What Makes A Reel Worth $600 Dollars..??? I Speak Of The Diawa Steez

[Smallmouth Hunter]

It is an "ultra-refined" reel.. That is basically it.

[Fishwhittler]

I would avoid Craigslist for a rod, or really buying any rod sight unseen unless you know the guy selling it.  Graphite rods can be damaged without appearing to be, and then they break seemingly without cause when put under load.

 

My advice, check with Valley Sports and see if Ron can set you up with a nice $100 - $150 rod.  I've heard a lot of good things about the new Daiwa Tatula rods, which are right in that price range.  Don't have one yet, but I plan on it.  Also been hearing very good reviews on the *** *** Black rods, which are also in the $100 price point.

 

As far as your reel, unless you get a lemon, you'll definitely notice a difference between a $600 reel and a $60 reel.  The tolerances will be closer, machining will be better, the reel will have fewer rough edges, higher quality bearings and build materials, etc., lots of little things that add up to a heck of a reel.

[bootytrain]

It is an "ultra-refined" reel.. That is basically it.

Yeah that's what you tend to hear about the Steez. Its not the longest casting(Calais DC) or has the strongest drag(Revos), or the lightest anymore (Revo MGxtreme), And doesn't even have the most advanced braking in Daiwas own lineup(Mag 3D )but people say its ultra refined, which is definitely a plus when fishing for extended periods of time. I think its time for new flagship from Daiwa, and if its going to be $600 then it better have a magnesium frame and BOTH sideplates(like the Core 100s and Antares), a new braking system, stronger drag, and the T-Wing, be the longest casting in Daiwas lineup and either stay the same weight or lighter. Then it might be worth the $$.

[jignfule]

Pay your brother in law back. Go out and enjoy the reel, take care of it, and don't feel guilty. The one thing your brother in law wanted to do was to make you happy. Be happy and thankful and go have a lot of fun. (be sure to tell him thanks and relay stories about the fish you catch with it.)

[Bass avoid me]

That is the very best piece of advice I have read throughout this thread. Very well put and that is what your BIL intended.

 

Pay your brother in law back. Go out and enjoy the reel, take care of it, and don't feel guilty. The one thing your brother in law wanted to do was to make you happy. Be happy and thankful and go have a lot of fun. (be sure to tell him thanks and relay stories about the fish you catch with it.)

[Lucky Craft Man]

First, the reel might not be worth the money, but now that you have it, fish it hard and enjoy every moment of it. Second, I would do what you can to match that reel to a nice rod (sell old gear, scan the forum For Sale section for great deals, collect change from the cars, etc.). Once you get a nice high end balanced combo, your fishing enjoyment will go up expernentially (though, I am not sure if a high end combo will increase your catch rate, but who cares, you'll be fishing with a Steez).

[Tywithay]

Yeah that's what you tend to hear about the Steez. Its not the longest casting(Calais DC) or has the strongest drag(Revos), or the lightest anymore (Revo MGxtreme), And doesn't even have the most advanced braking in Daiwas own lineup(Mag 3D )but people say its ultra refined, which is definitely a plus when fishing for extended periods of time. I think its time for new flagship from Daiwa, and if its going to be $600 then it better have a magnesium frame and BOTH sideplates(like the Core 100s and Antares), a new braking system, stronger drag, and the T-Wing, be the longest casting in Daiwas lineup and either stay the same weight or lighter. Then it might be worth the $$.

Steez can outcast a Calais all day with certain weights. A Calais DC can't cast very well under 1/2 oz. And I'd rather have a smooth drag than a strong drag. There's a lot of things that go into making a reel good, not just having the most of this or that.

[bootytrain]

Steez can outcast a Calais all day with certain weights. A Calais DC can't cast very well under 1/2 oz. And I'd rather have a smooth drag than a strong drag. There's a lot of things that go into making a reel good, not just having the most of this or that.

And what weights would those be? I have my doubts about that. My Exsence DC can cast quite well and very far under 1\2 oz. I'm sure the Calais would do just as well with the more adjustable system that it has. I'm not saying the Steez is a bad reel, just not worth the current price Daiwa wants for it IMO. Needs to bring a lot more to the table than "ultra refinement".

