Shimano Trinidad Casting Reels Review

Trinidads Work!, 2008-08-01
Reviewer: Jigger

Ok - this is a reel where you get what you pay for. After fishing the California scene for 20 years with all types of reels, I wanted a no compromise reel. I spent the $ and could not be happier. I wanted a adjustable freespool, lightweight, machined reel, and the Trinidad feels great. If your budget is tight, go with the Torium line.

Quite expensive but very exciting reel, 2006-06-29
Reviewer: Val

I'll keep it simple. If you're looking for a versitile reel, this is the
one. If you can afford to pop out $400 on a reel, you'll be happy
with this reel. I have to admit, I had to bribe my wife to let me keep
it. When she discovered the price, she was ready to take it back, so
I bought her an Ipod. But back to the review, I used it for rockfish,
white seabass, calico, yellowtail and sheephead. A very fun reel
that costs a bunch.

Trinidad 16/20, 2005-03-07
Reviewer: David Tang

IMO the Trinidad is a good reel for $200 not the $400 retail
price....I really like the 6.2:1 gears.... it is fast and for whatever
reason still has adequate cranking power even for a high speed
reel.....the Dartainium drag system IMO is not very good the
material is very brittle and very messy when you tear down a
Trinidad the black goo is everywhere......I broke two sets of the
Dartainiums in my 20"s and the replacement sets were $30
which I feel is pretty pricey....I have replaced the drags with HT
-100 drag material and the Cal drag plate which has been a
huge improvment...they now put out 15# to 17# of drag.....

To improve the freespool I had the adjustable clicker removed
degreased the bearings and lubed with a drop of Reel X.

The anodizion on the Trinidad's is very thin...scratches easily.

I really like the handle and knob both very comfortable.

Be sure to check all the screws on your Trinidad as they have a
tendancey to loosen up...I put a dab of locktight on each screw
after losing a couple.

It a smooth casting and cranking reel...but IMO over priced..

schweeeeet, 2005-02-18
Reviewer: Arvin Reyes

i own the trinidad 14.

good:
looks nice. feels nice. works nice. man, almost everything about this reel is nice. very ergonomic handle. very audible clicker with clicker tension adjustment for trolling. excellent cranking power. rivalled only by the accurate line.

bad:
price tag is right up there with the accurate. other than that, cant say much bad about this reel.

comments:
i use this reel for so many different applications. everything from flippin live sardines into the kelp for calico bass, to fly lining live sardines to yellowtail on kelp paddies. ive even used the reel for tossing swimbait jigs into deep water for barred sand bass. in the 14 size, it is one of the most versatile reels i own. and like i said, other than the price tag, there really isnt anything bad i can say about this reel. i rate it right up there with my accurate. but i just can truly compare the two since one is a lever drag and the other is probably the smoothest star drag on the american market!