Shimano does not repair rods, or carry rod components. If the rod is broken during the warranty period under normal fishing conditions or due to non-conforming materials or workmanship, Shimano will replace the rod.

Shimano rods must be sent to:

Shimano American Corporation
One Holland Drive
Irvine, CA 92618
Attention: Rod Warranty Replacement

The action of the rod can be best described as the strength or lifting power required to move a fish. The action for each rod is created by analyzing its application, environmental conditions, and fishing style. Each of our series of rods is created with various blends of materials and rated independently such that the Medium Heavy action freshwater rod will feel different than the Medium Heavy action of a saltwater rod.

The Taper of a rod describes where it flexes during the cast and on the retrieve. The taper, in combination with the materials and components, determines how a rod performs. A rod with an Extra Fast taper flexes closest to the tip. As the taper descends from Extra Fast to Medium, the flex descends through the rod blank towards the butt section.

The design of each taper is custom to a particular fishing application. Shimano takes into consideration such variables as angle preferences, a variety of personal styles, and the presentation and performance of your lure on the delivery and retrieve. These variables can be optimized when the proper taper is combined with the proper lure.

Line was not wound on the spool correctly. Reels with slow or super slow oscillation must have line wound on using the reel. Line roller bearing/bushing is binding. Lubricate with Shimano oil or replace possible faulty bearing.

-Weak bail trip spring - replace bail trip spring.

-Bail wire is bent or out of shape - replace bail wire.

-Corrosion on bail pivot - clean corrosion and apply oil to the pivot.

If you are using braided line test for line slippage. You can test for line slippage by tightening the drag knob to the maximum setting. Hold the line securely with your thumb and forfinger, and turn the handle. If the spool rotates and the line stays in place you have line slippage.

The solution is to wrap two layers on monofilament spliced to your braided line or wrap 2 layers of masking tape around the spool arbor. This provides grip for the braided line and will prevent line slippage.

Lack of lubrication or damaged gears. Send to Shimano Authorized Warranty Center for repair.

Faulty anti reverse bearing. Replace anti reverse bearing.

Reel is over lubricated with oil. Clean all the oil from the bearing.

Use provided shims to adjust spool height on the reel. If the line is too high on the spool add a shim. If it is too low remove a shim.

Lack of grease on the drag washer or drag washer soaked with oil. Replace drag washers or re-grease .

VBS weights are dry or worn. Replace VBS weights or apply one drop of oil to each weight.

Check spool bearing for smoothness or corrosion. If it rusted or not smooth replace bearing.

Dry spool bushing. Apply one drop of oil to bushing.

Check spool support bearings for smoothness and corossion. If not smooth or corroded replace bearing. Excessive dirt or oil on spool shaft or spool lip. Clean dirt/oil with a Q-tip and rubbing alcohol.

Lack of grease on washer. Re-grease washer. Oil on drag washer. Replace washer.

Lack of lubrication. Re grease gears. Gears may be worn and need replacement. Replace main and pinion gear as a set or send to a Shimano Authorized Warranty Center.

Tighten drag to the maximum setting. With the reel in hand, place your thumb on the one/spool and hold securely in place. Turn handle. If the spool rotates while your thumb is holding the line in place, then you have line slippage.

The solution is to wrap 2 layers of line or masking tape around the arbor of the spool. Now add the braided line as you would normally. This gives the braided line something to hold onto and it will not slip any longer.

Possible cracked pawl cap or missing pawl cap and pawl. Replace pawl cap and pawl if needed.

Possible damaged idle gear or worm gear. Send to Shimano or authorized Warranty Center.

• VBS weights need to be adjusted to the bait you are using.
• Turn all weights on and start casting while turning one off at a time until casting distance is good and backlashes stop. A fine tuned adjustment can be made by adusting the cast control.
• Easy Mag is not adjusted correctly.
• Turn magnet up to 10 and reduce one point at a time to achieve good casts and reduced backlashes. Cast control cap is not adjusted correctly. Adjust cap until the right tension is achieved.

Anti reverse bearing is slipping. Replace anti reverse bearing.

Clutch spring is broken. Replace clutch spring. When removing sideplate on round reel make sure the thumb bar is in the up position before assembling.

