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Shimano Tekota Levelwind Conventional Reels Review

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Shimano Tekota Levelwind Conventional Reels
Shimano Tekota Levelwind Conventional Reels

Shimano Tekota Levelwind Reels have been designed with Coreprotect water resistance for the ultimate increase in corrosion resistance. These reels are a trollers dream and the perfect cross-over reel for both freshwater and saltwater species from walleye to tuna.Easy to replace anti-fogging lens on ...LC modelsLoud clickerErgonomic S-compact body design

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Fishing Critic Score

Hockey Review Rating 96%
14 Reviews
Popularity: 2071
MSRP:
$209.99
Used Price:
$146.99
Sale Price:
$188.99

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Specifications
Brand Shimano
Category Reels
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Shimano Tekota Levelwind Conventional Reels Reviews

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Smooth

Larry
2 years ago

Great reel for the price well built
Plenty of crank power

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Best line counter reel

Kevin
2 years ago

Best line counter

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Quality reel

Frank
2 years ago

I have the 401 with line counter.
Great for trolling salmon or bottom fishing.
Strong smooth drag.
Casts well even with the line counter.
Its been a year with no problems.

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Love it

Justin
2 years ago

Just like the torium but with a level wind love it!!

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TEKPGLCA

V D.
2 years ago

Perfect reel for wire and umbrellas!
Beefy 35lbs of drag and low gear ratio!

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Shimano TEK600HGLCA Tekota Line Counter reel

Scott R.
2 years ago

Great product as always from Shimano!

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Trolling reels

Ray
2 years ago

Great reels, 4 years of use and no problems.
I have 10 of them

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Awesome reel

Ernest
2 years ago

Great reel for trolling striper in the Chesapeake Bay

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Great reel but…….

Ryan S.
3 years ago

I like the looks and feel of the reel but definitely lacking in drag
I use it to drag spoons and mojos up here in the upper East coast for bass
Also use it for dragging umbrellas rigs
That being said when you have the umbrellas on and a bass you gotta max this thing out like crazy and still over play it either he rod to get the fish in
Wish they beefed up the… read more drag

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Best Versatile Reel Made

Ted
3 years ago

For its price range it can’t be beat. Smooth drag, no jerking when with down riggers, or dropping a ball trolling, best cranking and retrieve rate per turn for its price range. Light yet strong it Pairs well with a wide range of my rods. Great for salmon trolling or inshore mooching. Handles 20-30lb salmon well. Vertical jigging inshore as well.

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Great reel

Ivan B.
3 years ago

More than pleased. Great for all salmon species. Will buy more of them.

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Already catching salmon with the reel

Jeff
3 years ago

love the tekota 500 line counter. Smooth reel with easily adjusted drag and lets me know where I'm fishing

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Shimano Tekota 500 Lefty

Michael
3 years ago

I use the Shimano Tekota 500 bottom fishing for Black sea bass, flounder and bluefish in the Northeast. Paired it with a 6'6 MH Trevala.

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Good reel for the price

Ryan
3 years ago

I definitely won't say this reel is great, but for the price it's very good. The handle knob weighs about 3oz, so you can shave some weight there. I swapped a Tranx paddle handle on to this one.

Very noisy to cast with the non disengaging levelwind, but it does cast well.

… read more data-lightbox="pdPrReviewImage-62400-img1">

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Shimano Tekota Levelwind Conventional Reels Questions and Answers

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Asked by Andres Belardes 7 years ago

how much 30#braid can i fit on the 300 model

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Tyler 7 years ago

Andres, Hello here is the braid line rating. 255/30 • 210/40 • 205/50

Asked by Jay 4 years ago

Would a  TEK500 be appropriate  for jigging cod and haddock in 90-150 fow? 

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Sydney 4 years ago

The Tekota 500 will absolutely work for Haddock and Cod. 

Asked by dmitry 4 years ago

what rod wood be a good mach for trolling stripers with tec 600

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Rebecca Redington 4 years ago

A good rod to pair with that reel would be a Tsunami Tuff Tip Stand Up Rod or check out our TackleDirect TDSBS701MH Silver Hook Series Boat Rods. 

Asked by Edward Schlesier 5 years ago

Am looking for a reel that I can use in Long Island sound for Blackfish Seabass porgies blues and stripers what would be the best one in size and line capacity 

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Andrew Montagna 5 years ago

<p>I love the AVET sj serious narrow </p><p>AVET's is  work horse </p><p><span style="float:none;background-color:rgb(255,255,255);color:rgb(7,31,55);font-family:'Roboto Slab', Arial;font-size:23px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:bold;

Asked by Jason Y. 6 years ago

These reels look similar in construction and design to the Torium series. Is that accurate regarding the build and size? What sizes of the torium would you compare them to? Thinking about picking up a couple for rock fishing ganyons and jigging. Thank

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Rebecca 6 years ago

Tekota 500 compares to Torium 14. Tekota 600 compares to Torium 16. The 500 holds 240 yards of 65 lb test braid, same for the Torium 14. The 600 holds 330 yards of 65 lb test braid, same for the Torium 16. The Tekota's will work for your application.

