Japan spinning reel suggestions

[Fishin Dad]

I would like to grab another spinning reel around that $100-200 mark.  I have been looking at ordering from Japan since I can’t find much in stock here and have heard good things about ordering from over seas.  The problem I am having is trying to figure out all the reels they have (different names and hard to figure out the features and reputation)and which would work best for me.  For reference, I would like a quality 3000 size reel.  I really like my Tatula  LT3000 shallow spool.  Something similar would great.  Any suggestions?   

[KP Duty]

Hard to buy one in Japan at the moment as well.  Digitaka's site has been down for over a week, and Japan Lure Shop is sold out of most spinning reels it seems.  You will have to surf the Asian Portal or go with Amazon Japan.  

[JustJames]

You can’t find anything better that Tatula in that price range, period ???. Most of the reel sold overseas are about the same as we have here, only name, color scheme that different. Oversea reel though, more reel size, line capacity (shallow, medium, stardard and deep) and speed to choose from.

If you are looking below Tatula, then we have Fuego while overseas got Freams LT and Gekabiji LT (offer super low speed gear) or Prorex Line from Europe market. 
Above Tatula, with about 50 more you can get 2020 Ballistic FW or 2020 ballistic LT (magseal). The Luvias is also nice with MQ body but I’m not sure if anyone get a hand on the special tool to remove side plate. 

 

[Big Hands]

32 minutes ago, Bass_Fishing_Socal said:

The Luvias is also nice with MQ body but I’m not sure if anyone get a hand on the special tool to remove side plate. 

Isn't that the whole point of the monocoque body: To not have a need to get inside of the reel?

------------------------------

OP: If you like your Tatula, I think I would stay with something I like.

 

There are a few sellers from Europe offering some unique reels, or unique versions of reels we already know. I bought a Fuego LT2000S-XH from a seller there last summer that did charge $15 for shipping, but I ordered it at midday Friday (PST) and it was delivered on Monday afternoon here in California, which I would have been happy with if the seller was here in the same state, let alone half way around the world.

[bulldog1935]

Upping the ante a little, the '20 Luvias looks like a great reel.  

Somebody has to say Stradic, so it might as well be me.  

 

[JustJames]

46 minutes ago, Big Hands said:

Isn't that the whole point of the monocoque body: To not have a need to get inside of the reel?

------------------------------

 

So how are you gonna maintenance the reel without getting into the inside lol. The MQ body purposely built for rigidity, I believe

5 minutes ago, bulldog1935 said:

Upping the ante a little, the '20 Luvias looks like a great reel.  

Somebody has to say Stradic, so it might as well be me.  

 

For now this might be the only Shimano reel I consider . I do believe eventually I will own one Stradic FL 2000 lower gear ratio. 

[LCG]

2 hours ago, Bass_Fishing_Socal said:

So how are you gonna maintenance the reel without getting into the inside lol. The MQ body purposely built for rigidity, I believe

For now this might be the only Shimano reel I consider . I do believe eventually I will own one Stradic FL 2000 lower gear ratio. 

I love mine. It's a tank, with silky smooth drag and the power to match. Great reel. 

[Big Hands]

5 hours ago, Bass_Fishing_Socal said:

So how are you gonna maintenance the reel without getting into the inside lol. The MQ body purposely built for rigidity, I believe

The folks at my local tackle store told me it was because the design allowed it to be sealed so well, that it should essentially not need to be serviced, therefore there was no need to make the inside accessible.

 

For me, that could possibly justify the price increase that goes with the MQ models. In the case of the Kage models, the MQ version is actually heavier than the non-MQ Kage. I'm not sure the body of their reels had any strength related issues with the bodies themselves. The reel feet can be a bit flexy though, but that isn't anything that MQ would solve.

[Fishin Dad]

Darn it.  I was looking around and see it is a little difficult to find in Japan as well.    I was just struggling to figure out some of the models, but most of them are sold out as well.  I may just have to keep looking around and see if something pops up.  I have always been curious about trying a Japanese reel.  Thanks for the info everyone!

[bulldog1935]

29 minutes ago, Fishin Dad said:

Darn it.  I was looking around and see it is a little difficult to find in Japan as well.    I was just struggling to figure out some of the models, but most of them are sold out as well.  I may just have to keep looking around and see if something pops up.  I have always been curious about trying a Japanese reel.  Thanks for the info everyone!

finding stock can be difficult because of mulling through the OOS listings - check this post:  

 

[JustJames]

2 hours ago, Big Hands said:

The folks at my local tackle store told me it was because the design allowed it to be sealed so well, that it should essentially not need to be serviced, therefore there was no need to make the inside accessible.

That might be true since Daiwa ditch the anti reverse on MQ body and most of them got Magseal? No matter what, you still need to service the reel for grease and lubrication?

Im gotta find out more on it, if what you heard is true, I might get one myself. Love the reel with no maintenance need.

Luckily one of my friend got Luvias airity and he always use in salt. Gotta give him a call lol.

 

[GetFishorDieTryin]

7 hours ago, Big Hands said:

The folks at my local tackle store told me it was because the design allowed it to be sealed so well, that it should essentially not need to be serviced, therefore there was no need to make the inside accessible.

They do much better with water intrusion, but they aren't sealed like a VS, ZB, or Tourque.  They just don't have as many potential entry points without screws or an AR switch.  As far as I can find out they rely on the Magseal instead of a physical seal which does work reasonably well for spray.  Eventually the Magseal fluid has to be replaced, so unless you have the fluid and can apply and reassemble correctly your better off sending it to Daiwa once a every couple years.