Thoughts about the Diawa Fuego Baitcaster? 2024
BossHoss reply :
I was looking at picking up one of these in the baitcaster version and wondered what opinions people might have. I am getting it for a little over 100$ so that plays into the deal as well. I plan on primarily throwing top water stuff with this reel. I was also looking for a good general purpose top water rod to pair it with. Not looking to throw anything huge.. just some frogs, sammys, poppers, and the like.
BASSclary reply :
Basically, Its a Zillion but a different material, A very very good reel for the money! I've heard it shines with baits 1/4 oz and above
RussBert reply :
I have two Fuego's. Got them when *** was blowing them out. Right out of the box they are great. Good, smooth drag, MagforceZ braking is excellent. They are solid and smooth. Very versatile
For me they are very comfortable to fish with. They fit my hands just right. They are also very tunable. You can tweek them to excel at throwing light baits and/or flipping and pitching.
I keep one on a St Croix LTB "Teaser" rod and use it for just about everything, cranks, spinnerbaits, buzzbaits, topwaters and senko's and other weightless plastics.
The other one is mounted on an Avid 6'6" M/F and covers that pretty much the same applications.
I always have my eyes open to get more of them
Grey Wolf reply :
QuoteBasically, Its a Zillion but a different material, A very very good reel for the money! I've heard it shines with baits 1/4 oz and above
I heard don't cut it if you haven't owned or used one.
Jrob78 reply :
Great reel! I picked one up during TW's closeout too. I actually like it better than the Zillion, although not by much. I know where a couple more have been sitting for who knows how long, as soon as they go on sale I'm going to get another one.
The swept handle and red drag star look great on yours RussBert!
s13john reply :
its a great reel defiantly pick one up at around 100 bux but its no zillion diffrent frame, heavier spool ect its based to the td-z i believe. ive been using mine to fish everything from toads to jigs and its done great.
RussBert reply :
Quoteits a great reel defiantly pick one up at around 100 bux but its no zillion diffrent frame, heavier spool ect its based to the td-z i believe. ive been using mine to fish everything from toads to jigs and its done great.
Yep, very similar to the TD-Z. Zillion spools fit the Fuego. I have the HLC spools in mine 8-)
RussBert reply :
QuoteQuoteBasically, Its a Zillion but a different material, A very very good reel for the money! I've heard it shines with baits 1/4 oz and aboveI heard don't cut it if you haven't owned or used one.
The depth of Collin's experience never ceases to amaze me 
BASSclary reply :
QuoteQuoteQuoteBasically, Its a Zillion but a different material, A very very good reel for the money! I've heard it shines with baits 1/4 oz and aboveI heard don't cut it if you haven't owned or used one.
The depth of Collin's experience never ceases to amaze me
We need a new forum titled "Rip on Collin forum" ;D
new2BC4bass reply :
Like RussBert, I bought 2 from TW on closeout. Like RB I would buy another. Actually would have except no funds were available when a couple went up for sale not long ago.
Unlike RB I don't have much experience with BC reels. Just started using them this year after not fishing the past 23 years. Haven't been out nearly as much as I would have liked. Haven't managed to catch many fish either.
A Fuego was the first bc reel I bought. Had Nitroman77 super tune it. Retrieves like it's on greased rails. Currently on a Falcon Expert 6'6" Medium spooled with 8 lb. P-Line. Second reel is on a 6'8" Medium Tec Spec. I know. Deserves better. Pretty good rod for the money. Casts well on it. Currently spooled with 40 Sufix Performance, but will be switching to a copoly.
I have a 50th Zillion, but can't make direct comparisons as the rods are totally different. Zillion is on an Airrus Ultra XL 7" MH. Both cast very well for this beginner. Both retrieve smoothly (in my limited experience). Love the looks, feel and performance of both. Would buy another of either model in a heartbeat. ;D
skunked_again reply :
i read where RW said the Fuego was a great reel, but since im repeating what i read it might no longer be true....
:-/ :-/
BASSclary reply :
Quotei read where RW said the Fuego was a great reel, but since im repeating what i read it might no longer be true....:-/ :-/
I think that rule only applies to me, at Bass-Brat's command :
Raul reply :
A Fuego for 100 bucks ----> don 't know what are you waiting for.
BossHoss reply :
Thanks for the input fellas... For that price I think I have to pull the trigger.
BASSclary reply :
QuoteThanks for the input fellas... For that price I think I have to pull the trigger.
If you dont, I think this forum may shun you
endless reply :
QuoteA Fuego for 100 bucks ----> don 't know what are you waiting for.
Sorry for a change of topic but Raul I love the avatar.
RussBert reply :
QuoteUnlike RB I don't have much experience with BC reels. Just started using them this year after not fishing the past 23 years.
