Diawa Products 2025
nastynate reply :
I kinda found myself in shock today when I went to the Tackle Warehouse and looked at Daiwa reels today and seen how expensive there product is. In all the years i have been fishing I can honestly say i have never fished or ever looked at a Daiwa product. As i started fishing at a young age with Shakespeare rod-n-real combos, moving to Phlueger , Quantum reels, and now advancing up to Abu Garcia. Typical wallmart/ sporting goods store type of of equipment. I don't know why but for some reason when i think of Daiwa it kinda on the bottom of my list of quality product. So when I seen some of the prices on there stuff I though to myself REALLY!!!! they want that for a Daiwa. Im just curious to what other people think about Daiwa, why you would fish there product over another or why you wouldn't. Previous experiences with them. I really know nothing about Daiwa and cant get a grasp on what makes them worth that kind of money.
zachb34 reply :
I've never fished a daiwa but it seems like their cheaper stuff is trash but the expensive models like the zillion are pretty solid
hooah212002 reply :
Daiwa has a whole range of gear. From "meh" Walmart stuff to $600 custom made reels. I've always thought the same about Abu Garcia because my first baitcaster was one and it SUCKED. It was terrible to learn with. But now I see that most companies pretty much have gear for all budgets. Effective market strategy.
SirSnookalot reply :
Call me crazy but I can't see spending hundreds of dollars to catch fish that barely average a couple of pounds and don't fight that hard anyway. I'm not going to promote or degrade any product, only to say in a moderate price range that are some solid choices out there. Since I don't use b/c gear I'm not forced to spend more than I need to catch my average fish, the bigger ones seem to get landed just fine too.
BASSclary reply :
Daiwa's are just better in my eyes. Once you fish with a decent Daiwa you'll see why. Every company has crappy bottom dollar products, but once you try a good one you'll never go back. They also innovate alot. With Magforce-Z, to their newer T-Wing line guide, you'll see they're always about newer technology. How many other brands do you see doing that? I know I dont see Abu, SHIMANO, or any other companies doing new things.
Also, I think they're build quality is higher than the rest. They also have sort of niche reels, like the Pixy, which is pretty much finesse only.
They are my favorite reels on the market, albeit, slightly more expensive, but until you try one you'll never know. To start with Daiwa, I would look for a used Fuego, or SOL. The can be found easily for 125-150, and are really top notch. They also have alot of potential to be customized, and tuned. For example, people often turn their pixies into "Pixzillas" where they bought parts from a few other reels to create an awe inspiring reel.
If you can, I''d recommend you demo a reel from Tackle Warehouse, try a Zillion, and you're pants will be blown off.
webertime reply :
They make some sick stuff and some junk, same as everyone.
While the do make some "innovative" stuff a lot of those innovations end up with issues.
(Twitchin Bar mechanisms breaking or having to be being removed, or getting line wrapped around them).
(T-3's where fluro and braid are grooving the nose plate when used on some rods).
J Francho reply :
I own several Diawa reels. They are my preference, though I also own several Shimano and Pinnacle, as well. I don't own any of the brands you mentioned. Probably won't either. Daiwa have reels at price points across the board, same as other companies. Once you stray away from Walmart shelves, and into a specialty store like TW, you're going to find completely different priced products and quality level. Try comparing golf clubs or cooking supplies from Walmart, as compared to a store that specializes in that stuff.
baluga reply :
The only thing I don't like with Daiwa is that they put plastic parts on their top end model like the TD ITO 103M, plastic on the face plate, handle nut cover, worm sheild.... They are pretty good though.
roadwarrior reply :
On 8/10/2012 at 3:03 PM, SirSnookalot said:Call me crazy but I can't see spending hundreds of dollars to catch fish that barely average a couple of pounds and don't fight that hard anyway. I'm not going to promote or degrade any product, only to say in a moderate price range that are some solid choices out there. Since I don't use b/c gear I'm not forced to spend more than I need to catch my average fish, the bigger ones seem to get landed just fine too.
