PatrickKnight

Daiwa is pretty much kicking every other reel manufacture in the teeth right now. The BG at 100 is the best 100 dollar spinning reel ever made imo and the Tatula line offers insane quality for the price. Not to mention Daiwas high end stuff is still as amazing as it always has been.

Honestly once you start getting near $400 just go custom. For me my most expensive rods would be my jig rod and my spinning rods. St. Croix makes good sticks but when you go truly top end imo they don't compete with Megabass, Loomis NRX and Conquest, or even the Phenix K2. The Avid is likely the best bang for the buck rod out there but I can't stand the super fast actions St Croix likes to use.

I own a BG 2500 and a Stradic FK 3000, I have also owned a Ci4+ 2500 and fished a Nasci 3000. Get the BG and don't look back. It blows the Nasci out of the water and is on par with my FK. Tywithay nailed it on the Luvias too if you can find one for a deal I have a 2500H (wish to the high heavens I had paid $155 for it) and you would need to go to a Twinpower to find something comparable from Shimano. A 4000 size Shimano is the same as a 3000 Daiwa. I would go with a 2500 Daiwa or a 3000 Shimano for just about any freshwater or inshore needs.

The Daiwa BG is the best 100 dollar spinning reel ever made imo. Its MUCH better than the Shimano offerings in that range and I would put mine up against my Stradic FK. I have a 2500 size that sees yearly use in the salt and has had no issues at all (I do rinse it off after the trip and do yearly cleaning as I do on all my reels). The Daiwa sizes also run a bit different than Shimano. A 3000 size BG will be the same size as a 4000 Shimano and my 2500 is the same size as my 3000 Stradic. Personally unless you plan on going after Tarpon, bull Redfish, or Cobia I don't see the need for anything larger than a 2500 for inshore fishing. You also have the Fuego in the 100 dollar range from Daiwa, but I would rather have an aluminum body over generic plastic (I have no issues what so ever with Ci4+ or Zaion but you don't get that at 100 bucks), a carbon fiber drag over felt, and a bearing in the line roller. All three of those features are really important if you are going to be in the salt instead of just bass fishing, but some people put weight above all else and the Fuego does weigh less.

BG imo. I will take the aluminium body over basic plastic, carbon drag over felt, and a bearing in the line roller. If all you are concerned about is weight though then the Fuego is a good choice. Having fished both brands I don't put Daiwa and Pfluger in the same category. The President is the only one I would recommend and that's if someone wants to stay around 50 bucks, at 100 Daiwa is just better. BTW that 3000 BG is a pretty good sized reel, it's on par with a 4000 Shimano.

The only time I have ever had issues with parts is on older long discontinued models. I know Shimano stops making parts for a reel 5 years after they stop selling it. For my money Daiwa is at the top as of right now. Lews are decent reels in the lower price points but imo once you get over $150 MSRP they run out of steam. Keep in mind Lews, BPS, and Abu are basically the same reels made by the same company. As far as I know Daiwa and Shimano are the only two companies currently making there own reels.

Falcon makes very good very underrated rods. One thing to keep in mind is most of the actions are slightly slower than other brands so if you are a guy who likes a super fast tip most models will not be what you are looking for.

I always have to come check this thread when I see you have posted!!

The SS was a limited run

I have fished them and imo its the best $150 spinning reel I have ever used. I will be replacing my Stradic FK with one sometime this year and at that point I will be all Daiwa. One thing that should be pointed out is the Tatula has no seals on it so if you hit the salt or wade fish it might be something to keep in mind. The 2000 is the perfect size for bass fishing imo its smaller than a Shimano 2500 let has similar line capacities. If you check out tackle advisors YouTube channel he has done some great and in depth reviewers of the new Daiwa offerings.

To me the handle on the LE is the best of the bunch and one of the best on the market.

I was a Shimano fanboy for years. I have one 3000 FK left to off load then I will be all Daiwa. Tatula LT is the best 180 dollar reel ever imo.

So would I be correct in assuming the 103H would be better suited to heavier baits and more power fishing type presentations?

What is the difference in an SV103H and an SS SV 103?

Looking at getting a Daiwa casting reel soon and some of the numbers can be hard to follow. What are the top three?

I cant tell you the number of times I have thought to myself there is gonna be a huge smallie on the rock side of this boulder and I manage to perfectly drift a bait to the ambush point and pow its a flat head or channel catfish. I 100% agree with you. From my experience the only time this doesn't hold true is when it comes to the spawn.

I prefer the BG because mine does double duty on inshore. I will take aluminum over generic graphite (I have no issue with high end carbons like Ci4 and Zaion), a ball bearing in the line roller, and a carbon drag over felt. For bass fishing I would pick which ever I could find for less money.

The BG is a Procyon without magseal but, with a direct drive handle and carbon fiber drag. After having been a Shimano fanboy for years I have been converted to Daiwa. The Tatula is great for guys who want the lightest weight possible and have no need for any seals. I will likely be replacing my 3000 Stradic FK with a 2000 Tatula at some point this year. All things considered it is very hard to beat the BG for the money if weight isn't your primary concern, if it is go with the Tatula.

In the river I fish a small smallie is as different from a large smallie as it is a carp. They feed differently, live differently, and act very different. You have to fish for larger fish. I can have a 30 fish day 10-15 inch fish or a 1 fish day 18-20 inch fish based on how and where I fish.

The Zodias was made to balance that line of reels. Before I sent my Stradic back it balanced perfectly on my Cajun Custom Rods Trigger. I love that rod but its slower than a lot of people like.

And here we have my dream river reel ladies and gentleman!!

Currently my favorites are Cajun Custom Rods out of Jacksonville. They have a rod for everything I do. Great rod for the money imo.

4 inch green pumpkin curly tail

Looks like a solid start to me. I cant imagine there is much you couldn't do with those three. Personal taste but I would put braid on the spinner and use a mono leader. Will help a ton with line management.

Shimano's quality has gone down in that price range over the last 5 years imo. While Daiwa has really stepped up their low to mid range offerings.