Shimano Talavera Inshore Spinning Rod Review

The Shimano Talavera Inshore spinning rod is a series of performance saltwater rods that provides impressive durability and refined touches that extend beyond simply the product specifications.

That said, these spin casting poles still provide plenty of different options to choose from and narrow your specific quarry.

However, the Talavera is more of a mid-tier inshore fishing rod, and while it may afford a reliable performance, it doesn’t employ the most advanced design or exclusive technologies– either on the market or from Shimano Inc.

As such, this review examines whether the Talavera is a solid fishing gear investment or an odd fit in a saturated market.

Pros

• Surprisingly durable blank
• SeaGuide Zirconia system
• Numerous spec configurations

 

Cons

• Not truly budget-friendly
• Not the most sensitive
• Fast action exclusive

Review

Construction (craftsmanship, make quality)

In terms of blank construction, the Talavera series of spinning rods don’t bring all of Shimano’s full force to bear, though it might not need to either.

This is because the Shimano Talavera C Inshore spinning pole uses a high-composite graphite blank.

It’s worth noting that the specific tonnage or rating of the graphite is not provided.

Then again, after seeing the rod in action, you don’t need that information to make a judgment about the blank’s durability given the extreme amount of pressure it can handle without failure.

However, strength and durability aren’t the only qualities the blank’s construction and material confer, bringing up some uncomfortable questions.

Thankfully, there’s no need to wonder about the construction or material of the other high-end components, though they too come with some give and take.

For instance, the Shimano Talavera Casting Rod comes with an oversized graphite reel seat for larger reels, though the spinning model doesn’t use the oversized profile.

Further along, this series of spin casting rods also uses SeaGuide stainless steel guide systems with Zirconia inserts for older models and Alconite inserts for newer ones.

The SeaGuide system’s rings feature a deep-drawn frame to help protect the insert as well as a single-footed ring to reduce the impact of the guide system on the blank’s taper and sensitivity.

The handles of the Shimano Talavera Inshore Spinning Rods also come with some variations depending on the rod length you choose.

For the overwhelming majority of the different models, the AA full grip cork handles feature a compressed cork butt to provide additional leverage, but the longest models use a rubber gimbal butt to allow a fishing belt or another similar accessory.

Material

As mentioned prior, the specific materials used for the newest Shimano Talavera Inshore Spinning Rods’ blank aren’t specified beyond it being a composite graphite blank.

While it would be nice to know the specific modulus of carbon fiber used to better gauge the impact it has on sensitivity and durability.

On the other hand, the durability issue doesn’t seem to come up all that often, though this should come as little surprise since composite blanks tend to be extremely durable anyway.

Still, it’s a comforting sign to see fishermen use this spinning pole and the blank bending nearly in half without snapping or cracking along the blank.

While the Shimano Talavera Casting Rod uses Fuji aluminum-oxide guides, the Inshore spinning option instead employs a SeaGuide system that favors stainless steel.

Aside from the fact that stainless steel is generally stronger and more durable, this pole’s guide rings use SS316L stainless steel which is especially resilient against the corrosion of salt water.

However, the Talavera series of rods shows mid-tier positioning once more with a composite Fuji reel seat made of carbon fiber graphite and nylon.

It’s worth noting that this isn’t a terrible or uncommon choice for inshore fishing rods as the nylon reinforces the carbon fibers and helps protect them against impacts and other types of damage.

Finally, at the end of these inshore spinning poles comes AA high-grade cork grips that are both durable and comfortable, though you will want to maintain them properly to prevent the harsh saltwater from pitting the cork.

This suggestion follows two-fold for the model with a rubber gimbal as rubber can break down quickly when directly exposed to any water.

Action

One of the nicer features of the remodeled Shimano Tavalera is the all-new rod tapers which not only improve the pole’s functional capabilities but also increase its durability.

One of the few potential issues with the older models was that the tip of the blank wasn’t as strong as the rest of the blank and would occasionally break off under extreme pressure.