[Smallmouth Hunter]

Apparently, Mg costs about $2.5 per pound.. I just don't get why Daiwa didn't make the palm sideplate Mg. The steez is not worth the $ at all IMO, and I think daiwa ought to make a new flagship reel and also a $300-450 reel to compete with the Metanium and antares. Oh, and it better not be 100 sized. Way too much line capacity for me.
 

[Tywithay]

And what weights would those be? I have my doubts about that. My Exsence DC can cast quite well and very far under 1\2 oz. I'm sure the Calais would do just as well with the more adjustable system that it has. I'm not saying the Steez is a bad reel, just not worth the current price Daiwa wants for it IMO. Needs to bring a lot more to the table than "ultra refinement".

 

The Steez has the highest quality bearings that Daiwa uses, and more of them. It has a stronger drag than the Calais DC, even though it weighs nearly 4oz. less. A much lighter spool than the Calais as well. You can cast a 1/4oz little jig with it, the Calais can't cast below 3/8oz worth a crap (I know because I've tried, having owned both). They're really two different reels with two different purposes. The Calais DC was meant to be a long casting powerhouse, the Steez was meant to be a lightweight, ultra-refined fishing machine. The Steez is still the best of the best when it comes to lightweight baitcasters. The Calais DC isn't the best when it comes to long casting anymore. The Z2020, or even the new Antares, can cast every bit as far; plus they weigh a lot less.

Apparently, Mg costs about $2.5 per pound.. I just don't get why Daiwa didn't make the palm sideplate Mg. The steez is not worth the $ at all IMO, and I think daiwa ought to make a new flagship reel and also a $300-450 reel to compete with the Metanium and antares. Oh, and it better not be 100 sized. Way too much line capacity for me.

 

I don't know about the Steez EX, but my Steez has a magnesium palm sideplate. If they went with zaion on the EX it was probably for weight savings, plus the fact that that particular sideplate has zero effect on the strength or integrity of the reel.

[OK Bass Hunter]

It's worth whatever the market will bear. It's the difference between freedom and communism.

[bootytrain]

The Steez has the highest quality bearings that Daiwa uses, and more of them. It has a stronger drag than the Calais DC, even though it weighs nearly 4oz. less. A much lighter spool than the Calais as well. You can cast a 1/4oz little jig with it, the Calais can't cast below 3/8oz worth a crap (I know because I've tried, having owned both). They're really two different reels with two different purposes. The Calais DC was meant to be a long casting powerhouse, the Steez was meant to be a lightweight, ultra-refined fishing machine. The Steez is still the best of the best when it comes to lightweight baitcasters. The Calais DC isn't the best when it comes to long casting anymore. The Z2020, or even the new Antares, can cast every bit as far; plus they weigh a lot less.

I don't know about the Steez EX, but my Steez has a magnesium palm sideplate. If they went with zaion on the EX it was probably for weight savings, plus the fact that that particular sideplate has zero effect on the strength or integrity of the reel.

 

The Steez has 1 more bearing? And a lot of people who service reels say that the Calais DC has the highest quality bearings from a stock reel they've ever seen and theres no need to upgrade. Tackletour measured the Steez drag at 8.8lbs, the Calais DC 12.6lbs. According to Japan Tackle, the Antares/Calais DC cast a 5/8 plug on 14lb test 118 meters. The new Antares cant do that, and I doubt the Z can either and until someone actually proves it can with a measured test from a reputable source or video, Ill go with the Calais DC. Its obvious you like the Steez and theres no doubt its a great reel and I would love to have one, but would YOU pay $600 for a new one?

[Tywithay]

The Steez has 1 more bearing? And a lot of people who service reels say that the Calais DC has the highest quality bearings from a stock reel they've ever seen and theres no need to upgrade. Tackletour measured the Steez drag at 8.8lbs, the Calais DC 12.6lbs. According to Japan Tackle, the Antares/Calais DC cast a 5/8 plug on 14lb test 118 meters. The new Antares cant do that, and I doubt the Z can either and until someone actually proves it can with a measured test from a reputable source or video, Ill go with the Calais DC. Its obvious you like the Steez and theres no doubt its a great reel and I would love to have one, but would YOU pay $600 for a new one?