C'mon, I'll bet you are a "collector" or have been at some point. You've mentioned some pretty pricey
cars that you have owned over the years. $20-$30,00 cars are common, but +/- $5000 wil get you from Point
A to B. I don't think spending a few hundred dollars for a fine reel is unreasonable for an enthusiast.
I don't catch more or bigger bass on my Calais or Stella, but I sure enjoy fishing them!
21farms reply :
since many daiwas are still made in japan, the exchange rate is the main culprit for their current high prices.
i'm very thankful for daiwa as many of the features that are now commonplace on modern reels and that we take for granted were innovated by daiwa and/or first appeared widely on daiwa reels. the current style of magnetic brakes, inline thumb bars, low side-slung gearboxes, swept handles are all examples. their magforce-V and Z brakes are still the most simple-but-sophisticated brakes in the industry. they're continuing to explore and utilize alternative materials starting with magnesium and continuing on with zaion and other carbons. their twitchin' bar didn't catch on and the jury is still out on their T-wing system but it shows that daiwa is continuing to push the envelope. i appreciate that they continue to pour money into research and development instead of just copying everyone else.
thehooligan reply :
I just picked up the td fuego off *** for $100. Figured i wasnt going to pass up a $300 reel at that price. Its a great reel, but still like my ci4 2500 and stradic 1000fj better...
SirSnookalot reply :
On 8/11/2012 at 2:00 AM, roadwarrior said:C'mon, I'll bet you are a "collector" or have been at some point. You've mentioned some pretty pricey
cars that you have owned over the years. $20-$30,00 cars are common, but +/- $5000 wil get you from Point
A to B. I don't think spending a few hundred dollars for a fine reel is unreasonable for an enthusiast.
I don't catch more or bigger bass on my Calais or Stella, but I sure enjoy fishing them!
My mid priced stradics do the job and catch me no more fish than a stella would. By the same token my mid priced Genesis sedan gives me the same pleasure and gets me there exactly like my 750 BMW did, don't feel I've lost anything, except gained a few bucks.
But you may be right about some that are collectors, I consider myself a user, I just use a lot of combos. I'm sure you have seen some of the fish I've caught on those mid level reels and rods of mine, do you think it would have been easier or more fun with pricier gear............I don't think so. I spend what I think is practical for what I catch, I don't catch big fish.
QUAKEnSHAKE reply :
On 8/11/2012 at 3:38 AM, SirSnookalot said:My mid priced stradics do the job and catch me no more fish than a stella would. By the same token my mid priced Genesis sedan gives me the same pleasure and gets me there exactly like my 750 BMW did, don't feel I've lost anything, except gained a few bucks.
But you may be right about some that are collectors, I consider myself a user, I just use a lot of combos. I'm sure you have seen some of the fish I've caught on those mid level reels and rods of mine, do you think it would have been easier or more fun with pricier gear............I don't think so. I spend what I think is practical for what I catch, I don't catch big fish.
Unfortunately Im in the same boat you are I dont catch big fish. I think for what we get in fishing reels the prices paid are way over-the-top compared to other hobbies that use bearings, graphite, Al ,cnc, engineering. I can get VERY nice radio controlled vehichles that use lots of cnc'ed parts have nice little engines a radio system that is much more technical than the poles/reels we use. At times 1/2 the price of a little fishing reel that has 1/4 the machining. Gets1000 times more abuse in one 15 minute race than a reel sees in a lifetime. But the market bears it cause we allow it.
baluga reply :
On 8/11/2012 at 3:38 AM, SirSnookalot said:My mid priced stradics do the job and catch me no more fish than a stella would. By the same token my mid priced Genesis sedan gives me the same pleasure and gets me there exactly like my 750 BMW did, don't feel I've lost anything, except gained a few bucks.
