Shimano Speedmaster Leverdrag II 8IIX vs Shimano Cardiff 401A

Shimano Speedmaster Leverdrag II
Multireels
67.00 out of 100
Value for money4 out of 5
Quality classGood
Durability8.61 out of 10
Ergonomics5.53 out of 10
Gear ratio6.2:1/4.1:1
Maximum drag8kg / 17.64lbs
Weight525g / 18.52oz
Line retireve per crank97 centimeter / 38.19 inch
Ball bearings4
Technical Specifications
- BrandSHIMANO
- The main category of the reelMultireels
- Price range~ €183.33
- Is saltwater resistantYes
- Spare spoolNo
- Reel size8II
- Handle typeSingle handle
- Drag typeLever drag
- Handle orientationRight
- Line capacity monofillbs/yds: 20/200

Shimano Cardiff 401A
Multireels
48.20 out of 100
Value for money3.5 out of 5
Quality classMedium
Durability3.72 out of 10
Ergonomics6.24 out of 10
Gear ratio5.2:1
Maximum drag5kg / 11.02 lbs
Weight337g / 11.89oz
Line retireve per crank56cm / 22.05 inch
Ball bearings4 A-RB + 1 RB
Technical Specifications
- BrandSHIMANO
- The main category of the reelMultireels
- Price range~ €95.30
- Is saltwater resistantNo
- Spare spoolNo
- Reel size401
- Handle typeDouble handle
- Drag typeStar drag
- Handle orientationLeft
- Line capacity monofil0.30mm-325m / 0.35mm-270m / 0.40mm-215m 12lb-330yds / 14lb-250yds / 20lb-165yds
Conclusion
Shimano Speedmaster Leverdrag II 8IIX clearly outshines Shimano Cardiff 401A, offering significantly better performance in line retrieve per crank (97 centimeter / 38.19 inch) and durability (8.61 out of 10). While Shimano Cardiff 401A may be a budget-friendly option. For most anglers, Shimano Speedmaster Leverdrag II 8IIX is the kind of reel you can trust when performance matters.
What's the difference between Shimano Speedmaster Leverdrag II and Shimano Cardiff 401A?
Shimano Speedmaster Leverdrag II 8IIX
- At a maximum drag of 8kg / 17,64lbs (scoring 5 out of 10), the reel has a modest drag setup which is enough for smaller fish or relaxed situations where finesse matters more
- With a high retrieve rate of 9.13 out of 10 (97 centimeter / 38.19 inch), this reel is built for quick line recovery
- Ready for saltwater, great for any multireels adventure.
Shimano Cardiff 401A
- Higher gear ratio of 5.2:1 (scoring 9.4 out of 10), provides more speed meaning a better solution when quick retrieves really count
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