However, with the use of the single-footed SeaGuide rings and the redesigned tapers, this rod sees a boost in its casting performance. Still, the Talavera only comes in a fast action with some noting that the 8’0″ model feels like an extra-fast (though it’s still rated as “fast”).

Regardless, this action increases your casting accuracy and gives a nice boost to otherwise average sensitivity.

Power

This is one of the areas where the Tavalera provides one of the more comprehensive collections for inshore fishing, understanding that the larger coastal fish require plenty of backbone to catch.

While many of the rod power ratings hover somewhere in the medium to medium-heavy power range, this series also extends into the heavy and even the extra-heavy settings.

Whatever the Tavalera Inshore spinner might have given up in terms of sensitivity, it more than makes up for with an excellent power rating.

Outside of soft-mouthed species (which aren’t nearly as prevalent in salt water as they are in freshwater settings) this rod power range allows you to target virtually any sized class fish.

Rod Guides

While this lineup might not offer the silky smoothness of Fuji aluminum-oxide guides, it more than counters that potential inconvenience with strength and durability.

Opting instead for a stainless steel SeaGuide system with either Zirconia or Alconite inserts (depending on the model), these guides can handle pretty much anything you throw at them.

Aside from the fact that the inserts help reduce the incidence of your line tangling during the cast, the stainless steel material prevents a braided fishing line from slicing through the tip-top ring.

To further reinforce that durability, these spin casting rods also come with SeaGuide XQG/XOG rings which help protect the inserts from impact damage.

Handle (material, shape, etc)

While the full-grip AA cork handles of the Tavalera offer excellent performance in their own right, it’s also worth considering how the design further enhances the fishing experience you can expect.

For starters, the handle’s foregrip comes in a half-wrap design that increases the already comfortable grip even more.

However, inshore fishing tends to target larger fish which will put a lot of pressure on you.

To alleviate some of the strain, this lineup comes with a Compressed Cork grip butt that allows you to comfortably brace the rod against your waist.

For even larger fish, the 8’0″ model comes with a rubber gimbal, perfect for a fishing belt.

Uses (Who is this good for)

From boating to needing a solid grip for kayak fishing, the main thing you want when inshore fishing is an item durable enough to handle the strain of large fish fighting for their life.

While this series can more than accommodate, the Tavalera can even handle some light offshore fishing, though that can be a bit trickier– especially if you happen to attract some of the largest species of fish.

thankfully, it almost doesn’t matter what inshore species you target, larger fish to inshore flounder fishing, this lineup of spinning rods has models perfect for your needs.

Even better, this inshore spinning pole can handle a wide variety of baits and styles, like tossing baits under mangrove shorelines in the southeast or across rocky coasts in the northeast.

Reel and Real Seat Compatibility

While the Shimano Talavera Casting Rod uses an oversized graphite reel seat to accommodate the larger reels used for baitcasting, the spinning models don’t need to worry about all of that.

That said, Shimano doesn’t cheap out here either (for the most part) and employs a solid Fuji reel seat– though it’s a bit of a trade-off.

To withstand the rigors and abuse of inshore fishing from both corrosive saltwater and monstrous fish, the Tavalera opts for a hybrid nylon and graphite fiber composition.

The graphite allows vibration to travel through the reel seat and into your hand while the nylon reinforces the reel seat against damage, but there are completely carbon fiber reel seats out there that can handle inshore fishing too.

Conclusion (Wrap Up)

Shimano Inc. did a commendable job providing a relatively affordable saltwater rod with everything you need to do some inshore flounder fishing.

Whether it’s the pole’s exceptional power and plenty of backbone or the stainless steel SeaGuide ring system that can handle even the grittiest braided fishing lines, this rod has you covered.

However, you should also recognize that the Talavera is appropriately priced as a mid-market inshore rod and doesn’t provide all of the bells and whistles that more expensive options do.

Still, at a mid-tier price range, this spin caster serves as a solid Shimano starting point for any relatively experienced angler to get in on the inshore fishing craze.