Thoughts about the Diawa Fuego Baitcaster?

[BossHoss]

I was looking at picking up one of these in the baitcaster version and wondered what opinions people might have. I am getting it for a little over 100$ so that plays into the deal as well. I plan on primarily throwing top water stuff with this reel. I was also looking for a good general purpose top water rod to pair it with. Not looking to throw anything huge.. just some frogs, sammys, poppers, and the like.

[BASSclary]

Basically, Its a Zillion but a different material, A very very good reel for the money! I've heard it shines with baits 1/4 oz and above

[RussBert]

I have two Fuego's. Got them when *** was blowing them out. Right out of the box they are great. Good, smooth drag, MagforceZ braking is excellent. They are solid and smooth. Very versatile

For me they are very comfortable to fish with. They fit my hands just right. They are also very tunable. You can tweek them to excel at throwing light baits and/or flipping and pitching.

I keep one on a St Croix LTB "Teaser" rod and use it for just about everything, cranks, spinnerbaits, buzzbaits, topwaters and senko's and other weightless plastics.

The other one is mounted on an Avid 6'6" M/F and covers that pretty much the same applications.

I always have my eyes open to get more of them 

[Grey Wolf]

Basically, Its a Zillion but a different material, A very very good reel for the money! I've heard it shines with baits 1/4 oz and above

I heard don't cut it if you haven't owned or used one.

[Jrob78]

Great reel! I picked one up during TW's closeout too. I actually like it better than the Zillion, although not by much. I know where a couple more have been sitting for who knows how long, as soon as they go on sale I'm going to get another one.

The swept handle and red drag star look great on yours RussBert!

[s13john]

its a great reel defiantly pick one up at around 100 bux but its no zillion diffrent frame, heavier spool ect its based to the td-z i believe. ive been using mine to fish everything from toads to jigs and its done great.

[RussBert]

its a great reel defiantly pick one up at around 100 bux but its no zillion diffrent frame, heavier spool ect its based to the td-z i believe. ive been using mine to fish everything from toads to jigs and its done great.

Yep, very similar to the TD-Z. Zillion spools fit the Fuego. I have the HLC spools in mine   8-)

[RussBert]

Basically, Its a Zillion but a different material, A very very good reel for the money! I've heard it shines with baits 1/4 oz and above

I heard don't cut it if you haven't owned or used one.

The depth of Collin's experience never ceases to amaze me   

[BASSclary]

Basically, Its a Zillion but a different material, A very very good reel for the money! I've heard it shines with baits 1/4 oz and above

I heard don't cut it if you haven't owned or used one.

The depth of Collin's experience never ceases to amaze me

We need a new forum titled "Rip on Collin forum"  ;D

[new2BC4bass]

Like RussBert, I bought 2 from TW on closeout. Like RB I would buy another. Actually would have except no funds were available when a couple went up for sale not long ago.

Unlike RB I don't have much experience with BC reels. Just started using them this year after not fishing the past 23 years. Haven't been out nearly as much as I would have liked. Haven't managed to catch many fish either.

A Fuego was the first bc reel I bought. Had Nitroman77 super tune it. Retrieves like it's on greased rails. Currently on a Falcon Expert 6'6" Medium spooled with 8 lb. P-Line. Second reel is on a 6'8" Medium Tec Spec. I know. Deserves better. Pretty good rod for the money. Casts well on it. Currently spooled with 40 Sufix Performance, but will be switching to a copoly.

I have a 50th Zillion, but can't make direct comparisons as the rods are totally different. Zillion is on an Airrus Ultra XL 7" MH. Both cast very well for this beginner. Both retrieve smoothly (in my limited experience). Love the looks, feel and performance of both. Would buy another of either model in a heartbeat. ;D

[skunked_again]

i read where RW said the Fuego was a great reel, but since im repeating what i read it might no longer be true....

:-/  :-/

[BASSclary]

i read where RW said the Fuego was a great reel, but since im repeating what i read it might no longer be true....

:-/ :-/

I think that rule only applies to me, at Bass-Brat's command  :

[Raul]

A Fuego for 100 bucks ----> don 't know what are you waiting for.

[BossHoss]

Thanks for the input fellas... For that price I think I have to pull the trigger.

[BASSclary]

Thanks for the input fellas... For that price I think I have to pull the trigger.

If you dont, I think this forum may shun you 

[endless]

A Fuego for 100 bucks ----> don 't know what are you waiting for.

Sorry for a change of topic but Raul I love the avatar. 

[RussBert]

Unlike RB I don't have much experience with BC reels. Just started using them this year after not fishing the past 23 years.

