Daiwa Fuego LT Flexes?

[Sean Lee]

Anyone here own a fuego LT? I bought mine about six months ago. I never noticed an issue with the reel flexing till the other day. i hooked up on a small striper, 15 inches or so. I was fishing at a local dam so there was some mild currrents there and noticed the reel started flexing to the left(where my handle is). Never had this issue before. I went fishing again the next day, loosen the drag a bit(I use 15lb braid so I set the drag down to 4.5 lbs or so. I usually just play it by ear when fishing). I didn't notice any flex so maybe that fixed the "issue". Anyways, just wanted to see if anyone else has ran into an issue like this.

 

Thanks. 

[Tim Kelly]

I have a fuego and a ballistic, both LT series and have never noticed it, but probably haven't fished with very tight drag settings. I don't think a 15" striper would exert enough force to twist a reel, but maybe. The reel was definitely tight in the reel seat?

[microotter]

I think I recall Tackle Advisors on YouTube mentioning the Fuego LT having flexing issues. 

[newyorktoiowa57]

The handle on my Legalis could definitely be more robust but for the price I can't complain. 

[punch]

The Fuego LT flexes quite a bit. It has a different stem/frame then the Tatula or Ballistic.  It's much less rigid. I owned a Fuego LT and actually sold it because of the handle flex. 

[Sean Lee]

2 hours ago, Tim Kelly said:

I have a fuego and a ballistic, both LT series and have never noticed it, but probably haven't fished with very tight drag settings. I don't think a 15" striper would exert enough force to twist a reel, but maybe. The reel was definitely tight in the reel seat?

Yep. I actually swapped it to a different rod since I was striper fishing and made sure it was on tight in the reel seat. 

 

I wouldn't think so either, I was fishing in some current but still never had any flex on any reels there before. 

1 hour ago, punch said:

The Fuego LT flexes quite a bit. It has a different stem/frame then the Tatula or Ballistic.  It's much less rigid. I owned a Fuego LT and actually sold it because of the handle flex. 

Yeah I really don't know what to do with it. I could keep it and fish for smaller fish with it but at 100 bucks I would rather not and yes I have also thought about selling it and investing in something else.

 

 

2 hours ago, microotter said:

I think I recall Tackle Advisors on YouTube mentioning the Fuego LT having flexing issues. 

I actually watched that video..EliasV mentioned not feeling any flex at all? so not sure.

 

After loosen the drag on the next day, it doesn't flex but the reel has their odd wobble to it but overall it felt better than the day before.

[Tim Kelly]

What was it that made you feel that the reel was flexing? Not sure I would notice the stem flexing, if it did. Unless the reel were binding I wonder how you can tell it's flexing?

[Sean Lee]

18 minutes ago, Tim Kelly said:

What was it that made you feel that the reel was flexing? Not sure I would notice the stem flexing, if it did. Unless the reel were binding I wonder how you can tell it's flexing?

I noticed while reeling back while fighting the fish that there was a lot of pressure/tough to reel. I happen to look down and notice that the reel was flexing to the left.

[Tim Kelly]

Wow. I suppose I tend to lift and wind, more than straight reeling fish if they're large enough, so might not have noticed. 

[Sean Lee]

14 minutes ago, Tim Kelly said:

Wow. I suppose I tend to lift and wind, more than straight reeling fish if they're large enough, so might not have noticed. 

Thanks for the help again though folks.

 

Hopefully if I am able to land a much bigger fish, I can update you guys. Sadly, its blazing hot right now and the fish are a bit deep and the dam isn't doing us any favors by turning on the wrong water turbines.