Daiwa Viento?

[OIFBasser]

I've been looking at buying a Daiwa Viento. Was wondering if the twitching bar lives up to the hype? And does it fish senkos well?

[BASS fisherman]

I'd advise you to save your money.  

I too thought that the twitchin bar was a good idea until I hit the water with it.  With in the first 5 casts I relised what I didn't while wanting one.

When you move a bait, you use your rod, not your reel.  When you use the twitchin bar to move a bait, it drops your rod tip and makes for an odd retreive.  You dont feel the bottom as well, nor do you feel light hits when you engage the bar.

I bought the Megaforce during that whole fad last year.  Very dissapointed!  

The only thing I have found the twitchin bar to be good for is picking up slack in your line.  

[Micro]

http://www.tackletour.com/reviewdaiwaviento.html

I don't have one and never fished one.  But the reel itself seems very nice.  The twitching bar feature seems like a gimmick, though.  I don't think it's any kind of serious tool.  I'd skip it.  If you want a great Daiwa, spend the extra $29 and buy a Fuego.  If you want the grandmaster, save a bit more and get the Zillion.  It's one of the best reels I've ever touched.  

[lubina]

If you want a great Daiwa, spend the extra $29 and buy a Fuego. If you want the grandmaster, save a bit more and get the Zillion. It's one of the best reels I've ever touched.

Like he said. I would never have another one with the twitching bar

[ChiCityBasser]

I don't have the Viento but I have the Megaforce and only found the twitching bar useful when site fishing with a shaky head to move the jig ahead across flat bottom areas but other than that I used the rod tip to impart the action that actually caught the fish.

I agree with the other comments to get either a Fuego or find one of the HSTA on ebay for a deal.

[Lucky Craft Man]

I also have the Viento (and two MegaForce).  I found I do not use the twishing bar hardly at all.  Though, I did discover that when you rapidly press the twiching bar while using a surface frog, you get an action that is tough to duplicate with your rod tip.  Therefore, I would highly recommend a reel with a twiching bar for a dedicated frog rod, otherwise, there are some nicer reels out there.

[BUCKEYEone]

I found I do not use the twishing bar hardly at all. Though, I did discover that when you rapidly press the twiching bar while using a surface frog, you get an action that is tough to duplicate with your rod tip. Therefore, I would highly recommend a reel with a twiching bar for a dedicated frog rod, otherwise, there are some nicer reels out there.

X2...I rarely use the twitching bar for more than pulling up slack line, but every now and then I will use it when twitching a frog, and was even able to "walk the dog" to some extent...although it required far more concentration using the twitching bar than when done normally!  Pretty good reel though, but don't buy it for the twitching bar

[Bassnajr]

I only use Daiwa reels. For the money...you can't beat them. from the "bargain" reels all the way up to the Steez....A+++

ajr

[ChiCityBasser]

I found I do not use the twishing bar hardly at all. Though, I did discover that when you rapidly press the twiching bar while using a surface frog, you get an action that is tough to duplicate with your rod tip. Therefore, I would highly recommend a reel with a twiching bar for a dedicated frog rod, otherwise, there are some nicer reels out there.

X2...I rarely use the twitching bar for more than pulling up slack line, but every now and then I will use it when twitching a frog, and was even able to "walk the dog" to some extent...although it required far more concentration using the twitching bar than when done normally! Pretty good reel though, but don't buy it for the twitching bar

Never thought of using it as a frog setup and guess I have to change to a heavier line and try it once the hardwater time is over here.

[djmax22]

I know my local tackle shop has had a few on clearance a month ago for $140. I have the fuego and it is awesome.

[The_Natural]

Like others have said; buy it because it is a solid reel...not because it has the twitchin' bar.  I bought several when my local Cabelas clearanced them out for $100.  I found it to be an impressive caster...even better than my zillions.  This is due to the relatively shallow spool of the Viento, which also makes it excel at casting and pitching light baits.  

[ksdog]

I'll second that.....very solid reel.....excellent caster, but don't buy it for the twitchin bar. It's a reel that doesn't get alot of praise, but at what they are going for on ebay....an excellent buy.

[jack1]

I had one and sold it after a season.  Overall it is a good reel, but I found myself hardly ever using the twitch bar.

Save your money and get something else.

[OIFBasser]

All of my baitcasters are AG Revos STX and SX and I really like them. How do the better diawas stack up to them?

[The_Natural]

All of my baitcasters are AG Revos STX and SX and I really like them. How do the better diawas stack up to them?

I think the higher-end Daiwas have tighter tolerances than any of reel brand.  

[Micro]

All of my baitcasters are AG Revos STX and SX and I really like them. How do the better diawas stack up to them?

First of all, the Revos are exceptional reels.   They are smooth, well built, and cast great.  That being said, I think I'm going to like my Daiwa Fuegos and Daiwa Zillions a little better.

Here are some thoughts (in random order) off the top of my head.

Compared to the Zillion:

My Revos will cast baits very well down to 1/4 oz.  In fact, my Revos will outcast my Zillions with 1/4 oz baits.  They are about even with heavier baits.  The Revos have the best drag out there in an LP.  The Zillions are smoother.  The Revos are smooth, but you have to try a Zillion to appreciate it.   I know the Revo is powerful.  I believe the Zillion is just as powerful.   The Zillion looks more refined.  It has a nicer finish, and the hardware (handle, drag star, etc) seems to be machined more nicely. Weight-wise, there is virtually no difference.   I like the brake on both reels.  Despite a couple of people here who strongly prefer other brands, people that have been using Revos since they came out know the Linear Magnetic Brake works well and is actually very refined.   The Mag-Z brake on the Zillions is likewise very refined.