Parts can be ordered directly from Shimano or a Shimano Authorized Warranty Center either by phone or by mail. Shimano American Corporation customer service can be contacted Monday – Friday 8:00am to 5:00pm Pacific Standard Time at 1-877-577-0600, to help expedite your phone order please have your part numbers available when calling.

Parts request by mail can be sent to:
Shimano American Corporation
One Holland Drive
Irvine, CA 92618
Attention: Customer Service

Technical Support can be obtained from Shimano by phone or by mail.

Chances are that your reel is fine. If you are reeling line with your rod pointed toward the right, the line will load up higher on the left side of the spool. If your rod is pointed to the left while reeling line in, the line will load higher on the right side of the spool. A simple solution to this problem is to keep your rod and line parallel to each other whenever possible.

Yes, Shimano American Corporation and Shimano Authorized Warranty Centers offer the individual parts for all rear drag spool assemblies.

As a rule of thumb, mount your reel to the rod then feed the line through each guide. Now, use a scale and set the drag so that it gives at approximately 1/3 to 1/4 of the line's breaking strength, during this process it is necessary to simulate a fishing condition. Therefore, the rod must be held in a stable position either by a person or a rod holder.

The model number on a Shimano Reel contains 3 or 4 pieces of information used to identify your reel. For example a new Stradic 4000 front drag reel would have the following model number ST – 4000FH whereas the ST prefix is the model name, 4000 represents the size of the reel, the “F” is the drag configuration, and the “H” is the current generation of that model reel. Below is an example of how to properly complete the model number section of your warranty card.

_ _ _ - _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ or ST _ - 4000FH

Please note that some reels have 2 letter prefixes, and some reels have 3 letter prefixes. The reel prefix is written in the first section of the area labeled model number. The remainder of the model number is written in boxes to the right of the dash.

VBS is designed to slow the spool down as your lure looses momentum after casting. The VBS systems acts as a centrifugal break using the distribution of weight to create drag on the spool. This feature is designed to help prevent backlashes with your reel.

The VBS system is located on one side of your spool (This varies depending on the retrieve orientation of the reel; example right hand retrieve or left hand retrieve) There are plastic break weights located on VBS side of the spool, these break weights are capable of being turned on or off. If you move the break weight toward the axis of the spool (The center) or into the off position the break weight will have less influence on the slowing of the spool. If you move the break weight outward or into the on position it will cause the break weights to have more influence on the slowing of the spool. You can use any number (up to six, the number of break weights also varies depending on the reel) of break weights, in any configuration to obtain an optimal spool response.

Shimano makes two different break weights; Heavy (Black, Grey, or Green in color) and Light (Red, Blue, and Clear in color). Most of the new reels are shipped with the light break weights on the reel, and the heavy break weights in packaging in the box. If the light break weights don’t provide adequate spool stopping power, change them simply by pulling them off of the spool and replace them with the heavier weights.

To put line on your Shimano spinning reel place the reel in the reel seat on the rod. Take your spool of line (for recommended weights please refer to your reel owner’s manual) and run the line through the smallest guide at the tip, then through all of the guides toward the reel. Tie the line onto the spool with the bail in the open position (there is no bail on the baitcasting reel), pull on your line to assure that your knot is secure and then close the bail. After the bail is closed, rotate your handle away from you until you have spooled up the desired amount of line. For best results, place a pencil in the center of the spool and have a friend hold either end of the pencil securing the spool while you are filling the spool on your reel.

This is caused by the use of braided lines without appropriate spool backing. Slippage can be eliminated if you follow these suggestions:

Test for Line Slippage:
Tighten the drag to the maximum setting. With the reel in hand, place your thumb on the line/spool and hold it securely in place. If the spool rotates while your thumb is holding the line, then you have line slippage.

Solution:
Wrap two layers of monofilament line or masking tape around the arbor of the spool. Now, add the braided line as you would normally. The principal here is that the braided line will adhere to the monofilament or tape backing as opposed to slipping against the slick surface of the spool.

This should prevent the line from slipping and allow the drag to engage properly.

Proposition 65 is a California statute that requires labeling for products sold in California. Because our products are sold nationwide (and internationally), this label may appear on product outside of California.