The Shimano NASCI spinning reel is a high-quality fishing reel at an affordable price point suitable for freshwater and light to medium saltwater fishing applications.
Combined with Shimano's X-Ship gear support system, this superior technology delivers smooth, stable retrieves with unyielding strength and durability.
In the Shimano NASCI reel review, we will examine how Shimano incorporates their Hagane HGN cold-forged gearing and their X-Ship technology for improved power, durability, and functionality.
This would be considered an entry-level fishing reel from Shimano. However, at around $99, it still incorporates quality in many ways that you would typically only expect to find in a more expensive reel, such as their Stradic FK, for more than twice the money.
The reel is lighter than some of its counterparts, like the Penn Battle II or the Daiwa BG SW, which can be had for about the same price.
The Bottom Line
- If you want to get started with a Shimano spinning reel and are on a budget, this is the one.
- Smooth fishing reel with good drag on the model 2500 and above.
- Lightweight composite body design.
- Very durable oversized cold forged drive.
The Shimano NASCI spinning reel is a great starter and is available.
NASCI is Latin for birth or re-birth. Shimano stated at the 2016 ICAST event that they are positioning this reel as the mid-priced spinning reel.
One of the other features incorporated in this great reel is Core Protect water resistance – which means that the reel will last longer and stand up to saltwater conditions better than similarly priced reels that are not sealed.
Features
Overall, I have to say that I am quite impressed with the quality of this fishing reel at this price point. I have spent hundreds of dollars from Shimano and other manufacturers to get this quality.
The reel is just silky smooth, as I would expect from Shimano, so let’s take a look at all that has been packed into this great reel.
Hagane cold-forged gearing
The Hagane precision cold forged gears provide one of the smoothest retrieve experiences you will ever have, especially under a heavy load. X-SHIP provides a smoother and stronger precision gear system that places a bearing on the pinion.
While this difference does not make itself apparent when you are in the store under no load, it becomes apparent quickly once adequate pressure has been applied (a big fish). The NASCI comes in both a 5.0:1 and 6.2:1 gear ratios.
Coreprotect water resistance
Coreprotect provides you with 360-degree all-weather water resistance to ensure that this reel will last a lifetime – if you take care of it.
G Free Body
The center of the mass of the reel has been moved closer to the rod to improve the weight and balance in your hand. What this means is that you can feel the strike better and that you can fight the fish better.
Additionally, you will not get tired as easily after a long day on the water = no forearm and wrist fatigue. This design was first utilized in the more expensive Shimano Stella and then the Stradic FK reels.
X Ship
X-Ship combines features to create much greater efficiency. Positioning the pinion gear close to the large-diameter drive gear’s center line transfers more power from the handle to the rotor.
The pinion gear is also supported by two Shimano A-RB roller bearings. This creates stability and minimizes pinion gear twist and rotor deflection in extreme situations.
Thick Bail Wire
The thick bail wire might not seem like much at first, but it does lead to better performance and less chance that the bail will warp over time, producing sloppier line management and typically leading to wind knots, etc.
As I have said, make sure that after you cast, you use your hand to close the bail vs. snapping it shut with the handle turn, as this will make your reel last and perform better over time.
Features at a Glance
- Hagane cold-forged gearing
- Cold forged handle
- Composite body
- 4+1 Ball Bearings
- Coreprotect water resistance
- G Free Body
- X Ship
- Thick Bail Wire
The Shimano NASCI spinning reel comes in five different sizes that range from 1000 with a gear ratio of 5.0:1 with a 26″ line retrieve rate of mono as small as 2 lbs up to 20 lbs braid with a maximum drag of 7 lbs.
Three more models are in the middle: a 2500, the 3000 (my favorite), and a 4000 series. The largest NASCI spinning reel is the 5000, with a gear ratio of 6.2:1 and a 41″ line retrieve rate of mono, which is as small as 10 lbs up to 40 lbs braid with a maximum drag of 24 lbs.
The reels weigh in at 7.6 oz for the smallest 1000 and up to 10.6 oz for the 5000, making this what I would still consider to be a lightweight reel.
