I just got my new reels. First Diawa BC I’ve ever owned. My first impressions (I’m no expert by any means so these might not matter to you). I’ve only had Curado CU-201 since the 90’s. 

Very small in hand compared to my Curado cu-201 but once I mounted it on a rod I did find it comfortable. 
Doesn’t hold much line. I put Big Game mono backer on it about half the spool then Big Game mono main line. First cast I went down to the backer. 

Wow does this thing cast long distance. I was using a 1/2oz sinker. I couldn’t see where it landed and it went down to my backer line. 
When I set it up I did the spool tightness so the weight would go to the floor without much over spin. Magnetic brake set to 60%. Every cast I could feel a birds nest starting and then the brakes would kick in and no birds nest at all. That impressed me. 
 

All in all I like it and was in my price range. I’m sure I’ll get used to it once I get out on the water

Nice. I just got my first Daiwa baitcaster a few weeks ago and just spooled it up with 12 lb YZH yesterday. Haven’t been able to play with it yet but I’m anxious to give it a workout soon. 

You will get even better distance if you mount the reel 180 degrees from its current position. 

 

What is GG mono?  How do I find some?  Pretty.  Looks highly visible.  Would love to try some.

 

Congratulations on the new reel.  You are now well on your way to the dark side.  My friend the Bait Monkey is smiling big time. 

15 minutes ago, new2BC4bass said:

You will get even better distance if you mount the reel 180 degrees from its current position. 

 

What is GG mono?  How do I find some?  Pretty.  Looks highly visible.  Would love to try some.

 

Congratulations on the new reel.  You are now well on your way to the dark side.  My friend the Bait Monkey is smiling big time. 

 

Haha I’m a righty with a LH reel. I also shoot right handed but I’m left eye dominate. I’m all screwed up. 
This reel casts so easy I can probably make a cast with that cut off rod handle. 
Sorry it was suppose to be BG. I corrected it. That green line was from the 90’s. It was a free giveaway from Berkley. Buy a big (over 2000yds of 20lb) spool get a small (700yds of 15lb green) spool free. Makes great backer. 
The monkey has bit me hard lately. You can’t buy happiness but I keep on trying

1 minute ago, GTN said:

The monkey has bit me hard lately. You can’t buy happiness but I keep on trying

 You are not the only guy in that canoe. 

47 minutes ago, new2BC4bass said:

You will get even better distance if you mount the reel 180 degrees from its current position. 

 

What is GG mono?  How do I find some?  Pretty.  Looks highly visible.  Would love to try some.

 

Congratulations on the new reel.  You are now well on your way to the dark side.  My friend the Bait Monkey is smiling big time. 

Its Trilene Big Game, it's a decent mono especially for the price I think it's about 7$ per 1k yards.  

I bought the same reel about a month ago.   I love it.  It casts a mile, smooth, and seems to work well under load.  enjoy!

I have 1/4 lb. spools of 8# and 12# Big Game.  Never heard of GG mono.   OP explained it was a typo. Never seen that color mono.

If I backlash my daiwas it’s on me, not the reel. Can’t say the same about my Abu that I keep trying to upgrade. 

1 hour ago, new2BC4bass said:

I have 1/4 lb. spools of 8# and 12# Big Game.  Never heard of GG mono.   OP explained it was a typo. Never seen that color mono.

I believe Pucci (P-Line) made a GG mono. It was Golden Gate, or GG for short. 

Bright green mono

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0000AV1TC?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title&th=1

One tip with that reel, set the tension knob to the point where the spool just begins to click. That's kind of the setting that works for almost everything on Daiwa reels.

 

As far as the brake goes, there is a sweet spot in the brake, usually between 8 and 10 where it will cast without birds nesting or the need to thumb it. I find a click or two lower than that setting usually works pretty well, unless you're casting into the wind in which case I will turn it up a little bit.

