Shimano Aldebaran MGL 51 HG Left

The Shimano Aldebaran MGL is an insanely lightweight, low profile baitcasting reel. With a weight of only 135g it fits perfectly with any lightweight BFS rod, but is equally capable of taking on heavier lures and large, powerful predators when required.

The Aldebaran MGL is one of those reels you have to actually fish with (or at least handle) to believe how light it really is, almost rivalling its BFS cousin when it comes to weight. If you are the type of angler who generally fishes with lighter lures, but also want a reel to cope with medium lures, especially in open water, this might just be what you are looking for. One use that really suits this lightweight beauty is vertical jigging. Lighter than even the lightest spinning reels, and more direct and compact, you can jig with the Aldebaran MGL for hours without fatigue.

The lightness of the Aldebaran is thanks to the magnesium construction which is used in both the HAGANE Body (with Ci4+ composite side plates) and also in the shallow spool. It’s the lightweight MGL spool with Silent Tune technology that gives this reel its casting performance, as the force required to get the spool rotating is minimal. And once it is turning it doesn’t need a heavy force to keep it turning. The result is longer casts with lighter lures. In use you can feel the benefit of the X-SHIP technology when the pressure of a large fish is on, but if you are looking for a reel suitable for continuous heavyweight, hook and hold techniques, there are other models in the Shimano range that are more suitable. This is a reel for the lightweight expert and it’s a reel that fits perfectly between a traditional baitcaster and a BFS designed model. 

HAGANE
HAGANE is a Shimano reel design concept created to withstand continual use and extreme abuse. HAGANE is an innovation with built‑in toughness and durability that works alongside Shimano’s precision engineering. HAGANE is for all anglers.

X‑Ship Baitcasting
X‑Ship Baitcasting provides improved gear durability. By supporting the pinion gear on both ends with bearings, the pinion gear maintains precise alignment with the drive gear, allowing gears to stay aligned even under heavy loads and eliminating friction between the spool shaft and gear.

HAGANE Body Baitcasting
The HAGANE Body is a metal reel body with high rigidity. The body rigidity and impact resistance virtually eliminate body flexing on the reel while fighting fish, translating angler input directly to cranking power.

MGL Spool
The lightweight MagnumLite (MGL) Spool design significantly reduces the moment of inertia at the beginning of a cast. This allows anglers to experience greater casting distance and increased accuracy with lighter lures.

SilentTune
By applying slight pressure to the bearing holding the spool, SilentTune reduces the vibration of the bearing during high‑speed rotation. This improves quietness during casting and makes spool rotation smoother.

SVS Infinity
SVS Infinity is Shimano’s newest innovation in brake system technology. It provides easy‑to‑manage, consistent spool control and brake force, improving casting control across a wider range of lure weights.

Cross Carbon Drag Baitcasting
The Cross Carbon Drag material provides a wider range of drag settings compared to traditional drag materials. It delivers smooth Shimano drag performance with increased durability.

S3D Spool (S‑3D)
The S3D Spool is designed to reduce vibration during casting. By maintaining optimal spool balance, unwanted oscillation is reduced and casting performance is improved.

S A‑RB Baitcasting
S A‑RB bearings feature shields on both sides to reduce the possibility of salt or sand inhibiting rotation. This enhances smoothness and corrosion resistance compared to standard bearings.

Super Free Spool
Super Free Spool eliminates friction on the spool shaft during casts. When the clutch is disengaged, the pinion gear is supported by a ball bearing that keeps the pinion gear and spool shaft in perfect alignment, resulting in zero friction and enhanced cast distance.