SHIMANO Speedmaster II Conventional Lever Drag Reel
The extremely durable and high-performance SpeedMaster II boasts a high maximum drag power combined with a smooth, ultra-wide range of drag adjustability to make it a true fish-fighting machine.
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4301 N Federal Hwy, Pompano Beach FL · Get directions
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Product Highlights
SHIMANO Speedmaster II Conventional Lever Drag Reel
The extremely durable and high-performance SpeedMaster II boasts a high maximum drag power combined with a smooth, ultra-wide range of drag adjustability to make it a true fish-fighting machine. Shimano constructed the SpeedMaster II with a rigid HAGANE Body to prevent the misalignment of moving parts under the heaviest loads. Plus, the SpeedMaster II 20II and 25II reels come with a spare drag cam for optimal performance when fishing with monofilament lines. New for 2023, the SpeedMaster II series of reels adds 8 and 10 sizes to the lineup — ideal for bottom fishing or nearshore applications when anglers demand battle-tested performance.
Features:
- HAGANE: HAGANE is a Shimano reel design concept created to withstand continual use and extreme abuse. HAGANCE is an innovation with built-in toughness and durability that works alongside Shimano's precision engineering. HAGANE is for all anglers.
- HAGANE Body Baitcasting: The HAGANE Body is a metal reel body with high rigidity. The body rigidity and impact resistance virtually eliminates body flexing on the reel while fighting fish. The result transforms the angler's actions directly into cranking power, increasing efficiency through strength.
- S-Compact Body: S-Compact Body allows for all-day comfort and improved fishability by making the palming side plate up to 25% smaller than the A-Side plate.
- Cross Carbon Drag Baitcasting: The Cross Carbon Drag material provides a wider range of drag settings compared to traditional drag materials. The Cross Carbon Drag provides the smoothest Shimano drag performance ever while providing anglers with increased durability.
- S A-RB Baitcasting: S A-RB bearings are put through the same process as Shimano's A-RB bearings but feature shields on both sides of the bearings. These shields reduce the possibility of salt or sand inhibiting rotation of the bearing.
- Super Free Spool: Super Free Spool eliminates friction on the spool shaft during the cast. Standard baitcasting reels are constructed in a way that when the clutch bar is pressed down, the pinion gear is freed and can actually drag on the spool shaft. This creates friction that can limit the length of a cast. But baitcasting reels with Super Free Spool are constructed so that the pinion gear is supported by a ball bearing. When the clutch is disengaged in preparation for a cast, the pinion gear and spool shaft are kept in perfect alignment. The result: zero friction is placed upon the spool shaft and enhances casting performance.
Spooling Option
Select from standard spooling options listed in the drop-down menu above, or let us know how you would like your reel spooled. Custom spooling including top-shots, wind-ons, hollow-core backing, and fluorocarbon are available. Call or send a note with your requirements and we’ll advise costs. All reels are machine spooled under ideal tension, braid is spooled with approximately 50 feet of mono backing. Wind-on leaders are offered for both hollow core and non-hollow braid, hollow core is spliced and non-hollow braid is connected loop-to-loop with a bimni twist.
