Shimano SLX review 2024
EGbassing reply :
I bought an SLX a few days ago and fished it for the first time today so I decided to do a review on it. First of all, the first thing I noticed is the size/weight; it's the lowest profile reel on the market right now, and it's noticeably lighter than my Daiwa Fuego. The second thing I noticed is that it casts really well and it's hard to backlash. I threw a lipless crankbait, a grub on a 1/10 ounce jighead, and a jerkbait and it casts a mile with no backlash at all. Even the 1/10th grub. Also, the handle knobs; they're perfect. Same handles that come on a Curado. They kind of fit your hands perfectly or something. I didn't catch anything today but I hooked a good sized one and the drag did well, but it came off at the bank unfortunately. I like my Daiwa Fuego, but I have to say I like this reel much better so far. It retails for $100 but I got mine for $70 at Dick's Sports by using a $20 off $100 coupon and a $10 off rewards card coupon. In my opinion it feels like a ~$200 dollar reel. Overall, I'd give it a 9/10 for performance, and 10/10 for cosmetics. Go do yourself a favor and buy one this spring. ????
KentuckyBlueBass reply :
Just got my SLX reel and the rod for 50% off from Academy. Haven't fished it yet but feels very similar to the Curado.
Update: ended up having to return it to the store. Side plate on reel will not latch on
Diggy reply :
I definitely am a fan of the cosmetics and performance of the combo. Probably picking one up for the old man for his Bday or Father's Day this year.
Diggy reply :
Academy will give you 50% off of a SLX rod when you buy a SLX reel.
greentrout reply :
slx has 3 + 1 bearings .... max drag 10 - 12 lbs. ....
better options available ....
just sayin'...
good fishin' ....
matbellon3 reply :
On 3/13/2019 at 11:16 AM, greentrout said:slx has 3 + 1 bearings .... max drag 10 - 12 lbs. ....
better options available ....
Bearing count doesn't matter it is the quality of the bearings and where they are put in the reel that matters. 10-12lbs of drag is more than enough for bass fishing.
There may be better options out there but that totally depends on preference and opinion.
BaitFinesse reply :
On 3/13/2019 at 11:16 AM, greentrout said:slx has 3 + 1 bearings .... max drag 10 - 12 lbs. ....
better options available ....
just sayin'...
good fishin' ....
Go back to your Kastking thread.
TBAG reply :
I bought one on a whim because one I was curious and two I'm a Shimano fanboy. I haven't fished with it yet, but threw it on a Sierra 734c and cast a plug around the yard. I have to say I'm impressed. I actually think it casts better than all the Curado K's I own, plus palms much better.
Derek1 reply :
This combo has my attention, thinking about possibly grabbing one a little later in the season. Seams like a good value for the price when it’s on sale. What more can you ask from it.
NYWayfarer reply :
On 3/10/2019 at 3:26 AM, EGbassing said:It retails for $100 but I got mine for $70 at Dick's Sports by using a $20 off $100 coupon and a $10 off rewards card coupon.
Excellent! If you learn anything from these forums it's to never pay full retail price on a reel.
Good luck with your new reel.
EGbassing reply :
On 3/13/2019 at 11:16 AM, greentrout said:slx has 3 + 1 bearings .... max drag 10 - 12 lbs. ....
better options available ....
just sayin'...
good fishin' ....
You're right. There's the SHISHAMO with 17 + 1 bearings. Not line twist, Pro, and some hydrographics thrown in.
On 3/10/2019 at 4:04 AM, KentuckyBlueBass said:Just got my SLX reel and the rod for 50% off from Academy. Haven't fished it yet but feels very similar to the Curado.
Update: ended up having to return it to the store. Side plate on reel will not latch on
Are you sure it wasn't just tight? Mine has to be pressed pretty hard to open.
On 3/13/2019 at 7:58 PM, Derek1 said:This combo has my attention, thinking about possibly grabbing one a little later in the season. Seams like a good value for the price when it’s on sale. What more can you ask from it.
You'll love it if you get one. I compared it to my Fuego yesterday at the pond and it just felt like it was casting farther with no backlash.
S123 reply :
There was a yellow paper in my slx box that said to open the brake completely in order to latch and unlatch the opposite side cover.. Pays to read instructions sometimes.
johnD. reply :
On 5/15/2019 at 6:13 PM, S123 said:There was a yellow paper in my slx box that said to open the brake completely in order to latch and unlatch the opposite side cover.. Pays to read instructions sometimes.
This is true , loosening spool tension knob on these new shimanos helps get the side plate on and off easier.
OnthePotomac reply :
My experience with Shimano design for the last 19 years has been they do a lot with fewer bearings. None of mine back to the Curado 100B have bearings on the worm gear for instance, and I cannot say I miss that. I am now up to the Chronarch MGL.
BassWhole! reply :
Loosening the tension knob before reassembling a BC is just good practice, and crucial for some models. I too couldn't pass up an SLX combo on sale + discount for like $126 (I may need to get a plaid shirt, skinny jeans and a handlebar mustache). I like both the reel and rod a lot. Ironically, I like them better when paired with other rods and reels, as the reel is too small and light for the rod (IMNSHO). The reel is smooth, and casts well, as do most cent. brake Shimanos, I know I'm in the minority, but I find it too small for my hands, I prefer a larger more substantial (heavier) reel. The rod, while a bit too fast for my liking, is a well made solid stick. I paired it with one of my Fuegos (blasphemy, I know) and it felt better and more balanced. I've recommended it to guys that ask me what to get that's good and not too much $.
bhoff reply :
If you guys want to see the SLX torn down, I would suggest going to the youtube channel "TackleAdvisors". He does tear downs of tons of baitcasters and it's quite informative if you are trying to see build quality and practices of companies. I could be wrong but I watched the tear down of the SLX and I think I remember seeing that it actually has an x-ship bearing but it is not advertised on the spec list.