But you may be right about some that are collectors, I consider myself a user, I just use a lot of combos. I'm sure you have seen some of the fish I've caught on those mid level reels and rods of mine, do you think it would have been easier or more fun with pricier gear............I don't think so. I spend what I think is practical for what I catch, I don't catch big fish.
I guess you are lucky for not being able to discern the difference in feel between a mid price reel to a top end reel, since you save a lot for not buying the top end reel.
new2BC4bass reply :
On 8/10/2012 at 1:55 PM, nastynate said:I kinda found myself in shock today when I went to the Tackle Warehouse and looked at Daiwa reels today and seen how expensive there product is. In all the years i have been fishing I can honestly say i have never fished or ever looked at a Daiwa product. As i started fishing at a young age with Shakespeare rod-n-real combos, moving to Phlueger , Quantum reels, and now advancing up to Abu Garcia. Typical wallmart/ sporting goods store type of of equipment. I don't know why but for some reason when i think of Daiwa it kinda on the bottom of my list of quality product. So when I seen some of the prices on there stuff I though to myself REALLY!!!! they want that for a Daiwa. Im just curious to what other people think about Daiwa, why you would fish there product over another or why you wouldn't. Previous experiences with them. I really know nothing about Daiwa and cant get a grasp on what makes them worth that kind of money.
Sticker shock is a familiar feeling around my house every since I got back into fishing a few years ago. I suggest you fish with a couple decent Daiwa reels to see why many of us like them. The Zillion isn't light, and they say the technology is getting long in the tooth, but far as I'm concerned they are great reels. Probably the longest cast I have made to date was with my 50th, a Zillion Flip and Pitch, 12# Elite and a 3/4 oz spinnerbait. I've read a complaint or two about the Fuegos (mostly an ergonomics thing, but they fit me great). However, TT gave them an Editor's Choice award. The Advantage HSTA also got the Editor's Choice award. Some complain about its size, but I think all would agree that it is an excellent reel at its price point in every other aspect. The Viento received an Innovation award. The Sol receive a high mark as well. Both the Sol and Fuego can be made to throw some pretty light baits with a bit of customizing, and you will still have less invested than the price of most Pixys or other Daiwa finesse reels.
The Fuego was my first B/C reel. I now have 3 of them, and it is the reel I most want to try customizing. My Alphas ito is one butter smooth reel. I forget the model (its an older one), but something like 103M that many consider one of the best casting B/C reels ever made. Or is it the 105H? Starting to get the point? 
Plenty of excellent Daiwa reels to choose from if willing to buy used. I can't afford any of the top-of-the-line Daiwas, but I can always dream. The only Daiwa reels I bought new were 2 of the Fuegos on closeout at TW.
I picked up a couple more over the past few months, a TD-S 103ML and TD-X 100HSDF that I haven't even spooled yet due to working 2 jobs along with extremely hot temps or thunderstorms whenever I had hoped to go fishing. However, I don't doubt for a second that I will enjoy these reels. Some of the JDM reels have to be among the best looking reels made. Of course not all are roses even though performance is usually there. My most expensive reel is a 103HL Type R. If I had gone for looks, I never would have bought this reel. The spool costs as much as some reels ($95 plus shipping from Japan). I know because my spool was stolen by an ex-member of this forum (and several others).
Here is an option for you. Pick up the gray model of Cabela's Prodigy. It is the previous model. The one with the holes across the front. New they were $100. You can buy one now for $50-$60. Clean it if necessary. You may be surprised by its performance and the solid feel of this reel. It was/is made for Cabela's by Daiwa.
nastynate reply :
Its nice to be getting some good feedback from this topic. What are these customizations for lighter baits?
BASSclary reply :
On 8/13/2012 at 10:40 AM, nastynate said:Its nice to be getting some good feedback from this topic. What are these customizations for lighter baits?
