly and is especially suited to short 9ft-11ft models that are now becoming increasingly popular. It also makes a great large river specialist rod when fishing for barbel with heavy leads and feeders. Alternatively, if you require a compact-size long-range surfcasting reel to balance a lightweight surfcasting rod in the 80-120g casting range, check out the silver/gunmetal Ultegra XSD, which will enhance your distance casting without overpowering your selected rods.
• The combination of Shimano’s high build quality and X-SHIP technology delivers the smooth performance associated with the Ultegra XTD/XSD. And, with hundreds of thousands in use around Europe, you can be sure that this is one reel that has longevity. Casting performance is maximised by the use of the Parallel Body design with Slow Oscillation, and, for ease of use, the 5500 is fitted with Instant Drag which makes changing from freespool to fish-playing super fast and locking down your spool easier for a long-range cast into the surf.

FEATURES

XSHIP

• X SHIP provides improved gear durability. By supporting the pinion gear on both ends with bearings, the pinion gear maintains precise alignment with the drive gear. This increased support allows the gears to stay in the same position under the heaviest loads. X-Ship technology also eliminates the friction between the spool shaft and gear to further benefit anglers with enhanced casting performance and casting distance of lighter lures.

G FREE BODY

• G FREE BODY technology has been developed to shift the reel's center of gravity closer to the rod. By moving the center of gravity closer to the angler’s hand, the G FREE BODY helps to reduce fatigue and enhance casting comfort.

PARELLEL BODY

• PARELLEL BODY is designed to improve dynamic line flow from the reel. On many reels the spool is aligned slightly upwards towards the rod blank, but reels with PARELLEL BODY have the spool located parallel to the blank. The result: less line slapping on the blank as it travels towards the first guide during the cast, ultimately increasing performance.

AR-C SPOOL

• The spool has a special spool ring shape. This creates a rectifying effect on the line and realizes both suppression of line trouble and long casting performance.

INSTANT DRAG

• INSTANT DRAG allows the drag setting to be switched from free spool to a 'fight' setting by tightening the INSTANT DRAG lever on the front of the spool in only a few turns.