New Shimano Caenan, Reviews? 2024
LgMouthGambler reply :
Anyone got one of these reels? Satisfied with it? I am going to get a new reel during this Classic sale, and figured might as well trifect the Shimano line. Since I have a 200E7, and a Citica G6, might as well try this new piece to add to the artillery. Its got 6+1 bearings, so it must be pretty smooth right?
webertime reply :
http://www.tackletour.com/reviewshimanocaenan.html
Get a PQ, Carbonlite,or Citica for similar $ during the sale.
Diggy reply :
I know a few people with them that love them, there also a few reviews on tw.com. Id try out the new JM Carbonlite with that discount as the dude above said
LgMouthGambler reply :
Have the Pro Qualifier, and the Citica. Not impressed with the Carbonlite.
Ima Bass Ninja reply :
Seems to me that with the caenan you are paying for those 7 letters (s.h.i.m.a.n.o) instead of quality components like their other reels have . Just my $.02..
Delaware Valley Tackle reply :
I believe this is a graphite frame reel. If that's the case, it's one more argument for one of the other on-sale reels.
Hooligan reply :
The Caenan is a GREAT reel design. On paper. In production, it's a low price point reel, and that's all it is. They put some plastic parts on a plastic frame with cheap components and call it a Shimano. It's not worth the money you pay, particularly when you can get a Citica for a little more. I'd take the new Carbonlite over the Caenan. It's the one very dark spot in Shimano's current line, for me.
The Rooster reply :
Citica is the bottom of the line of Shimano reels that I'd consider. Caenan is a complete waste of money. Any reel is that doesn't have an aluminum frame or better for that matter. Graphite is for rods, not reels. Spinning reels might be the only exception to that rule but I always try to get aluminum frames there too.
webertime reply :
With the Classic sale you could get a Citica (with reel trade and their rebate) for $74.99... That would be the same price as the Caenan with a trade in (they don't offer a rebate for that model).
tugsandpulls reply :
i have one and love it cast nice drags nice dont know why everyone so hard on them i tried a carbonlite and ddint like it
Bassyak reply :
I have a Caenan on my topwater rod (an older model Compre, 6'6" M/MF), and it's been a great combo for walking spooks and poppers. The reel is an excellent caster (on par or better than with my Curados and Citicas) with the 10 lb mono spooled on it and, despite what others have said, I like the EVA knobs. An an engineer, I understand the implications of the graphite-framed reel, and if I'd done my research beforehand, I probably wouldn't have bought it for that reason. But I didn't discover that fact until after I'd already bought it and after a couple seasons of use, it has given me no reason to doubt it's abilities. I have been reasonably impressed with it's performance, features, and appearance, as well as the initial cost. Granted, I haven't caught anything on it that exceeds five pounds thus far, but then again, most of my reels have never handled fish bigger that big, and I don't catch them often enough to be able to compare reel frame flex under load. All that being said, if you can get the Citica at the same price as someone posted above, I think the aluminum frame of the Citica is a better long-term investment than the bearing count in the Caenan.
LgMouthGambler reply :
I have the Citica, and its pretty good, but want to try the Caenan. Im going to use it for what you use it for, my spook. Gonna put mono on it too, figured it would be good for it.
Bassyak reply :
That's cool...like I said, I've got no beef against it. It's a great reel for what I use it for, though, as you've seen above, you probably won't find many others that'll agree with that.
piscicidal reply :
On 2/22/2012 at 6:59 AM, LgMouthGambler said:Anyone got one of these reels? Satisfied with it? I am going to get a new reel during this Classic sale, and figured might as well trifect the Shimano line. Since I have a 200E7, and a Citica G6, might as well try this new piece to add to the artillery. Its got 6+1 bearings, so it must be pretty smooth right?
If you want the Shimano trifecta, you might want to go up rather than down from your Curado/Citica reels...
I just got a Chronarch 50E at the Davie BPS store for (net) $129. If you participate in the reel trade in, you get a better trade in towards the Chronarch ($30) than towards the Caenan. I'm not sure if the Caenan qualifies toward the $30 Shimano trade in, either.
