Welcome Back Shimano : The 2013 Metanium

Total Score: 8.28 - EDITORS CHOICE AWARD

Introduction: For years, we've wondered why large manufacturers like Shimano go through the effort to make specialized products for one market versus another when the overall applications of each product are more or less the same. Of course, we're speaking primarily about fishing reels, and even more specifically, bass fishing reels.

Introducing the 2013 Shimano Metanium.

The perception many US consumers have is the grass is always greener and the reels made for the Japanese Market are better than those made for sale here in the United States. Bearings are better, braking systems are better, finishes are better, overall performance is better. True or not, that is the perception and rather than wage a pointless debate, consumers simply turn to the Internet and order the reels direct from Japan. It is the age of information afterall and the Internet makes access to items you might otherwise find difficult to locate, all that much easier.

(ttvideometanium13mg) Shin Fukae, 2013 PAA Angler of the Year introducing the new Shimano Metanium.

Well, we're happy to see that Shimano America Corp has finally seen the light. This past fall, they announced the availability of former JDM only product, officially in the North American Market. These aren't watered down, relabeled, "untuned" versions of existing reels, but in a move that took even us by surprise, Shimano is importing the latest iterations of their Antares and Metanium reels for sale in US tackle stores. We were already in possession and in the process of reviewing the 2013 Metanium reels prior to this announcement, but now that the reels are readily available here in the States, we felt it was time to step up the pace on the products review cycle. Here now is our look at Shimano's 2013 Metanium low profile baitcasting reels.