DAIWA has been announcing new products towards Fishing Festival 2020 these days as I have been introducing you, however SHIMANO did not.
Now finally, SHIMANO released new product information for Fishing Festival 2020 – the first thing, is 20 Twin Power is renewed!
* 1/17 added more information.
Hagane Gear + Hagane Body + Metal rotor
The development theme of Twin Power is “Tough”. Previous 15 Twin Power is still used by lots of anglers and it has lots of positive reviews.
However it has resin material for its rotor (1000PGS, C2000S, C2000HGS has CI4+ rotor).
17 Twin Power XD, has enhanced toughness and water resistance especially for salt water games, especially for shore jigging and plugging.
But a bit heavier than normal Twin Power, and rotor material is Ci4+ – SHIMANO’s original carbon material.
Now 20 Twin Power has metal rotor, which gains extra strength, that keeps smooth reeling, even when you fight against big fish.
60% of less deforming from 15 Twin Power – SHIMANO says at the official website.
Firstly, when I used 15 Twin Power I felt it was upper level of Biomaster / Stradic, as still had some resin type materials on it.
But this 20 Twin Power is more like affordable version of 18 STELLA, with metal body and metal rotor.
Colorwise, I can see it as well. 15 Twin Power is silvery color with darker spool, such as similar to Stradic. And this spinning reel 20 Twin Power is more like old STELLA, with dark grey and gold coloring.
18 STELLA like plenty of new features
Firstly, let’s compare those features of 20 Twin Power and 18 STELLA.
Very interesting but the only one different… The body does not have E. I. Surface Treatment on it, but that is it.
This E. I. Surface Treatment – anti rusting cover was needed to 18 STELLA, because it has magnesium body, and this magnesium is easier to be rusted. The previous spinning reel 15 Twin Power has aluminium body and it’s stronger against rusting than magnesium, so I suppose new 20 Twin Power body can be aluminium as well, and that could be why this E. I. Surface Treatment was not installed.
Of course X-Protect, the labyrinth structure, the water resistance feature is in, Micromodule Gear II and Silentdrive features are installed too, as well as 18 STELLA, that makes silky smooth reeling.
Long Stroke Spool is also installed. This is as of that name, spool length is longer than previous spool type, as SHIMANO says it eases releasing main lines from the spool for longer cast distance.
Similar to 19 Stradic as well, but Rigid Support Drag is on it, that is not installed in 19 Stradic.
Comparison to 15 Twin Power / 17 Twin Power XD / 18 STELLA
Now let’s compare those features to previous spinning reels, 15 Twin Power, 17 Twin Power XD and 18 STELLA.
| 20 Twin Power | 15 Twin Power | 17 Twin Power XD | 18 STELLA | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Model | C3000XG | C3000XG | C3000XG | C3000XG |
| Weight (g) | 215 | 245 | 235 | 210 |
| Bearings | 9/1 | 9/1 | 9/1 | 12/1 |
| Body Material | Aluminium Hagane Body (hybrid with Ci4+) | Aluminium Hagane Body | Aluminium Hagane Body | Magnesium Hagane Body |
| Rotor Metareial | Metal (could be Aluminium) | Resin | Ci4+ | Aluminium |
| Gear | Hagane Gear Micromodule Gear II | Normal Hagane Gear | Normal Hagane Gear | Hagane Gear Micromodule Gear II |
| Silent Drive | 〇 | NA | NA | 〇 |
| Water Resistance | X Protect | Core Protect | X Protect | X Protect |
| Long Stroke Spool | 〇 | NA | NA | 〇 |
| Price (yen) | 44,000 | 41,000 | 48,500 | 81,900 |
This is very surprising, isn’t it? It really looks like 18 STELLA. Even specwise, the weight is quite similar and this is for all models, every models are the same or much similar.
Of course 3 bearings are less, body material is possibly, but highly likely aluminium hybrid body against 18 STELLA’s all magnesium. But price is much cheaper.
Then is it just as nice as 18 STELLA but cheaper? So you don’t need 18 STELLA anymore?
Firstly I would say, the answer is No.
When 19 Stradic was announced, lots of Japanese anglers said it would not be much different from 18 STELLA, as the features installed was not much different.
Of course that’s one of excellent reel, but would it be as well as 18 STELLA? – No it isn’t. Silky but not as much as STELLA is.
Then SHIMANO mentioned to difference of 19 Stradic and 18 STELLA, that even though they have the same features, those feature’s quality can be different as well as the price difference. For example, both has Micromodule Gear II but 19 Stradic’s gear quality is not as high as STELLA.
And I would imagine the same thing can be done in between 18 STELLA and 20 Twin Power as well. Those features / parts quality is higher than 19 Stradic, but less than 18 STELLA. Same features, but a bit different quality.
So, for me, this 20 Twin Power is exactly cheaper version of 18 STELLA with metallic body and metallic rotor. You wouldn’t feel as nice as STELLA, but close.
You want to try it? Then Fishing Festival 2020 will be your choice!
* 1/15 added:
Hagane Body of this 20 Twin Power is a hybrid body mixed with aluminium + Ci4+ not like STELLA’s full metal body, regarding to Kenshi Kuroda – SHIMANO professional angler – says on his blog (external).
On his blog, he introduced interesting mixture reel of 18 STELLA + 19 Vanquish here:
As he says, this mixture reel has STELLA’s rotor and handle – metal, and Vanquish’s body and spool and this is almost the same as 20 Twin Power.If so, as 19 Vanquish has hybrid body – half magnesium and half Ci4+ – 20 Twin Power could be the same hybrid body but with half aluminium and Ci4+, as well as 15 Twin Power – hybrid body with aluminium and Ci4+.
