Which Daiwa spinning reel?

[TBAG]

First off, let me say that I'm a self proclaimed Shimano fanboi. It is the only brand baitcasting and spinning reel I've ever owned in my 35 years on earth, lol.

 

That said, even though I'm a fanboi I'm still open to trying new things. Recently I've become intrigued by Daiwa and all the postive feedback here and all over the rest of the web. It seems Daiwa and Shimano are at the top of the food chain when it comes to reels.

 

I had a Shimano Nasci 2500 that I delegated to be my dedicated ned rig reel but just passed that on to my 11 year old stepdaughter as she's been enjoying some local pond bank fishing with me recently. So, perfect timing, I need a new reel and would like to try a Daiwa. This will be a dedicated ned rig reel used for primarily kayak fishing for smallmouth and LMB with the TRD Crawz and finesse TRDs.  I'd like to keep it under $150 and ideally $100-$120. I want a 2000/2500 size reel and has to have a good drag system for the lightweight finesse ned setup.

 

So, with those parameters above what Daiwa reel should I try? Oh, and now I see the Pluegers are up there too when it comes to peoples favorite spinning setups. I'd also be willing to try one of those but really like the looks and colors of the Daiwas I've seen more than the Pluegers.

 

Thanks

[Hook2Jaw]

I spend a good amount of time inshore fishing as well as bass fishing and the Daiwa BG 2500 is a smooth, exceptional spinner that can handle abuse and will last you for years.

 

They can be had for under 100 bucks.  The 2500 puts out 13.2# of drag, the 2000 puts out 4#.  With a light fluoro leader, I don't see why you couldn't crank the drag down on a 2000 and not worry about it again.

[evilcatfish]

I'm not big on spinning reels, but I picked up a Legalis this summer and it has performed well beyond my expectations at its price point. Also, while I've never fished one, I've heard nothing but positive remarks about the BG 

[A-Jay]

Which Shimano reel do you like at that price point?

If you would like a decent example of a Diawa product, the Tatula line is pretty sweet.

A-Jay 

 

[The Fisher]

Daiwa LT 2000 Braid to Fluoro Leader for my Ned Rig on a St. Croix Avid X Series Spin Rod 6'9" Med Lt ExtraFast

[Junger]

Check out the Cabela's Verano, it is a rebranded Daiwa with the Zaion carbon fiber body.Tatula LT (MSRP $190)

 

The 2500 and 3500 are on sale for $104.99, shipped, and a lifetime Cabela's warranty to boot.

 

https://www.cabelas.com/product/bargain-cave/fishing/reels/pc/105591780/c/105740280/sc/105742980/cabelas-verano-spin-reel/1749496.uts?slotId=6

 

I have the Daiwa BG1500, and it's solid, but it is heavy compared to my other spinning reels. I have several Pflueger Presidents, and love those too.

 

Edit: This thread just convinced me to buy the 2500 even though I don't need it.

[Tim Kelly]

1 hour ago, Junger said:

Check out the Cabela's Verano, it is a rebranded Daiwa Tatula LT (MSRP $190).

 

The 2500 and 3500 are on sale for $104.99, shipped, and a lifetime Cabela's warranty to boot.

 

https://www.cabelas.com/product/bargain-cave/fishing/reels/pc/105591780/c/105740280/sc/105742980/cabelas-verano-spin-reel/1749496.uts?slotId=6

 

I have the Daiwa BG1500, and it's solid, but it is heavy compared to my other spinning reels. I have several Pflueger Presidents, and love those too.

 

Edit: This thread just convinced me to buy the 2500 even though I don't need it.

It's not a re-branded Tatula, or any other LT style reel, it's a rebadged version of the previous, pre LT, reels, probably a Ballistic. Not that that's a remotely bad thing, very good reels. The LT series have a different spool design and the reel sizes are slightly different.

[Junger]

10 minutes ago, Tim Kelly said:

It's not a re-branded Tatula, or any other LT style reel, it's a rebadged version of the previous, pre LT, reels, probably a Ballistic. Not that that's a remotely bad thing, very good reels. The LT series have a different spool design and the reel sizes are slightly different.

Thanks for that info. 

[Tim Kelly]

3 minutes ago, Junger said:

Thanks for that info. The Verano is about 3oz's lighter than the BG, which has me very interested. The BG is nice, but it's just heavy and makes my 6' L feel butt heavy.

I'm sure you'll feel like it's a huge upgrade. The 2500 spool is much bigger than your 1500 size reel, so it will cast better and manage the line better too.