You might want to run the numbers...you might find that there is not that much difference between the Chronarch and the Caenan at the reel trade in.
LgMouthGambler reply :
I already have the Chronarch (200E and 50E, haha). Trying to keep the $ down. Just need something for my new spook reel, so a non metal frame will do for a mono setup.On 2/25/2012 at 4:10 AM, piscicidal said:If you want the Shimano trifecta, you might want to go up rather than down from your Curado/Citica reels...
I just got a Chronarch 50E at the Davie BPS store for (net) $129. If you participate in the reel trade in, you get a better trade in towards the Chronarch ($30) than towards the Caenan. I'm not sure if the Caenan qualifies toward the $30 Shimano trade in, either.
You might want to run the numbers...you might find that there is not that much difference between the Chronarch and the Caenan at the reel trade in.
Packard reply :
Well if you aren't going to listen to others opinions then you might as well just get it! Save yourself the argument.
LgMouthGambler reply :
I just want to know who has one, and how they like it. Not looking for "get another reel, but i dont have one"
smalljaw67 reply :
If you fish more than 30 days a year then the Caenan isn't for you, it is a graphite framed reel that will not hold up to regular use and it isn't just that reel but pretty much any reel made with a graphite frame. Graphite side plates are a little different, I don't care for them too much but it isn't as critical as the frame. Once the frame flexes a few times the gears won't mesh together as tight and it will get rough and once that occurs it is done, you can't fix it because the frame will always flex and all it takes is a few good hook sets or a few snags. A Citica is the lowest priced Shimano reel that is worth the money, and if you like the price point add 10 bucks and get a Lews Speed Spool, not the laser MG but the normal Speed Spool, they were 89 dollars but now they are 99, anyway it is an aluminum framed reel that performs really well for a budget priced baitcasting reel.
piscicidal reply :
On 2/25/2012 at 4:48 AM, LgMouthGambler said:I already have the Chronarch (200E and 50E, haha). Trying to keep the $ down. Just need something for my new spook reel, so a non metal frame will do for a mono setup.
That's cool...I understand your point. I have several graphite reels in the rotation and they've served me well. I've got never used the Caenan so I can't comment on it. I saw some Caenans at BPS yesterday, so they should still be in stock.
LgMouthGambler reply :
this I was not aware of about the graphite frames. Good info, thanks for the explanation.On 2/25/2012 at 5:16 AM, smalljaw67 said:If you fish more than 30 days a year then the Caenan isn't for you, it is a graphite framed reel that will not hold up to regular use and it isn't just that reel but pretty much any reel made with a graphite frame. Graphite side plates are a little different, I don't care for them too much but it isn't as critical as the frame. Once the frame flexes a few times the gears won't mesh together as tight and it will get rough and once that occurs it is done, you can't fix it because the frame will always flex and all it takes is a few good hook sets or a few snags. A Citica is the lowest priced Shimano reel that is worth the money, and if you like the price point add 10 bucks and get a Lews Speed Spool, not the laser MG but the normal Speed Spool, they were 89 dollars but now they are 99, anyway it is an aluminum framed reel that performs really well for a budget priced baitcasting reel.
Dave P reply :
Not exactly. Like anything else the more expensive a graphite framed reel is (generally) the sturdier the frame. The 20 dollar Shakespere, yes. One good snag or hookset, I can see it flexing beyond recovery. The one that I've got left in the rotation (Pfleuger) is going strong after 3+ years of getting used up to 3-4 times a week. I've used it on one of my plastics rods up until this year, so it's had a lot of snag abuse and the last fish it landed last fall was about 6 pounds. No issues. It's moving over to my spinnerbait rod this year. YMMV. I've been replacing mine with aluminum frames a few at a time as they come on sale.
