HAGANE is a Shimano reel design concept created to withstand continual use and extreme abuse. HAGANE is an innovation with built-in toughness and durability that works alongside Shimano's precision engineering. HAGANE is for all anglers.

With amazing strength and durability, the HAGANE Gear is at the very heart of most Shimano reels. Shimano, through the application of state-of-the-art technologies, gives anglers the long-lasting smoothness and enjoyment that is felt when anglers first use a reel, over and over again. No cutting work is applied to the teeth of the drive gear during fabrication; instead, the entire surface is calculated in minute detail by a special 3D design and then formed by Shimano's cold-forging technology. The result is assured resilience. HAGANE Gear is the result of Shimano's endless pursuit for durability — this strength and power of forged metal continue to represent the fundamental concept of Shimano reels.

X SHIP provides improved gear performance. Large diameter drive gear, optimally positioned pinion gear and drive gear, and two points bearings supported pinion gear produce light reeling under load.

INFINITYDRIVE is a new main shaft supporting structure that improves winding torque and allows for incredibly smooth and light rotation.

Optimally balanced design of rigidity and lightness. By minimizing deflection of the reel caused by large impacts during casting, the timing of release is stabilized. As a result, not only flying distance but also accuracy is improved.

The basic design of the entire body and drive-related parts were reviewed one by one to reduce minute rattles, gaps, and shaking between parts down to the smallest detail. It provides smooth and quiet reel rotation.

[Medium and small general-purpose spinning reels]
These reels require lighter spinning, so we focused on a non-contact structure that does not compromise the lightness of the spinning. In addition to conventional water-repellent treatment, a labyrinth structure that suppresses water penetration is combined to achieve high water-resistant performance despite the non-contact nature of the structure. It is used in the stopper bearing section and line roller section. Large reels for saltwater, a contact-type water-resistant structure is used for large spinning reels that require higher water-resistant performance. By physically cutting off the entry path of seawater with a low-sliding seal member, high water-resistant performance is achieved while suppressing rotational resistance. The stopper bearing and line roller parts are adopted, and the stopper bearing part in particular achieves a water-resistant rating equivalent to IPX8.
[Large reels for saltwater]
A contact-type water-resistant structure is used for large spinning reels that require higher water resistance performance. By physically cutting off the entry path of seawater with a low-sliding seal member, high water-resistant performance is achieved while suppressing rotational resistance. The stopper bearing and line roller parts are adopted, and the stopper bearing part in particular achieves a water-resistant rating equivalent to IPX8.

G FREE BODY technology has been developed to shift the reel's center of gravity closer to the rod. By moving the center of gravity closer to the angler’s hand, the G FREE BODY helps to reduce fatigue and enhance casting comfort.

PARELLEL BODY is designed to improve dynamic line flow from the reel. On many reels the spool is aligned slightly upwards towards the rod blank, but reels with PARELLEL BODY have the spool located parallel to the blank. The result: less line slapping on the blank as it travels towards the first guide during the cast, ultimately increasing performance.

The spool has a special spool ring shape. This creates a rectifying effect on the line and realizes both suppression of line trouble and long casting performance.

CI4 is a resin material reinforced with carbon fiber that is lighter and has a higher strength than conventional resin material. CI4+ is an advanced version of the original CI4 material.The rigidity and durability have been greatly improved from original CI4 material while maintaining the lightness of the material, making it possible to reduce the size and weight of the reel.

HI-SPEED DRAG is the fastest drag function ever featured on a Shimano reel: A minimal turn on the drag knob will transition the drag settings from free-spool mode to fight mode.

The CROSS CARBON DRAG provides the smooth drag release and the durability.

S A-RB bearings are put through the same process as Shimano’s A-RB bearings but feature shields on both sides of the bearings. These shields reduce the possibility of salt or sand inhibiting the rotation of the bearing.

ONE-PIECE BAILallows the line to travel unimpeded to the line roller. The seamless design reduces friction and decreases the chance of tangles or the line catching on the bail arm.

Models that can be used in saltwater