Actually, you and I are in the same boat. I started fishing last year after a 20 or-so year hiatus. Bought my first baitcaster (Curado E7) last season as well, and picked up the Fuego's over the winter
.ghoti. reply :
QuoteThanks for the input fellas... For that price I think I have to pull the trigger.
At $100, it's a steal. Buy it. And if you don't like it, PM me. I'll give you the $100, plus the shipping costs, plus shipping insurance. I'll put my money where my mouth is on this one.
I wish I knew where the dumb-arse idea came from that the Fuego is not good for light weight baits. I have four of them.
I put new line on them this weekend, in prep for a trip. Had them out on the water yesterday, making sure I was good to go. Had one rigged up with a 3" tube, 1/0 light-wire EWG hook, and a 1/16oz internal clip weight. The whole bait weighs in at about 1/8oz. No problems casting this. I can put it where I want it.
Ditto for another rigged with a 1/32oz Gammy Wacky jighead, and 4" 3X french fry. I doubt this bait rig weighs much more than 1/16oz. Again, no casting problems.
Bass4Me007 reply :
QuoteQuoteThanks for the input fellas... For that price I think I have to pull the trigger.At $100, it's a steal. Buy it. And if you don't like it, PM me. I'll give you the $100, plus the shipping costs, plus shipping insurance. I'll put my money where my mouth is on this one.
I wish I knew where the dumb-arse idea came from that the Fuego is not good for light weight baits. I have four of them.
I put new line on them this weekend, in prep for a trip. Had them out on the water yesterday, making sure I was good to go. Had one rigged up with a 3" tube, 1/0 light-wire EWG hook, and a 1/16oz internal clip weight. The whole bait weighs in at about 1/8oz. No problems casting this. I can put it where I want it.
Ditto for another rigged with a 1/32oz Gammy Wacky jighead, and 4" 3X french fry. I doubt this bait rig weighs much more than 1/16oz. Again, no casting problems.
I am so glad to read someone say this. I've been scratching my head about it myself. I've been throwing almost identical rigs on the Fuego for some time. I can cast and place them easily, unless throwing into a major wind. Even then, it is not impossible. I own a number of different reels, but with how they feel in my hand and actally function on the water, the two Fuegos I own may very well be my favorites.
BrASSmonkey reply :
I too love the Fuego. I picked up my first before the open water season started here in Canada, and bought my second before the season was up. I find them to be very well designed ergonomically. They fit my hand extremely comfortably. They are nice and light with a nice, all-purpose gear ratio.
They are good for slightly heavier weights in my opinion, compared to my Sol, also picked up this year. The Fuego can and will cast lighter baits, but not as well as a reel designed for lighter presentations.
At $100, don't hesitate. I got my second, used, for $65!
Nine Miler reply :
QuoteQuoteThanks for the input fellas... For that price I think I have to pull the trigger.At $100, it's a steal. Buy it. And if you don't like it, PM me. I'll give you the $100, plus the shipping costs, plus shipping insurance. I'll put my money where my mouth is on this one.
I wish I knew where the dumb-arse idea came from that the Fuego is not good for light weight baits. I have four of them.
I put new line on them this weekend, in prep for a trip. Had them out on the water yesterday, making sure I was good to go. Had one rigged up with a 3" tube, 1/0 light-wire EWG hook, and a 1/16oz internal clip weight. The whole bait weighs in at about 1/8oz. No problems casting this. I can put it where I want it.
Ditto for another rigged with a 1/32oz Gammy Wacky jighead, and 4" 3X french fry. I doubt this bait rig weighs much more than 1/16oz. Again, no casting problems.
What line? Just curious.
roadwarrior reply :
Quotei read where RW said the Fuego was a great reel, but since im repeating what i read it might no longer be true....
I fished one of ghoti's reels last summer. The Diawa Fuego is
an outstanding reel. I was very impressed.
8-)
ww2farmer reply :
I also bought one last winter when they were on sale. I have not been all that impressed. It's light, smooth, well built, but I am not a fan of how finicky it is with lures under 1/2 oz. I am going to sell it and buy another curado or revo.
new2BC4bass reply :
QuoteI also bought one last winter when they were on sale. I have not been all that impressed. It's light, smooth, well built, but I am not a fan of how finicky it is with lures under 1/2 oz. I am going to sell it and buy another curado or revo.
What condition is it in and how much $$$ do you want for it?
.ghoti. reply :
Nine Miler, those two Fuegos are spooled with #10 Trilene XL. #12 on the other two.
You raise a critical point. To be able to cast lighter weights effectively, you need a "balanced" setup. Reel, rod and line need to be matched to the bait.
If you put a Fuego on a MH or heavy power rod and spool it up with 17lb line, it's going to be a poor choice for throwing light baits.
RussBert reply :
.ghoti.
