FAQ

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General Rod Questions

What is rod "Power"? 

The power of the rod can be best described as the strength or lifting power required to move a fish. The power for each rod is created by analyzing its application, environmental conditions, and fishing style. Each of our series of rods is created with various blends of materials and rated independently such that the Medium Heavy power freshwater rod will feel different than the Medium Heavy power of a saltwater rod. 

What is rod "Action"? 

The action of a rod describes where it flexes during the cast and on the retrieve. The action, in combination with the materials and components, determines how a rod performs. A rod with an Extra Fast action flexes closest to the tip. As the action descends from Extra Fast to Medium, the flex descends through the rod blank towards the butt section. The design of each action is custom to a particular fishing application. Shimano takes into consideration such variables as angle preferences, a variety of personal styles, and the presentation and performance of your lure on the delivery and retrieve. These variables can be optimized when the proper action is combined with the proper lure and power of the rod. 

 

General Reel Questions 

Line twist 

Line was not wound on the spool correctly. Reels with slow or super slow oscillation must have line wound on using the reel. Line roller bearing/bushing is binding. Lubricate with Shimano oil or replace possible faulty bearing. 

 

Bail will not close correctly 

 The most common issue is the bail wire being bent out of proper shape. This places additional tension on the bail wire pivots. The wire can be lightly reshaped depending on the level of damage. They may need to be replaced if the damage is too severe. Another possible issue is corrosion or excessive dirt/sand on the bail wire pivots. Clean excessive salt/dirt/sand and lubricate with Bantam oil. The reel may require more extensive service at a Shimano Authorized Service Center.   

 

Gears feel rough under pressure. 

Lack of lubrication or damaged gears. Send to Shimano Authorized Service Center for repair. 

 

Spinning Reel Questions 

I just opened my new reel and I don’t see the reel oil in the box. Is this a mistake?   

Shimano decided recently that we will no longer include reel oil within the box of your reel. The reason being that Shimano wants to help lead the way in our industry for reducing Environmental impact, so we’ve decided to remove unnecessary plastics from our packaging and products. The reel oil is a ten-weight mineral oil and can be purchased from any home goods or hardware store if the oil is needed. 

  

The handle spins backwards on hookset.   

Faulty anti reverse bearing. Replace anti reverse bearing. Reel is over lubricated with oil. Clean all the oil from the bearing. 

  

Line does not stack correctly on the spool.   

Use provided shims to adjust spool height on the reel. If the line is too high on the spool add a shim. If it is too low remove a shim. 

  

Drag is not smooth.   

Lack of grease on the drag washer or drag washer soaked with oil. Replace drag washers or re-grease. 

 

Baitcasting Reel Questions 

Reel makes noise when casting.   

VBS weights are dry or worn. Replace VBS weights or apply one drop of oil to each weight. Check spool bearing for smoothness or corrosion. If it rusted or not smooth replace bearing. Dry spool bushing. Apply one drop of oil to bushing. 

SVS brakes can require maintenance. Clean the brass brake pipe with a Q-tip and rubbing alcohol. Clean the brake blocks in the same manner. Apply a few drops of Shimano Bantam oil to a fresh q-tip and apply a light coating to both the brake blocks and brake pipe.  

  

Reel does not cast as far as it used to.   

Check spool support bearings for smoothness and corrosion. If not smooth or corroded replace bearing. Excessive dirt or oil on spool shaft or spool lip. Clean dirt/oil with a Q-tip and rubbing alcohol. 

  

Drag is not smooth (jerky).   

Lack of grease on washer. Re-grease washer. Oil on drag washer. Replace washer.  or send to an Authorized Service Center. 

  

Reel does not have any drag pressure with braided line.   

Tighten drag to the maximum setting. With the reel in hand, place your thumb on the one/spool and hold securely in place. Turn handle. If the spool rotates while your thumb is holding the line in place, then you have line slippage. The solution is to wrap 2 layers of line or masking tape around the arbor of the spool. Now add the braided line as you would normally. This gives the braided line something to hold onto and it will not slip any longer. 

  

Line guide on level wind does not work.   

Possible cracked pawl cap or missing pawl cap and pawl. Replace pawl cap and pawl if needed. Possible damaged idle gear or worm gear. Send to Shimano or authorized Service Center. 

  

Reel backlashes on casts.   

SVS braking system uses both internal brake blocks and an external dial for fine adjustments. Turn on all brake blocks and set the dial to the “6” setting. Make several casts and turn off one brake at a time until you have sufficient casting distance and backlashes stop. The dial can be fine tuned further to adjust for wind conditions or small lure weight changes.  