BobbyBudnick reply :
On 5/16/2019 at 1:27 AM, bhoff said:If you guys want to see the SLX torn down, I would suggest going to the youtube channel "TackleAdvisors". He does tear downs of tons of baitcasters and it's quite informative if you are trying to see build quality and practices of companies. I could be wrong but I watched the tear down of the SLX and I think I remember seeing that it actually has an x-ship bearing but it is not advertised on the spec list.
He made an error about the x-ship bearing and even confirmed it in the comments for that video. It does have a bearing supported pinion, just not the x-ship dual bearing support
bhoff reply :
On 5/16/2019 at 2:56 AM, BobbyBudnick said:He made an error about the x-ship bearing and even confirmed it in the comments for that video. It does have a bearing supported pinion, just not the x-ship dual bearing support
Ah well then @BobbyBudnick I appreciate the clarification.
Brett's_daddy reply :
I too couldn't resist the lure of a Shimano SLX. I got just the reel and haven't fished it yet but looking at it I'm pretty impressed with how solid it feels (doesn't feel like a cheap plastic reel). I had an Amazon.com coupon for $60 because of a screw up of theirs on a previous order so i ended up paying like $40 for my SLX 
.
BassWhole! reply :
On 5/16/2019 at 3:28 AM, Brett's_daddy said:I had an Amazon.com coupon for $60 because of a screw up of theirs on a previous order...
Aren't you the same guy with the Academy "They screwed up my order" coupon? Would love a copy of those emails or phone cons, always entertaining.
Brett's_daddy reply :
On 5/16/2019 at 6:28 AM, BassWhole! said:Aren't you the same guy with the Academy "They screwed up my order" coupon? Would love a copy of those emails or phone cons, always entertaining.
Probably, not sure. I did have an Academy coupon code earlier this year. I complained because i had just barely placed a large order and the very next day they were on sale for like 30% off or something like that so they gave me a coupon code to make up for it. Come to think of it that was last fall and i just used it this February...sometimes it pays to be the squeaky wheel ????.
pauldconyers reply :
I wish I had jumped on the SLX combo deal that both Scheels and Academy was running. $50 bucks off if you bought both the rod and reel taking the combo down to $150. Looks like it has expired everywhere, I should have pulled the trigger!
keagbassr reply :
On 5/17/2019 at 7:31 AM, pauldconyers said:I wish I had jumped on the SLX combo deal that both Scheels and Academy was running. $50 bucks off if you bought both the rod and reel taking the combo down to $150. Looks like it has expired everywhere, I should have pulled the trigger!
Pretty sure you can still get the slx combo from american legacy for 140.
MN Fisher reply :
Tackle Direct has them at $160 - limited stock
https://www.tackledirect.com/shimano-slx-casting-combos.html
Brett's_daddy reply :
On 5/17/2019 at 7:31 AM, pauldconyers said:I wish I had jumped on the SLX combo deal that both Scheels and Academy was running. $50 bucks off if you bought both the rod and reel taking the combo down to $150. Looks like it has expired everywhere, I should have pulled the trigger!
Yup, can still get the combo from American legacy for $139.99.
pauldconyers reply :
On 5/17/2019 at 11:34 AM, Brett's_daddy said:Yup, can still get the combo from American legacy for $139.99.
Is that the "stock" price or do you have to sign up for a newsletter or something to get that price? Does that include shipping or not?
Brett's_daddy reply :
On 5/17/2019 at 11:45 AM, pauldconyers said:Is that the "stock" price or do you have to sign up for a newsletter or something to get that price? Does that include shipping or not?
that's a sale price...no need to sign up for a news letter but you can and get 20% off any order over $100...not sure if you could stack that with this sale though but you could call them and ask...they're super nice to deal with!
Arcs&sparks reply :
On 5/17/2019 at 11:46 AM, Brett's_daddy said:that's a sale price...no need to sign up for a news letter but you can and get 20% off any order over $100
American legacy? I can’t find that, please tell
Brett's_daddy reply :
On 5/17/2019 at 11:59 AM, Arcs&sparks said:American legacy? I can’t find that, please tell
Americanlegacyfishing.com
Arcs&sparks reply :
On 5/17/2019 at 6:47 PM, Brett's_daddy said:Americanlegacyfishing.com
I meant the 20% off for orders over $100
Brett's_daddy reply :
On 5/17/2019 at 8:06 PM, Arcs&sparks said:I meant the 20% off for orders over $100
oh, i think you have to give them your email and sign up for their newsletter. Might be a 1 shot deal too, like on your 1st order.
keagbassr reply :
The Alf discount is a 1 time deal when you give them your email. It's also only 10% if I remember correctly . Got an slx combo from them a few months ago for $117 using this.
Tizi reply :
I got the 6'10" medium exfast for jerkbaits. Paired it with the 6.3:1 reel. I am very happy with it so far.
pauldconyers reply :
Well crap, I talked to American Legacy Fishing today and even though their website shows they have them they told me today they were out of the 7' MH fast variety. Bummer! Anyone know of anywhere else selling this combo on sale currently?
pauldconyers reply :
On 5/21/2019 at 10:13 AM, pauldconyers said:Well crap, I talked to American Legacy Fishing today and even though their website shows they have them they told me today they were out of the 7' MH fast variety. Bummer! Anyone know of anywhere else selling this combo on sale currently?
Found a better solution today! Was poking around my local Scheels and they had one left and matched the ALF price! Score!
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