In this Shimano Tekota A Levelwind 500 / 600 Review, we highlight all the features that make this reel stand out.
Shimano has an excellent reputation for designing some of the best fresh and saltwater reels. The Shimano Tekota A boasts a lightweight S body type with a smooth cross-carbon drag.
The reel is small and light enough to maximize comfort without sacrificing spool size, depth, or power.
They’ve upgraded the original Tekota line to feature Coreprotect water resistance, a loud clicker, and an easy-to-replace anti-fogging lens for the line counter. The Tekota A is cut out for use with any trolling technique including planer boards, downriggers, and lead core.
One thing that immediately stands out about the Shimano Tekota A is its practical, lightweight design. They intended to make this reel comfortable and smooth without sacrificing durability and power.
The brilliant design could be the reason the Tekota A was the 2018 Showcase Winner at ICAST.
The Bottom Line
- One of the top compact-level reels on the market
- It is a very smooth reel with great cross-carbon drag
- Designed for harsh saltwater conditions with Shimanos Coreprotect
- Very strong and lightweight Hagane metal body
The Tekota A Levelwind reels won ICAST 2018 for a reason.
Features
S-Compact ergonomic body design
The body shape of the Tekota A is designed to fit comfortably into your hand while remaining durable and sturdy enough to battle it out with a big fish all day long without getting tired.
Easy to Replace Anti-Fogging Lens
You don’t have to deal with the line counter lens fogging because the LC models feature a lens that will never fog per the manufacturer. We have not had any issues during our testing even on those South Florida days when it feels like it is 150% humidity.
Super Stopper Anti-Reverse
When you’re battling a big fish, the last thing you want to worry about is getting hurt when the handle starts spinning. The Super Stopper is a Shimano specialty, and it prevents the reel handle from back spinning when you set the hook on a fish and makes sure that you get a solid hook set each and every time.
The super stopper on the Tekota A has additional protection from the saltwater due to the Coreprotect seals.
Coreprotect water resistance
The Coreprotect water resistance feature does an essential job for your saltwater reel. The Coreprotect keeps your reel and all the internal components safe from water damage and corrosion due to saltwater. Without this feature, you would not fish saltwater for long.
Coreprotect is a combination of a water repellant and a series of gaskets around the reel’s critical entry points, making the reel extremely water repellant, not waterproof.
Hagane Body
The Hagane Body is a metal reel body with high rigidity. The body stiffness and impact resistance virtually eliminate body flexing. The result transforms the angler’s actions directly into cranking power.
Louder Clicker
Many anglers have mixed feelings about the use of clickers when trolling. Some see it as a necessity while others think it’s lazy fishing. Regardless of your perspective, the Tekota A comes with a louder clicker than previous models so there will be no shortage of noise to alert you of a fish on.
Cross Carbon Drag
Part of why the drag is so smooth with the Tekota A is due to the cross-carbon drag material. It provides you with a wider assortment of drag settings so you can tweak it to meet your needs.
To achieve smoother drag, Shimano places a carbon fiber disk on either side of the master gear to apply even pressure.
Right and Left Hand Retrieval
With both the 500 and 600, you can get them in a right or left-hand retrieval. These reels are one of a kind because they are the only one in the Shimano line to offer dual retrieval. They all come with a gear ratio of 6.3:1 and 3+1 bearings.
Fine Craftsmanship
One thing that stands out is the craftsmanship of this reel. It looks beautiful and works even better than it looks. The durable build is designed to prevent corrosion and remain water resistant.
Aluminum Spool with Level Wind
Forged aluminum spooling deploys strength and durability in this reel. All their models use a non-disengaging level wind system that moves the line back to the spool. Anglers do not need to guide the line with their fingers when retrieving.
The non-disengaging function means that the level wind works with the reel in a free spool while casting.
Aluminum Framing
With the right amount of care and attention, you should have no problem keeping this reel in perfect shape for many years. The anodized aluminum framing with side plates protects the gears while eliminating twisting.
Tekota does a great job of providing a durable and robust reel while still ensuring it remains lightweight and comfortable.
Accurate Line Counter
Some models containing an LC have the option of a line counter. The counter weighs about one ounce and has a removable panel for service on the outside. These line counters are useful for trolling techniques that require a specific amount of line like with a downrigger.
