Low cost Daiwa Reviews (at least a very tough weekend of fishing).

[webertime]

I typed a long and winding review of the Daiwa's BG2000 and Fuego CTs and how they performed this weekend over 16 hours of fishing in bad weather and a BFL tournament.  My Dickens-esque tale over shadowed the Review soooo, Long story short...

 

BG2000

(+)

Weight, balanced great with a 6'8" MXF rod

No hint of flex (used 20lb braid and skipped Ikas into trees in Ticonderoga during BFL)

Smooth

Drag was smooth as well.

$75...

(-)

No spare spool (I'm whining)

Weight, if you are a weight weenie.  

 

Daiwa Fuego CT 8.1:1

(+)

No more flex than any Shimano E reel or any other Aluminum framed/Plastic sideplate reels.

Fit in the hand (if you like a Tat CT, you'll like these).

No strain in the reel with that high of a gearing.  My previous 8:1 reel was a T3 and it felt squirmy when reeling in a bunch of weeds or large fish.

Mag Z...  I set the reels up within 3 casts during the BFL (because I am wicked responsible).

$75...

Smooth for a $75-100 reel, Smooth for a $150 reel.

No T-wing...  Guess what, I saw NO difference in casting between these and any Tatula I have ever used.

(-)

nothing yet

 

I run TD-Z's, OG Zillions and Fuegos as well.  And no the Fuego CT is NOT of the same class as those, they aren't as smooth or "together" as the $$$ reels.  However they are 30% of the price of those and with that in mind they are amazing for the money.  With the actual actions the reels perform (Zillions, etc. VS the CT's) I see no discernible difference between them (Casting, engaging, braking, drag).  The $$$ reels just feel nicer.  I'm not a fan boy or a hashtagger, but I am super impressed with these reels out of the box.

[Montanaro]

Agree completely on t3 and fuego comparison.

 

I love my t3s but they do feel stressed (for lack of a better description) when hauling bass out of vegetation even with high speed and heavy rod.  The fuego isnt as hesitant when horsing a fish in.

 

[EvanT123]

Nice reviews...I'm slowly converting over to daiwa. I've had expensive reels and after using some of their offerings around the $100 mark, I just don't see the need anymore. I like my tatula ct better than the sv103 even!

[webertime]

18 minutes ago, EvanT123 said:

I like my tatula ct better than the sv103 even!

Whoa, whoa, whoa...  easy there.  No need for crazy talk.  lol

[CTBassin860]

Love my 2500 BG

Even at full price it's tough to beat for 100 bones

[EvanT123]

43 minutes ago, webertime said:

Whoa, whoa, whoa...  easy there.  No need for crazy talk.  lol

Maybe I have a stuck inductor? but I have the brakes on 4 on the sv and 9 on the ct and the ct throws the baits farther and easier. Were talking same baits same rod...so I have no idea....the sv is buttery smooth but when I'm throwing spinnerbaits and buzz baits for distance it's no comparison. 

[Jason Penn]

12 hours ago, Montanaro said:

 

I love my t3s but they do feel stressed (for lack of a better description) when hauling bass out of vegetation even with high speed and heavy rod.  The fuego isnt as hesitant when horsing a fish in.

 

 

this was my problem with the original steez.  i loved the way they felt in hand, and the fact that they were just so light, but they always felt labored (for lack of a better word) when fishing moving baits like spinnerbaits & cranks.

[Finnz922]

18 hours ago, webertime said:

Daiwa Fuego CT 8.1:1

(+)

No more flex than any Shimano E reel or any other Aluminum framed/Plastic sideplate reels.

Fit in the hand (if you like a Tat CT, you'll like these).

No strain in the reel with that high of a gearing.  My previous 8:1 reel was a T3 and it felt squirmy when reeling in a bunch of weeds or large fish.

Mag Z...  I set the reels up within 3 casts during the BFL (because I am wicked responsible).

$75...

Smooth for a $75-100 reel, Smooth for a $150 reel.

No T-wing...  Guess what, I saw NO difference in casting between these and any Tatula I have ever used.

(-)

nothing yet

 

I run TD-Z's, OG Zillions and Fuegos as well.  And no the Fuego CT is NOT of the same class as those, they aren't as smooth or "together" as the $$$ reels.  However they are 30% of the price of those and with that in mind they are amazing for the money.  With the actual actions the reels perform (Zillions, etc. VS the CT's) I see no discernible difference between them (Casting, engaging, braking, drag).  The $$$ reels just feel nicer.  I'm not a fan boy or a hashtagger, but I am super impressed with these reels out of the box.

 

This! I am in the same boat, but I am a fanboy 

[Tim Kelly]

I've got a pile of Daiwa and Shimano reels TDZ fuego, OG zillion, SS SV, SV105, OG Tat type r, Tat SV etc, but the reel I most enjoy using is the Tat CT 7.3. There's something about that reel that is just so easy, simple and reliable. I can't think of a single reason to buy anything else for general fishing, especially at the price. They don't even feel as solid as the OG Tat, but I find it great to use.

[Columbia Craw]

I can't think of another time when bass fisherman had the incredible gear selection available today. I lost track long ago, of how many reels I have bought, sold and or traded.  I love the " stuff."  During the past 40 years I've had two reels that were a true disappointment and soured me and they were both Diawa.  I gave Diawa another chance four plus years ago with the Tatula 100 ( deep discount ) and now I am pleased to say my last several casting reels have been Diawas and all have been impressive. I plan on grabbing an 8.1 and figure the Tatula SV will be the model of choice. We win.