I got this reel for Christmas a couple of years ago from my late Mum's older sister's family (I actually asked for the Potenza, but the local tackle shop was out of them... so got this newer Ganza instead).
It's available in in 5 different sizes for various types of fishing:
2403/030 - Holds 170m of 4lb Line 2403/035 - Holds 210m of 3lb Line 2403/040 - Holds 200m of 8lb line 2403/045 - Holds 230m of 10lb line 2403/050 - Holds 250m of 15lb line
I guess the 030 version is for general coarse fishing...... Roach / Rudd / Perch / small Tench, etc.
The 035 version is almost certainly for budding Bob Nudds & Alan Scotthorne's, as it's the only one in the range supplied with 2x Shallow Aluminium Match spools.
The 040 version is the one I've got, I reckon that it's best use is for Chub, Barbel & Larger Tench + Carp in low double figures..... but I mostly use it for legering & spinning (mainly for Trout, since that's all that is usually in my local river, unfortunately).
I suppose the 045 & 050 versions are best suited to Carp & Pike fishing, maybe smaller Catfish + Light sea fishing.
I've already told you about the 035's spools........ the 030, 040, 045 & 050 come with 1x Aluminium regular sized spool and 1x Graphite regular sized spool. All models come with 2 handles.... one is a fairly regular looking handle, except it folds by pressing a metal switch in the joint....... that's a fairly handy feature now I come to think about it, as it saves unscrewing the handle to fold it when storing the reel away (I once dropped the screw on one of my other reels down the wooden slats on a boat landing..... had to order another one when I got back from Holiday). The other handle (as seen in the photograph on this site) is a counter-balanced affair, I guess for spinning & legering...... but not really sure. Both handles are fairly sturdy, providing you don't throw your rod & reel down in a huff when something goes wrong (I must remember to order that replacement part sometime). As for the spools..... well you've probably seen that the Aluminium one in the picture is almost a work of art (good piece of workmanship), while the Graphite one isn't quite as pretty (plasticky) but does the job. Both spools also have line clips - sometimes you'll find the clip hanging off slightly, but it's easily fixed by pressing it back down with your thumb with no further problems.
The reel is super smooth, due to the fact it has 5-ball bearings (always a good sign.... most reels at this price are lucky to have 1 - 3 bearings). It seems to handle fish ok, not that I've managed to catch anything to really test it from my local river.
Prices are a snip compared to Shimano's reels....... with RRP's starting at £25 for the 030 model, up to £34 for the 050 model. If you shop around (try Mullarkey's) you can get the 030 model for around £19 up to £25 for the 050.
Definately a good 'un to buy if you're just starting out, and want something slightly better than some of the budget models without forking out vast wads of folding stuff to get a Shimano, and also Shakespeare are one of the oldest tackle manufacturer's in the business, with 108years of experience under their belts (1897 to present).... so know a thing or two about making tackle, having created many FIRSTS in tackle manufacturer.
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