Fishing reels are developing at a rapid pace. It’s not just the technological advancements within the reels themselves, but also the sheer number of models now available. The evolution is happening so quickly that many anglers, and even tackle stores, struggle to keep up with what each model offers. This is less of an issue with heavy offshore reels and far more prominent among the lighter inshore models (500–5000 size).
When it comes to the two big reel companies – Daiwa and Shimano – there’s a lot on offer, and you can be forgiven for not knowing the differences between them all, or which one best suits your fishing style or technique. For too long, anglers have placed too much emphasis on weight (or lack thereof) and bearing count, but in 2025 and beyond, there’s much more to consider. Both companies have established systems in place, and there’s more thought put into each reel’s intended purpose than most people realise. Much of this gets lost in translation from Japan to Australian shores, but we’ve got the lowdown for you.
This article was originally intended to cover both brands, but we decided to split it into two parts – the first focusing on Shimano, followed next month by Daiwa.
Why just these two brands, you ask? We strongly believe other brands simply can’t compete. Of course, you can form your own opinion, but we seriously doubt anyone reading this has tested and owned more reels over the past 13 years than we have at Hooked Up. Over this time, it’s become abundantly clear that these two Japanese brands are far superior to anything else on the market once you step beyond the $200 price range. In the sub-$200 category, other brands may be comparable, but we’re yet to find anything that holds a candle to either of the big two in terms of performance and durability. We’re happy to be proven wrong – but it hasn’t happened yet.
Magnumlite & Coresolid
Shimano’s inshore or light-tackle spin reels can be split into two main categories: Magnumlite and Coresolid. From least to most expensive in the Magnumlite range are the Miravel, Vanford, Sustain and TwinPower XD. The body and rotor of these reels are largely made from Shimano’s CI4+ material – a lightweight resin reinforced with carbon. This makes the reel light, highly resistant to corrosion and impressively strong.
Anglers often focus heavily on how light the reel feels overall, and while that’s advantageous in some respects, most reels these days are already very light. The more important factor is the inertia of the rotor. Because it’s so light, it doesn’t take much effort when winding the handle to get it moving – and, due to its low mass, it stops quickly too. This gives lure anglers far greater control over their lure when performing various techniques. So, if you’re jerkbaiting, working soft plastics with short, sharp hops, or using topwater lures such as pencils or bent minnows, a reel from the Magnumlite range is the better choice.
The Coresolid range, on the other hand, is made from alloy. From least to most expensive, you have the Nasci, Ultegra, Stradic, and TwinPower FE. These reels are slightly heavier, more rigid and more durable, and they’re designed for different techniques. If you were going to buy one for bait fishing, this is the range to look at. When it comes to lure fishing – if you’re spinning slugs, crankbaiting, trolling, light jigging, or slow or fast-rolling any kind of lure – a Coresolid reel will suit you better. The heavier alloy rotor provides stronger, continuous momentum, much like a wheel rolling downhill. For techniques involving constant winding with minimal rod movement, the Coresolid range is the superior option.
You might be wondering, what if you want to work lures with a fair bit of rod action but you’re targeting big fish and want the rigidity of a Coresolid reel? Fair question – and that’s where you move into the higher end of the Magnumlite range, with something like the TwinPower XD. Originally designed in Japan for anglers targeting large seabass off the rocks, it blends both CI4+ and alloy, using a CI4+ rotor to deliver the best of both worlds.
You can also move into the top of the line with the Stella. While it’s part of the Coresolid range, it features a magnesium body with a protective coating to prevent corrosion. It strikes an ideal balance between the lightweight, technical responsiveness of CI4+ and the rigidity of Coresolid construction. Its high bearing count also ensures exceptionally smooth operation.
In simple terms: if you want a reel for working lures that involve a lot of rod action, go for a Magnumlite. If you’re after a reel for less technical lure work or general bait fishing, a Coresolid is the way to go.
