The Rovex Radion SH-D is ideal for anglers who want a compact, powerful overhead reel capable of covering several demanding fishing techniques. It is particularly well suited to anglers vertically jigging smaller flutter jigs, slider jigs and snapper sliders for snapper and other reef species, where the long single power handle provides useful winding leverage and the 7.3:1 gearing quickly recovers line.
Big-lure anglers targeting impoundment barramundi and Murray cod can take advantage of the deeper PE2/300m or PE3/200m spool to fish heavier braid while retaining practical line capacity, particularly when casting valuable handmade swimbaits and hardbodies around heavy structure. The deeper spool also makes the SH-D useful for trolling, including trout anglers using higher-volume lead core line to get small trolling lures deeper.
CNC-Machined Aluminium Body and Side Plate
The CNC-machined aluminium construction creates a rigid platform around the reel's drivetrain that resists flex when the reel is placed under load. This gives the SH-D a solid feel when fighting powerful fish while helping keep the spool, main gear and pinion correctly aligned. Excessive frame movement can allow drivetrain components to move slightly out of alignment and place uneven loads across the gears, contributing to wear over time. The rigid aluminium construction helps minimise this movement and is particularly valuable when repeatedly jigging, casting large lures or fighting powerful fish.
Deep Aluminium Spool
The deeper spool significantly increases the SH-D's line capacity to PE2/300m or PE3/200m. This additional capacity opens the reel to a wider range of applications and allows anglers to select heavier braid without sacrificing practical line capacity. Big-lure anglers targeting impoundment Murray cod and barramundi can therefore choose heavier line for additional confidence around timber and structure, while jigging anglers have useful capacity for fishing deeper water and trolling anglers have additional room for higher-volume lines such as lead core.
Long Single CNC-Machined Metal Handle
The longer single handle increases the leverage available to the angler when winding under load. Increasing the distance between the handle knob and the centre of the drive shaft provides greater mechanical advantage, allowing the angler to generate more torque at the drivetrain for the same input force. This is particularly beneficial when lifting fish during vertical jigging or gaining line against a powerful fish. The rigid CNC machined metal construction also resists unwanted flex, maintaining a solid and direct connection between the angler and the drivetrain.
Large EVA Power Knob
The large round EVA power knob gives the angler a substantial gripping surface when winding under load. This is particularly useful during vertical jigging, where the reel is repeatedly loaded as the jig is worked and fish are fought directly beneath the boat. The larger knob also provides excellent control when casting large swimbaits and hardbodies or trolling, allowing the angler to maintain a secure and comfortable grip without having to tightly pinch a smaller handle knob.
22lb (10kg) Maximum Drag
The SH-D produces up to 22lb (10kg) of maximum drag, giving anglers substantial pressure for controlling powerful fish around reef, timber and other structure. This is particularly useful when jigging for snapper and other reef species, where fish may need to be controlled before reaching the bottom, and when targeting Murray cod or barramundi around heavy structure. The high drag capability works together with the rigid aluminium platform and long power handle to create a reel capable of applying and recovering line under significant load.
6-Speed Centrifugal Braking System
The six-position centrifugal braking system helps control spool speed during casting. If the spool rotates faster than line can leave the reel, excess line can build up and create an overrun or backlash. The adjustable centrifugal brake allows anglers to alter the level of spool control to suit different lure weights, casting styles and conditions. This maintains the SH-D's usefulness as a casting reel despite its deeper spool and jigging capability, particularly for anglers throwing large swimbaits, hardbodies and surface lures.
8+1 Stainless Steel Bearings
The 8+1 stainless steel bearing system supports key rotating components throughout the reel to reduce friction and unwanted movement. Good bearing support contributes to smooth spool rotation during casting and smooth operation through the drivetrain when jigging, retrieving or fighting fish. Stainless steel construction also makes the bearing system appropriate for the freshwater and saltwater environments in which the SH-D is designed to be used.
