For those Daiwa fans out there, you will be happy to know that there are several new products for this year led by the T3 Casting Reel. The T3 uses a Zaion Carbon frame and sideplate which is said to be rival the rigidity and strength of magnesium but doesn’t corrode. The biggest news with this reel is the new level-wind mechanism. Daiwa calls it the T-Wing. This piece of hardware significantly increases the free space that line has to pass through when casting, thereby reducing friction.
This is accomplished by a cover plate that lifts up when you depress the thumb bar which opens the front of the reel and allows line to move up to the much larger, open portion of the level-wind. When you engage the reel to begin your retrieve, this cover drops back down and pushes the line back into the narrow portion of the level-wind so that the line is wound back on the spool like a traditional casting reel.
The T3 utilizes Daiwa’s new Magforce 3D Cast Control System which offers 20 tuning increments in each of three different modes adding up to a total of 60 different settings. The T3 is a 9 bearing reel that uses three different kinds of bearings. Further weight reduction measures were takes which means that the T3 tips the scales at just 6.5 ounces. These reels will be available in two gear ratios with both right and left hand retrieves.
Daiwa is also offering a lower priced version of the T3 named the T3 Ballistic. Many of the same features are used in this incarnation but it does weigh considerable more than its higher priced sibling. The Ballistic is 7.8 ounces, comes in both right and left hand retrieve and will be offered in two gear ratios at a retail price of about $250.00.
Daiwa has introduced the PX Type -R this year. It is very similar in footprint to the Pixy from days past but has received some upgrades including very nice cosmetic changes. The PX starts with a solid magnesium frame mated with 10 bearings, a Magforce Z cast control system and the Ultimate Tournament Drag System. These reels will be available in both right and left hand retrieve with one gear ratio offered. They will retail for about $500.00.
Another high-end offering is the Z200 casting reel. This reel has high line capacity, a 10 bearing count and uses the new Magforce 3D Cast Control System. It too will come in both right and left hand retrieve models with two gear ratios offered initially. The Z200 will retail for about $650.00.
Next up is the Procyon Spinning reels. This model is the exclusive American model from Daiwa. It features a 5 bearing system and makes use an aluminum body with a carbon side cover. A water proof drag system in standard on all models and two gear ratios. There will be five sizes offered and this reel will retail for about $160.00.
To complement the Procyon, Daiwa is producing a new series of rods in both casting and spinning versions. These are value priced at between $65.00 and $75.00.
Daiwa has made some improvements to both the Megaforce casting reel and the Laguna. The Megaforce is a 7 bearing reel with the twitchin bar that now brings in up to 7” of line per depression, has a swept handle and micro click drag, is available in both right and left hand retrieve and retails for about $90.00. The Laguna is the exclusive American casting model and is value priced at about $60.00. It has a 6 bearing system and weighs a respectable 7.4 ounces.
The Certate-HA spinning reel is Daiwa’s top-of-the-line spinning reel. It is magnetically sealed to not allow water into the inner workings of the reel and has a 9 bearing system. It comes in three sizes with two gear ratios being offered.
The Daiwa Aird Spinning reels use a composite body, a 10 bearing system, are available in three sizes and two gear ratios and will retail for about $90.00. Here again, Daiwa is introducing a spinning and casting reel with the badge Aird. Both will be value priced between $50.00 and $60.00 and have cosmetics that will complement the Aird spinning reel.
Daiwa is also introducing a Ballistic spinning reel. It will utilize an 8 bearing system, Zaion carbon body and side cover and of course their proven drag system. This reel will be offered in four sizes with two gear ratios. A new series of rods will be available under the same name plate and will be offered in both spinning and casting models. These sticks will retail from about $100.00 to $130.00.
See ya’ on the water …