Shimano or Daiwa?

[Shimano_1]

Pretty easy to see most people think they're the 2 best. They've both had a long history of making quality products.  I personally think some of the doyo platforms are just as capable and quality as well. My only gripe with daiwa is it seems their quality is all over the place.  Get 4 fuego or tatula reels and they wont all feel the same. If they fixed that I'd probably prefer them. Shimano seems to be a little more consistent and this pleases my ocd lol. Plus most of the newer shimanos are smaller profile and this matters. I dont think honestly in the above 100 dollar range that there are any bad reels anymore.  Just personal preferences 

[Eddie J]

I fish the Farmington River in CT. and I have used a Daiwa Tournament TG 1000 w/4lb test for the last 35 years (it still works great) and have caught tons of fish without it ever failing! With that being said, my son's bought me a Shimano Sedona 500 this year (a much more inexpensive reel 80.00 this year compared to 200.00 for the Daiwa in 1985) which I've fished with most of this year and it's performed great. I like them both for their function, got durability and reliability, the Daiwa is a Beast

 

 

[new2BC4bass]

Not as old as some threads that have been resurrected. 

 

And a debate that I am sure is still going on.  

 

I don't mind the TWS, but given a choice I'd pick the older style line guide.

 

I think it was Crankfate that mentioned Shimano fit his style of casting better.  A few years ago I fished with a young guy who was all Shimano.  He could cast so hard and fast the rod would whistle.  Not something I would want to try with my Daiwas.  Heck, not something I would want to try with my Shimano reels either.  Can you say professional grade backlash? 

 

I have favorites from both.  Wouldn't give up either.

[HikeNFishNStuff]

After my recent experience with Daiwa, I will NEVER buy another Daiwa product again.  To keep it short, less than 3-4 uses (I'd say less than 100 casts altogether) and under a year old, reel failed (grinding when reeling), sent it in, wouldn't fix under warranty, sent it back.  Cost me $53 for a cleaning/shipping.  

[MN Fisher]

30 minutes ago, HikeNFishNStuff said:

After my recent experience with Daiwa, I will NEVER buy another Daiwa product again.  To keep it short, less than 3-4 uses (I'd say less than 100 casts altogether) and under a year old, reel failed (grinding when reeling), sent it in, wouldn't fix under warranty, sent it back.  Cost me $53 for a cleaning/shipping.  

What model was it?

 

I've got a Fuego CT-H that's 3 years old and hasn't seen anything but yearly maintenance...still works like a champ.

[HikeNFishNStuff]

3 minutes ago, MN Fisher said:

What model was it?

 

I've got a Fuego CT-H that's 3 years old and hasn't seen anything but yearly maintenance...still works like a champ.

Daiwa Tatula 200HS.  I've got a Fuego CT as well, but afraid to use it lmao.

[MN Fisher]

26 minutes ago, HikeNFishNStuff said:

Daiwa Tatula 200HS.  I've got a Fuego CT as well, but afraid to use it lmao.

Note for you: Fuegos and Tatulas are known for having a grinding sound...it's normal...mine has had it since out of the box...doesn't affect performance - which is why they didn't 'repair' it.

[HikeNFishNStuff]

2 minutes ago, MN Fisher said:

Note for you: Fuegos and Tatulas are known for having a grinding sound...it's normal...mine has had it since out of the box...doesn't affect performance - which is why they didn't 'repair' it.

I would agree with you about the performance and grinding sound (I've read up on that through researching this experience), except this one wouldn't reel anymore.  The gears were grinding and the handle would spin freely then lock up/bind.  The line would also not fall freely either even with the drag set to the lowest.  Which is why a "cleaning" doesn't sound correct.  I even sent a video to the place I bought it from as well as discussed with one of our long time reel repairman here.  I wouldn't have sent it in under warranty if I thought it needed to be cleaned.

[Fishingmickey]

On 7/18/2019 at 2:50 PM, QUAKEnSHAKE said:

I have multiple issues with the last 2 daiwa baitcasters I have purchased so it will be some time before they get me a third time. Shimano bc reels have been spot on so most likely continue with them. 

Spinning reels is just the opposite more likely to buy daiwa over shimano.

I'm in agreement about the spinning reels especially on the low and mid priced end. I don't have any of the high end spinners of either brand. 

FM

[Junk Fisherman]

They are comparable brands in terms of performance and quality.  I have mostly Daiwa but I did pick up a Curado this year it is comparable to the high-end Tatulas.  Go with whichever excites you.

[Boomstick]

Shimano vs Daiwa, Fender vs Gibson, Ford vs Chevrolet, McDonalds vs Burger King, Nike vs Under Armor. Coca Cola vs Pepsi...

 

Basically, Shimano vs Daiwa is like the Ford vs Chevy of the fishing industry, except neither one of them is garbage (both are very good actually).

 

In short, I like Daiwa for skipping and pitching better and Shimano for distance casting although my reels are largely all Daiwas.

[waymont]

On 7/15/2019 at 9:38 AM, Bass_Fishing_Socal said:

My daiwa is slim down to just this.

The rest are shimanos. They both good, but would be better if you know what reel is best for what techniques and not just I prefer such brand or price.

Hey, what is the black and silver one. Looks sharp.