I was referring to the new Steez, which has over 13lbs of drag. I like lots of reels, and I wouldn't say the Steez is even my favorite. I do recognize how great it is though. I like the Calais DC a lot too for certain techniques. Ended up selling it because I felt the Z2020 performed better. The Z2020 is probably the best overall reel I've ever used, wish they'd make a smaller version. Not counting flagship, enthusiast level reels, I'd say my favorite is the Chronarch CI4+, it's not as refined as those more expensive reels, but the performance blew me away. I also have 4 Tatula's, and they're great too for the money. To answer your final question, I wouldn't pay $600 for any reel, and never have. I don't think there's any reel I'd even pay retail for, to be honest. There's too many good deals and sales to pay the extra.

[jeb2]

And what weights would those be? I have my doubts about that. My Exsence DC can cast quite well and very far under 1\2 oz. I'm sure the Calais would do just as well with the more adjustable system that it has. I'm not saying the Steez is a bad reel, just not worth the current price Daiwa wants for it IMO. Needs to bring a lot more to the table than "ultra refinement".

Agreed. I own 2 Steez's and 2 Calais DC's. The DC's are still box stock (except for regular service) and just fantastic reels. The Steez's (103 and 100) have been tuned and that made them better, but they are hard to control in anything but ideal situations. The DC will cast almost anything from 4" t-rigged senkos on up the bass lure scale with the right rod. And where they really shine is in the wind. Try casting a wiggle wart, for example, with the Steez into the wind and then try it with the Calais and it'll make a believer out of you. The Steez takes a lot of adjustment to adapt to wind/cross wind, and by the time you get done fiddling with it, it doesn't cast as far as most much less expensive reels. Both will chunk a 1/2oz jigging spoon a LONG way in ideal conditions, but the DC is far more versatile and far less fussy. The DC is far heavier though, and the metal side plates are d**n cold in the winter time. So pluses and minuses.

 

I also have 2 Core 50's. To me, that's about what a Steez should sell for. In the right conditions, the Steez can out cast a 50 by a small margin, and both are very smooth, refined reels. The 50 gains a lot of points in my boat for being much less fussy. It's not all Daiwa's that are this wild, either. My Pixy Type-R, for example, is a very well mannered reel that is far less fussy, and it is stock.

 

Congrats on the great present, and that's a great BIL, no doubt. My advice would be to dial in a lot of spool tension and braking when you start using the reel, and back them down as you get used to it. Much less bird nests that way.

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

Don't look a gift horse in the mouth. Use and treasure the gift. With that said, the only thing that makes any product worth any price is the market's willingness to pay as already stated. The point of diminishing returns on a bait cast reel is around $300. I agree completely with the comparison to the Core. I see more issues with Steez's than I'd expect from a high end reel.

[Hyrule Bass]

 My wifes brother was in town over the holidays and asked me what i wanted for my BDay..its right at Christmas so most times they give me something from under the tree..lol...I told him i planned on fishing a lot this year...

 

 SO he went out to Cabelas without talking to me first and bought a Diawa Steez...I didnt ask for it,hell i didnt even know something like this was out there.I wont take it back.If i did and he found out he would be crushed.

 

 So what makes it worth this kind of money,and hell i dont have high end rod,i mean they are good rods..

 

not to hurt anyones feelings here, but what makes it worth $600 is all the dumb people willing to buy it. unless youre talking about a monster salt water reel, no fresh water reel should ever be worth that much in my opinion. especially when i can catch the same fish on a reel under $100 or less...

[Tywithay]

not to hurt anyones feelings here, but what makes it worth $600 is all the dumb people willing to buy it. unless youre talking about a monster salt water reel, no fresh water reel should ever be worth that much in my opinion. especially when i can catch the same fish on a reel under $100 or less...

You can catch a fish on a string tied to a stick, not the point. I don't know if it's ***, or what, but it always seems people with the strongest opinions have never even used the reel.

[Stlbob]

ok guys this was meant to be a pleasant exchange of ideas..this is not a Chevy vs Ford.I worked in the automotive industry for almost 30 years until i got hurt badly.( i have the Brooklyn bridge in my neck)..