Better bearings is common among all reels, but Daiwa has tons of options for aftermarket spools. They're extremely low weight, which offers faster start up speed, and doesn't have a lot of inertia to slow down with the bait better. Granted they run about 100 dollars, if your throwing ultra finesse, it may be worth it.
new2BC4bass reply :
BASSclary mentioned the 2 upgrades that should enhance low lure weight performance. Typically the drag gets upgraded as it isn't all that strong on a factory reel. Another nice touch is a handle with bearings. I had saved a couple threads about upgrading the Fuego, but both bassresource and TT have had server problems since then and they are no longer valid links. Start your own thread, and you should get several responses on excellent upgrades.
I believe his username on here is Ghotti. He throws light weights with his Fuegos, and probably would be glad to answer your questions. Most people are happy to help. The best threads were on TT. Maybe a search would turn them up. I'll look at a later date, because I want to save the links for myself.
EDIT: May have to start my own thread on Daiwa spool upgrades because I don't know what performance spools are available for different model Daiwas, or which factory Daiwa spools are interchangeable among their various models.
SirSnookalot reply :
My experience with Daiwa is spinning and in saltwater. I do own a tierra 3000, it's ok but not my favorite reel in that size. Setting this reel aside and addressing some larger ones, I own a Penn conquer 7000, very good reel cost about $220., recently serviced and still a bit "geary", I may have a lemon as I have seen others that are very smooth. That said my fishing partner uses a $60 Daiwa BRI, fishes it hard and everyday, has about the same drag as my Penn, but the reel is way smoother, I like it better than my Penn, except for the weight. His reel has been going strong for about 6 months, I'd have no problem in buying one myself. IMO if a reel gives you good service in saltwater, it's going to be great in freshwater.
Delaware Valley Tackle reply :
When comparing feature for feature Daiwa tends to be the higher priced between Shimano, ABU, Daiwa and Quantum. Each has their design and engineering highlights as well as their quirks, and each has rightfully earned a loyal following.
ww2farmer reply :
On 8/10/2012 at 3:03 PM, SirSnookalot said:Call me crazy but I can't see spending hundreds of dollars to catch fish that barely average a couple of pounds and don't fight that hard anyway. I'm not going to promote or degrade any product, only to say in a moderate price range that are some solid choices out there. Since I don't use b/c gear I'm not forced to spend more than I need to catch my average fish, the bigger ones seem to get landed just fine too.
Some people do like to spend big $$.......who cares. I catch just as many fish on my Berkley Lighning rod Shock/ Quantum Accurist combo, as I do with any of my Legend Tournaments/ Curado 51E combos. The $500 + rods and reels are not marketed as every day tackle, just like a Ferrari is not a car for some one who needs to run around town dropping kids off at school, or buying groceries.
Call me crazy but I can't see why you waste so much time eqauting what you do to what people who are serious about bass fishing do. Is there not a snook/saltwater fishing forum where you can spout off on? Or did you drive them insane, with your grumpy old man act over there too?
SirSnookalot reply :
@WW2farmer
What I said was I can't see spending a lot of money on fish that don't average but 2# and there is moderate priced equipment that gets the job done, by your own admission you catch as many on your lighting rod. If some one cares to drop more money, that's their business, just something I wouldn't do.
Being in Florida I fish for both saltwater species as well bass and peacocks, I'm serious about all fish I catch. Bass, snook, not much difference, we catch them the same way and in freshwater too.
Many of the people I know on saltwater forums understand it's the fish that counts, not what you have in your hand.
bassinbrian reply :
I'm glad to see there's a few other people that like Daiwa on this forum!
guitarkid reply :
On 8/14/2012 at 6:06 AM, bassinbrian said:I'm glad to see there's a few other people that like Daiwa on this forum!
there used to be a whole lot of daiwa users on here, then the bottom dropped out on curados.
-gk
smr913 reply :
Once some more info comes out on the Lexa 100 I may be giving up on my Curados. At $139.99 they have some great potential.
