Shimano Reel Prices Skyrocket – What’s Going On?
I came across a video that really caught my attention, and I think it’s something every angler needs to see. The video digs into a major and widespread increase in fishing reel prices, especially from Shimano, and the numbers are eye-opening.During a recent Labor Day sale, the creator noticed that many of Shimano’s reels – along with models from Lew’s and Daiwa – have suddenly jumped in price. In some cases, we’re talking hikes of nearly 40%. This isn’t just happening with new releases either. Even older platforms and entry-level models are seeing these big increases.
The video raises the question: what’s driving this? Are tariffs to blame? Supply chain issues? Or is it just market manipulation because these companies know they can push the limits?
One thing’s for sure – many North American anglers are going to start buying through Japanese Domestic Market (JDM) channels where the same reels can be had for far less. That shift could seriously hurt North American retailers, especially on models that don’t have JDM equivalents.
This is an important issue for our community because access to gear is already expensive, and these kinds of jumps make the sport harder to stay in.