5 minutes ago, Boomstick said:

One tip with that reel, set the tension knob to the point where the spool just begins to click. That's kind of the setting that works 

Spool begins to click? Sorry not sure what you mean

3 minutes ago, GTN said:

Spool begins to click? Sorry not sure what you mean

Press the button like you're going to cast, and loosen the spool tension knob. Eventually the spool will click if you put your thumb on it and push it side to side. Then tighten it to the point it doesn't click but if you loosen it anymore, it will click.

 

With a lot of reels, you adjust the knob so your bait falls slow but with the Daiwas, you pretty much adjust them as loose as you can to the point the spool doesn't click, it's pretty much set it and forget it.

1 hour ago, GTN said:

Bright green mono

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0000AV1TC?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title&th=1

 

Thanks.  Will order some.

 

As Mr. Boomstick said...Daiwa reels aren't set up like you would many reels.  Depress the thumb bar on a correctly set Daiwa, and letting the lure drop without thumbing the spool will result in a mess.  Cast when set like that and it works great.

11 hours ago, Boomstick said:

Press the button like you're going to cast, and loosen the spool tension knob. Eventually the spool will click if you put your thumb on it and push it side to side. Then tighten it to the point it doesn't click but if you loosen it anymore, it will click.

 

With a lot of reels, you adjust the knob so your bait falls slow but with the Daiwas, you pretty much adjust them as loose as you can to the point the spool doesn't click, it's pretty much set it and forget it.

tried this adjustment this morning. 
when you say click do you mean the spool is loose enough to make a noise when moved side to side?

1 hour ago, GTN said:

tried this adjustment this morning. 
when you say click do you mean the spool is loose enough to make a noise when moved side to side?

Yup, exactly. And you can feel it too.

I've had a ct since 2018, so I got two more for Christmas.  You do have to watch how you cast with them.  It took me a while to figure out how to work the brakes with the tension knob.

4 minutes ago, Bankbeater said:

I've had a ct since 2018, so I got two more for Christmas.  You do have to watch how you cast with them.  It took me a while to figure out how to work the brakes with the tension knob.

In case you didnt see it read Boomstick’s post a couple back. That is if you didn’t figure it out yet

15 hours ago, Boomstick said:

One tip with that reel, set the tension knob to the point where the spool just begins to click. That's kind of the setting that works for almost everything on Daiwa reels.

 

As far as the brake goes, there is a sweet spot in the brake, usually between 8 and 10 where it will cast without birds nesting or the need to thumb it. I find a click or two lower than that setting usually works pretty well, unless you're casting into the wind in which case I will turn it up a little bit.

How little resistance should be on the spool? I set mine just before the click and it feels like the line comes out with nothing pulling on it.

7 hours ago, trout123 said:

How little resistance should be on the spool? I set mine just before the click and it feels like the line comes out with nothing pulling on it.

That sounds right. The brakes are effective enough where you shouldn't need a lot of resistance. I do the same thing when skipping only I turn the brakes up to 16-20, and usually use the SV but the same generally applies to the CT.

1 hour ago, Boomstick said:

That sounds right. The brakes are effective enough where you shouldn't need a lot of resistance. I do the same thing when skipping only I turn the brakes up to 16-20, and usually use the SV but the same generally applies to the CT.

Do you have any weight on the line or that doesn’t matter? 

1 minute ago, BrianMDTX said:

Do you have any weight on the line or that doesn’t matter? 

That shouldn't really matter.

Ok thanks. Good to know!

The Tatula platform is great. The Fuego CTs are a great option too. Basically the exact same reel without the T-wing. I've got a few of each. Budget friendly, easy to work on, and hold up well. 

 

The magforce z is a great braking system. Like others said above, just get the spool tension knob dialed in once and you can pretty much leave it alone. From there I might have a 3-4 number range on the brake dial that I use depending on conditions and the lure I'm using. They're just overall really carefree to use IMO.