Diggy reply :
On 2/25/2012 at 5:16 AM, smalljaw67 said:If you fish more than 30 days a year then the Caenan isn't for you, it is a graphite framed reel that will not hold up to regular use and it isn't just that reel but pretty much any reel made with a graphite frame. Graphite side plates are a little different, I don't care for them too much but it isn't as critical as the frame. Once the frame flexes a few times the gears won't mesh together as tight and it will get rough and once that occurs it is done, you can't fix it because the frame will always flex and all it takes is a few good hook sets or a few snags. A Citica is the lowest priced Shimano reel that is worth the money, and if you like the price point add 10 bucks and get a Lews Speed Spool, not the laser MG but the normal Speed Spool, they were 89 dollars but now they are 99, anyway it is an aluminum framed reel that performs really well for a budget priced baitcasting reel.
My friends caenan is almost on a year and still rocking with no noticeable wear. He uses it for everything including inshore fishing. Maybe he is lucky
jdw174 reply :
I've used a Caenan for a couple of years now. After a couple of trips it got very noisy on the cast. If I had it to do over again, I'd have opted for the BPS Pro Qualifier at only $10 more retail.
LexBass reply :
Can someone tell me the details of this trade in sale? What store and when?
retiredbosn reply :
Every spring Bass Pro Shops has what it calls the Spring Classic sale. It is a nationwide sale all the stores participate. I think its the last part of March through the first part of April, you need a circular from your store as they take trade ins on different days, they can't run that promotion for a month, you can find the circular online at basspro.
LexBass reply :
Thank you very much for that fast reply. Do you think the trade in values are fair? Or do they low ball you?
retiredbosn reply :
The trade values are based on what you are buying not what you are trading. I think the criterion for what you are trading in is that it works, BPS then donates the reels to various charities. Basically, IMO the trade sale is an excellent opportunity for ppl who are starting to fish seriously and buying better tackle. The in store sales during the Spring Classic can be great, my nearest BPS is 2 hours away I download the circular and make the drive on the days they are either doing a clinic that I want to see or a sale I can't miss.
Loop_Dad reply :
On 2/22/2012 at 6:59 AM, LgMouthGambler said:Anyone got one of these reels? Satisfied with it? I am going to get a new reel during this Classic sale, and figured might as well trifect the Shimano line. Since I have a 200E7, and a Citica G6, might as well try this new piece to add to the artillery. Its got 6+1 bearings, so it must be pretty smooth right?
Who is having Classic sale and when? Or any other sale for that matter?
I'm picking up a new set up myself and my budget is rather limited, so every bit of it counts. Thanks!
0119 reply :
Funny, way back in the 80's we used shimano Beastmasters all graphite even the spools. Never gave a lick of trouble. Caught huge snook, baby tarpon all day long. Graphite never flexed, gears never moaned. Graphite spools never cried either. Guess we just were'nt as sophistically educated as the new breed of metro-angler.
Fishwhittler reply :
On 8/22/2012 at 11:24 PM, 119 said:Funny, way back in the 80's we used shimano Beastmasters all graphite even the spools. Never gave a lick of trouble. Caught huge snook, baby tarpon all day long. Graphite never flexed, gears never moaned. Graphite spools never cried either. Guess we just were'nt as sophistically educated as the new breed of metro-angler.
Okay, but there are better and stronger materials available now, so why not use them?
Theoretically graphite could be used to create a rigid reel, but you'd have to use more of it and thus end up with a bulkier reel. Aluminum is much more durable and rigid than graphite, and that means you can make a much smaller and more ergonomic aluminum reel that is just as strong if not more so than a graphite reel. I for one much prefer a small low-profile reel for most fishing, and while large reels have their place you'll find most fishermen prefer a reel that is smaller and easier to handle.
With that said, I'd have to say that frame-flexing isn't the worst problem with graphite reels. The deal is, all of the big reel companies now use aluminum frames on their main-line reels and graphite frames have become associated with lower-quality reels. Companies like Shimano and Daiwa know this, and so they might not put quite as much effort into designing a graphite reel that works as well as a metal reel.