.ghoti. reply :
nastynate, I have an article detailing what you want to know. It will be published in the articles section of Bass resource in the near future. Once you read it, PM me with any other questions.
new2BC4bass reply :
On 8/16/2012 at 4:55 AM, .ghoti. said:nastynate, I have an article detailing what you want to know. It will be published in the articles section of Bass resource in the near future. Once you read it, PM me with any other questions.
And the name of the article will be.........? Or would that be giving away too much at this point? I am looking forward to reading it.
shootermcbob reply :
I have fished extensively with the cabelas prodigy baitcasters (last years model...made for cabelas by daiwa) and the cabelas tournament zx spinning reel, again made for cabelas by daiwa.
The baitcasters sold for 99.00 bucks, though I bought most of mine for 50-60 bucks. I got the spinning reel for 39.00.
I have fished with Revo S reels, Revo SX, shimano citica and curado E series, quantum products, and bass pro pro qualifiers and carbonlites. I think the daiwa reels (cabelas) I fished with compare favorably with all except the curado E series.
I personally like the "in-hand" comfort of the E series citica/curado, but had no complaints and no problems with any of the daiwa products owned. Still use the spinning reel every time I fish.
Raul reply :
My Daiwa collection of reels include:
2 TDZ 105H
2 TDZ 103H
1 Alphas Itö
1 Alphas Type F
1 Alphas R Edition
3 2005 limited edition Pixy
1 Revros 2004
1 Theory 2000
Excellent reels all of them. Actually, when it comes to spinning reels I prefer Daiwa over Shimano ( heresy !!! 
:surprised: ), can´t help it, they feel so refined and so silky smooth, so I can say that your money will be money well spent if you pick a Daiwa. I haven´t purchased new models so I can´t comment , got so many reels between Daiwa, Shimano and Abu that I can´t take them all at once.
Can´t say they are all perfect, but I can´t say Shimanos & Abus are also perfect, each brand has it´s pros and cons.
guitarkid reply :
on a seperate note, I have a curado on a daiwa rod. purists 'gonna hate
-gk
fishking247 reply :
Daiwa makes some great stuff. they are right up there with shimano. the old daiwa ss series is probably one of the best spinning reels ever made as far as durability goes.
roadwarrior reply :
On 8/16/2012 at 9:57 AM, Raul said:My Daiwa collection of reels include:
2 TDZ 105H
2 TDZ 103H
1 Alphas Itö
1 Alphas Type F
1 Alphas R Edition
3 2005 limited edition Pixy
1 Revros 2004
1 Theory 2000
Excellent reels all of them. Actually, when it comes to spinning reels I prefer Daiwa over Shimano ( heresy !!!
:surprised: ), can´t help it, they feel so refined and so silky smooth, so I can say that your money will be money well spent if you pick a Daiwa. I haven´t purchased new models so I can´t comment , got so many reels between Daiwa, Shimano and Abu that I can´t take them all at once.
Can´t say they are all perfect, but I can´t say Shimanos & Abus are also perfect, each brand has it´s pros and cons.
Good to see you here, we miss your commentary. I know you are particularly fond of the Pixy,
but I was under the impression that your "overall" preference was Shimano.
Diggy reply :
good info
Raul reply :
On 8/17/2012 at 3:33 AM, roadwarrior said:Good to see you here, we miss your commentary. I know you are particularly fond of the Pixy,
but I was under the impression that your "overall" preference was Shimano.
Got a lot more Shimanos than Daiwas 
, still in love with my older than dirt Curados ( you´ll have to kill me before you can take them from my cold dead hands ) and about the Pixy, darn ! can´t say which one I like more, the Pixy or ........ tata !!! ( yeah right, what a surprise .... another Shimano ) my Chronarchs/Scorpions Mg, now, the reality is that the Chronarch/Scorpion Mg is a much better all around reel than the Pixy.
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