Got in a new Engetsu today...had some Curado K knobs kickin around.

 

Im not one of these aesthetic-driven, “has to look good!” guys at all...like at all....but man. This thing looks incredible. I wish photos did it justice...
 

Shimano Terminator pitching machine...

It's a slippery slope 

Dirtyyyyy! I must get one.

I'm not super familiar with JDM products but in general every time I see a JDM reel I notice how sharp they look.

40 minutes ago, BaitFinesse said:

I'm not sure this is even JDM but more of an everywhere but the USDM reel.  Pretty sure they are on Shimano Australia's site too.  The USDM is afraid of shallow spool baitcast reels.  Bubba bass pros pointing at a reel and some super deep spool going on about how "it hol mo liiiiine" is a thing.  They're not wrong.  The Engetsu is capacity challenged with anything above light braid. 

It was likely designed with different fish and much different applications in mind. Much like a bass fisherman has no use for a 10' rod with a centerpin reel. If that style of fishing was more popular in the US, I'm sure Shimano would sell it here.

1 hour ago, BaitFinesse said:

Guys don't fish for red snapper in the US?  Honest question. This reel is basically sea bream special.  

Pacific "red" snapper (rockfish) require different gear than the Atlantic red snapper. Red snapper in the US are sometimes 20-30lbs and caught 300ft down in strong currents.

19 minutes ago, Tywithay said:

Pacific "red" snapper (rockfish) require different gear than the Atlantic red snapper. Red snapper in the US are sometimes 20-30lbs and caught 300ft down in strong currents.

Meh...give me 90 min, a bottle of Mr Pibb and a Marlboro red...

 

I’ll get em up with an Engetsu and some 20lb braid. 

1 hour ago, BaitFinesse said:

There has got to be some SW species these reels would be a good fit for.  They sell them on other markets outside Japan due to the popularity of the reel.  Maybe vertical jigging with lighter braids is not common in the US salt water anglers as it is in other areas?  

Flounder, for sure. Every summer I see guys on the cape jigging shallow for flounder