Shimano Talica A Two-Speed Lever Drag Reels

Industry benchmark. Infinity Drive. 66 lb max drag.

The Shimano Talica A is the redesigned flagship two-speed lever drag reel that sets the industry benchmark for offshore trolling, live-baiting, and jigging. The new generation adds Shimano's Infinity Drive technology — a redesigned pinion gear structure supported by the spool shaft instead of a side bearing — which delivers up to 40% lighter rotation under heavy drag pressure. That means you crank when other reels lock up. Pair that with a Cross Carbon Drag system rated to 66 lb of max pressure, X-Protect water resistance, and the HAGANE metal body, and you've got the reel built to outlast the toughest fish in the toughest conditions.

Key Features

• Infinity Drive technology — up to 40% lighter rotation under heavy drag
• Cross Carbon Drag — up to 66 lb max drag, the smoothest Shimano drag performance to date
• HAGANE body — rigid metal body that doesn't flex under fish load
• X-Protect water resistance on key bearings — saltwater durability without sacrificing gear feel
• Two-speed gearing — high gear for retrieve, low gear for pulling fish out of deep water
• Light-Line Drag Cam included — gradual drag curve for fishing lighter line systems
• S-Compact Body on select models — palming side plate up to 25% smaller for all-day comfort
• Six sizes — from the inshore 12 to the giant tuna 50

Specs

All models: right-hand retrieve, two-speed, Cross Carbon Drag (66 lb max), X-Protect, HAGANE body, Infinity Drive. Includes Light-Line Drag Cam.

Sizing & Use

• 12II / 16II: the inshore tuna and bottom-fishing class — perfect for false albacore on stand-up gear, school tuna, big striper trolling, and deep jigging. The everyday Talica.
• 20II / 25II: the mid-size offshore reel — school bluefin, yellowfin, big bottom fish in deep water, mid-size billfish bait-and-switch.
• 40II / 50II: the trophy-class tuna reel — giant bluefin, big-eye, marlin, and serious deep-drop work. Pair with a Talica-class rod and chair or stand-up harness.
• Spool with high-test braid (50-100 lb depending on size) for max capacity, top-shot with 60-130 lb mono or fluoro for stretch
• The low-gear setting is what makes a two-speed worth the money — switch down when a fish sounds and pull them back up off the bottom

Why We Like It

The original Talica earned its place as the offshore standard, and the redesigned Talica A pushes it further. Infinity Drive is the real upgrade — under heavy drag pressure most reels feel like cranking through molasses, but the Talica A keeps spinning freely. 66 lb of drag in the smaller frames is more than most anglers will ever need; in the 40/50 it's a real tuna-stopping number. X-Protect on the key bearings means the reel actually holds up to the saltwater abuse a Talica gets used for. Backed by Shimano's 1-year warranty and the reality that these reels routinely outlast their owners' fishing careers.