Shimano SpeedMaster XTC Surf Casting Review in 2024

The Shimano SpeedMaster XTC Surfcasting reel is loaded with signature Shimano technologies, and it is a high-performance workhorse surf fishing reel built to provide surf anglers with advanced long-cast capabilities at an incredible value.

Shimano SpeedMaster 14000 XTC is a high-performance workhorse reel built for budget-minded surf anglers. Feature-packed with stunning looks, Shimano SpeedMaster XTC is equipped with X-Ship technology for improved gear durability and Hi-Speed Drag to put the brakes on big fish. Super Slow Oscillation ensures optimal line lay and maximum casting distance. The reel also has some unique features like X-Ship, smooth drag, and composite body, and all will be discussed in this Shimano SpeedMaster XTC Surf Casting Review article.
Shimano SpeedMaster XTC Casting Performance

Latest Price of The SHIMANO SpeedMaster Reel

Quick Overview:

  • X-SHIP gearing for efficient winding power
  • Parallel Body design with Super Slow 5 Oscillation for increased distance casting performance
  • G Free body for improved balance
  • AR-C cold-forged aluminum spool
  • Instant drag can be adjusted from zero to maximum drag in just one turn of the control knob
  • Aero Wrap for excellent line lay and improved casting performance
  • 4.3:1 gear ratio retrieves 103cm of line per handle turn

Shimano SpeedMaster XTC Spinning Reels Features:

Latest X-Ship Technology

Providing a sleek matte black cosmetic, the Shimano SpeedMaster XTC is equipped with X-Ship technology for improved gear durability and a stacked Hi-Speed Drag system capable of putting the brakes on trophy fish in the surf.

X-SHIP stands for Extra Smooth and High Power. It is a precision gearing system that enables smooth yet strong reeling. By supporting the pinion gear on both ends with bearings and integrating a bigger drive gear with improved position, Shimano SpeedMaster XTC has increased the gearing efficiency and power of reels with the X-SHIP feature. It results in a reel with.

Technical Specifications Chart:

Specification Shimano SpeedMaster XTC Surf Casting Reel
Model Range 14000XTC, 14000XTB
Bearings 4+1 S A-RB stainless steel ball bearings
Gear Ratio 14000XTC: 4.3:1 / 14000XTB: 4.3:1
Retrieve Rate (in) Varies by model, please refer to the manufacturer’s website for specific retrieve rates
Max Drag (lbs) Varies by model, please refer to the manufacturer’s website for specific max drag values
Line Capacity (Mono) (yds/lb) Varies by model, please refer to the manufacturer’s website for specific line capacities
Line Capacity (Braid) (yds/lb) Varies by model, please refer to the manufacturer’s website for specific line capacities
Line Retrieve per Crank (in) Varies by model, please refer to the manufacturer’s website for specific line retrieve per crank values
Weight (oz) Varies by model, please refer to the manufacturer’s website for specific reel weights
Drag Material Cross Carbon Drag
Gear Material Die-cast aluminum drive gear
Body Material XT-7 composite body
Rotor Material XT-7 composite rotor
Spool Material Cold-forged aluminum spool with line capacity rings
Handle Aluminum handle with Septon grip
Reel Handle Position Interchangeable (left or right)
Anti-Reverse Super Stopper II anti-reverse bearing
Saltwater Rated Yes

shimano speedmaster reelCheck Today’s Price On Amazon

Super Slow Oscillation System

At the heart of the Shimano SpeedMaster XTC’s long-cast capabilities is Shimano’s Super Slow Oscillation system that ensures optimal line lay to maximize casting distance.

Slower spool oscillation reduces the speed at which the line travels up and down the spool on the cast. This results in less friction as the line leaves the spool and reduced drag on the lead, which improves casting distance and accuracy. Shimano STANDARD Oscillation (up to 20 wraps per cycle) outperforms the industry standard. Shimano SLOW OSCILLATING (up to 40 wraps per cycle) exceeds almost anything else ever seen. The Shimano SpeedMaster XTC now has two SUPER SLOW OSCILLATION systems, SUPER SLOW 5 (55 wraps) and SUPER SLOW 10 (105 wraps).

Offering The Ultimate In Distance Casting Performance

On larger waters, where casting distance is essential, using the correct reel is almost as important as using the correct rod. Shimano SpeedMaster XTC Big Pit reels, with Slow and Super Slow Oscillation and the Parallel Body design, add noticeable casting distance compared to other reels of the same size.

Parallel Body

The parallel body is a new feature that is designed to improve dynamic line flow from the Shimano SpeedMaster XTC reel to the first guide. On many reels, the spool is aligned slightly upwards toward the rod blank, but with the Parallel body, it is at exactly 90° to the blank. The result is less line slap-the-blank as it travels towards the first guide during casting.

Slow line oscillation wraps the line onto the spool in a more organized way, with the coils of the line lying closer to the next one on the spool. On Parallel Body design reels, the body of the reel is parallel to the blank of the rod, rather than the reel tilting slightly towards the rod. The combination of Slow or Super Slow Oscillation and Parallel Body offers the ultimate in the distance casting performance.

Hi-speed Drag

Hi-speed drag is Shimano’s fastest drag system and can change the drag setting from free-spool mode to fighting mode with only a very small turn to the knob located on the front of the spool.

Shimano SpeedMaster XTC Spool Reducers

Shimano Spool Reducers instantly reduce the line capacity of the spool. Supplied with Shimano SpeedMaster XTC reels, there are two sizes.