Compared to the Fuego:

Pretty much the same as with the Zillion.  Except I have no problems casting 1/4oz'ers with my Fuegos.  They will cast with the Revos.  The reels looks very refined.  It doesn't feel as smooth as the Zillion, but still a little smoother than the Revo.  The Fuego looks great.  It's light weight makes it very comfortable.  

I just bought the Fuegos and Zillions a few months ago.  I haven't fished them to any extent, but I have been casting them and comparing them to the Revos.  So far, I'm liking them a bit better.  I'll be buying more Daiwas.  I may buy a Sol for finesse fishing and a Zillion 4.9:1 cranking reel in a few weeks.

I had 10 Revos up until a few months ago.  I sold my Winch and sold two Revo SCs.    I still have 3 STXs, 2 SXs and 2 Ss.   I like these reels very much and will hang on to them.  

High end Daiwas stack up the Revos very well.  I think they are more refined.  But they also cost more.  The Fuego and the Zillions retail for $49 and $69 more, respectively, than the STX.  That extra money gets you a slightly smoother reel and one they seems a little better finished inside and out.  But that's not to say the Revos aren't excellent.  They are.  

[The_Natural]

I'm with you micro.  I blasted the Zillion when it first came to the U.S.; I thought 'why would I pay more for the same reel as a Fuego...only heavier?!'  I bought a Fuego shortly thereafter, and it was a good reel, but nothing special and had difficulty casting baits below 3/8oz.  I moved on and came across a Zillion for a price I couldn't refuse.  Even though it weighed more; it was clearly more refined and noticeably smooter.  The Zillion is the smoothest reel in existance that doesn't have handle bearings.  As a matter of fact; my Anniversary Zillions have handle bearings and I can't really tell any difference between them and my regular Zillions.  Like Micro said....you just have to use one to understand.

[cfugate]

I have to disagree with most of the above comments. I have a viento and the twitchin bar is much more than just gimmick. I use it all the time when fishing jigs, worms, and shakey heads. And to answer your question it is great for senkos. I have fished it on the same trip as a patriarch and a energy pt, and the Viento was superior to both. The patriarch was a bit smoother but the viento casts much better. I mostly use braided line and with this reel and line combo i can cast an eighth ounce shakey head jig around 100 feet. The magnetic cast control is the best i have found and when set properly i have to almost try to make it backlash. I would recommend this as a great reel.

[roadwarrior]

Welcome aboard!

8-)

[Speed Worm]

All of my baitcasters are AG Revos STX and SX and I really like them. How do the better diawas stack up to them?

First of all, the Revos are exceptional reels. They are smooth, well built, and cast great. That being said, I think I'm going to like my Daiwa Fuegos and Daiwa Zillions a little better.

Here are some thoughts (in random order) off the top of my head.

Compared to the Zillion:

My Revos will cast baits very well down to 1/4 oz. In fact, my Revos will outcast my Zillions with 1/4 oz baits. They are about even with heavier baits. The Revos have the best drag out there in an LP. The Zillions are smoother. The Revos are smooth, but you have to try a Zillion to appreciate it. I know the Revo is powerful. I believe the Zillion is just as powerful. The Zillion looks more refined. It has a nicer finish, and the hardware (handle, drag star, etc) seems to be machined more nicely. Weight-wise, there is virtually no difference. I like the brake on both reels. Despite a couple of people here who strongly prefer other brands, people that have been using Revos since they came out know the Linear Magnetic Brake works well and is actually very refined. The Mag-Z brake on the Zillions is likewise very refined.

Compared to the Fuego:

Pretty much the same as with the Zillion. Except I have no problems casting 1/4oz'ers with my Fuegos. They will cast with the Revos. The reels looks very refined. It doesn't feel as smooth as the Zillion, but still a little smoother than the Revo. The Fuego looks great. It's light weight makes it very comfortable.

I just bought the Fuegos and Zillions a few months ago. I haven't fished them to any extent, but I have been casting them and comparing them to the Revos. So far, I'm liking them a bit better. I'll be buying more Daiwas. I may buy a Sol for finesse fishing and a Zillion 4.9:1 cranking reel in a few weeks.

I had 10 Revos up until a few months ago. I sold my Winch and sold two Revo SCs. I still have 3 STXs, 2 SXs and 2 Ss. I like these reels very much and will hang on to them.

High end Daiwas stack up the Revos very well. I think they are more refined. But they also cost more. The Fuego and the Zillions retail for $49 and $69 more, respectively, than the STX. That extra money gets you a slightly smoother reel and one they seems a little better finished inside and out. But that's not to say the Revos aren't excellent. They are.

Daiwa's are freshwater only reels.

Revo's can handle saltwater applications.

[Micro]

The Zillion is saltwater capable, too.  The only reason the Fuego isn't is because it's made of magnesium.  

[Triton9]

i don't recommend this reel to anyone, my dad had two.they both had multiple problems and were pieces of junk.