Jonathan's Reel Repairs ,Services & Upgrades

20/05/2026

20/05/2026

Good morning All.

Have a peek at this Tiagra 80W and 50W i did for a client.

Both reels needed a lot more than just some tlc.

They were corroded outside and inside, there was also rust in places.
Handle k**b shafts were rusted and corroded inside, Plunger assemblies rusted, clickers rusted, rust and corrosion in all the nooks and crannies, click levers rusting under the face plates, drags bone dry and jerky.

Everything you really don't want to see was being seen here.

Pay careful attention to the after pictures.

Note that anyone using car greases so service reels is NOT doing you any favours, they do not work, they were not designed to do the job required for use in fishing reels.

These greases can become tricky and have a complex role to fulfill with sea water exposure and metals in reels.

Its a case of run Forrest run when you see this, car greases being used.

I have seen so many reels with bad corrosion damage from using the incorrect greases once exposed to salt water and with electrolysis and the use of dissimilar metals it becomes a nightmare for me to resolve this after the fact.

The same incorrect greases used on the carbon drag washers results in the same issue, a drag that is never smooth like it should be under load and this also leads to premature wear on the carbon washer(s) and also the results in the polishing of the drag mating face plate(s).

Your really need to know what you are doing when it comes to reels, you have to use the correct products designed for this task.

Enjoy the post and pictures.
Take note of the comments.

Have your reels serviced by people with the knowledge, skills and experience to do fishing reels the correct way.

Regards Jonathan.

30/04/2026

Good day All.

So i have not posted as i have been really busy with reels for clients fishing all the recent LTB competions here and away.

Here we go down memory lane with a TN30, gold Trinidad, one of the class acts from the Shimano stable.
I found so many assembly errors on this reel ................i wont even mention them. Those in the know will spot a few in the pictures.

This one arrived needing a lot of TLC, bearings that collapsed needing replacement, one drag washer was broken that needed replacement and the corrosion seen in areas and around the reel seat needed removal also.

Whoever worked on this reel was not knowledgeable judging from all the assembly errors found.
See the anti reverse dog plate was also fitted incorrectly and rubbing under the main gear under load.
See the tension drag washers sequence also incorrect.

Thankfully he brought the reel to the correct place next,,,,,,,,,,,,spot the difference after crossing my workbench.

I always tell people to have their reels serviced by knowledgeable and qualified folks, this is one of the main reasons why.

Having them incorrectly serviced will shorten the service life of your reels for certain.

Enjoy the post and the pictures.

Kind regards Jonathan.

01/04/2026

Good day All

I did this Talica 50II for a client.

A light, strong, compact reel with a beast of a drag system.

It is narrower than a Tiagra 50w more like a Tiagra 50 narrow but holds a LOT more line and is lots lighter also.

If youre older and want a lighter reel then this is the one for you.
Shimano makes great products and often it is very difficult to choose between them, this comes down to personal choice and what fishes easier for you.

Have a peek at what the spec says. this reel will land your Tunas without breaking a sweat all day long.

SHIMANO TALICA II. With Talica 2-Speeds we set out to break the mold. We wanted to make a 2-Speed Leverdrag that could underhand a sardine 40 feet to the chum line with ease. We also wanted to increase the fishable drag capabilities of a small diameter reel to fish with heavy PowerPro and short Fluorocarbon top shots that anglers are using to land huge fish.
Drag Power: Features an aggressive, braid-optimized drag providing 60-66 lbs of stopping power.
Two-Speed Gearbox: Offers high speed for rapid retrieval and low gear for high torque, handling long, hard runs.
Construction: Features a one-piece cold-forged and machined aluminum frame with a Hagane body, eliminating body flex.
Durability: Equipped with 6 S A-RB bearings for corrosion resistance, and updated models feature X-Protect water resistance technology.
Design: Features a relatively lightweight design for its class, intended for easy palming.
Capacity: High line capacity suitable for heavy fishing, including power-pro options.
Talica 50 II Advantages
Superior Drag: The cross-carbon drag material is designed to handle immense heat during long battles.
Versatility: Suitable for trolling, fishing on the pitch, or heavy deep-dropping.
Ergonomics: Designed with a compact, rigid body to reduce angler fatigue and improve efficiency.
The Talica 50 II is a top choice for serious anglers looking for a robust yet refined reel to handle the most demanding offshore species.
The Talica is the pinnacle of the small lever drag 2-speed market and was designed from the ground up to be an excellent casting reel with an ultra-smooth and powerful drag system to handle long battles.
The Talica is the pinnacle of the small lever drag 2-speed market and was designed from the ground up to be an excellent casting reel with an ultra-smooth and powerful drag system to handle long battles. Talica reels were purpose-built to take advantage of modern braided lines such as PowerPro Hollow Ace and shorter fluorocarbon leaders. Shimano offers the Talica in 11 different sizes to tackle a variety of offshore fish, from the football-size tuna to record-setting pelagic species.
TAC50II 3.8 1.7 60 56 60-440, 80-340, 100-250 80-1120, 100-945, 150-825

Remember to have your reels worked on by qualified and knowledgeable people, this remains the mantra always and use commonsense.