[The Bassman]

I'm a Shimano fanboy too, but just for fun I picked up a Fuego LT a while back.  It's been perfect and that's coming from someone who fishes Stradic CI4+FA's.

[wet_dream]

At the top of you range, you can try out the Ballistic LT for under $150 with the current eBay code (joyfulfall). You can get a 2500 for ~$143 right now. I’ve heard good things about the Tatula LTs as well.

 

I don’t do as much freshwater fishing with spinners, and my go to inshore reel is the Stradic FK but the Daiwa Saltist Back Bay has been impressing me in the short time I’ve had it. I’m kind of a Shimano fanboy myself, but Daiwa is slowly creeping into my arsenal more and more.

[Boomstick]

I use a Daiwa BG 2000 spinning reel, and I don't notice it's heavier than some options. In fact it seems to balance with my St Croix Avid X 6'9" ML/F spinning rod nicely.

[PatrickKnight]

I have switched over to Daiwa after being a long time Shimano fanboy. For $150 you cant do any better than the Tatula LT (ebay price) but for $100 I have been completely blown away by my BG 2500 (msrp price).

 

For me it would come down to do you want a metal body or a plastic body. I have really started to like metal body spinners and will likely not purchase any more plastic ones. I really wish my Luvias was a full metal body instead of just a metal side plate. That being said I am very hard on my gear so your choice will need to be based on how, where, and what you fish for.

[TBAG]

Okay, thanks for all the replies guys. I found a Daiwa Tatula LT for a steal on ebay with the code from above, thanks! Getting ready to pull the trigger.

 

Now, what size? 2000 or 2500? Once again this will be used strictly for Ned rig and sometimes weightless Senkos (mainly 5" but the occasional 3"). Rod this is going on is a Loomis GL2 802S.

[Hook2Jaw]

Since you're primarily using it for the Ned rig with weightless sticks being the secondary purpose, I would go with a 2500, but that's strictly because when I'm throwing the Ned I'm trying to cover a good bit of water with sparse cover at best.  The 2500 size is going to cast farther, which you already knew.  That's just my two cents.

[PatrickKnight]

The 2000 will have similar line capacity to a 3000 Shimano. I would go with a 2000 over the 2500 when talking about the LT platform of reels.

[Tim Kelly]

15 minutes ago, PatrickKnight said:

The 2000 will have similar line capacity to a 3000 Shimano. I would go with a 2000 over the 2500 when talking about the LT platform of reels.

But a much smaller spool. The shimano 3000 is often a shallow spool model of the 2500, which is why the capacity is less. 2500 is a good all round bass reel size. 

[MickD]

I don't think you can go wrong with any Daiwa.  I just ordered a new Tatula to replace an old reel that finally died.  I still have a number of Cabela's Prodigy and other Daiwa designed and produced spin reels , and they have served me very well for a long time, and still do.

 

Pfluegers are very smooth, but there is something about the geometry of them that bothers me.  Like they are a half a finger off with the relationship of the foot to the lip of the spool.

 

Don't worry about any reel's big drag number promise.  You don't need a 20 pound drag; you need a smooth drag.  And Daiwa's are smooth.  

[WRB]

Reel size you should consider only the top 50 yards of line capacity when bass fishing.

The 1000 size spinning reels work very good for light weight finesse presentation when using 5 to 7 lb FC or mono. If you use 10-12 lb braid with a FC leader line twist isn't an issue. Debating reels between 2000 to 3000 size becomes an excercise in futility for finesse bass fishing presentations. All around bass fishing use the 2500 is very popular.

There is reason Daiwa still offers the Tournament 1300SS reels!

Tom

 

[OnthePotomac]

All around good size is 2500.

[Stephen B]

Typically, but the Daiwa Tatula LT 2000 has more spool capacity than a CI4 so size comparisons are not always perfect across reel sizes.

[LxVE Bassin]

I have a Daiwa Ballistic LT 2500 and I would put up against any Stradic. For $100 bucks you can get the Daiwa Fuego LT, aluminum frame and its mag sealed. I always wondered why the Tatula LT is not mag sealed and it costs more.

[PatrickKnight]

The Tatula costs more than the Fuego because it uses Zaion and not just generic plastic. Also the Fuego is a plastic frame not aluminum, none of the freshwater LT reels have aluminum bodies or side plates.

[waymont]

The Daiwa Tatula LT reels are incredible. On par with Stradics, but with a different feel.

If you look on ebay you can get them for $140.00.