 

I have yet to put line on it..i am going to ask about that here real soon..as someone said for 'ME' i could never justify a 600.00 dollar reel,BUT fate and love has put one in my hand and im going to fish with it and think of him every time im out with it.

[Jrob78]

ok guys this was meant to be a pleasant exchange of ideas..this is not a Chevy vs Ford.I worked in the automotive industry for almost 30 years until i got hurt badly.( i have the Brooklyn bridge in my neck)..

 

I have yet to put line on it..i am going to ask about that here real soon..as someone said for 'ME' i could never justify a 600.00 dollar reel,BUT fate and love has put one in my hand and im going to fish with it and think of him every time im out with it.

Good for you Bob!  I hope you enjoy the heck out of your new reel.

[Maico1]

im going to fish with it and think of him every time im out with it.

That is exactly what you should do..enjoy.

[Hyrule Bass]

You can catch a fish on a string tied to a stick, not the point. I don't know if it's ***, or what, but it always seems people with the strongest opinions have never even used the reel.

 

its nothing to do with ***, i can go out and spend $600 on a reel if i wanted to, but why would i is the question? i dont need to use the reel to know that there are other very good options out there for a hell of a lot less money that can handle any bass i hook. if you like having your pockets raped, by all means, enjoy. but no one is going to convince me a $600 reel is going to help me catch anymore bass than i could with a less expensive reel. its not going to make you a better angler or put more fish in your boat.

 

Stlbob, im just speaking from my personal perspective as well. but hey, since you were gifted a reel of that price, enjoy. i hope you have great success. i just cant justify myself spending that kind of money either. but honestly, i dont know why anyone would willingly spend that kind of money on a fishing reel. fishing stuff is getting expensive as it is, paying those kind of prices isnt going to help the cost of fishing go down, its gonna fuel companies to keep raising their prices for lures and tackle, rods and reels...

[roadwarrior]

ok guys this was meant to be a pleasant exchange of ideas.

 

Lots of guys have a severe case of cabin fever this time of year.

 

I think you should just enjoy your reel and be thankful for a family

that loves you.

 

If you are going to use the Steez on an "all-purpose" rig, I will suggest

buying a 7' MHF rod, specifically this one: http://www.bassresource.com/fishing_lures/review-pinnacle-rod-reel.html

 

 

 

[Tywithay]

its nothing to do with ***, i can go out and spend $600 on a reel if i wanted to, but why would i is the question? i dont need to use the reel to know that there are other very good options out there for a hell of a lot less money that can handle any bass i hook. if you like having your pockets raped, by all means, enjoy. but no one is going to convince me a $600 reel is going to help me catch anymore bass than i could with a less expensive reel. its not going to make you a better angler or put more fish in your boat.

Stlbob, im just speaking from my personal perspective as well. but hey, since you were gifted a reel of that price, enjoy. i hope you have great success. i just cant justify myself spending that kind of money either. but honestly, i dont know why anyone would willingly spend that kind of money on a fishing reel. fishing stuff is getting expensive as it is, paying those kind of prices isnt going to help the cost of fishing go down, its gonna fuel companies to keep raising their prices for lures and tackle, rods and reels...

It's not about catching more fish. It's about getting the most enjoyable experience as you can out on the water. Some people get a sense of excitement knowing they're using the best reel. The refinement, and smoothness, and all of that makes it a better experience for them. If it was solely about catching fish, everyone would be fine with ugly stiks and zebco 33s.

[tomustang]

)

 

I have yet to put line on it..i am going to ask about that here real soon.

Consensus will say 12 lb in either tats fluro or yo zuri hybrid

[*Hootie]

not to hurt anyones feelings here, but what makes it worth $600 is all the dumb people willing to buy it. unless youre talking about a monster salt water reel, no fresh water reel should ever be worth that much in my opinion. especially when i can catch the same fish on a reel under $100 or less...

I wouldn't spend $600.00 on a reel, but who cares. You would rather fish with a $100.00 reel, who cares. No reason to get torqued. I haven't heard anyone on this topic yet, offer to buy you, or I one, so we probably wont have deal with the torture of fishing with one....lol.

Hootie