The DC (Digitial Control) equipped reels have multiple settings. The IDC 4 equipped reels have 4 settings on the external dial. Each corresponds to a certain line type or fishing condition. Consult your owners manual for the best setting for each line type. The IDC 5 has 4 settings and an internal adjustment setting for line type N (nylon/mono F (fluorocarbon) PE (braided line). Select the correct line type and then adjust the external dial for proper braking force. 1 being the least and 4 being the most.  

• Break weights need to be adjusted to the bait you are using.

 • Turn all weights on and start casting while turning one off at a time until casting distance is sufficient and backlashes stop. A fine tuned adjustment can be made by adjusting the cast control.

•  Cast control cap is not adjusted correctly. Adjust cap until the right tension is achieved. 

 

Handle spins backwards on hookset.   

Anti reverse bearing is slipping. Replace anti reverse bearing. 

  

How do I use the VBS (Variable Break System) feature of my Shimano Baitcasting reel?   

  

VBS is designed to slow the spool down as your lure loosesloses momentum after casting. The VBS systems acts as a centrifugal break using the distribution of weight to create drag on the spool. This feature is designed to help prevent backlashes with your reel. The VBS system is located on one side of your spool (This varies depending on the retrieve orientation of the reel; example right hand retrieve or left hand retrieve) There are plastic break weights located on VBS side of the spool, these break weights are capable of being turned on or off. If you move the break weight toward the axis of the spool (The center) or into the off position the break weight will have less influence on the slowing of the spool. If you move the break weight outward or into the on position it will cause the break weights to have more influence on the slowing of the spool. You can use any number (up to six, the number of break weights also varies depending on the reel) of break weights, in any configuration to obtain an optimal spool response. 

 

Service & Maintenance 

How do I obtain service information or parts for my Shimano reel? 

Technical Support and parts can be obtained from Shimano by phone 1-877-577-0600 or on our online parts shop fishshop.shimano.com 

To order parts for your reel online Click Here 

 

How should I clean my reel after use in saltwater or brackish water? 

Lightly rinse your reel under a faucet or hose. Do not use high pressure to rinse the reel. Once you have adequately rinsed all of the salt deposits from your reel, use a soft towel or rag to wipe the exterior of your reel dry.  

 

The line on my Baitcasting reel loads one side of the spool. Is there something wrong with the reel? 

Chances are that your reel is fine. If you are reeling line with your rod pointed toward the right, the line will load up higher on the left side of the spool. If your rod is pointed to the left while reeling line in, the line will load higher on the right side of the spool. A simple solution to this problem is to keep your rod and line parallel to each other whenever possible. 

 

How do I set my drag for the pound test line I'm using? 

As a rule of thumb, mount your reel to the rod then feed the line through each guide. Now, use a scale and set the drag so that it gives at approximately 1/3 of the line's breaking strength, during this process it is necessary to simulate a fishing condition. Therefore, the rod must be held in a stable position either by a person or a rod holder. 

 

Why are there more than one color of break weights for my Baitcasting VBS system? 

Shimano makes two different break weights; Heavy (Black, Grey, or Green in color) and Light (Red, Blue, and Clear in color). Most of the new reels are shipped with the light break weights on the reel, and the heavy break weights in packaging in the box. If the light break weights don’t provide adequate spool stopping power, change them simply by pulling them off of the spool and replace them with the heavier weights. 

 

How do I put line on my Shimano spinning or baitcasting reel? 

To put line on your Shimano spinning reel place the reel in the reel seat on the rod. Take your spool of line (for recommended weights please refer to your reel owner’s manual) and run the line through the smallest guide at the tip, then through all of the guides toward the reel. Tie the line onto the spool with the bail in the open position (there is no bail on the baitcasting reel), pull on your line to assure that your knot is secure and then close the bail. After the bail is closed, rotate your handle away from you until you have spooled up the desired amount of line. For best results, place a rod in the center of the spool and have a friend hold either end of the rod securing the spool while you are filling the spool on your reel. 

 

Can I upgrade or exchange my Shimano product? 

No, Shimano does not offer any upgrade options for our Rod and Reel products. If you purchased an item (apparel or parts) directly from us then we can exchange this item with another item of equal or lesser value. The item must still be in new and unused condition, and all tags and receipts must be included to process an exchange. 

 

My reel was just sent to Shimano North America Holding, Inc. (or Shimano Canada Ltd.) and serviced, but it is still not working correctly? 

Please contact our Customer Service Team at (877) 577-0600 or email us at fishsitefeedback@shimano.com and one of our agents will supply a prepaid shipping label to have your reel sent back to us for further evaluation.  

 

Do I pay for return shipping when I send my reel to Shimano for service? 