Updated on 1/17, from SHIMANO staff at Fishing Festival 2020 it’s aluminium body with Ci4+ body cover hybrid body. Actually lots of people says 15 Twin Power had hybrid body however he mentioned 15 Twin Power has all aluminium body. But Ci4+ technology has been improved, you won’t see much difference in toughness from 15 Twin Power – he said.
Spec and release date
Line-up is very close to those latest SHIMANO’s spinning reels – sizes in between #C2000 – #C5000 (#4000 body) with variety of gear ratios. Interestingly this 20 Twin Power has 4000PG, the power type low gear ratio model.
SHIMANO official website says this is for light jigging or rock fish however I would imagine that’s more for bait fishing, or slow jigging, that you don’t need fast speed.
Release date is this March, 2020.
Check out this page tag #Fishing Festival 2020, if you want to see all products related to Fishing Festival 2020!
| Model | Gear Ratio | Drag Power (kg) | Weight (g) | Capacity braided (Gou-m) | Retrieve Range (cm) | Bearing | Price (yen) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C2000S | 5.1 | 2.0/3.0 | 180 | #0.6-150 #0.8-110 #1-80 | 69 | 9/1 | 43,000 |
| C2000S | 6.1 | 2.0/3.0 | 180 | #0.6-150 #0.8-110 #1-80 | 82 | 9/1 | 43,000 |
| 2500S | 5.3 | 2.5/4.0 | 210 | #0.6-200 #0.8-150 #1-120 | 78 | 9/1 | 44,000 |
| 2500SHG | 6.2 | 2.5/4.0 | 210 | #0.6-200 #0.8-150 #1-120 | 89 | 9/1 | 44,000 |
| C3000 | 5.3 | 3.5/9.0 | 215 | #1-400 #1.5-270 #2-200 | 78 | 9/1 | 44,000 |
| C3000MHG | 6.0 | 3.5/9.0 | 215 | #1-190 #1.2-150 #1.5-120 | 89 | 9/1 | 44,000 |
| C3000XG | 6.4 | 3.5/9.0 | 215 | #1-400 #1.5-270 #2-200 | 94 | 9/1 | 44,000 |
| 3000MHG | 5.8 | 3.5/9.0 | 230 | #1-190 #1.2-150 #1.5-120 | 86 | 9/1 | 46,000 |
| 4000 | 5.3 | 6.0/11.0 | 260 | #1-490 #1.5-320 #2-240 | 87 | 9/1 | 46,000 |
| 4000PG | 4.4 | 6.0/11.0 | 260 | #1-490 #1.5-320 #2-240 | 72 | 9/1 | 46,500 |
| 4000MHG | 5.8 | 6.0/11.0 | 255 | #1.2-250 #1.5-200 #2-150 | 95 | 9/1 | 46,000 |
| 4000XG | 6.2 | 6.0/11.0 | 260 | #1-490 #1.5-320 #2-240 | 101 | 9/1 | 46,000 |
| C5000XG | 6.2 | 6.0/11.0 | 260 | #1.5-400 #2-300 #3-200 | 101 | 9/1 | 46,500 |
* Braided line capacity is based on Japanese size “Gou”. Please refer to Gou and Diameter table to see diameters of each Gou.
* All product information and images are basically from SHIMANO official website.
Hi,
I just bought a Shimano Exsence infinity 906m for European seabass and i’m looking for a reel that wil he able to endure they harshest conditions. I fish a lot on piers where the big boulders require very hard fights with the fish and a lot of reels fo not hold up to this kind of fishing and of course the salt water. I’m in doubt between the Exsence reel or the new Twin power. The Exsence seems higher end and an higher price point but the twin power has a metal rotor and both you and other reviews speak a lot about the toughness of this reel. Any idea about which reel would be best for heavy duty punishment, salt water and duration of use?
Hi Big Man, thank you for your comment.
If your fishing requires stronger fights with tougher and tighter drag, I would use new Twin Power because of rotor material.
As you have already mentioned, Exsence has Ci4+ carbon rotor, which is very light and quick to reel, new Magnum Light Rotor has stronger form however when your drag is set to 5kg or more, it could still bend and could be harder to reel in.
Metal rotor of Twin Power is really strong and won’t bend like Exsence, so power would not be loosened as much as with Exsence, and easier to reel in.
Thank you so much for the reply! And if i would want to invest even more how would you compare the Stella FJ to the new Twinpower? Since the Exsence is such a high end rod i am considering going all in and getting a Stella but i’m not sure if it will hold up to the saltwater fishing. Thanks in advance!
Stlella have also micro module on main gear (twin power 2020 only on parasite gears), as well as main gear plating, two ball bearings on worm shaft, ball bearing at pinion stabilizing module, more expensive ball bearings, magnesium alloy body, even different body/rotor screws, different line roller with dlc coating. Might be another different materials used for same components, and bit lighter.
Hi John, thanks for your information.
Of course Stella is the best and better than 20 TwinPower as the price is different, but Twin Power is upgraded greater than the previous model.
Gear of 20TP is also Micromodule Gear II as of the 18 Stella’s, just 18Stella has extra coating for longer life (according to SHIMANO staff).
Materials are of course different as Magnesium metal used for 18 Stella is strong and lighter than Aluminium but weaker against saltwater therefore it needs to be coated by special coating.
If you can spend enough money for Stella of course Stella is better, and I also use one too.