Enjoy the read and the pictures.

Regards Jonathan

19/03/2026

Good afternoon All.

As usual i am busy as a bee with reels hence being so very quiet.

Light tackle Boat clients fishing Nationals and Internationals have kept me knuckled down in the workshop working full time.

Anyhow this is a Talica 25 II i did for a client.

These are the specifications on this specific reel. Do not confuse this with the current Talica 25 II A as there are a few upgrades on the A model which are awesome.

The Talica is the pinnacle of the small lever drag 2-Speed market. Designed from the ground up to be an excellent casting reel with an ultra-smooth and powerful drag system to handle long battles. These reels were purpose built to take advantage of modern braided lines such as Power Pro Hollow Ace and shorter fluorocarbon leaders. We offer the Talica in 11 different sizes to tackle a variety of offshore fish from the football size tuna, to record setting class pelagic species.

Mono Line Capacity /yd - 30/550,40/420,50/340
Weight - 33.2oz
Bearings - 6+1
Gear Ratio - 5.2:1
Retrieve per crank - 46/20in
Power Braid lb/yds - 65/880,80/725,100/610
Max Drag - 45lb

Enjoy the pictures, like i say it always looks pretty simple.

These reels i have been doing the focus in on the drags as the chaps and girls will be fishing very light lines for trophy size fish. So nothing less than butter smooth drags under load will do.

Enjoy the post, look after your reels and have them worked on by people in the know with the relevant experience; NOTHING BEATS EXPERIENCE.

Regards Jonathan

12/02/2026

Good afternoon All.

It is with great joy and humility that i can share the renewal of my accreditation with Shimano; the greatest quality fishing brand in the world for 2026.

Regards Jonathan

03/02/2026

Good afternoon All.

So i have not posted anything as i am so busy trying to save reels that belong in the bin.

With what i often do it takes a lot more time and so sets me behind on SLA,s; something clients never even think of and burning the candles on nothing under 6 days a week has long been the norm.

You have never seen the worst of the reels that i have managed to save...................... that would stir quite some comment on this podium.

Anyhow, so this is one of the older Shimano reels made and one of my favorites also, in fact i love the entire range of this model.

The Sustain 10 000 FG.

Model: SA10000FG
Max Drag: 28 lbs (12.7 kg)
Gear Ratio: 4.8:1
Weight: 19.6 oz (555 g)
Bearings: 8 Stainless Steel Anti-Rust (S A-RB) + 1 Roller Bearing
Line Retrieve: Dual-position handle
Line Capacity (Mono): 12 lb/535 yds, 16 lb/340 yds, 20 lb/235 yds
Line Capacity (Braided): 50 lb/410 yds, 65 lb/260 yds, 80 lb/205 yds
Material: CI4 (Carbon Interfusion 4) Rotor, Aluminum Body/Sideplate
Key Features: X-Ship (enhanced rigidity), Magnumlite CI4 Rotor, Rapid Fire Drag, Propulsion Line Management System, Aero Wrap II, Waterproof Drag
Usage: Ideal for Tarpon, jigging, and large offshore species

I think that these reels were over engineered and have seen them catch and land large fish never designed to also.
The large oversized gears, large AR one way clutch, the small gearbox design(very short footprint) is a firm favorite of many, the well thought out handle design is great, the carbon drag system awesome and so i can carry on giving credit where it is due.

They are now defunct and parts are not available and lamented by many an angler.

Ensure your service center is qualified to do the job correctly, ensure that they use the correct greases and oils as well as the best service/cleaning practices also.

Look at the cleaned photos see how that blue grease used has stained the white part blue. This is not what you wish to have happen. Greases should protect without leaving its mark once cleaned( a tip).

When a reel is serviced this is ideally what you would like to see happen.
Compare the before photos to the after on my work bench ones.

Enjoy the post and pictures, kind regards Jonathan.