3500 – 0.20mm = 200m
10000 – 0.40mm = 300m

Ultra-light handle rotation is very powerful at the same time.
Shimano SPM14000XTC reviewsCheck Today’s Price

G Free Body For More Safety

G Free Body technology has been developed to shift the reel’s center of gravity closer to the rod. This has been achieved by moving the oscillation mechanism more toward the top of the Shimano SpeedMaster XTC reel. By moving the center of gravity closer to the angler’s hand position, the G Free Body helps to reduce fatigue and enhance casting comfort.

AR-C Spool Design

AR-C is a spool-lip design technology by Shimano. Through tens of thousands of casting tests and computer simulations, it has been determined that the AR-C spool lip design provides longer casting distances than a standard spool lip design while preventing backlashes and wind knots. It also allows the line to flow off the spool in smaller loops during the cast, which means less line slap on the first guide.

Corrosion-Resistant Bearings

This fishing reel comes with shielded Stainless Steel Anti-Rust Bearings. These bearings have undergone a special heat treatment resulting in high metal strength. Shielded A-RB bearings use either a rubber shield or stainless steel shield (depending on bearing size) for the ultimate corrosion resistance and contaminant protection against sand, salt, or dust.

Propulsion Line Management System

The most obvious component of the Propulsion Line Management System is the new Propulsion spool lip design. Through tens of thousands of casting tests and computer simulations, it has been determined that this new spool lip design provides longer casting distances than a standard spool lip design while preventing backlashes and wind knots from forming.

shimano long cast spinning reelAero Wrap II 

This two-speed oscillation system layers the line onto the spool on the Shimano SpeedMaster XTC in a crisscross pattern that reduces line-to-line friction for longer casts. Aero Wrap reels utilize a patented worm gear design to move the spool upward quickly and downward slowly to wind the line in a precise pattern, reducing friction, and giving smoother, longer casting ability.

Shimano SpeedMaster XTC Spinning reels size:

SIZES: 14000
BEARINGS: 4 + 1
OSCILLATION: Super Slow 5 + Aero Wrap
HANDLE: Single Aluminium

Shimano SpeedMaster XTC Surf Casting model specifications:SPM14000XTC

Model Number: SPM14000XTC
Bearings:
4+1
Gear Ratio: 4.3:1
Line Per Handle Turn: 41
Weight oz: 22
Mono Line Capacity: 12/600, 16/440, 20/330
Braid Line Capacity: 40/550, 50/460, 65/335
Max Drag: 44
Price: Check Today’s Price

Shimano SpeedMaster XTC Surf Casting Frequently Asked Questions:

Can this reel be used for surfcasting at the beach?

Yes, this reel is made for surfcasting.

Are this reel saltwater friendly?

Yes, it is more than ready to handle saltwater applications.

Is it a push-in handle or a screw-in handle?

The handle is screw-in

Can a spare spool be purchased for this reel?

Yes, through the manufacturer.

What size rod would you recommend for this reel?

10 to 11-foot medium to medium-heavy power rod with fast action.

Is the bail manual or auto?

The SpeedMaster has a manual closing bail.

Does this reel come with a spare spool?

Sorry, it does not come with a spare spool.


Shimano SpeedMaster XTC Reels Video Review:


Reviews Of Shimano SpeedMaster XTC Surf Casting Reel

Decent surfcasting reel for the price

If you want a good versatile high-line capacity reel, this is a good choice. I’ve used it for big stripers in the canal, throwing 5 oz as well off jetties with 1 oz epoxy. So it hasn’t failed me yet. The bottom of the spool does have a tendency to catch but with the manual bail, just take a split second to look down or keep your like tight.

Easy 100 yards!

I am a novice surf fishing fan, but I use this reel + SpeedMaster 12 ft surf rod I can cast like a pro. I use this with my Daiwa sealine 15ft; it’s a mile cast with 3.5 oz lead. I can’t believe I can do that; fighting a 10lbs stingray is a very nice fight. For now, my trophy fish, always waiting to land a shark, I always get a very strong bite that I even got my sand spike broken. The rod is too long and sometimes gets stuck in the sand. So I got a chance to grab a big one, but the fish got away. I need to learn more about setting the drag. I got two of these reels; that’s all I need.

Blacktip Fishing

I bought this reel a few months ago to use for surf fishing for blacktip sharks. Just last week, I landed a 5.5-footer on the beach. Fish ran several hundred yards straight out. The reel held up flawlessly. It does enough drag to stop most fish and does it smoothly. The only reason I gave it 4 stars is that the handle is too small, which makes long fights uncomfortable.

Specifications Of Shimano Ultegra 14000 XTD & Speedmaster 14000 XT Surf Casting Reel

Model No. Inches Per Crank Gear Ratio Max Drag (lb) Mono Line Capacity
(lb test/yds)
Ball Bearings Color Weight (oz) Price
ULT14000XTD 41 4.3:1 44 12/600
16/440
20/330
4+1 Black 21.9 $214.99 USD
SPM14000XTC 41 4.3:1 44 12/600
16/440
20/330
4+1 Silver 22 $159.99 USD

Final Thought- The best big reel I have ever owned!

Nice spool for long casts. It works really well for a budget-friendly surfcasting reel. Used a few times for sharks in Florida, and it has held up really well. I love this reel. Have it combo paired with the speed master surf rod. I can cast double to triple times farther. It holds a bunch of lines; also, it has spacers, so you don’t have to waste fill-in lines—such a big important plus for me.

On larger waters, where casting distance is essential, using the correct reel is as important as using the correct rod. Shimano Big Pit/Surfcasting reels, with Slow Oscillation, Super Slow Oscillation, and the new Parallel Body design, add noticeable casting distance compared to other reels of the same size. I’m going to purchase more soon.

Leave a Reply

Scroll to Top