My brother works for one of the airlines at DFW and several weeks ago found the suject reel lying on one of the baggage belts - still in its original box.  After waiting the requisite amount of time for someone to file a claim, he sent it to me.  The only information I could find on the box and in the reel's paperwork was that it has four bearings.  An internet search was fruitless.  The only information I could find was that it apparently went out of production several years ago and that a used one sold on e-Bay for $55.

Can anyone provide me with any additional info about the reel. such as its gear ratio and where it fit in Daiwa's product line while it was in production?

Long Mike,

That reel according to the schematics I have it was produced in 1998. But that is the only info it gives. The box or paper work should have the gear ratio and line capacity there on it. I can tell you that because it is a discontinued reel replacement parts are not available or will be hard to find. The only Emblem in production now is the Emblem Pro in their saltwater line.

Tight Lines!!!

Thanks for the reply.  I am certainly no expert - far from it, but based upon my evaluation of the reel and the exploded diagram that came with it, it appears to be a very robust piece of equipment - especially the drag mechanism.

I know that these days, the quality of a spinning reel is generally measured by the number of bearings.  Was this also the case back in the late nineties?  I guess what I am getting at is that I think I have lucked onto a quality reel that, with proper maintenance, should last me at least ten years.  What's your opinion, assuming that I fish once a week?

Finally, since I could find no reference whatsoever regarding the gear ratio, can I get a close approximation by turning the handle and counting the number of rotations of the bail per turn of the handle?  If this is true then my ratio is five and a bit.

quality reels are not measured by the number of bearings today except by uneducated fisherman who think it matters. The reel you got it is very nice.

Long Mike,

I would say yes if you keep it serviced. The 4 BB's in that reel are located in the crank right side plate, line roller, pinion support (behind the IAR), and probably the left side plate (but I doubt that it is actually a BB more likely a bushing). The gear ratio can be estimated the way you did it, making that reel a 5.1:1...But the important part is the line take up, or IPC ("Inches Per Crank") more so than the gear ratio.

Tight Lines!!!

Does anyone know the IPC or IPT (Inches Per Turn) of this model reel?  I know it is an older model but I am curious to know.  Sorry to revisit such an old post but I am looking for more information on this reel model since I just recently acquired two of them.  Thanks and best wishes on the water!