Do you generally find Daiwa’s reels to be of inferior craftsmanship when compared to Shimano?

[Ohioguy25]

I have a Fuego (spinning) and a Tatula 200 (casting) which at the onset seemed comparable to my Stradic/Nasci & Curados, however within just a short time the Tatula spool release button has begun sticking and the Fuego has really lost its smoothness which is a shame as I generally like the ergonomics of their casting reels.

 

All reels require maintenance but the Shimano reels I’ve owned have seemed to be much more resistant to basic wear than Daiwa. What is your experience? 

[PaulVE64]

Daiwa BG runs like a champ year after year

[AlabamaSpothunter]

Not in the least and I only fish with Daiwa and Shimano reels. 

 

To that end, I have a Team Daiwa-X from before 2000, it's been a mainstay in my lineup from day 1, to just having caught a fish on it an hour ago more than 25yrs later.   It's as smooth or smoother today than any reel I own.  

[GReb]

I’ve had issues with both but higher end models from both have been bulletproof. 

[newapti5]

No. 

 

As a Daiwa fanboy, I've experienced some QC issue with Daiwa reels, but I've also run into similar issue with Shimano reels - some of my Shimano BC developed "geary" feeling much earlier than they should.

[PhishLI]

46 minutes ago, Ohioguy25 said:

I have a Tatula 200 (casting) which at the onset seemed comparable to my Stradic/Nasci & Curados, however within just a short time the Tatula spool release button has begun sticking

Very easy fix. Just grease the clutch mech and you'll be back in order. 10 minute job if you know your way around a reel.

[Bigbox99]

About the same.  My Shimanos don't stay as smooth but they are otherwise equal in quality and durability to my similar Daiwas. 

[FryDog62]

After years of using everything else, all my reels now are either Daiwa or Shimano. They are a dead heat IMO as the best two reel brands in terms of quality and performance. 
 

It’s the Ford-Chevy debate as to which is better. Just be sure not to put a Daiwa reel on a Shimano rod, or vice versa. The fishing gods will hurl lightning bolts at you 🌩️

[NoFroFishing]

Never had an issue with either. I have always preferred and still own more Shimanos because of the value on the SLX MGL. Then one day got a Zillion and it changed me. I want more and with the new tatula coming out I want that. I'm ready to change all my casters to Daiwa.

 

As for spinning reels ill never not use a Vanford. 

[new2BC4bass]

Don't use my spinning reels enough to spread the lube around. 

 

Have way too many BC reels.  Don't fish a lot.  Rotate combos.  So none see excessive use.

 

However, I was given 2 TD-X reels that look like they had already been through WWIII.  He went through the internals.  Smooth as can be.  Cast great.

[webertime]

They are the only 2 companies that actually make their stuff anymore (aside from some low end Daiwas being farmed out and Swedish Abus 17 people use).  That's HUGE.  I worked in a mountaineering shop back in the day and asked the difference between 2 different parts.  The Old timer came back with "these guys design, manufacture, test and sell what they make.  Those guys open a catalog and ask for it in purple.  Who are you going to trust with your life?"  Obviously a reel isn't life and death but that mindset hasn't failed me yet in any of my adventures/purchases.

[Flyfish-mt]

I've owned both Daiwa and Shimano casting and spinning reels since the late 80's and they both seem of equal quality.  However, I have an old Shimano Chronarch 100 (pearl white) I bought many years ago and the reel has been the smoothest reel to date that I have owned, even with extensive use.  On the flip side, I'm not sure of a more durable spinning reel than the old Daiwa SS Tournament reels (SS700, SS1300, SS1600).  No infinite anti-reverse and an unbalanced rotor but they are absolute workhorses.  

 

I recently bought a couple of the '24 Tatula reels and they are great casting reels but lack a bit on smoothness when reeling.  Also, the drags had some startup inertia but fixed this with some Shimano drag grease.  But for $120 they are hard to beat. 

[FishTank]

I have owned several of both over the years and both have been great, with a slight edge going to Shimano. I have reels from Shimano that are pushing 20 years old. I can't say that about any Daiwa I have owned but it probably comes down to how well they are maintained over the years.

 

For me, as a general rule of thumb, if it's made in Japan, then the quality is better. This not always the case but it has served me well so far.

[Bankc]

They're about the same to me.   Diawa's tend to be a little cheaper, and I prefer their braking system to Shimano's, but not by much on either account.  Shimano's tend to last a bit longer, but either will last long enough with good maintenance habits that I'll be replacing either long before they've worn out or broke, just due to advances in technology.  I have and gladly will continue to use both. 

[Susky River Rat]

I’m a shimano guy but…… I would never hesitate to get a high end daiwa

[little giant]

I have shimano and daiwa baitcasters 20 to 25 years old. It's all about maintenance. Also have new models of both and learned to open them up and check the factory lube. Both brands were pretty dry so they got attention!

As for the Fuego spinner, I have A 2500 that is great!

I will say, I don't turn the handle to close the bail arm. Causes stress and wear to the internal parts.

[J Francho]

Not really.  Their construction are just different.  One thing I never liked was the course thread screw that was the only thing holding the thumb bar on Shimano reels of past.  I had a few customer reels that were stripped out or broken.  It was an inexpensive replacement.

[QUAKEnSHAKE]

Do you generally find Daiwa’s reels to be of inferior craftsmanship when compared to Shimano?  

Indubitably

[Bankbeater]

I've replaced washers and worn spacers on both Shimano and Daiwa reels.  I really think how you fish with them partially determines how long the parts last.

[king fisher]

14 hours ago, FryDog62 said:

Shimano rod, or vice versa. The fishing gods will hurl lightning bolts at you 🌩️

The fishing gods can throw all the lightning bolts they want.  I Think a Zillion on an Expride would be worth dodging some lightning.

[ABU is overpriced]

Nope. Neither companies have issues with construction. The only issue i've even seen in the last few years is the curado's thumb bar falling apart while fishing. I don't own the reel so it didn't happen to me, but i've seen 5+ random youtube videos where this is happening.

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

I don’t find either Daiwa or Shimano to be better or worse than the other over all quality wise. They get points for largely having their own manufacturing systems but if I’m being honest, I service a lot of Doyo built rebrands that hold up exceptionally well and stay smooth. On paper they shouldn’t be close but in use the differences in quality are splitting hairs among the name brands  at $100> msrp. 

[Columbia Craw]

No.  The one thing I’ve come to like is Shimano having very affordable 70 series models.  

[Tackleholic]

11 hours ago, QUAKEnSHAKE said:

Do you generally find Daiwa’s reels to be of inferior craftsmanship when compared to Shimano?  

Indubitably

No.

All my Shimanos are back in their original boxes and in the garage;  Daiwas are rigged and ready.

[Mobasser]

No. I've had Diawa and Shimano reels over the years. Both make a good product.