Shimano Sustain FE Review

The definition of “sustain” is: to maintain or prolong, keep up vitality or strength. So does Shimano’s new Sustain FE live up to its name? By all reports the verdict is yes! The light weight and fine appearance of this Shimano reel does not detract from its power and durability. The Sustain is suitable for use in saltwater or fresh water.

It is reassuring to hear feedback from professional tackle users that the Shimano Sustain FE will stand up to repeated everyday use . If you are looking for a reel that is butter smooth to operate while still providing plenty of power, then this is it. Savings on weight are achieved by the use of aluminum for the frame and spool, drilling of the spool skirt, and the use of a graphite for the rotor and side plate. What allows this reel to produce spectacular casting is the titanium coating of the spool lip as well as the small circumference of the spool end. Another benefit of the coating is safeguarding the surface from scratching and abrasion which ultimately cause greater friction. The Paladin gear system has been enhanced to provide greater durability in this model. Also featured is the Aero Wrap II, Oscillation Worm Gear, shielded A-RB bearings, Machined-aluminum direct drive handle, Floating Shaft, Super Stopper waterproof drag, and a Sealed maintenance port.

If you enjoy fishing then it won’t take long to fall in love with the Shimano Sustain. The smoothness of the casting action and the line retrieval is really great. The line slips off the reel so effortlessly that you get greater distance than from lesser reels. Even with light baits the reel will cast beautifully. Retrieval is also smooth and you get lots of power out of the strong aluminum handle and large oval shaped knob. The line lays back on to the reel nicely without any line twist problems. Its another case of good things coming in small packages because despite its small size there is nothing small about the power it delivers. Not even a large fish making a strong run can upset the drag system. With 25 lbs of drag on the Shimano FE 5000 there is plenty of pressure and a nice smooth action. The operation of the drag is very smooth and powerful. Cranking the handle exerts plenty of pressure as the reel smoothly compensates for any short runs the fish makes .

Combined with the ease of casting, you can happily fish with this reel all day long. Because the Sustain FE is so well designed and built it is also going to last the distance, as you would expect from a reel named Sustain. This is a top offering from Shimano that really lives up to its name. Although it’s not a cheap reel, in my opinion it is well worth the money and compares very favorably with the more expensive Shimano Stella.