Built for the offshore fight
Charter-deck pedigree
Specifications
SHIMANO Speedmaster II Conventional Lever Drag Reel
- Type
- Conventional · Lever Drag
- Gear Ratio
- Size 8: 6.2:1 · Size 10: 6.2:1 · Size 12: 5.8:1 · Size 16: 5.0:1 · Size 20: 4.7:1 · Size 25: 3.8:1
- Max Drag
- Size 8: 17lb · Size 10: 18lb · Size 12: 24lb · Size 16: 26lb · Size 20: 32lb · Size 25: 44lb (at strike)
- Bearings
- 3+1 BB
- Line Capacity
- Size 8: 12lb/450yd · Size 10: 15lb/420yd · Size 12: 20lb/420yd · Size 16: 30lb/440yd · Size 20: 40lb/440yd · Size 25: 50lb/465yd
- Retrieve Rate
- Size 8: 32in · Size 10: 33in · Size 12: 33in · Size 16: 32in · Size 20: 33in · Size 25: 30in (per turn)
- Weight
- Size 8: 17oz · Size 10: 20oz · Size 12: 21oz · Size 16: 24oz · Size 20: 28oz · Size 25: 32oz
- Hand
- Right
- Spool Material
- Anodized Aluminum
- Body Material
- Graphite Frame · Aluminum Sideplates
Compare the Series
SHIMANO Speedmaster II Conventional Lever Drag Reel
| Spec |
SHIMANO Speedmaster II 8
$264.99 |
SHIMANO Speedmaster II 10
$274.99 |
SHIMANO Speedmaster II 12
$314.99 |
SHIMANO Speedmaster II 16
$324.99 |
SHIMANO Speedmaster II 20
$374.99 |
SHIMANO Speedmaster II 25
$404.99 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reel Type | Conventional Lever Drag | Conventional Lever Drag | Conventional Lever Drag | Conventional Lever Drag | Conventional Lever Drag | Conventional Lever Drag |
| Gear Ratio | 6.2:1 / 4.1:1 | 6.2:1 / 4.1:1 | 5.7:1 / 3.1:1 | 5.7:1 / 3.1:1 | 5.2:1 / 2.3:1 | 5.2:1 / 2.3:1 |
| Max Drag | 18lb | 18lb | 40lb | 40lb | 44lb | 44lb |
| Weight | 18.5oz | 19oz | 25.7oz | 26.5oz | 34.6oz | 36.2oz |
| Line Capacity | Mono: 15-280, 20-200, 25-165 · Braid: 30-560, 40-440, 50-370 | Mono: 20-270, 25-215, 30-180 · Braid: 40-520, 50-440, 65-320 | Mono: 20-350, 25-280, 30-230 · Braid: 50-580, 65-400, 80-355 | Mono: 20-440, 25-350, 30-300 · Braid: 50-750, 65-550, 80-450 | Mono: 30-470, 40-320, 50-260 · Braid: 65-725, 80-575, 100-490 | Mono: 30-550, 40-420, 50-340 · Braid: 65-900, 80-730, 100-620 |
| Retrieve | 38in / 25in | 38in / 25in | 42in / 23in | 42in / 23in | 47in / 21in | 47in / 21in |
| Bearings | 4/0 | 4/0 | 4/0 | 4/0 | 4/0 | 4/0 |
| Hand | Right | Right | Right | Right | Right | Right |
| Spool Material | Aluminum | Aluminum | Aluminum | Aluminum | Aluminum | Aluminum |
| Body Material | Aluminum | Aluminum | Aluminum | Aluminum | Aluminum | Aluminum |
Field Report
A 240lb yellowfin in the slick.
Twenty miles out on the Loop Current edge. We chunked a slick into the afternoon and waited. The bait went quiet. Then the reel screamed.
The drag held. Three hundred yards on the first run, no fade in pressure, no jerky catch and release. I worked the lever between strike and full lock and stayed locked into the fish without thinking about the reel.
Forty-five minutes later we had a 240-pound yellowfin at the boat. Same reel, same drag setting, same smooth take I started with.
CAPT. BEAU THIBODEAU
F/V Last Chance
Before you buy
Frequently asked questions.
Still unsure? Call +1-877-337-9591. You'll talk to a builder, not a sales rep.
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What pound test line does this reel hold?
Capacity varies by reel size. Check the Specifications card above for the exact line capacity on your selected variant. Speedmaster II reels generally handle 30-130lb braid or mono depending on the model.
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Is this reel two-speed or single-speed?
Available in both. Two-speed models give you a high gear for picking up slack quickly and a low gear for muscling big fish. Single-speed is simpler and lighter. Pick your configuration via the variant dropdown — the speed is set at the factory and not swappable later.
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Does it ship spooled with line?
Reels ship empty. Free spooling service with reel purchase at our Pompano Beach shop — bring your line of choice. Most tackle shops will also spool with proper tension. We do not recommend spooling at home unless you have a line winder.
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Can I use this for both trolling and live bait?
Yes. The lever drag system is built for switching between presets mid-fight. Set strike position for trolling, ease the lever back to free spool for a live drop, push to full when the fish takes. One reel covers both jobs.
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How do I maintain the drag?
Rinse with fresh water after every saltwater trip. Wipe down with a microfiber cloth. Back the drag off to free spool before storage so the washers do not stay compressed. Annual service at our shop or any Shimano dealer keeps the drag smooth season after season.
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What if I ordered the wrong hand orientation?
Hand orientation is set at the factory and not field-swappable. If the reel arrives and the hand is wrong for you, contact us within 14 days for a hand-swap exchange. Most reel returns trace back to ordering the wrong hand — double-check the variant before checkout.