Have you modified any of your Fuego"s. If so, how so?
and if anyone's interested, Fuego's are for sale at the TackleTour forums
http://www.tackletour.net/TTForums/
.ghoti. reply :
Quote.ghoti.Have you modified any of your Fuego"s. If so, how so?
and if anyone's interested, Fuego's are for sale at the TackleTour forums
http://www.tackletour.net/TTForums/
I've put the Dremel to work on all of my reels.
Polished all the moving parts / contact points in the spool engage/disengage mechanism.
Polished the ends of the pinion gear. NOT the gear teeth.
Polished the spool ends.
And, (the best thing you can do for any reel ) polished the metal drag washers. Polishing the metal drag washers is a better improvement than switching to Carbontex drag washers. Doing both is better yet.
I installed ABEC7 stainless bearings in two Fuegos, and just between you and me, there's not a heck of a lot of difference.
Stock spools in all. I just can't justify what a different spool costs.
I've ordered carbon fiber handles from Pfleuger three times now, only to have them back-ordered each time. I wanted the handles from the Patriarch XT. I'm more interested in a four bearing handle than in carbon fiber. But that particular handle looked like a bargain.
I tried a handle off a 153 HSTA, and liked it. Those are four bearing handles, and are very smooth. I may end up ordering some of those instead of the XT handles.
I have TD-Z handles on all of my Millionaires, and really like those. But they're very hard to find these days.
RussBert reply :
.ghoti., thanks for the reply
I have done all that "stuff" to my Fuego's as well. I agree about getting the drag washers flat, parallel and polished. Very smooth drag with no stutter.
I'm with you about the abec 7's, and have received a lot of flak for it!
I did install HLC spools along with HTSA 90mm handles and modified the drag star to clear the swept handles
roadwarrior reply :
QuoteQuote.ghoti.Have you modified any of your Fuego"s. If so, how so?
and if anyone's interested, Fuego's are for sale at the TackleTour forums
http://www.tackletour.net/TTForums/
I've put the Dremel to work on all of my reels.
Polished all the moving parts / contact points in the spool engage/disengage mechanism.
Polished the ends of the pinion gear. NOT the gear teeth.
Polished the spool ends.
And, (the best thing you can do for any reel ) polished the metal drag washers. Polishing the metal drag washers is a better improvement than switching to Carbontex drag washers. Doing both is better yet.
I installed ABEC7 stainless bearings in two Fuegos, and just between you and me, there's not a heck of a lot of difference.
Stock spools in all. I just can't justify what a different spool costs.
I've ordered carbon fiber handles from Pfleuger three times now, only to have them back-ordered each time. I wanted the handles from the Patriarch XT. I'm more interested in a four bearing handle than in carbon fiber. But that particular handle looked like a bargain.
I tried a handle off a 153 HSTA, and liked it. Those are four bearing handles, and are very smooth. I may end up ordering some of those instead of the XT handles.
I have TD-Z handles on all of my Millionaires, and really like those. But they're very hard to find these days.
Great work!
Another $200 and 60 hours of hard labor and
you will have turned that thing into a Shimano!
:
Just kidding...I loved your reel.
;D ;D ;D
.ghoti. reply :
Kent, you owe me. I just had coffee come out my nose, all over a brand new shirt.
Just in case you want to make good on this, I'll take a Columbia Bonehead shirt, 2XT size, in yellow.
Russbert, what did you pay for the HSTA handles?
RussBert reply :
QuoteRussbert, what did you pay for the HSTA handles?
H20-6801 Handle assembly, $50.50
040-3206 handle nut plate (red) $3.60
G79-3302 handle nut (LH) $4.30
353-8301 handle nut plate screw $0.50
These prices were as of August 15th 2010
.ghoti. reply :
Thanks Russ. That's in the same ballpark as the Pfleuger XT handle.
I'm going to try once more to get the XT. It's straight, and I won't have to change out or modify the drag star. I's also much lighter, and has EVA knobs. I tried the whole reel, and like those knobs, so it's my first choice.
But, if that gets back-ordered again, I'll go with the HSTA handles.
On that note, I really don't see any advantage to the swept handle design. I used an HSTA handle on one Fuego for a couple of weeks, and have an Alphas R type with a carbon fiber swept handle. Don't hate it, don't love it, don't really care, one way or the other.
Rather like the ABEC 7 bearings. If you've spent a bunch of money upgrading to these, and the swept handles, you can probably convince yourself that the benefits are worth the cost.
RussBert reply :
QuoteRather like the ABEC 7 bearings. If you've spent a bunch of money upgrading to these, and the swept handles, you can probably convince yourself that the benefits are worth the cost.
It was more of an exercise in tuning, but I do try to tell myself how much more-awesomer these reels are! ;D
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