Shimano Talica 16IIA — 2-Speed Lever-Drag Reel

Published · Researched 2026-09-20

Overview

• Maker: Shimano. Current 2026 version: Talica II A (TAC16IIA) — the updated A-series of the Talica II. (Community threads reference both the II and IIA; the A is the current retail generation.)
• Purpose: The 50–60 lb (stretch 80 lb) big-fish reel for SoCal sportboats: 60-lb flyline for bluefin, sinker rig, dropper loop, yo-yo. The step-up reel anglers buy when school bluefin turn into 60–100 lb class fish on 1.5-day to multi-day trips.

Social standing

• Platform pulse: Strong Bloodydecks presence ("Shimano - Talica 16-2", "Talica 12ii or 16ii", "Big Bluefin tackle", "Talica or Saltiga?", "Shimano Talica 16ii", "Thoughts on Talica 20ii", plus BD classifieds). FB Marketplace had no live Talica listings on 2026-09-20.
• Group consensus: "It's an ideal 60lb set up. I've used it for live bait, dropper loop, and yo-yo. It's performed well on fish up to 196lbs for me" (bdoutdoors). Community recipe: "80lb braid to a short top shot of 50/60lb. That's how I rock mine!" (bdoutdoors). On the 12 vs 16 debate: the 16 is the safer all-rounder — "If you knew for certain [the tuna] would be in that size range. A 12 could get the job done, I'd feel better with the 16."
• Praise: "The drag smoothness & power is fantastic" (Fishwrecked, cross-linked BD-style owner). "16 cast better" than the 20 (bdoutdoors). Recommended by online fishing clubs over Daiwa Saltiga for the 50–100 lb bluefin sinker-rig/flyline role ("I asked same question to online fishing club and Talica 16 was the recommendation" — bdoutdoors).
• Complaints: Line-capacity anxiety for cow hunting: "Your Talica 16 with 80# will handle 90% of the bluefin that you are likely to fight on bait or flatfall... If you get to war with a cow you will very likely get spooled" (bdoutdoors) — i.e., it's a 60-lb reel, not a cow reel; the Mak 20 / Penn 16VISX class is the cow minimum. One owner: "I had a 16ii. Worked better as a 50lb reel imo." Real-world spooling shortfall: tackle shops fit ~300 yd of 80-lb where spec sheets claim 450–480 — "All 80 isn't created equal. Also it's important that it's packed on tight by someone who knows what they're doing" (bdoutdoors). Fix: thinner braid (Maxcuatro 80 → ~500 yd; Seaguar Threadlock hollow 60 → 475 yd).
• Verified quotes:
  • "Just bought a talica 16 2 speed from a friend... 80lb braid to a short top shot of 50/60lb. That's how I rock mine!" (bdoutdoors)
  • "Talica 16ii, serviced by shimano. Box and clamp included. Ready for bluefin or yellows or tanker seabass" — BD classified seller, $430.

Social validation — TIER 1

• Bloodydecks threads (6+): proves the 16II as the community's default 60-lb recommendation with documented fish to ~196 lb, plus honest cow-limit debate. Proves: real bluefin use, class ceiling, line-management nuance.
• BD classifieds (asking): $430 (serviced by Shimano, box+clamp, 2023) and $400 (loaded with 80# spectra, boat rash, Glendale CA, 2023) — proves ~$400–430 used band (older listings; current band UNVERIFIED).
• Retailer spec charts (halfhitch.com, Sept 2026): full TAC16IIA spec table — proves current A-series specs (below).

Key specs (TAC16IIA, per halfhitch.com + eBay item specifics, Sept 2026)

Pricing

• New street: $669.99 — Crook & Crook via Meta catalog (2026-09-20); gray-market eBay new $616.99–$625.99 (ships from Taiwan, import fees apply — Sept 2026).
• Used (ask): $400–430 (BD classifieds; listings from 2023, current band UNVERIFIED). No FB Marketplace Talica listings on 2026-09-20.

What's included / what else is needed

• Reel, box, clamp. Community recipe: 80-lb braid (or 65-lb for capacity) + short 50/60-lb topshot; pair with a 50–60 lb rod (old-school Calstar 6460H cited by an owner; rail-capable 7.5–8' rod). Kite/cow fishing needs a bigger reel class — boat gear covers that.

Support reality

• Shimano factory service referenced positively ("serviced by shimano" used as a selling point in BD classifieds). Factory warranty terms UNVERIFIED from this research; no community support complaints surfaced.

Community verdict

The community's standard answer for the 60-lb bluefin outfit: smooth, powerful, and proven on fish to ~200 lbs — but owners are honest that it is not a cow reel. Buy the 16 for the fish you will actually hook on 1.5–3 day trips; bring boat gear or a 20-size class reel when cows are the target.