What is the purpose of Shimano removing the anti-reverse feature from their reels??

To be clear - they didn't remove the anti-reverse...they just removed the switch that lets you turn it off.

 

Pflueger is starting to do the same thing with their reels as well...the newest Trion model has no switch.

So the mechanism is still there?

You still have instant anti-reverse...just can't turn it off now for those who like to back-reel.

The Catana reel I looked at today had no anti-reverse feature at all and as you said no switch.

Supposedly, they still have anti-reverse. Did you try turning the handle backwards...if it turns and the bail spins in reverse - then it had no anti-reverse. If you can't turn it, or the bail doesn't spin in reverse, then it has anti-reverse.

 

Everything I've heard is that they're just removing the switch, making it not possible to back-reel...that's all...the anti-reverse is still there.

Most of the modern reel come equip with a good smooth drag. There is no need for back reeling, trust your drag and concentrate on keepping pressure on the fish. My .02.

I believe some of the old timers still back reel instead off utilizing the drag, but new anglers these day (a big market group) don’t know how to back reeling effectively. I’m for one don’t know how. The switch is more parts, more cost and more hole for water to get in. I think it is a right move from shimano. All my Daiwa reels come with switch, I tried to use it once or twice but never get a good result.

21 minutes ago, Bassnajr said:

The Catana reel I looked at today had no anti-reverse feature at all and as you said no switch.

The switch is there and connect to mechanism/level to disengage anti reverse clutch and make it able to spin both way. 

If you want to have the reel that enable reverse spin BUT at all time and if you are good with reel. Look at this video you might be able to disengage the spring without the switch. Don’t quote me on it, never tried it myself just an idea.

 

The handle spins backwards and forwards so I am assuming there is no AR . If you're looking to back reel this is your reel.

2 minutes ago, Bassnajr said:

The handle spins backwards and forwards so I am assuming there is no AR . If you're looking to back reel this is your reel.

Which Catania is this?

From this video there is a anti reverse switch on the side.

Catana 2500 HG

7 minutes ago, Bass_Fishing_Socal said:

Which Catania is this?

From this video there is a anti reverse switch on the side.

It is on the bottom!! Thanks for the video. The eyes are the first thing to go!

For the love of God, what am I missing here? How do I prevent a reel with no AR switch from becoming a tangled sh*tshow when using a rod holder or when it's not in use? Why would anyone not want to be able to prevent their reel from spinning in both directions? 

2 minutes ago, StevieB said:

For the love of God, what am I missing here? How do I prevent a reel with no AR switch from becoming a tangled sh*tshow when using a rod holder or when it's not in use? Why would anyone not want to be able to prevent their reel from spinning in both directions? 

I think you mis-understand

Removal of the AR switch means you can't turn the anti-reverse OFF...no more back-spinning of the handle to let out line.

Thanks MN. I just called Shimano and apparently my reel is defective...it just spins in both directions with no ability to lock.

3 minutes ago, StevieB said:

Thanks MN. I just called Shimano and apparently my reel is defective...it just spins in both directions with no ability to lock.

Ya - sounds like a bad AR bearing.

I did misunderstand. After trying to spool the reel when it was just spinning all over the place and after tangling about 200 yds of line I figured it had something to do with it having no AR switch. That's why I didn't understand why anyone wouldn't want the switch. I get it now! Thanks again.

31 minutes ago, StevieB said:

After trying to spool the reel when it was just spinning all over the place

 

Question - did you tighten down the drag?

Yup. The handle was just spinning in both directions. I just returned it and got a new reel (with an AR switch  )

Modern drag systems don't require back reeling whatsoever. If you want to do it and have the switch, fine, but you're paying for that drag (and reduced weight) more than anything else.

6 hours ago, StevieB said:

For the love of God, what am I missing here? How do I prevent a reel with no AR switch from becoming a tangled sh*tshow when using a rod holder or when it's not in use? Why would anyone not want to be able to prevent their reel from spinning in both directions? 

Which reel is this?

I never understood the backwards reeling option on spinning reels. Always seemed dumb to me.

1 hour ago, CrankFate said:

I never understood the backwards reeling option on spinning reels. Always seemed dumb to me.

 

   When I was a kid we called any reel, of any design whatsoever, that had no anti-reverse a "knuckle-buster". I can verify that the name was accurate.           jj

On 7/29/2021 at 8:34 PM, jimmyjoe said:

 

   When I was a kid we called any reel, of any design whatsoever, that had no anti-reverse a "knuckle-buster". I can verify that the name was accurate.           jj

Spinning reels before 1950 had no kind of anti-reverse.  

I used to fish through anti-reverse dogs on my old Lew's, and they'd wake you up when they gave way - especially with a redfish at the boat - leaves you looking around for a third hand.    

 

My older daughter growing up always went first to this 1937 Luxor for creek fishing, and got really good at fishing without anti-reverse (half-bail, too).  

On 7/29/2021 at 9:34 PM, jimmyjoe said:

 

   When I was a kid we called any reel, of any design whatsoever, that had no anti-reverse a "knuckle-buster". I can verify that the name was accurate.           jj

My first conventional salt water reel was a Penn 77, and I literally have the scars to prove it...