Affordable price range with more than enough performance Tairaba Reel [ENGETSU CT] Now more powerful than ever!

What is needed to improve catch rates with Tairaba?

The basics of Tairaba fishing are simple: drop the lure and reel it in. However, the depth at which the lure hits the bottom, the speed at which it is reeled in, and the range it covers all play a significant role in determining the catch. Understanding these factors and adjusting the reel speed, angle, and tackle selection can greatly impact the catch, making this fishing style both challenging and rewarding. When it comes to choosing tackle for Tairaba, what kind of reel is best? The basics include a counter to determine the depth of the Tairaba, winding performance and strength that make constant speed winding easy, a body shape and size that are easy to palm, and a weight that doesn’t cause fatigue even after prolonged use. As a result, specialized reels equipped with these features are available. However, flagship models come at a significant cost. For anglers who frequently enjoy Tairaba fishing, the flagship model is undoubtedly recommended. However, for those who only occasionally engage in Tairaba fishing or are new to the sport, the cost may be a consideration. For such anglers, one recommended Tairaba-specific reel is the 【ENGETSU CT】 model.

While various companies offer Tairaba-specific reels, the ENGETSU CT is an affordable model that still boasts more than enough features necessary for mastering Tairaba fishing.

Features the latest fall lever!

Shimano’s flagship model for Tairaba -specific reels is the ENGETSU Premium. Released in the fall of 2023 with enhanced performance compared to the previous model, it features a significant weight reduction thanks to the adoption of CI4+ side plates. Additionally, this model incorporates a newly designed fall lever that prevents the reel from becoming heavy when winding, even when the lever is operated. Furthermore, it is equipped with a new winding distance alarm that sounds three times at set intervals, allowing anglers to determine the depth without looking at the counter. So, what performance does the new ENGETSU CT offer? It is even lighter than the previous ENGETSU CT model and is equipped with the same new fall lever and winding distance alarm as the ENGETSU Premium.

First, the Faure lever. As those who enjoy offshore fishing already know, this Faure lever mechanism is unique to Shimano. It allows you to quickly adjust the speed of the line released after disengaging the clutch by operating the lever. So, what effect does the Faure lever have on Tairaba? First, it allows you to control the lure during the fall. In Tairaba, red sea bream often react to the movement of the fall. In situations where there is an immediate bite with a touch and go, it is likely that the red sea bream is chasing after the lure during the fall. When enticing fish with a fall like this, depending on the activity of the red sea bream, sometimes a fast movement is good, and sometimes a slow movement is good. The speed can be adjusted quickly and easily. Furthermore, the new fall lever allows for light handle operation during reeling while maintaining the load during the fall with the fall lever. In addition to adjusting the fall speed, you can also intentionally adjust the line angle. With a Tairaba, you can get a hit not only by searching vertically directly below the boat, but also by deliberately casting the line diagonally away from the boat. The fall lever is useful for such strategies. Incidentally, the fall speed can be seen as a numerical value on the counter. Once you know the best value, you can quickly return to it even after operating the lever.

Simply raise or lower the lever to control the speed at which the line is released. Adjusting the Faure speed enables new strategies.

The Faure speed can be checked numerically. If you remember the set Faure speed, you can quickly return to the original speed even if you operate the lever afterwards.

Determine the winding speed by sound: “Winding distance alarm”

The latest ENGETSU CT model is equipped with a winding distance alarm. This function allows you to know the winding distance by sound without looking at the counter during winding. It notifies you of the winding distance by sound at preset distances (5 m, 10 m, 15 m, 20 m, and 25 m), as well as twice and three times those distances. For example, if the distance is 5 m, it will be 10 m and 15 m. When the captain announces, “Reaction at X meters from the bottom,” you can adjust the settings to match the water depth or set it for reactions floating away from the bottom, allowing you to more accurately grasp the layer through sound and target it effectively.

Additionally, being able to gauge water depth through sound makes it easier to implement strategies based on winding speed. While constant-speed winding is the basic approach for Tairaba, there are also strategies that involve changing speed to entice bites. For non-floating reactions on the bottom, you can set the alarm to sound every 5 meters, then after reaching the bottom, reel slowly to show the Tairaba, and after reeling 5 meters, increase the speed to trigger a bite. Such tactics can be executed solely based on sound. This feature expands the range of tactical options available.

Reel-up Distance Alarm

*The explanatory video uses ENGETSU Premium.

Longer handle, yet lightweight

In this model, the handle has been lengthened from 51mm in the previous model to 55mm. This reduces the burden on the angler during retrieval. Additionally, through revisions to the details, it has been lightened by 20g from the previous model, now weighing 230g. Incidentally, this weight is only 10g heavier than the ENGETSU Premium. By reducing the burden on the angler due to weight, it can be said that more stable operation and constant speed winding are achieved.

The level wind is interlocked. The line is always straight when winding and releasing, which not only allows for smooth Faure, but also directly senses bites and allows for smooth drag operation during the fight.

Product Information
https://fish.shimano.com/ja-JP/product/reel/ryojikuoffshorefunesmall/a075f000046sjooqa0.html

Summary: Anglers Time Editorial Department