The Ultegra XTD and XSD are Shimano's best-selling Big Pit/Surfcasting reels and have been for many years. The compact 5500 models are the best in their category, combining exceptional value with undeniable performance and credibility. If you are the type of angler who fishes in smaller waters, the Ultegra 5500 XTD, with its compact size and subtle finishes, deserves serious consideration. The compact size perfectly balances rods with lighter action and is especially suitable for the increasingly popular short 9ft-11ft models. It is also the ideal choice for specialists fishing large rivers with very heavy feeders. Alternatively, if you need a compact surfcasting reel to balance a light surfcasting rod in the 80-120g casting range, take a look at the silver/gunmetal Ultegra XSD, which will improve your long-distance casting without overpowering the selected rods. The combination of Shimano's high-quality construction and X-SHIP technology offers extremely smooth performance. With hundreds of thousands of units in use across Europe, you can be confident this is a reel built to last. Casting performance is maximized by the use of the Parallel Body design with slow oscillation, and for greater ease of use, the 5500 features Instant Drag, which makes switching from freespool to fish-playing super fast and spool locking easier for long-range surf casting.