Info on Daiwa Bait Casters

[adclem]

I am looking for information from people that have had or have Daiwa Bait Casters.  They have some very nice looking reels and I am wondering how they stack up.

I have a couple Shimanos, Pfleugers and some BPS Johnny Morris reels already.

I am not looking for what is better, but I am looking for what great about these reels, whats ok and whats really bad.

I also presume that they have some type of magnetic braking and am looking for input on that as well.

Thanks,

[wisturkeyhunter]

Daiwa makes very good reals. Buy the best you can afford and you won't be dissappointed.

[flechero]

Like any brand, they have a selection of low, mid and high end reels...  too much info to blindly discuss.  Why don't you mention a model ot two that interest you and get specific info.

[adclem]

The Tierra, Viento and Zillion

Thanks,

[flechero]

Of those 3 I only have experience with the viento.  Well, kind of.. my partner had 3 of them.  and the twitchin bar broke on all 3.  And since I know he's not rough on reels, I'd say avoid that one.  

I have only heard good things around here about the Zillion, try a quick search and see if some reviews come up.  I don't know anything on the Tierra.

[Matt 825]

This past summer I had one of my Citica's out of service for a little while and I needed a cheap temp reel.  I bought a Daiwa Megaforce for like $55 and I liked it so much that I have been using it on my Cumara Jig rod ever since.  For a $55 reel it performs better than some reels that I paid double or triple for.  

I think Shimano is #1 for reels hands down, but I wouldnt pass on a Daiwa if the price was right.  

[rfrazier]

What application are you going to be using it for? For the price of the zillion/viento I like the sol/fuego more and even more, the Alphas 103.

[fishntime]

I am a big fan of Diawa, I have the Tierra, Sol, Fuego and the Zillion.  And I have to say that each reel performs extremely well for certain applications.  I seem to use a jig more than anything else and for that I use my Zillion.  I absoultely love that real and would recommend it to anyone looking to buy Diawa. IMO

[adclem]

I am considering the Zillion and the Tierra.  I will be using them for top water, jerk baits, soft plastics, buzz baits, frogs etc...  Basically everything.

One big question I have it this, how is the braking system?  I know it is magnetic and I honestly have never tried just magnetic.  Everything I have is either centrifugal or centrifugal and magnetic.

Thanks for all the input so far.

Later,

[Uncle Leo]

I have a Zillion and a Revo STX. As most I had trouble setting the drag on the Revo but with the Zillion none whatsoever. I really do not know the differance between the two but I have never a problem with the Zillion. Also have a Browning and JM SIgnature with the magnetic dual brakes. The Zillion was much easier to set then those also. IMO you may discover the same.

[The_Natural]

Out of those, the Zillion is obviously the nicest reel...very solid with tight tolerances. I've got a few Viento's, and they are nice as well. The Viento is quite a bit better at casting smaller baits when compared to the Zillion due to it's shallower spool. As mentioned; the Viento's twitchin' bar can break. It will not break in use, but rather because it sticks out; the same reason rod tips get broken.  I haven't used the twitchin' bar on the real at all, and if it breaks...no biggie. With that said; I would go with the Viento right now do to the unreal deals on them. Daiwa has discontinued the Viento, and they can be purchased brand new for $120.

http://cgi.ebay.com/TEAM-DAIWA-VIENTO-6-3-1-TWITCHIN-BAR-BAITCAST-REEL_W0QQitemZ200271993136QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item200271993136&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1207|66%3A2|65%3A12|39%3A1|240%3A1318

[adclem]

Thanks for the info guys.  Sound these are some great reels that keep getting over shadowed by Shimano and Abu Garcia.

So is the twitchin bar something people actually use or is it just a gimmic?

Thanks,

[The_Natural]

Thanks for the info guys. Sound these are some great reels that keep getting over shadowed by Shimano and Abu Garcia.

So is the twitchin bar something people actually use or is it just a gimmic?

Thanks,

Others may, but I don't.  I just fish the reel like I would any other.  

[21farms]

IIRC, daiwa invented magnetic cast controls and, IMHO, they still do it the best...very easy to set and not nearly as fussy as some other implementations. back in the 80s, most of my baitcasters were daiwas. nowadays, most everybody makes a decent reel and the higher-end daiwas seemed to get relatively expensive in comparison which is my reason for branching out to other brands. always had good luck with them though.

[BUCKEYEone]

I've been very impressed with my Daiwa megaforce.  I bought it as a cheap way to learn baitcasting without having to resort to buying something I'd throw away after one season.  It has been great, and really sold me on using daiwa products.  I rarely use the twitchin bar, typically only when I'm throwing something that I can crawl along the bottom and my wife calls...so one hand on the cell and on twitchin my bait!  Great reel, and I am planning on buying a viento this winter.

[adclem]

Found a Viento for $99, at my local Cabelas and a Zillion for $169.  Both were brand new in the bargain cave and were marked as Misc.  I was told they had never left the store and had the same warranty from the manufacture and still had Cabelas 30 day return policy.

Nice deal, can't wait to try them,

Later,

[kikstand454]

i have a (mid level?) diawa 100h procaster and i love it. solid and easy to manage. the mag brake is the easiest to  dial in of the 5 bc's that i own.

[DADto4]

I have two older diawa triforce, these reels are probably 11 or 12 years old and still work like new, also have a viento and am very pleased with it as well. Like THE NATURAL said I too do not use the twichin bar and could care less if it were to break off!

[fishfordollars]

I have two of the Diawa Team Advantage 153 HSTA reels. Fished them for about a year and have had no problems with them. They are smooth and dependable.

[hdbass]

I have only Diawa's baitcasters,  from low end to mid range and I have had excellent luck with all of them.  I would recommend them to

everyone.

[Bassnajr]

Daiwa's are some of the best reels around and easy to use. I score mine on E-Bay. Like many others, I started with the "lower end" models and have moved up to the top. My next gift to me will be a Steez.

Peace,

ajr