Daiwa's newest reel . Thumbs up or thumbs down.
Seems like a step in the right direction

Daiwa's newest reel . Thumbs up or thumbs down.
Seems like a step in the right direction


Looks decent....would love to track its durability before I bought one though. Not that I`ve fished as much as I used to in the last two years to give it a good go around.

It seems to a step in the right derection. If the body is waterproof or even resistant to water intrusion this is a great buy 399.00. Caparable to $500 plus for waterproof one. Do you know the ratio and weight yet? Thanks for the update Mike.

Looks interesting. I wonder how good the drag is, not referring to it being sealed but pounds of drag compared to the blue saltigas. I like the lower price but I'm still skeptical about all the forged parts and aren't there some plastic parts?

airbail ? 6000 is the largest ... hows that size compare with 7500 Nautil . Favirote of us ghetto fishers.. Price is more in reach ..

So that does that mean there is one body size w/ 4 spool options or two body sizes w/ different spool options?

Does Saltwater protected magnesium alloy body translater in to WATERPROOF or splash resistant?

All I can tell is an $$ version of the reliable Emblem Pro. Nicer handle, fancy air bail, forged spool, sealed drag, better gears & manual bail.

Why don't they just make a bailess version and save us all $ and aggrevation? ;)

The big question is when can we get out hands on one to fondle? :D

Thanks for the tease, mikecc - like I needed another reel to want to buy & play around with ..... lol.

It seems to be well thought out, I did notice that the spool is small, meaning it won't hold much line

Isn't that a rebadged jap model?

Kinda like the Calcutta TE

It seems to be well thought out, I did notice that the spool is small, meaning it won't hold much line

It's one of those "extra distance" spools........or whatever they call it.

So that does that mean there is one body size w/ 4 spool options or two body sizes w/ different spool options?

Does Saltwater protected magnesium alloy body translater in to WATERPROOF or splash resistant?

All I can tell is an $$ version of the reliable Emblem Pro. Nicer handle, fancy air bail, forged spool, sealed drag, better gears & manual bail.

Why don't they just make a bailess version and save us all $ and aggrevation? ;)

The big question is when can we get out hands on one to fondle? :D

Thanks for the tease, mikecc - like I needed another reel to want to buy & play around with ..... lol.


Like MD said most of these companies just redress another model a bit. I`m sure the handle won`t hold up to a pounding and many parts are plastic or forged or graphite.... I heard the high end Shimanos and Daiwas have many of these components as well. Wish Van Stahl would make a new long cast spool design.

It seems to be well thought out, I did notice that the spool is small, meaning it won't hold much line

If it's the same size spool as the comparable Emblem Pro models of the same number, the 5500 holds 290 yds of 20# mono, and probably close to a quarter mile of 65# Whiplash. Even if you have to use a newer braid, like Big Game, you'll probably get around 350 yds of 65 on there. Those long, shallow spools are really deceptive.

The handle doesn't look all that bad to me---looks like a better one than what comes on the Saltiga Blast. Do you guys really winch in fish by just turning the handle under enormous pressure? I pump the rod and gain line on the drop. The handle on the Nautil is nothing to write home about, ya know ;)

does it have all the fancy technology as the blast but just has a high end spool?

Hmm ... need to see it up close, but at that cost, might be better to add a little to go up the chain to the higher priced models.

I Read about the overseas version the last couple of years that it has been available. I think it is made for extreme long-distance casting more than extreme "wet" surf-fishing. I do not believe from reading about it that it is sealed like the Saltiga & VS (only the drag is sealed).

Do you guys really winch in fish by just turning the handle under enormous pressure? I pump the rod and gain line on the drop.

My question or thought is more on how does it compare with the blue/original version which I know is used a lot offshore especially abroad for tough fighters like big jacks etc... or is it a cheapened/scaled down version of the original. For the money I want to know what else is different.

I'm not completely sold on the Jap line of reels due to the how they are made and the materials used to construct these reels. I have read and seen photos of broken reel foots, handles, bails and other failures.

Yeah Mike,

Was`nt thinking of the winch factor more like a drop or fall on rocks or such for the handle and other parts or frame.

Originally Posted by Mike P
Do you guys really winch in fish by just turning the handle under enormous pressure? I pump the rod and gain line on the drop

Started fishing an emblem pro 5500 this year and love it! Casts a mile and fit 360 yards of 50 lb PP on it...goes great with my arra 1322-2. The only down side was the damn bail swinging around and snapping shut on "agressive" casts. I cut the bail off...weighted the opposite side of the arm to keep the retrieve smooth and the reel is a dream now. A bailess version of this reel would be perfect...but this new manual bail model might be a good next step.

Purchased a saltiga z4500 this spring and a z4000 this week. Smoothest I've ever owned. I also like the manual full bail they have. I cannot yet attest to the durability though. Fished the 4500 about 20 nights and love it. It still needs more abuse.Just got the 4000 yesterday. The reels basically melt in your hand though. Unbelievable. Drags are very smooth. A few plastic parts that I don't like, but we'll see how they hold up.Thumbs up overall.