Asked by Rush 6 years ago

What is the best rod to use with the 600 for trolling a rapala or a planer board?

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Rebecca 6 years ago

Here's a link to our best selling rods for your application: <a href="https://www.tackledirect.com/daiwa-proteus-wn-saltwater-rods.html" target="_blank">https://www.tackledirect.com/daiwa-proteus-wn-saltwater-rods.html</a>

Asked by Bryan 6 years ago

Trying to make a nice setup for my 6y/o son. We do mostly saltwater fishing anywhere from trolling for tuna, mahi, wahoo to jigging for snapper or groupers. Will the Tekota meet my needs? Also which rod will work? Thank you!

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Chris 6 years ago

This would be an awesome reel and your son is very lucky. We'd recommend pairing that with a Terez set up: <a href="https://www.tackledirect.com/shimano-terez-conventional-fishing-rods.html" target="_blank">https://www.tackledirect.com/shimano-terez-conv

Asked by Mark 6 years ago

Hi which Takoya reel would best suit lake trolling (with copper line) for trout Thanks

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Ricky 6 years ago

I would recommend using the 500HGLCA.

Asked by John 6 years ago

What would be a good rod(s) for the 700? Catching 15-18# red snapper in 80'-120' of water next to structure.

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Donald 6 years ago

The Shimnao Trevala 6'6'' MH or H models would be a good selection of rods to choose from. Pairing them with the Tekota 700 would be a great match for the application your using the combo for.

Asked by Kb 7 years ago

What size reel is good for inshore striped bass and fluke fishing? This would be from a kayak/boat? Thank you.

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Devon 7 years ago

The 300 size would be sufficient for inshore fishing for stripers and fluke.

Asked by Joe 4 years ago

Does the line counter measure in feet or yards?

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Alex T 4 years ago

This reel measures in Feet

Asked by FrankNsign 8 years ago

When the spec state so many yards of something pound test. Is that mono or braid?

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Donald 8 years ago

The specifications on our website are for mono filament line.

Asked by Tim 9 years ago

I've heard not having a large amount of line on the reel can make the line counter inaccurate. How much length of 50# tuff line would I put on a Shimano Tekota 500 LC to make sure the line counter is accurage from 0 to 125 feet? Tim

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Kaitryn 9 years ago

You are able to spool up to 440 yards of the 50lb braid/tuff line.

Asked by Darren nguyen 9 years ago

Is the tekota 800 with 80 pound braid good for mid size amberjack and large red snapper and also mid to large size king mackeral

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David 9 years ago

The reel would work fine for that application.

Asked by damian 10 years ago

can you use braid line on these reels??

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Customer Service 10 years ago

Yes. These reels handle braid very well.

Asked by andy 11 years ago

where is the reel made in???

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Customer Service 11 years ago

This reel is made in Japan

Asked by tom 12 years ago

Is this reel able to handle 50lb mono or high quality line

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Customer Service 12 years ago

These reels can handle 50LB mono. If you plan on using that size mono i would highly recommend purchasing the 800 size reel in order to get adequate line capacity.

Asked by tom 12 years ago

I own the tekota 500 reel what would be a good rod to go with this reel.....fluking ,blues and striper fishing on a boat thank you tom

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Customer Service 12 years ago

If you prefer foam grips I would go with a Shimano TVC66M Trevala Jigging Casting Rod. If you prefer cork grips I would go with a Shimano TMC-X70MH Teramar Inshore Southeast. Both of these rods will serve as excellent rods for targeting northeast inshor

Asked by Pete Trask 12 years ago

what is the difference between the 500 and the 500LC ?

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Customer Service 12 years ago

The 500LC has a built in line counter.

Asked by Nick 3 years ago

Which size Tekota for ocean jiggjng tog and stripers off Montauk. Also can be used for deeper water ocean fluke? And what rod would pair well with it? Thanks

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Austin Kearney 3 years ago

I would go with the 500HGA paired with a Okuma PCH-C-701XH PCH Custom Series Conventional Rod.<p><br /></p><p>https://www.tackledirect.com/okuma-pch-c-701xh-pch-custom-series-rod.html<br /></p><p><br /></p>

Asked by Angel 5 years ago

Can the real be used for surf fishing

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Bernie 5 years ago

The reel can be used for surf fishing another option for you would be the one of the TranX models from Shimano.