I have provided the chart below for those of you who want all the details.
| Model | Line Retrieve (in) | Gear Ratio | Mono Cap (lb/yds) | Braid Cap (lb/yds) | Max Drag (lb) | Ball Bearings | Weight (oz) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NAS1000FB | 26 | 5.0:1 | 2/270, 4/140, 6/110 | 10/95, 15/85 20/65 | 7 | 4+1 | 7.6 |
| NAS2500FB | 29 | 5.0:1 | 6/200, 8/140, 10/120 | 10/150, 15/145, 30/100 | 20 | 4+1 | 8.8 |
| NASC3000HGFB | 36 | 6.2:1 | 6/230, 8/170, 10/140 | 10/200, 20/140, 40/105 | 20 | 4+1 | 8.8 |
| NAS4000XGFB | 39 | 6.2:1 | 8/240, 10/200, 12/160 | 15/230, 20/205, 50/120 | 24 | 4+1 | 10.4 |
| NASC5000XGFB | 41 | 6.2:1 | 10/240, 12/195, 14/165 | 20/220, 30/200, 40/160 | 24 | 4+1 | 10.6 |
Field Test
I paired the Shimano NASCI3000 model# NAS3000HGFB with a G Loomis E6X model# E6X 843C MF, a 7′ Medium Fast rod. The two of them together is a sweet setup for under $300 that feels super light in your hands and extremely well balanced.
I headed out to Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge on Sanibel Island, Florida, to try this setup on some reds and see if I could catch one of the larger snooks that tends to hide in several of the mangrove lagoons.
As I launched my kayak, I was excited to see if this setup would perform as well as it felt in my hands once I got a sizable fish hooked.
David With a 1lb Redfish
After several casts, I could hook into a nice little 1 lb red that felt larger due to the sensitivity of this rod and reel combination.
After a few more casts, I caught a few nice speckled trout in the 2 lb range – again, the reel performed flawlessly with a great drag that was as smooth on the outgoing line as was the retrieve.
I was fishing a 3/8 oz jig head with a 4″ soft plastic in a white pattern, which always seems to get me the action I want.
When I compare this setup to one of my other regulars, a Penn Battle II on a Star Stellar Lite 7′ Medium Fast, I have to say that it felt considerably lighter.
The more I fish with lightweight gear, the more I remember why I have been an avid fly fisherman for many years.
Pros
- Amazing price point for this quality
- Composite body
- Lightweight
- Silky smooth
- Hagane precision cold forged gear drives
Cons
- Not a fully sealed reel
- The spool is not braid-ready
Alternatives
If you are looking for something fully sealed, then I recommend that you check out the Penn Spinfisher VI, which will deliver more drag but with about 60% added weight.
The PENN Spinfisher VI Spinning Reel builds on that legacy with a full metal body and sideplates that keep the CNC Gear System in precise alignment, while the IPX5 Sealed design keeps saltwater out to ensure consistently smooth performance. 
For those of you who want to stay at a similar weight and drag, I recommend one of my favorite mid-sized reels, the Daiwa Fuego LT. This reel has phenomenal drag, is lightweight, and is built very well, all at a very affordable price.
These Magsealed reels boast Daiwa's Carbon Light Material Housing LT Concept, and a Machined Aluminum Screw-In Handle.
If you want to step it up a bit in the budget, I recommend looking at the Pflueger Supreme XT, a high-quality reel that does not cost a fortune. The reel is made of high-quality materials such as magnesium and even incorporates carbon fiber into the handle to keep it strong and lightweight.
The lightest Pflueger reel in its class, this spinning reel features an ultralightweight magnesium body and rotor that offers superb rigidity without burdening your rod with excess weight.
In Conclusion
This is an awesome reel for $99. It is super smooth and has most of the technology integrated into it, which you will find in the higher-end Shimano reels. Shimano has done a fantastic job of finally delivering a quality reel in the sub $100 price point.
In the past, the Shimano reels at the lower end did not have the same luxury smooth feel that Shimano is so well known for in their higher-end reels. I highly recommend this reel and would give it an eight on a scale of 1-10.
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