The Shimano Spheros SW is the newest version of the Spheros model and was first released in 2014. In this review of the Shimano Spheros SW, we will look at how it compares to other reels from Shimano, such as the Shimano Stella SW and the Shimano Saragosa SW spinning reel.
While Shimano does have a saltwater lineup offering that is less expensive, the Shimano Socorro SW would not be my first choice for a full-sized saltwater spinning reel.
The Spheros SW is not an inexpensive reel, with street prices starting at just under $199 at the time of this writing (8/17), but it is at the lower end of the price range for a quality saltwater spinning reel that can be used for your larger game fish.
The Spheros SW comes in 5 models ranging from 5000 to 20000 and has a drag rating of 22 and 41 lbs.
The Bottom Line
- My favorite large saltwater reel for the money
- It is a very smooth reel with a great drag system
- A fully sealed body that will withstand harsh saltwater conditions
- It shares many of the same parts as other, much more expensive Shimano reels
Features
Hagane Body
The high-quality Hagane body provides the durability and rigidity required to withstand the torque of larger fish species. One of the main advantages of a body with more rigidity is that you do not lose any cranking power due to the body flexing.
High-quality materials and engineering, like in the Spheros SW, are standard in your larger, more expensive offshore spinning reels, like the Shimano Stella Saltwater. I am glad that Shimano is applying the same quality to their less expensive models, like the Spheros SW and the Saragosa SW.
Hagane cold-forged gearing
Like most Shimano reels, the Spheros SW is built with Hagane cold-forged gearing, producing a highly smooth gearing system. This is achieved by a cold-forging process, allowing more precise gear to be manufactured consistently than a cutting process.
Not only does this process create a smooth gear, but it also creates a very strong gear as the gears fit or mesh tightly together, which makes it feel more solid and minimizes the wear on the gears.
X-Ship Technology for Perfect Gear Alignment
Shimano uses two bearings on each end of the pinion gear to support it, meaning the gears stay in perfect alignment. A typical challenge for many reels is that the torque produced will tend to twist the gears out of alignment under a heavy load like a sailfish or large pelagic.
When this happens, you can feel the reel bogging down or binding when you crank it, and the gears will wear quickly.
X-Shield
Shimano has incorporated its X-Shield technology, available only on more expensive reels like the Stella, into the Spheros SW reel.
X-Shield consists of placing several sealing gaskets and O-rings in critical areas of the reel to eliminate the penetration of water and sand into the reel. This a fully sealed reel, and you should feel confident that if you use it for wading, surf casting, or from your kayak, the reel will withstand harsh saltwater conditions.
As usual, don’t abuse this great design, and still follow the rule of properly maintaining your reels by cleaning thoroughly after each use with fresh water and something like SaltAway.
Cross-Carbon Drag system
Shimano uses a Cross-Carbon Drag washer in the Socorro SW, which provides a smooth drag from when you get pressure on it – through the fight. The Cross-Carbon Drag is a registered trademark of Shimano.
The cross-carbon drag has a hatch pattern that provides a strong and smooth drag needed when fighting larger pelagic species that love to run fast and hard.
Shielded A-RB® ball bearings
When saltwater fishing, keeping saltwater and sand out of your reel is paramount to a long lifespan. Shimano uses three shielded A-RB (anti-rust) bearings that are shielded on both sides with a special coating to minimize damage by saltwater and provide an extremely smooth retrieve.
Cold-forged aluminum spool
The cold-forged aluminum spool is designed for strength and is much stronger than a die-cast aluminum or graphite spool.
Features at a Glance
- Hagane Body
- Hagane Gearing
- X-Ship
- X-Shield
- Shielded Anti-rust Bearings
- Cold Forged Aluminum Spool
- CFGearing
- Cross Carbon Drag
The handle stem of the Spheros SW is made of the same material (machined aluminum) and has a higher build quality than that of the more expensive Saragosa SW.
The main difference you will notice is that visually, there is a slight bend in the stem, which serves no purpose; however, it is very similar to the more expensive Stella SW design from back in 2008.
Upon inspection, we can see that the pinion/clutch seal, which is the most critical area for water intrusion on any saltwater reel, uses all of the newest technology and engineering as Shimano’s top reels, such as the Stella SW, which means that the water, sand, and dirt should stay out of your beloved reel.
The main shaft seal is the same as that of the Saragosa SW — are you starting to see a pattern here? Shared parts are continued between the more expensive Saragosa SW and the Spheros SW with the graphite rotor.
It should be noted that all of the Spheros SW reels have a graphite rotor, whereas the predecessor Spheros FB had a metal rotor on the 14000 and larger models. While graphite is a strong material, it will be susceptible to flexing, particularly in larger sizes, when under a heavy load.
Overall, the Shimano Spheros SW is a well-constructed reel with many of the same components as the more expensive Saragosa SW reel. When it comes to an SW-branded reel, the most important thing is how well-sealed it is from the elements.
After looking carefully at the Spheros, it is interesting that the waterproofness is on par with that of the Stela SW, which is 4x the cost. If you look at the specifications from Shimano, they state that the Spheros are as waterproof as the Stella SW.
One significant upgrade of the new Spheros SW over the previous Spheros FB is the locomotive oscillation system on all models, providing a very even line lay when retrieving.
So, as you can tell so far, there do not seem to be any major differences between the Shimano Saragosa SW and the Shimano Spheros SW reels, with one major exception: the drag system.
The Spheros SW reel uses a top stack drag system, while the more extensive and more expensive Saragosa SW uses a drag system that applies drag pressure to both the spool’s top and bottom. The difference in drag pressure is minimal, and the smoothness and reliability are comparable.
Pros
- Waterproof Design
- Price Point
- Smooth gearing and drag
Cons
- Not a whole metal body
Shimano Spheros SW Alternatives
The apparent comparison after this review is the Shimano Saragosa SW, but I think you will conclude, as I have, that unless you need the slightly larger drag or the 25,000-sized spools, the Spheros SW is a better deal.
Staying with the Shimano brand but not in the same price category (5 times the price), I would be the Shimano Stella, but be prepared to drop a wad of cash.
Staying in the same price range, I would have you look at the Penn Slammer III, a heavier reel but fully sealed.
In Conclusion
The Shimano Spheros SW is a less expensive version of the Shimano Saragosa SW that shares almost all of the same components.
As is so typical these days, especially with the larger manufacturers like Shimano, several reels are so close in specs and components that you ask yourself why they would have that reel.
The simple answer is plain old marketing. In the case of the Shimano Saragosa SW vs. the Shimano Spheros SW, I would personally save about 20% and go with the Spheros SW over the Saragosa SW.
The Shimano Spheros SW is one of the lowest-priced fully sealed reels on the market today, and other than a few features like a whole metal body, it is so similar to the flagship Shimano Stella SW that I think it deserves to be given a solid 4.5 out of 5 possible stars.
For the money, the Shimano Spheros SW is probably the best bang for the buck if you are looking for an excellent reel for surfcasting or offshore fishing that won’t break the bank.
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