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Shimano Ultegra 14000 XTE Reel review
from Shimano
RRP £159.99
by James Furness |
Updated on17th March 2026 at 4.20pm
Shimano Ultegra 14000 XTE Reel
Shimano Aerlex 14000 XTC
ESP Onyx Compact Big Pit reel
Fox 12000 XC Big Pit reel
Dripping from head to toe with awesomeness, the XTE and XSE Ultegra reels from Shimano give the appearance of a product that would be twice or even three times the price. Crammed full of loads of Shimano’s latest tech, the team behind them have dubbed them ‘long range superstars’, mainly thanks to the Super Slow Oscillation, which creates the perfect line lay and reduced friction on casting. Any serious carp angler will want to take a look at these superb carp reels - especially at this price range.
Absolute beasts in terms of power, these reels are silent and smooth, thanks to a combination of HAGANE Gear, S-Ship, Infinity Drive and Silent Drive. The XTE is for the angler who seeks a darker, stealthier-looking reel, while the XSE is in a stunning clean silver, for those who want that real glow to their treasured carp set-up.
The Verdict
From the moment you get these reels out of the box, you can't fail to be impressed. They boast the same remarkable quality anglers have come to expect from a Shimano reel and are packed with a stack of features to improve performance.
On testing we found the casting distances achieved, even when this reel was loaded with a budget reel line, were very impressive, and the line lay was as good as Shimano had boasted. Perhaps a more interesting feature is Silent Drive and they really are that too. Everything is just so silky and smooth, you would honestly think you were paying a lot more for them. The clutch just ticks away under steady pressure and nothing locks up. This reel is a well oiled machine that will catch the biggest carp on the toughest of lakes.
Visually they won't look out of place on any rod or pod combination you put them on, but you may find clumsy anglers will scratch them over time. Whilst we are on the negatives, what might be one of the biggest annoyances for some anglers is the screw-on reel handle. Whilst this does make the handle rock solid when screwed in place, it does make them difficult to fold and can lead to handles dropping off in your holdall if unscrewed too far. This is present on many other high end carp reels, however, so it is simply down to what you prefer as an angler and may have used before.
Finishing on a big positive, inside the box is a spare spool and line reducers - perfect for spooling up for different waters and situations you might face.
FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THIS PRODUCT AND OTHERS FROM SHIMANO HERE.
1. Shimano Ultegra 14000 XTE Reel
Best mid-range carp reel
Price: $159.99 was £219.99
Shimano says the Ultegra 14000 XTE will redefine the mid-priced long-range reel market. Packed with many of Shimano’s ‘long cast’ technologies, these reels boast Shimano’s Super Slow Oscillation 5 for perfect line lay, which will in turn reduce friction and increase casting performance.
Other technical features include HAGANE Gear and X-SHIP for amazing smoothness and lightweight rotation. Rigid Cast reduces spool deflection at the moment of release, while Parallel Body sends the line out at the perfect angle. If casting power and efficiency is what you want, without breaking the bank, these reels have answered every question in the book.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Offers superior line lay
- Incredible cranking power
Cons
- Screw-on handle might not appeal to everyone
Price: $159.99 was £219.99
Our pick of the alternatives
2. Shimano Aerlex 14000 XTC
Best carp fishing reel (National Angling Awards Winner 2025)
Price: $108.99
If you want a big pit reel that brings high-end casting performance to a more affordable price point the the Shimano Aerlex 14000 XTC is that reel. Designed for distance and precision, it features Super slow oscillation, which ensures an exceptional parallel line lay, reducing friction and allowing for smoother, more controlled casting. This, combined with Shimano’s cold-forged aluminium AR-C spool, delivers excellent line release, making it ideal for fishing at range where every extra yard counts.
Performance is further enhanced by Silent Drive technology, which ensures quiet, refined operation with minimal internal movement, giving the reel a smooth and solid feel during use. The parallel body shifts the reel’s centre of gravity closer to the rod, improving balance. With a retrieve of 103cm per turn, it offers a powerful yet steady retrieval, perfect for playing big fish confidently and efficiently. The Instant Drag system allows for quick adjustments, providing instant control whether tightening up for casting or loosening off during a fight.
With a strong drag system and a robust build weighing in at 630g, the Aerlex 14000 XTC is well-equipped to handle the most demanding fishing situations. An adequate too for casting big leads for carp at extreme range, this reel delivers reliable performance without the premium price tag. It’s a great option for anglers who want Shimano’s renowned engineering and casting technology in a durable, budget-friendly package that doesn’t compromise on capability.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Robust and lightweight
- 103cm retrieve
Cons
- Big pit style may not suit smaller commercial venues
Price: $108.99
3. ESP Onyx Compact Big Pit reel
Best mini big-pit carp reel
Price: $128.95
The popular Onyx reel from ESP has a smaller, lighter version for anglers who don’t want a huge reel or who have switched to using the ever popular shorter rods, which these reels compliment perfectly.
Whilst it is smaller in size, the ESP Onyx Compact Big Pit reel still has excellent cranking power thanks to 7 ball bearings, and will retrieve 0.95m of line per rotation of the handle, so even when you’re reeling big fish in from long range, this reel will make the whole process seamless. Slow oscillation ensures perfect line lay to improve your distance casting, the reel also features a one touch folding handle to help speed up packing away rods into a ready made holdall.
Two spools come with the reel, one shallow that will hold 300m of 15lb line and one ultra-shallow that will hold the same amount in 12lb, more than enough for any situation. The reels are finished in a matt black powder coating that will not only last, it makes them incredibly carpy.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Powerful Reels
- Look awesome
Cons
- A bit small for long range boat work
Price: $128.95
4. Fox 12000 XC Big Pit reel
Best carp reel for versatility
Price: $166.99 was £199.99
Fox’s flagship 12000 XC Big Pit reel has been updated and improved, and the result is an incredibly versatile carp fishing reel. Featuring a new carbon polymer body, the weight of the reel has been reduced to a mere 610g. The lighter weight will improve your ability to cast, whilst also make using the reels for spodding or playing fish far easier.
Super slow osscilation and Mesh-Tec gearing create superior line lay whilst providing maximum cranking power with 96cm of line retrieved per turn. No matter the size of the fish, you always feel the reel has it under control with much more to give.
The spools on the reel have some nice features included too. A pro cast lip has reduced the thickness at the top of the spool to help minimise friction, whilst the reel also incorporates two line clips, particularly useful if you use the reel for Spombing or feature finding. Spare spools can be bought in shallow and deep, with the deep spool holding 515m of 18lb line.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Packed with clever little features.
- A great casting reel.
Cons
- No deep spools supplied, must be bought separately.
Price: $166.99 was £199.99
Author James Furness is Editor of the Angling Times, with over 25 years of experience in all types of coarse fishing, he has a particular obsession for carp fishing.
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