Yes, in addition to the service fee, you are responsible for shipping charges to and from Shimano American Corp. or Shimano Canada Ltd. (Return shipping will be covered by Shimano North America Holding, Inc. / Shimano Canada Ltd. if deemed a warranty issue) 

 

If my fishing reel purchase is within its 1 year warranty term and the receipt is included, will repair services be covered automatically? 

No, Shimano’s limited 1 year warranty covers non-conformance determined to have occurred during the manufacturing and/or design process. Damages determined to have occurred due to neglect, accident, or normal wear and tear are not covered under the limited warranty, but may be serviced for a specific fee. 

 

Does Shimano warranty the service work that they have performed on a fishing reel? 

Yes, once a Shimano technician has serviced your reel we will maintain a 6 month limited warranty on the work performed on the reel. (This warranty will be limited to any non-conformance or workmanship error associated with the service work done; normal wear and tear or neglect is not covered) 

 

My braided line is slipping on my spool during the retrieve, what can I do to minimize this issue? 

Braided line may slip on a spool due to a lack of pressure applied during the spooling process. A general lack of pressure will mean that the line will not grip the spool arbor adequately and may also cause loose loops resulting in line 'biting' into itself when pressure is applied by a weight or while fighting a fish. It is recommended that you use more pressure during the spooling process (for example, using gloves or a rag to apply pressure to the spool of line as you wind the line onto the reel's spool), and to help minimize slippage, one can also apply a layer to 'water friendly' tape prior to spooling which will assist in the line 'biting' and gripping the spools arbor. 

 

Order Status 

Has my order shipped?   

You will receive a shipping confirmation notice via email when your order has been received. Please make sure that both your email and shipping addresses are accurate and you are present to receive your product. Shimano cannot ship to PO Boxes or APO's. Shimano is not responsible for lost or stolen packages. Deliveries may take up to 2 weeks (or 14 business days) but generally ship much sooner. 

  

When will my order be delivered?   

Your order will be delivered in 5 -10 business days. 

  

When my order is delivered?   

Shimano does not require a signature to release packages. Please be present to receive the goods. We recommend shipping to a place of business if you will not be home to receive delivery. 

  

Does this program allow for backorders?   

No. Customers can request to be notified when an item is back in stock via email. They will have to decide at that time if they want to purchase some items now or order all items at a later date once everything is available. 

  

What if my credit card is not approved for the purchase?   

If your credit card is not approved, you will be unable to complete your order at this time. You will still be able to use your access code at a future date. 

 

There is a problem with my shipment, what should I do?   

Please contact customer service at 1-877-577-0600. 

 

What should I do if I think my package is lost in transit?   

  

If your package is lost in transit, please contact Shimano customer service to initiate a lost package claim. Be sure to have your tracking number and order number handy as well as any details regarding your case. Once a claim has been submitted, Shimano will issue a replacement once a claim is deemed lost by the carrier. 

 

I shipped my rod in for warranty inspection and it didn’t pass. Can I get my shipping refunded?   

Unfortunately, we do not refund shipping costs for warranty items sent in for inspection. If you are unsure if your rod will pass warranty we would recommend that you use the no questions asked replacement option in the express program. 

 

What happens if my package shows delivered but I still don’t have it?   

Unfortunately in today’s world porch theft is all too common. Once a package is confirmed delivered by the carrier the transaction between Shimano and the Customer is finished. If your package is stolen off of your porch or from your mailbox please contact your local authorities, Shimano is not responsible for stolen packages. 

 

Shipping & Returns 

Shipping Rates   

The shipping charge for all orders is a $6.00 flat rate unless another method of shipping is selected. Additional shipping charges will apply for any orders that require a special shipping service. 

  

Wrong Part Shipped   

If the items shipped are different from what you ordered, please have your shipping invoice or email handy and either call 1-877-577-0600 or email us @ fishsitefeedback@shimano.com to correct the problem. 

  

When will my order ship?   

Most items ship within two days of receiving your order but may take up to 2 weeks (or 14 business days). Depending on size of order - our warehouse determines the best carrier for shipping. 

  

If I order the wrong size can I return the item?   

Yes, You can return the item for a credit "No Exchanges". All items that are returned must have the original tags attached. If you have any questions or concerns regarding your return please contact us toll free at 1-877-577-0600 or email us at fishsitefeedback@shimano.com 

 

Price & Billing 

Timing of billing   

Your credit card will only be charged once your order has shipped.  

Do I have to pay sales tax?

Only residents in AL, CA, CO, CT, MA, NC, NV, SC, TX, WA & PA are required to pay sales tax. 

Accepted forms of payment   

We accept the following major credit cards: Visa, MasterCard and American Express