- A-RB® Bearings
Stainless steel ball bearings that have been through the A-RB treatment process which makes them at least 10 times more corrosion resistant than standard stainless steel ball bearings. - Lo-Mass™ Drilled Spool System
Lo-Mass Drilled Spool System is designed for anglers who require longer casts and can sacrifice line capacity to do so. The Lo-Mass spool features a large arbor that is cross-drilled to reduce its weight. By moving the arbor of the spool outward, the mass of the spool is closer to the rim of the spool. Like a lightweight bicycle wheel, where most of the mass lies in the tire, the majority of a Lo-Mass spool lies in the arbor and the line it is spooled with. - A6063 Aluminum Spool
By using A6063, Shimano is able to increase the corrosion resistance of the spool. This is especially important with the use of today's braided superlines which tend to stay on the reel longer and retain water. - Super Free (SF®)
The Super Free bearing-supported pinion gear system (SF) was designed to eliminate friction on the spool shaft during the cast. In standard baitcasting reels, when the clutch bar is pressed down, the pinion gear is freed and can actually drag on the spool shaft, creating friction and limiting the length of the cast. With SF, the pinion gear is supported by a ball bearing, and when the clutch is disengaged the pinion gear and spool shaft are kept in precise alignment. The result is zero friction on the spool shaft for increased freespool. - Greaseless Spool Support Bearings
These bearings, which support the spool during freespool, are lubricated with a lightweight oil rather than grease. This allows the bearings to have a lower start-up inertia and a faster rotation, which provides awesome freespool. - Spare Brake Weight Block
Holds up to 2 extra brake weights for more adjustability. - High Efficiency Gearing (HEG®)
HEG consists of not only the gears, but also the frame, setplate, and handle-side sideplate. First we increased the size of the drive gear and the pinion gear to offer increased leverage and power. By using a one-piece frame that incorporates the setplate and adding a one-piece stamped sideplate, we have eliminated flex in the drivetrain that causes normal gears to bind under pressure. By eliminating the flex and increasing the leverage, we are able to provide high-speed retrieves and deliver an incredible amount of torque, while maintaining the smooth, silent retrieve Shimano® reels are famous for. - Super Stopper®
Super Stopper uses a one-way, stainless steel roller bearing that eliminates backplay. This provides the angler with instant hooksetting power. - Dartainium® Drag
This drag material provides a wider range of drag settings, along with the smoothest Shimano drag performance ever. - Variable Brake System (VBS®)
VBS uses centrifugal force rather than magnets to aid in controlling the cast. The individual brake weights, when turned on, are forced outward at the beginning of the cast when backlashes most often occur, causing friction that reduces the speed of the spool. Once the spool speed begins to slow, the pressure lessens, allowing the spool to continue spinning. The result is a much more consistent spool speed that is easier to manage and takes advantage of the reel’s maximum casting distance. Settings range from zero weights turned on for true freespool and up to 6 weights turned on for extremely windy conditions and maximum cast control. - Titanium Levelwind Insert
This levelwind insert is coated with titanium, improving the durability of the insert by increasing abrasion resistance. It also reduces friction on the line for increased casting distance and reduced line wear. The tapered design not only makes it easier to thread the line through when setting up the reel, but also further reduces friction and line angles during the cast for more distance. - Clicking Drag Adjustment
The micro-click mechanism prevents the drag from backing off when set at light settings, and provides the angler a reference when adjusting the drag. - Clicking Cast Control Adjustment
The micro-click mechanism in the Cast Control serves two purposes. The first is that it prevents the cast control from backing off when set at light settings. The second purpose is to allow the angler a point of reference when adjusting the cast control setting. - Oversized Clicking Cast Control Knob
The large size is easy to use, while the clicking adjustment allows for precision settings. - Recessed Reel Foot
By recessing the reel foot further into the frame, the reel sits lower in the reel seat. This allows for a much more palmable feel when the reel is mounted on a rod than traditional frame designs. Not only does it increase the comfort level, but because of the lower profile in the reel seat, it makes the reel much more maneuverable with casting styles such as underhand and roll casts. - Quarter Turn Easy Access Sideplate
An improvement over the already easy-to-use Turn-Key access, with the 1/4 Turn Easy Access Sideplate, the fisherman flips up the Turn-Key on the sideplate, then rotates it 1/4 turn to open the sideplate for quick VBS adjustments. - Turn Key Access Sideplate
By flipping up the Turn-Key on the sideplate and rotating it counterclockwise, the sideplate can be opened for quick VBS® adjustments. - Septon® handle material
This handle grip material is soft to the touch and does not get slippery when wet. - Reduced Mass VBS® hub
Reduces the weight of the spool, increasing freespool and reducing start up inertia. - Cold Forged Handle Shank
Cold forging allows more metal to be used in a much more dense construction. This means the handle can be made in a smaller profile with more strength and also allows for deeper anodization for protection from the elements. - Platinum Service Plan
With the Platinum Service Plan, when you submit your Warranty Registration Card, you will receive coupons for discounts on “clean and lubes” (from half off to free!) Also included are Priority Shipping Labels guaranteeing a 48-hour turnaround time from participating Shimano Satellite Service Centers. - Metal Series
The metal construction showcased in some of our finest reels now appears throughout our line of Metal Series products. Metal frames not only keep moving parts in precise alignment, they also feature the use of the latest anodizing, plating and painting techniques for beautiful and durable finishes.
Shimano Calais A Baitcasting Reels
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