Shimano: spinning, casting and big game reels

Shozaburo Shimano founded Shimano Iron Works in February 1921, in Sakai, near Osaka. He was 26 years old. His first product was the bicycle freewheel, a part that calls for highly precise machining. The company still has its head office in Sakai.

In 1970, Shimano created a fishing division, meant as a second pillar next to cycling. Its first products were spinning reels. In 1978, the brand launched the Bantam, a compact casting reel. Its engineers had studied the American bass market for about a year. The spool went from 39 to 35 mm in diameter.

In 1992, Shimano introduced the Stella and its Shimano Balance Lock system, designed to cut handle wobble. The Stella series has gone through several generations since then. Today Shimano develops its reels around the Hagane concept, for spinning, casting and offshore trolling.