Shimano announced some new reels today at ICAST. They are as follows:

Calais 200 DC - $649.99

The Calais DC has a 7:1 gear ratio and it has 32 settings for the digital control. It's designed for long casting with minimal backlash like the original DC reels.

Curado 300D - $249.99

The Curado 300D is similar in size to the 200 but a hair taller and wider. It holds the same amount of line as a CTE300 and it has the same amount of cranking power. The gear ratio is 6.2:1. This could be a great option for swimbait guys looking for low profile styling with enough line capacity for 25lb test.

Citica 100DSV - $119.99

The Citica 100 is the smaller version of the current Citica, which in many ways replaced the old curados, at least price wise.

Nice! Now the Citica in a 100 model, great. Should be good for ripping all day, smaller body frame should be easier on the hands. Cooolll....:D

Holy crap! $650 for a baitcaster! Does it have a built in fish finder that tells you exactly where to cast?

Rob were you there? I would have liked to meet you. I was at the show thursday. The new Calias looks nice. There was some interesting stuff there.

Hey Matt,

No I wasn't there. Just getting the scoop from other ppl. Did you see any new cool stuff there?

I saw a ton of stuff but most of it is already on the market. The fire line was the best new idea. I realy didnt see much in the new product section that impressed me. The Calias was sharp. There were some nice rods too but most of the new stuff did not apply to my stlye of fishing, probably the same for you also. The Castiac shiner looked like a realy good bait, and the little Lucky craft was neat but very small. I dd see some strike pro baits that had all the little sections like the LC pointers and I imagine they will be much cheaper. You already know about the new Okuma swimbait rods. they were there. I still say they are by far the best rod for the money.
The best part of the show was getting to talk with everybody.

I heard Berkley introduced a clear braided line at ICAST. Diawa also introduced some new Mg reels that are the lightest on the market right now but at the super low price of $400...

Yeah the fireline will have its place. I personaly hate braid. I hate the way it sounds coming through the guides. I hate the way it casts and I hate the way it diggs into itself on the spool. I will stay with my fluoro. However When I saw the new Fireline the first thing that poped in my head was Calicos in the kelp. This line will be awsome for that and frog fishing too.
I am sure I am in the minority but I dont like super light reels. They feel like toys if they are too light. I like light rods but i want a little weight to my reels. I fished a Shimano Scorpion and I didnt like how light it was. I have a couple Calias and I much prefer their weight to the little scorpion. My Okuma VS reels are also light but not too light. just about right. You guys probably think I am lame but its personal preference.

A light reel is good for fishing light plastics or when sensitivity is crucial to catching the lite biting fish. Overall fatigue is less after a full day of fishing as well when you are making a ton of casts. But yes a heavier reel in certain situations is ideal. It also can help balance your whole set up. Me I love the light reels for weightless plastic fishing and something that you are making a lot of casts with like blades and cranks. Other than that its all Calais 100A's and CTE300's for me