7.3:1 High-Speed Gear Ratio
The 7.3:1 gearing allows the SH-D to recover line quickly. When jigging, this helps the angler rapidly take up slack created as a jig is lifted and falls through the water column, maintaining better contact with the lure and making it easier to respond to strikes. When casting, the fast gearing helps recover slack and regain line when a fish changes direction, while trolling anglers can quickly retrieve lines when resetting a spread or clearing gear.
Aluminium Spool
The aluminium spool provides a strong and rigid platform for carrying braid, monofilament or suitable trolling lines while maintaining appropriate rotating mass for casting. Spool rigidity becomes particularly important when heavier braid and higher drag pressures are used, as substantial force can be transferred through the line and spool during a fight.
PE2/300M or PE3/200M Line Capacity
The deep spool holds approximately 300 metres of PE2 or 200 metres of PE3 braid, allowing anglers to select line according to the application rather than being restricted by spool capacity. PE2 provides excellent capacity for light jigging, while PE3 provides a heavier option for anglers casting expensive large lures around barramundi and Murray cod structure where additional line strength can provide greater confidence.
Light Jigging Capability
The combination of a deep spool, 22lb (10kg) maximum drag, 7.3:1 gearing, rigid aluminium construction and long single power handle makes the SH-D particularly well suited to light vertical jigging. It is an excellent platform for working smaller flutter-style jigs, slider jigs and snapper sliders for snapper and other reef species, providing the line capacity, retrieve speed and winding leverage required to work jigs effectively and control fish after the strike.
Big-Lure Casting Capability
The SH-D remains highly capable as a casting reel, with its centrifugal braking system providing spool control when throwing large swimbaits, hardbodies and surface lures. The long single handle and large EVA knob provide a different feel to a conventional dual-handle baitcaster and may appeal to anglers who prefer a substantial power handle when targeting barramundi, Murray cod and other large predators.
Trolling Versatility
The deeper spool makes the SH-D particularly useful for trolling applications where additional line capacity is valuable. This includes trout trolling with lead core line, where the greater diameter of lead core requires more spool volume than conventional braid or monofilament. The additional capacity allows anglers to carry useful lengths of lead core for getting small trout lures deeper while retaining a compact overhead reel platform.
Infinite Anti-Reverse Bearing
The infinite anti-reverse system uses a one-way bearing to minimise backwards handle movement before the drivetrain engages. This gives the reel a tighter and more direct feel and becomes particularly noticeable during jigging, where the drivetrain is repeatedly loaded and unloaded as the angler works the jig. Reduced handle back-play also provides a more immediate connection when setting hooks and beginning to wind against a fish.
Right-Hand and Left-Hand Wind Options
The SH-D is available in dedicated Right-Hand Wind and Left-Hand Wind configurations with identical performance specifications, allowing anglers to select their preferred retrieving side for jigging, casting or trolling.
What does SH-D mean and what is the advantage?
SH-D stands for Single Handle and Deep Spool. The deeper spool provides PE2/300m or PE3/200m capacity, allowing anglers to carry more line or step up to heavier braid without sacrificing practical capacity. The longer single handle with its large EVA power knob provides increased leverage when winding under load, making it particularly useful when jigging or fighting powerful fish while also providing a substantial handle for big-lure casting and trolling.
What type of jigging is the Radion SH-D designed for?
The SH-D is particularly suited to light vertical jigging for snapper and other reef species using smaller flutter jigs, Japanese-style slider jigs and snapper sliders. Its 7.3:1 gearing helps recover line quickly as the jig is worked, while the long single power handle provides additional leverage when winding against a fish. The 22lb (10kg) maximum drag and rigid aluminium construction provide the strength required to apply pressure when fish are hooked close to reef or other bottom structure.
Why is the deep spool useful for casting and trolling?
For big-lure casting, the PE3/200m capacity allows anglers targeting Murray cod and barramundi to use heavier braid while still carrying a practical amount of line, providing additional confidence when casting expensive swimbaits and handmade lures around heavy structure. For trolling, the greater spool volume is particularly useful with thicker lines such as lead core, allowing trout anglers to carry enough lead core to get small trolling lures down deeper without requiring a large conventional trolling reel.
