Speed & Power: When designing Torsa™, one main goal was to redefine all current ideas about speed and power. Traditionally, lower gear ratio means more power, and higher gear ratio means less power. So with the release of Torsa, Shimano included the largest gear they could build. This gear is 22% larger than the Trinidad drive gear and 67% larger than the venerated TLD 25. The amount of power generated by Torsa's "drivetrain, oversized handle shank and Ergonomic Power Grip is unbelievable. Power of the reel is a Super Stopper one-way roller bearing with Assist Stopper back-up ratchet anti-reverse system. The system has no backplay for solid hooksetting power and the reliability of two anti-reverse systems. "The oversized drag washer, can generate" incredible drag pressures for a reel its size, and is created using the same proven material used in" the Tiagra series of 2-Speed lever drag reels.

Castability like a baitcaster: Once again, Shimano set out to change another aspect of the reputation of lever drags: Poor Castability. Due to how lever drags are constructed, they are inherently poor casters. The drag washers, drag plates, cooling shields and bearings are included in the spool assembly. This increases the overall weight of the spool. A heavy spool is bad for castability because it takes much more energy to get the spool to begin to spin. This is called startup inertia. Why is this bad? Once the spool begins to spin, the resistance drops rapidly. So there is a very inconsistent spool speed and an excellent chance for backlash. As a result of the typical lever drag design, the lob cast evolved. However, for most other applications, anglers were forced to use Star Drag reels when they needed to cast small baits, due to their excellent castability. With Torsa™, the tables are now turned.

The Long Range Special Cam ships standard with the Torsa, this is the drag that was originally designed for the Tiagra

Starting with meticulous machining of the Cold Forged Aluminum spool, the overall weight of the spool was drastically reduced to lower the startup inertia. At the same time, most of the mass is distributed outward. This results in the spool spinning longer, much like a premium baitcaster." Proven VBS technology uses centrifugal force to slow down the spool at the beginning of the cast, then reduces the braking force as the spool slows. This gives a much more consistent spool speed, which translates into a more manageable cast. And lastly, the handle side of the spool is taller than the non-handle side. This extended spool lip gives the angler a very consistent surface to thumb during the cast. All of which results in a superior more manageable cast.

Innovative Rapid Fire Quick change drag cam system: Most revolutionary of all is the Torsa's incredibly inventive quick change drag system. With the new Rapid Fire Quick Change Drag Cam System this versatile reel can change to cater to specific techniques. By simply putting the reel into freespool and backing off the preset knob, the angler removes the drag cam from the reel. Then, by inserting one of 8 available Rapid Fire drag cams, you completely change how the reel is set up to fish within a matter of seconds. No tools required, and no screws to fall onto the deck of the boat. From light line world record seekers, to braided line fanatics looking to tackle huge fish on small tackle, to the specific needs of chunk fishermen in the Northeast, Torsa can do it all. 
 

The Torsa comes equipped with the L.R.S. (Long Range Special) Rapid Fire Drag Cam, which was made popular by reels in our Tiagra line. There are 7 other cams available at your Torsa retailer depending upon your target fisheries. Each of these cams dial in a specific drag curve to match your intended application.

Changing the cam is quick and easy. 1. Move the drag lever to free, 2. Unscrew the drag cam, 3. Seat and thread the new cam, 4. Move the drag lever back into Strike position

Pricing & Availability: As you can expect the Torsa will carry a price tag that corresponds with the reel's first-rate performance, innovation, and refinement. In a surprise move Shimano released this reel before ICAST 2005 and is actually starting to ship them now. They are just becoming available at many e-tailers, and should start showing up in the cases at retail stores shortly. There are currently four sizes available ranging from the TS16N (28.6oz) to the TS30 (31.1oz). All models feature 8 BB + 1 RB (all A-RB) and the frames are constructed out of cold forged then machined aluminum components. These reels with the L.R.S. drag cam included will range in price from $669.99 to $699.99.

In addition to the standard L.R.S. drag cam Shimano will offer the 12# Light Line Special, 6# Light Line Special, 50# Bottom Fishing Special, 20# Bottom Fishing Special, Kingfish Special, White Marlin Special, and the Chunk Fishing Special. These cams will be sold separately and retail for 49.99 each.

Conclusion: After rigorous field testing Dave Pfeiffer remarked "I knew then we had something, there's no other reel on the planet with this type of versatility." So versatile in fact that Shimano envisions that the evolution will never end for this reel. The original Rapid Fire itself was designed with input from anglers on the water, and Shimano expects that as more offshore anglers start to use the Torsa and expand its boundaries they will come back to the company with ideas for more cams and more techniques. In this way the reel's versatility truly can expand to meet the unique needs of a great many saltwater anglers. Perhaps Jeremy Sweet, Product Manager at Shimano America said it best when he remarked "A lot of people's fishing techniques have evolved because of tackle. Now we are making the tackle evolve to the angler's techniques." One thing for sure is that for many saltwater anglers the Torsa is a dream come true, and there are going to be a great many anglers firing up their cars to dash to their local the tackle shop and be the first to snatch up one of these sweet new reels. Hey Honey, where's my keys?