Asked by Dale 6 years ago

Will the line counter on a Tekota 600 A get messed up if I use it to plunk from the bank when I am not trolling for salmon

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Bernie 6 years ago

The reels construction is very solid you wont damage anything

Asked by Steve 6 years ago

What is the sku number for the TEK600 A with line counter?

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Bernie 6 years ago

Our TD code is SHM-3542

Asked by Matt Knight 6 years ago

How do I get this reel in left hand retrieve

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Bernie 6 years ago

Hello Matt, Shimano never made this reel is a left hand retrieve.

Asked by tom 12 years ago

Which model is recommended for striped bass and wire?

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Customer Service 12 years ago

The larger models with the Line Counter like the TEK800LC!

Asked by Tyler 2 years ago

What size Tekota would you recommend for trolling spoons on a Tony Maja bunker spoon rod? I plan on putting 200' 50#mono backing and 300' 40# ultra soft monel. 800 seem a little big for this.<p><br /></p>

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Huy - TackleDirect Customer Service 2 years ago

<span>Hi Tyler, We recommend going with the Shimano Tekota in the 800 size as it is designed exactly for what you are planning on doing. Please let us know if there is anything else we can assist you with! Tight lines! </span>

Asked by Evan 3 years ago

I have a 7’ MH St Croix Premier musky rod, and am considering pairing with this reel for cod and possibly trolling/chunking/livelining stripers. What size would you recommend?

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Rick - TackleDirect Customer Service 3 years ago

Evan,<p>The Shimano Tekota 400 reel would be the recommended size to pair with your St.Croix Premier Musky 7' MH.  Unless you do not want the line counter, then you could go to the Tekota 500.  Please let us know if there is anything else we can assist yo

Asked by Floyd 3 years ago

What rod pairs up well for trolling stripers?

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Paul Olah 3 years ago

With this reel the <a href="https://www.tackledirect.com/shimano-tlc70mhsbbla-tallus-trolling-slick-butt-ring-guided-rod.html">Shimano TLC70MHSBBLA Tallus Trolling Slick Butt Ring Guide Rod</a> would pair well with the <a href="https://www.tackledirect.co

Asked by Anthony 3 years ago

What is the length of the handle? Is it 70 mm?

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Billy - TackleDirect Customer Service 3 years ago

Yes it is 70 mm

Asked by Pepperjack 3 years ago

Is the 500 and 600 good for casting light live baits like sardine?

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Austin Kearney 3 years ago

Yes, the 500 and 600 could be used to throw live sardines.

Asked by Tom 4 years ago

What is the difference between the 500 and 501 reels

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Alyssa Madosky 4 years ago

Any one with "01" at the end is a left handed reel and to "00" are the right handed models. 

Asked by Garrett 5 years ago

Just purchased the new tekota 600 a. What would be a good rod to match it with for inshore\offshore use?

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Bernie 5 years ago

Depends on how you want to fish it. It can be paired with a jigging rod or a popping rod.

Asked by Frank 5 years ago

Are the new tekotas going to come in the 800 LC version?

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Bernie 5 years ago

Largest will be a 600

Asked by Richard soto 5 years ago

Dakota 600 the new one<p> what is the heaviest lead for bottom fishing in 300 feet water</p>

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Bernie De Graaf 5 years ago

Really depends on the rod you're pairing it with that will determine the weight you can use. 

Asked by Richard soto 5 years ago

My new tekota  A 600 is good for saltwater rock fishing pair with a black diamond psw 15/40 for 300 feet of water 8oz lead or more.

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Bernie De Graaf 5 years ago

The 600 size is a perfect combo of line capacity and strength for rock fish. 

Asked by Kb 5 years ago

What is a good rod to pair with the 300?   This would be from a kayak for inshore striper/blues/and fluke.  I’m not looking for anything too expensive.   

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Bernie De Graaf 5 years ago

The <span style="color:rgb(7,31,55);font-family:'Roboto Slab', Arial;font-size:23px;font-weight:700;">TackleDirect TDSSC701MHT Silver Hook Series Inshore Conventional Rod - 7 ft. would be a good match for the 300 Tekota </span>

Asked by Ross Macklin 5 years ago

Can you specify which model is right hand and which is left hand by model number? To be clear I am assuming the left hand means the handle is on the left and line counter on the right with the level wind on the front. Thanks.

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Bernie De Graaf 5 years ago

Left hand models will end with a "1" right hand will end with a "0"