Shimano Ultegra 5500 XSC

[roym]

Looking at this reel to replace my beat Stradic 8000 on a 10' Legend.
Any actual users? Looking to see how this will work tossing plugs only in the 1.5-2.0 oz range. Appreciate any feedback

[bobber]

I've had this reel for about 15 months now (bought it from an Austrian place on Amazon last spring before it was in the US). its been great- smooth, strong drag (although it hasn't "really been tested" yet....). there a re some knocks against the small-ish handle, but I've never had any issues. I wish they made a slightly smaller version actually for an 8foot rod......

[Rappin Mikey]

Get the Saragosa 10000 instead. I have a two. Much more durable and sealed. I love mine

[Rob Rockcrawler]

I took a few casts last night with one. Its not my reel, but my buddies, he loves it. Very smooth drag as he hooked up a few times next to me.

[bassinaround]

I'm currently using the Ultegra 10000 on a 10.5' Legend rated 3/4-4 oz. I have 40 lb Power Pro Super Slick line and everything works great for plugging. I am most likely going to 30 lb super slick given how strong this line is and I'm always looking for more distance for plugging. My primary concern with the reel combo with the concept guides like that on the Legend are wind knots. And to date, I've had none with this line, reel and rod combo. It cast very well. I'm just being greedy with my thought to go to 30 lb super slick line.

[roym]

bassinaround,

I understand the need for distance. I have been using the Stradic 8000 and a VS 200 on the 10' 1-4 oz Legend and have had a bugger of a time with wind knots, especially with pencils so I was hoping this parallel line lay would lessen this. I just made an awesome action lipless swimmer (1.7oz) that just requires a simple slow retrieve and casts and wiggles with a 5/0 siwash on the rear and the wind knots are gone, but I need to throw pencils too so I hope this reel will help.I usually cast for 2-3 hours per trip and wonder if the 10000 is too heavy to balance with the 10'?

[bassinaround]

I bought the 10000 from Europe over this winter before it came over to the US market. I had seen videos online with guys using it and it didn't look bigger than the Daiwa Emblem 5500 which I had on my Legend last year. As it turned out, the 10000 may actually be a bit smaller than the old Emblem Pro 5500. I actually do not know how the Ultegra 5500 and the 10000 differ in size. Can someone shed some light on this? My selection of the 10000 was base on Shimano products and since I was going to get a Saragosa at 10000, I decided on the Ultegra 10000. That was my logic whether it is right or wrong. I am very happy with the 10000 and with 40 lb super slick, I have had no wind knots. It gets plenty of distance but just like in golf, sometimes you just want to go longer. Especially when the fish are breaking way out. One more point, these reels are light so the 10000 balances on my 10.5' Legend very well. The Emblem Pro 5500 worked fine too but it is a bit heavier.

[JohnnySaxatilis]

Originally Posted by roym

bassinaround,

I understand the need for distance. I have been using the Stradic 8000 and a VS 200 on the 10' 1-4 oz Legend and have had a bugger of a time with wind knots, especially with pencils so I was hoping this parallel line lay would lessen this. I just made an awesome action lipless swimmer (1.7oz) that just requires a simple slow retrieve and casts and wiggles with a 5/0 siwash on the rear and the wind knots are gone, but I need to throw pencils too so I hope this reel will help.I usually cast for 2-3 hours per trip and wonder if the 10000 is too heavy to balance with the 10'?

Just picked up the ultegra 10k few days ago, super light you should have no problem with the weight on the 10'. I bought it to replace my em pro 5500 same as you fellas. Casts a bit better than the empro but doesn't have the line pickup per crank I was really hoping for jigging. Really smooth reel though, only caught a few barely keepers and a blue on it so far so I haven't really tested the drag, seems very smooth as well.

[rapidfflow0]

We found that the 5500 size worked best on rods under 11 over that length you could really go with either but they do seem to balance better with the 10k. If you are primarily fishing the canal I would suggest the 10k for the larger gears but throwing the weights in question on the 10-10'6 legend I would go with the 5500
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

[roym]

Thanks for the advice. As I mostly fish beaches and jetties with topwater (under 2 oz plugs) and usually throw for a few hours at a time, the 5500 seems to be the better fit.