Example: I've got an old-model Daiwa Megaforce, and those were $60 graphite reels. While it worked it was a nice, smooth reel. The frame did flex some when under load, but it could still handle fish just fine. What killed it? A bad clutch design. It eventually deteriorated to the point where you had to push up on the thumb bar to reengage the reel, and while it's still as smooth as ever you can't say it's a good reel. Now, that may have been helped along by an inexperienced *** [hmm, it won't let me say r-e-e-l mechanic] messing around inside (yours truly), but on the other hand I've taken all of my other reels apart and so far they're still working. And anyway, I've taken it apart recently and tried to fix it now that I know (more or less 
) what I'm doing, but still no dice. If the clutch wasn't shot I'd still be using it, but a faulty design led to the reel failing in the first place.
My point is that a reel is only as good as its internal parts, and if those are poorly designed they aren't going to work for long. Most graphite reels are built with cheaper parts than metal-frame reels, and accordingly they don't usually last as long with the same amount of use. If companies took the time to make a strong, well-designed graphite reel it would work just fine, but why bother when it's simpler to do it with metal?
Sorry for going off-topic. 
0119 reply :
Dont get me wrong I'm not praising graphite, I learned my lesson with CI4. My comment is more a slam on anything being made currently. Techno wonder or not. None of it is worth the money they are charging.
LgMouthGambler reply :
Look, either way, when I posted this, graphite frames are still just as strong today as an aluminum frame. There may be the difference of what makes up the reel, but remember that words sell. If a company says they offer 11 bearngs in a reel, are they quality? #'s dont mean ****. What matters is, will what you buy last? And how long will you be satisfied with it?
BigMoneyGrip reply :
On 8/23/2012 at 12:01 PM, LgMouthGambler said:Look, either way, when I posted this, graphite frames are still just as strong today as an aluminum frame.
I'll disagree with this. If graphite was as strong as Al, then why are they making reels out of Al? They make reels out of graphite because the material is cheaper and the molds are less complex. Graphite is easier on the tooling, also. The dies for casting aluminum can be quiet complex.
0119 reply :
They make reels out of what sells. What the consumer thinks he wants after being pumped up by sponsor toting magazines, shows and sites. "Oh...so and so used this to catch 79lb. in 3 days...... wow its great I gotta have one". If companies were not in it only for money shimano would still be offering the Curado B. Cheap to make and adored by so many it would have sold trillions. But no, they actively guide you into thinking you need to continuously buy new, more complex products to catch a fish the size that most of the world would consider bait.
retiredbosn reply :
I was over at tackle tour today if you haven't visited that site or read their reviews the team there seems very professional and do not get the reels they are reviewing for free, so they have no ties to the manufacturer nor do they feel they owe the manufacturer a positive review. Anyway , they had a review of the Caenan and they were not impressed, which is saying something because they are big Shimano fans. In fact they gave the old E5 Curado the Editors pick and top Cranking Reel honors (which I think was right, the competitors were the Winch, Diawa Crazy Cranker and Quantum Energy). Basically if it has the Shimano nameplate it typically gets high reviews from them. One thing I found interesting was that one complaint was how the reel "lost power" working big fish that they contributed to the graphite frame. Another noteworthy fact was that the Caenan, Citica G and Curado G have many shared parts and are not made in Japan but these reels are outsourced to Malaysia, all parts will interchange their suggestion was to pass on the Caenan and get a Citica or Curado. Hope this helps
drew4779 reply :
My brother loves his Caenan. He actually prefers it over his 50e. I won't try it. I bought a 200e7 in January and would hate to feel ripped off.
I've heard the Caenan's parts are compatible with the G series. Does anyone know if there's any truth to that?
retiredbosn reply :
On 8/25/2012 at 10:03 AM, retiredbosn said:Another noteworthy fact was that the Caenan, Citica G and Curado G have many shared parts and are not made in Japan but these reels are outsourced to Malaysia, all parts will interchange their suggestion was to pass on the Caenan and get a Citica or Curado. Hope this helps
Diggy reply :
I just bought 2 LH on clearance from DSG for 42 bucks a piece using a ten off coupon on each for a general purpose beater and light salt.
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