Daiwa Fuego 2500 LT Problems

[Randy Price]

I recently purchased a Fuego 2500 LT spinning reel, spooled it 15 lb. power pro and went fishing.  After the second or third cast it threw a huge wad of line out.  I took the time to cut the line restart the day and after a few more casts the same thing.  I thought maybe it didn't like that line so I respooled it with Suffix 832 and the same thing.  I searched the net and noticed many other people having the same issue.  Seems Daiwa is aware of this issue "uneven line lay" and can supply some washers for you to install to correct this problem.  Have any of you guys had this issue?  I have a cheaper REVOS 2500 and have been VERY happy with it.

[MBB Nate]

Tackle Advisor mentioned this in a review he did.  He didn't remember if he had to add or remove a shim though.

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

If the line spools in a cone shape adding or subtracting washers fixes it. You want the spool moved in the direction of the low spot. I’m not sure how that would cause a birds nest though. I’d also be looking at the rods guide train. 

[Tim Kelly]

As above. 

 

Also, if you're new to using braid it's important not to overfill the spool. Leave a good 1/8" to the lip. Closing the bail manually, making sure the line is taught before you start winding and keeping an eye out for loops of line on the spool are also important. All lines have a learning curve to them. Mono is the easiest to use, fluoro the most awkward, braid is in the middle, but offers many advantages once you get the hang of it.

[Randy Price]

Thanks guys for all the comments.  I returned the reel and got my money back.  IMO you shouldn't have to be adding shims/washers to a $ 100.00 reel.  I purchased the reel at Gander Outdoors and the fishing manager said they have had several Fuego's returned because of the "line lay" issue.  Anyway I bought a Shimano and hope for better luck. 

[mrpao]

Adding shims or washers is quite common.

As is removing them, to get proper line lay.

That why they include them. I think all spinning reels should include extra shims. Some cheaper reels dont include them so if you get bad line lay on the spool, you're just out of luck.

Even different  lines will lay different on the same spool.

I've had to remove or add shims when switching line sizes before, so it doesn't bunch up on the spool.

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

Spool washers are a common adjustment. That’s why good reels come with spares. 

[Randy Price]

Not to make this a Ford vs Chevy debate but I've never had to add washers/shims to any of my Shimano's.

[TotalNoob]

Sometimes I think I'd be lost in fishing without this site. 

 

This explains my issues with a Daiwa Regal I bought from BPS a couple months ago on a sale. I lost two big wads of seaguar invisX exactly the same way as the OP described ?. I assumed it was an issue with the particular reel so I exchanged it. I actually haven't had this issue with the replacement BUT I spooled a lot less line on it (to be on the safe side and because I thought perhaps that might have been the problem) so perhaps that's why it isn't doing it (yet)?. It does indeed lay line on the spool in a way I've never seen a spinning reel lay line. 

 

I got this reel as an "upgrade" from Pfleugar President but mostly because of the 6.2:1 gear ratio for picking up slack faster using jerkbaits. It's already been costly in terms of premium line and my time to exchange it. 

 

I can see how it might be an advantage to be able to modify the line lay for particular lines BUT how do you know which way you need to adjust until you have an issue like we had?

 

When I spooled the reel up initially I didn't observe the line bunching on either the top or bottom nor did I observe any line trying to lay above or below the spool. If I had seen either of those things I clearly would have stopped spooling line and saved myself $$/headache/semi-ruined fishing trip. The problem only began to occur AFTER a cast. Using jerkbaits I have many pauses in my line pickup per retrieve - I'm literally never just continuously reeling. 

 

I don't understand how you're supposed to confidently spool up line on a reel like this not knowing if you'll waste a bunch of line/time/headache BEFORE having to make some type of adjustment?

[Timberwolf530]

On 8/12/2019 at 10:36 AM, Randy Price said:

Not to make this a Ford vs Chevy debate but I've never had to add washers/shims to any of my Shimano's.

Shimanos are not immune to needing shims added/removed, nor is any brand of reel.  ALL spinning reels, regardless of manufacturer or price can require spool adjustments.  Although it's not extremely common, it's not unheard of either, and should not be looked upon as a manufacturing defect.