Actually, you and I are in the same boat. I started fishing last year after a 20 or-so year hiatus. Bought my first baitcaster (Curado E7) last season as well, and picked up the Fuego's over the winter

[.ghoti.]

Thanks for the input fellas... For that price I think I have to pull the trigger.

At $100, it's a steal. Buy it. And if you don't like it, PM me. I'll give you the $100, plus the shipping costs, plus shipping insurance. I'll put my money where my mouth is on this one.

I wish I knew where the dumb-arse idea came from that the Fuego is not good for light weight baits. I have four of them.

I put new line on them this weekend, in prep for a trip. Had them out on the water yesterday, making sure I was good to go. Had one rigged up with a 3" tube, 1/0 light-wire EWG hook, and a 1/16oz internal clip weight. The whole bait weighs in at about 1/8oz. No problems casting this. I can put it where I want it. 

Ditto for another rigged with a 1/32oz Gammy Wacky jighead, and 4" 3X french fry. I doubt this bait rig weighs much more than 1/16oz. Again, no casting problems.

[Bass4Me007]

Thanks for the input fellas... For that price I think I have to pull the trigger.

At $100, it's a steal. Buy it. And if you don't like it, PM me. I'll give you the $100, plus the shipping costs, plus shipping insurance. I'll put my money where my mouth is on this one.

I wish I knew where the dumb-arse idea came from that the Fuego is not good for light weight baits. I have four of them.

I put new line on them this weekend, in prep for a trip. Had them out on the water yesterday, making sure I was good to go. Had one rigged up with a 3" tube, 1/0 light-wire EWG hook, and a 1/16oz internal clip weight. The whole bait weighs in at about 1/8oz. No problems casting this. I can put it where I want it.

Ditto for another rigged with a 1/32oz Gammy Wacky jighead, and 4" 3X french fry. I doubt this bait rig weighs much more than 1/16oz. Again, no casting problems.

I am so glad to read someone say this. I've been scratching my head about it myself. I've been throwing almost identical rigs on the Fuego for some time. I can cast and place them easily, unless throwing into a major wind. Even then, it is not impossible. I own a number of different reels, but with how they feel in my hand and actally function on the water, the two Fuegos I own may very well be my favorites.

[BrASSmonkey]

I too love the Fuego.  I picked up my first before the open water season started here in Canada, and bought my second before the season was up.  I find them to be very well designed ergonomically.  They fit my hand extremely comfortably.  They are nice and light with a nice, all-purpose gear ratio. 

They are good for slightly heavier weights in my opinion, compared to my Sol, also picked up this year.  The Fuego can and will cast lighter baits, but not as well as a reel designed for lighter presentations.

At $100, don't hesitate.  I got my second, used, for $65! 

[Nine Miler]

Thanks for the input fellas... For that price I think I have to pull the trigger.

At $100, it's a steal. Buy it. And if you don't like it, PM me. I'll give you the $100, plus the shipping costs, plus shipping insurance. I'll put my money where my mouth is on this one.

I wish I knew where the dumb-arse idea came from that the Fuego is not good for light weight baits. I have four of them.

I put new line on them this weekend, in prep for a trip. Had them out on the water yesterday, making sure I was good to go. Had one rigged up with a 3" tube, 1/0 light-wire EWG hook, and a 1/16oz internal clip weight. The whole bait weighs in at about 1/8oz. No problems casting this. I can put it where I want it.

Ditto for another rigged with a 1/32oz Gammy Wacky jighead, and 4" 3X french fry. I doubt this bait rig weighs much more than 1/16oz. Again, no casting problems.

What line?  Just curious.

[roadwarrior]

i read where RW said the Fuego was a great reel, but since im repeating what i read it might no longer be true....

I fished one of ghoti's reels last summer. The Diawa Fuego is

an outstanding reel. I was very impressed.

8-)

[ww2farmer]

I also bought one last winter when they were on sale. I have not been all that impressed. It's light, smooth, well built, but I am not a fan of how finicky it is with lures under 1/2 oz.  I am going to sell it and buy another curado or revo.

[new2BC4bass]

I also bought one last winter when they were on sale. I have not been all that impressed. It's light, smooth, well built, but I am not a fan of how finicky it is with lures under 1/2 oz. I am going to sell it and buy another curado or revo.

What condition is it in and how much $$$ do you want for it?

[.ghoti.]

Nine Miler, those two Fuegos are spooled with #10 Trilene XL. #12 on the other two.

You raise a critical point. To be able to cast lighter weights effectively, you need a "balanced" setup. Reel, rod and line need to be matched to the bait.

If you put a Fuego on a MH or heavy power rod and spool it up with 17lb line, it's going to be a poor choice for throwing light baits.