The line counter fits comfortably between your fingers and allows you to reset it with a button easily.
S-ARB Bearings
These are similar upgrades to the Shimano A-RB bearings. These feature a shield on both sides to prevent corrosion or abrasion from sand and dirt.
Three Different Handles
While shopping for a Shimano Tekota reel, you might notice three different crank handles. The small models like the 300 and 300 LC feature a double padded handle while the 500 and 600 use a counterbalance style.
All handles from Shimano Tekota use a no-slip Septon grip.
Features at a Glance
- S-Compact comfort and ergonomic design
- Anti-Fogging Lens
- Super Stopper Anti-Reverse
- Coreprotect Water Resistance
- Hagane Body Eliminates Resistance
- Louder Clicker
- Cross Carbon Drag
- Right and Left Hand Retrieval
- Fine Craftsmanship
- Accurate Line Counter
- S-ARB Bearings
When you compare the Shimano Tekota A Levelwind 500 / 600 to some of its competitors. You realize how smooth and light this reel is. The craftsmanship of the reel is pristine and it comes at a fair price.
The free pool uses a side lever instead of a standard thumb button which is clunky for some applications, but this should nearly go unnoticed for most anglers. The spool is deep enough for hundreds of yards of monofilament or braid depending on your preference.
The Shimano Tekota A Levelwind 500 / 600 build is a diecast aluminum frame with a stamped aluminum right-side plate. The reel has a braced graphite non-handle side plate with an aluminum spool and rod clamp.
Many versions use a manual clutch except for the 300 LC, 500 LC, and 600 LC which have an auto-return.
The premium S-ARB bearings used in this reel utilize shields on both sides to prevent rust and corrosion. The smooth 3+1 system allows for steady retrieve and a powerful 24-pound max drag across all the models.
The Shimano Tekota Levelwind Reels feature a wide assortment of sizes and capacities. They have a rock-solid construction, and the reels provide a simple solution for anglers who troll in fresh, and saltwater.
If you hit the Great Lakes, you’ll love the palmable line counter on some of the models. If you’re a saltwater angler, you’ll appreciate the durability, strength, and protection from harsh saltwater.
The Tekota A is one of the newest reels and it’s the result of many upgrades through research, development, and time on the water. Shimano reels are engineered to outlast the competition through their die-cast aluminum frames, smooth but strong drags, comfort grips, oversized clickers, and cross-bar design for quick access to the spool.
If you opt for a line counter model, they are comfortable and easy to use. The left side plate makes it highly palpable, and it puts the counter right between your forefinger and thumb for optimal control. With this, you have easy access to a reset button but protection, so you don’t accidentally reset the counter.
The Coreprotect feature has shown up in many Shimano reels over the years and it’s still popularly available in the Tekota A Levelwind. Coreprotect identifies at-risk areas where water resistance is essential. Around the frame seal and the clutch button are two areas where you don’t want saltwater getting in.
Saltwater is known for wreaking havoc on your gear so you want to do everything you can to protect it. Coreprotect water resistance with regularly scheduled cleaning should keep your reel in tip-top shape.
Pros
- Smooth drag
- Coreprotect water resistance
- Super stopper anti-reverse
- Improved clicker
- S-ARB bearings with shields
- Affordable
Cons
- Reports of Inaccurate line counter
- No harness lugs
In Conclusion
I think that the steps the company has taken to improve the feel and comfort of their reel have paid off. The drag on the Shimano Tekota A is about as smooth as you can get. It’s a top-notch feature that continues to add to this reel’s comfort and professional feel.
One issue I have with this reel is the lack of variation in terms of gear ratio and almost everything in general. As you sort through the different models, they don’t provide many variations for different styles, fishing methods, or personal preferences.
With that said, you get all the features you would want out of a premium reel without paying the premium price. For around $200 you could have one of the best reels on the market.
Lastly, you have protection against issues down the road. You have the Coreprotect water resistance to prevent corrosion and damage to the reel. You also have the S-ARB bearings with dual shields to ensure that nothing gets inside your bearings and slows you down. There isn’t much that this reel doesn’t offer.
If you are looking for a reel that maximizes comfort and usability without sacrificing strength and does not break the bank then the Shimano Tekota A Levelwind is the right choice.
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