[waymont]

Every good quality spinning reel may need to have the line lay washers adjusted. It has NOTHING to do with the brand.

It's a very common thing to add or remove the washers. Some people prefer to have the line thicker at the lip and some at the base of the spool. If line is ever thicker in either direction when spooling stop, and add or remove a washer to correct your issue to have the line lay as you want it. 

[Randy Price]

My beef isn't necessarily with Daiwa as I know they make great products it just with this reel (check the internet) better R&D could have prevented this.  My cheaper REVOS has been OUTSTANDING!

[dam0007]

On 8/8/2019 at 10:22 AM, Randy Price said:

I recently purchased a Fuego 2500 LT spinning reel, spooled it 15 lb. power pro and went fishing.  After the second or third cast it threw a huge wad of line out.  I took the time to cut the line restart the day and after a few more casts the same thing.  I thought maybe it didn't like that line so I respooled it with Suffix 832 and the same thing.  I searched the net and noticed many other people having the same issue.  Seems Daiwa is aware of this issue "uneven line lay" and can supply some washers for you to install to correct this problem.  Have any of you guys had this issue?  I have a cheaper REVOS 2500 and have been VERY happy with it.

All of the LT reels I own not including the 2 SS Tats I needed to add washers to. There should be some in the box. FYI The Fuego you have to pull this little rubber o ring thing off to pull the other parts off to put the washer down. 

[Yumeya]

No problems here with the Certate LT so far.

[RedRob]

Have 3 LT's and never had a problem. I have thrown braid off a couple other reels. Found using lighter braid 8-10lb and heavier lure weight stopped it.

[Hammer 4]

My Feugo 2500 needed no washers. Smooth as silk and cast's very well. Pretty dang tough to beat for the price imho.

[govallis]

Look at your spool. If the line piles up more on the bottom side, you must use a thinner washer; if more on the top side, then go thicker.

 

I have found that almost all spinning reels need a thinner washer and many of them, sadly, still not enough even if you remove the washer(s) entirely.

 

When you use light lures, the line is loose and thus it drops down to the bottom side more. So, you must use a thinner washer than it appears to be when you spool it at home.

 

Okuma Safina SPa-35 is the only reel that gets line evenly on the spool, no matter you use light or heavy lures. Even the SPa-25 version can't do that; so it is not just the washer.

 

All my future reels will be the Safina SPa-35 for that size and I'm still looking for a smaller and lighter reel that's entirely trouble free like the SPa-35.

[govallis]

On 8/12/2019 at 8:16 AM, TotalNoob said:

Sometimes I think I'd be lost in fishing without this site. 

 

This explains my issues with a Daiwa Regal I bought from BPS a couple months ago on a sale. I lost two big wads of seaguar invisX exactly the same way as the OP described ?. I assumed it was an issue with the particular reel so I exchanged it. I actually haven't had this issue with the replacement BUT I spooled a lot less line on it (to be on the safe side and because I thought perhaps that might have been the problem) so perhaps that's why it isn't doing it (yet)?. It does indeed lay line on the spool in a way I've never seen a spinning reel lay line. 

 

I got this reel as an "upgrade" from Pfleugar President but mostly because of the 6.2:1 gear ratio for picking up slack faster using jerkbaits. It's already been costly in terms of premium line and my time to exchange it. 

 

I can see how it might be an advantage to be able to modify the line lay for particular lines BUT how do you know which way you need to adjust until you have an issue like we had?

 

When I spooled the reel up initially I didn't observe the line bunching on either the top or bottom nor did I observe any line trying to lay above or below the spool. If I had seen either of those things I clearly would have stopped spooling line and saved myself $$/headache/semi-ruined fishing trip. The problem only began to occur AFTER a cast. Using jerkbaits I have many pauses in my line pickup per retrieve - I'm literally never just continuously reeling. 

 

I don't understand how you're supposed to confidently spool up line on a reel like this not knowing if you'll waste a bunch of line/time/headache BEFORE having to make some type of adjustment?

See my post above. If it looks evenly when you spool at home, you still need a thinner washer for real casts, especially for light lures. So far the Safina SPa-35 is the only exception.

[Randy Price]

I guess I've been fortunate in that I've never had to add washers etc... for my reel to operate correctly.