On 7/15/2019 at 9:38 AM, Bass_Fishing_Socal said:

My daiwa is slim down to just this.

The rest are shimanos. They both good, but would be better if you know what reel is best for what techniques and not just I prefer such brand or price.

Hey, what is the black and silver one. Looks sharp.

On 7/15/2019 at 9:38 AM, Bass_Fishing_Socal said:

My daiwa is slim down to just this.

The rest are shimanos. They both good, but would be better if you know what reel is best for what techniques and not just I prefer such brand or price.

Hey, what is the black and silver one. Looks sharp.

[new2BC4bass]

11 hours ago, HikeNFishNStuff said:

After my recent experience with Daiwa, I will NEVER buy another Daiwa product again.  To keep it short, less than 3-4 uses (I'd say less than 100 casts altogether) and under a year old, reel failed (grinding when reeling), sent it in, wouldn't fix under warranty, sent it back.  Cost me $53 for a cleaning/shipping.  

I've got Daiwas that are over 20 years old and still going strong.  Granted none see extensive use anymore as I have more reels than I know what to do with.  I can't speak of how much use they saw before I bought them as many were purchased used having been manufactured before I got back into fishing in 2009.  The TD-Z 105H is a favorite of mine and therefore gets used more than many.  TT reviewed them at least as early as 2002.

[ATA]

Shimano

[JustJames]

21 hours ago, waymont said:

Hey, what is the black and silver one. Looks sharp.

 

It is Alphas SV 105 and I don’t have it any more ????.

 

 

Nope I actually still have it but sit inside my Yellow pixy, the rest are in the box.

 

[Quitlimpin]

I fish/have fished both and love both. On the performance end, I’ve always preferred Shimano’s braking and Daiwa’s drag but it’s mostly splitting hairs. I ultimately settled on mostly Daiwa bc they are infinitely customizable. Do I catch more or better fish bc of the aesthetics of my gear? Absolutely not, but it’s fun as hell and I get a kick out of it.

 

“If you look good, you feel good, If you feel good, you play good, If you play good, they pay good.”

— Deion Sanders

 

 

[redmeansdistortion]

We can like both, right?

 

[0351]

Shimano and Daiwa both make great products, but I like Daiwa reels better myself, I’ve owned quite a few of both

[RealtreeByGod]

My worst, least-favorite reel was a Shimano Nexave that used to be on my M/L. It was super smooth and had nice drag most of the time, but it would stick and grind to a halt if it got the teenciest bit wet. For something that's going to be around water a whole lot, I'd expect it to not do that. None of my other reels ever did. OFC, every spinning reel I've ever owned has been under 60 bucks so IDK how qualified I am on this subject.

[bulldog1935]

and now for something completely different

 

[new2BC4bass]

On 7/19/2021 at 7:42 AM, redmeansdistortion said:

We can like both, right?

 

Hope so.  I do.  I like yours to. 

33 minutes ago, bulldog1935 said:

and now for something completely different

 

And yours as well.

[evo2s197]

It's either Daiwa or Shimano based off your braking preferences, Abu Garcia is a far distant 3rd with Lews being an after thought, people might not like it but it's true.

[bulldog1935]

I've been watching some Yamaga Blanks videos.  

His rods sell out the day they're listed - he can fish whatever he chooses.  

On long small game rods, he's totally happy with a raced-out Abu BFS reel - he's throwing lures up to about 1/2 oz.    

He goes to Daiwa SV on MH equally long shore game rods, throwing 1-1/2-oz 6" plugs.  

If you Understand braking systems without making brand-biased generalizations, his choices make perfect sense.  

I still can't explain why Lew's Super Duty with its deep heavy spool casts 1/8 oz just as far as my raced-out Daiwa SV, but it does.  The Daiwa with the stock spool won't compete with it.  

 

BTW, even my ZPI bench-raced Abu with 7-g spool has spool bearings improved from ZPI shielded to IXA unshielded "micros" (they're more like midi's), and they make a noted improvement.  That's also a factor in the performance of my Super Duty. 

ps - the light weight of the Alcance is impressive - same as my magnesium Steez SV TW.  

 

this remains the $100 spinning reel that's begging for you to try to out-class it -  over and over.  People hung up on Shimano new-box-smooth won't get it, but it will outlast every Shimano below Stradic, and has comparable line management with their simpler improved locomotive drive.  

[evo2s197]

Aside from the breaking, as far as mid range and up daiwa and Shimanos go, they are far superior in build quality than Abu or lews.

[redmeansdistortion]

36 minutes ago, bulldog1935 said:

this remains the $100 spinning reel that's begging for you to try to out-class it -  over and over.  People hung up on Shimano new-box-smooth won't get it, but it will outlast every Shimano below Stradic, and has comparable line management with their simpler improved locomotive drive.  

Have a look at the Daiwa SS Tournament.  I have the 700 and 1300 models; worm drive, multi-disc drag, external bail trip, shallow tapered spool, a big beefy ratchet gear and AR dog to match.  They've been around $100 since they hit the market 35 years ago.  I was pleasantly surprised when I discovered Daiwa was still making them so I bought the 700 last year.  The line lay is still some of the best I've seen to this day.