There's no need to introduce the bluefin tuna, a fish with an extraordinary defense system that puts equipment to shame. Its fishing is no longer that exceptional and its presence along the coast of Brittany is a secret to no-one. For several years now, I've been devoting my entire summer to tracking them exclusively on hunts.
Up to now, I've always relied on the Shimano Stella, in sizes 18,000 or 20,000. This year, I had the opportunity to test a smaller model that I'd been eyeing, but which I assumed was too weak to cope with these fish. We're talking about Shimano's Twin Power 14,000. Let's find out without further ado!
A reel adapted to fish size
Traditionally, I used reels in sizes 20 000 or 18 000. This enabled me to fill them with a three-hundred-metre spool of PE 10 braid and to have a very strong brake. The downside is the weight.
So I opted for a Twin Power 14,000 which, combined with a Rodhouse RPK 78, is a lightweight package. This allows me to target fish on hunting which are generally smaller than single fish. The average hunting weight in North Brittany is around 60 to 80 kg.
You have to go to the tip of Brittany to hope to catch bigger fish on a lure. This reel now has several outings and numerous fish to its credit, with the biggest reaching 120 kg.
A small but sturdy reel
Let's take a look at the features of this Twin Power 14 000. It features a spool capable of holding 300 m of PE8 braid, which is more than enough to counter the violent rushes of these fish.
Its 25-kilo drag slows down the fish during the initial rush. During the fight, it is very fluid and processive. Here we find the same features as on the Stella SW. My main fear was about the mechanism and the control wheel. Although it's too early to tell, I can assure you that I've spared no effort!
I used it as if I were using a Stella 20 000. After more than a dozen fish, it doesn't move and no play is visible. The drag is not damaged either.
Another very interesting point is its high recovery! 134 centimetres per crank revolution. This is simply enormous for a reel of this size and a great asset for fast fishing, but also for fighting and braid retrieval.
What kind of fishing can you use this reel for?
So, yes, its limit will be reached when you're confronted with an unusual fish. The kind of fish you rarely come across on a hunt in North Brittany. In this case, when I find that the fish are large, I opt for my second set. It's a Rodhouse Cow Gen 2 rod from Black Hole, fitted with a Shimano Stella 2000 SW
My RPK78 Twin Power 14,000 SW set is clearly useful when I find that the fish are under 100 kg. It allows me to cast very far and also to have a smaller braid and shock leader set. Here a PE 8 braid and a 140 lb leader.
An affordable price
The Twin Power 14,000 also has the advantage of being much more affordable than its big brother the Stella in a similar size. Here, you can expect to pay between 530 and 550 euros.
It will also be perfectly suited to anglers going after GT trevally, for example, and other exotic fish with powerful tusks. Its light weight, compared to the size 18 and 20 000 models, means you can fish all day without tiring, with a rod that's also reasonably heavy.
In conclusion, my doubts about this reel quickly disappeared. Admittedly, it's smaller in size and smaller in capacity, but it's perfectly suited to the fish we regularly encounter on Brittany's coasts. Of course, as I said, when dealing with very large specimens, it would be wiser to use a model in size 18 or 20 000.
Shimano Twin Power 14 000 SW reel features
- Weight (g): 660
- Capacity: 330 m 40/100
- Ratio: 6.2/1
- Recovery (cm/rev): 134
- Brake (kg) : 25
- Distribution: Shimano
