Shoreline Shiner Z LH (LUNKER HUNTER) 150F-HD

Daiwa's shoreline shiner minnow is without doubt one of the best selling minnows that has been around for many years. I read somewhere that millions were sold during the last decade and that continues to be a very demanded lure that with many followers all over the world.
Now I see this new version on the Daiwa official website and I am already eager to put my hands on.
The new model is an "Heady Duty" version of the Shiner Z that will target the famous Hira Suzuki seabass or other types of pelagic that scout the shore.
What is so special about the HD? Well basically is a beefed up version with 1.2mm thru wire , strong ST-56 hooks, 150mm of length for an hefty 35.5g weight.
The product page states (according to my trusty Google Translate) that thanks to the  HGS system it has a casting range of 66 meters.
This is a very nice looking and robust minnow that can be used on all those situations where we need some distance and security in case we chase some big seabass or pelagic.

For more information you can check here.

Source: Daiwa Japan

Daiwa Saltiga Video

This video about the new Daiwa Saltiga is just too cool.

Enjoy

Daiwa Saltiga Expedition Reel

So, the most anticipated show of the year is almost here! The JDM fishing tackle aficionados are always waiting for this show to happen. Lots of new and exciting products are going to hit the OSAKA Show and we will be waiting to see some cool picture to surface the net.

In the meanwhile Daiwa has already setup a special page for the show. You can check some new items here!!
One of the new products that caught my attention is this awesome looking Daiwa Saltiga Expedition Reel.  More info here

I wish I could be attending the show this year. I am still expecting to get some nice photos to share with my friends here on my blog.

2013 Daiwa Video

Just perfect...

Detailed info on the 2013 Daiwa Certate

Finally the new 2013 Daiwa Certate official page is up.  If you use google translate you will figure our more or less about the new features.  No need to write the details here. Just go here and enjoy.

Real beauty. Official Daiwa Photo.

New Daiwa Certate 2013

Another hot reel is entering the market. After the new Stella  introduced by Shimano, anglers around the world are waiting to learn more about the new Daiwa Certate.  Below is a sneak peek at the new reel. As for the Stella we notice an aggressive design and a cool dark color.  Just wait to see more at Daiwa's special Osaka Show page

Daiwa Procyon 2500 SH: First Look

Here is the first look at the new Daiwa reel. There are two brands that I use for my fishing and I think they are the best brands the market offers. I am talking about Daiwa and Shimano. From bottom to the top of the range they offer products that can satisfy the needs of all the anglers. I found out about the Procyon while browsing the Daiwa US website. 

Minimal Design. Vivid Color. The box is cool.

Usually Daiwa US introduces a couple of models every year. According to the model list and the latest "retirements" I think that the Procyon is a model that is replacing the old Team Daiwa Advantage. The price range is the 150$ and the specs a pretty much similar. 

 What is so special about the Procyon? It is basically a toned down version of the Ballistic which is comparable to the more famous Daiwa Freams for the Japanese market. The Procyon comes with some features that I was looking in a medium priced reel.  Aluminum body and a lighter rotor.
Already an user of the old TD Advantage I was happy to see a similar body material plus the benefit of having a rotor made with the revolutionary Zaion material.

The detail of the spool is quite good. Trying to look like a Certate.

Hera are the specs taken from Daiwa's page:



Narrow, rigid aluminum “HARDBODYZ” body design

My Comment:
This is a "classic" feature found in Daiwa reel. I think aluminum is still a great option if you are looking for some rigidity.

Three CRBB corrosion resistant ball bearings plus roller bearing

Corrosion-proof Zaion body cover

My Comment:
With the main body in aluminum, having a Zaion cover is a plus. The real stress is on the reel foot so no problem here.


Air Rotor for lighter weight and greater sensitivity


My Comment:
The use of Zaion for the rotor is a great plus. It shaves some weight. I am actually not that picky on the weight issue. I use my rods to balance my reels according to length and size. If the balance is OK I don't mind those 20 grams shaved off the reel.

Lighter rotor.

Detail of the rotor. The matte grey is a plus.

Air Bail®–tubular stainless for lightweight strength:

My comment:
Another feature that has been implemented for years.

I always like the think bail of the Daiwa.

Digigear

Oiled felt seal keeps water out of body


My comment:
This is something new. Need to test it and see if it holds the claim.


Sealed, water proof drag with click adjustment


My comment:
I had the same feature on other reels including the TD Advantage. It is always a plus to have a drag that will not be affected by water.

Waterproof drag is always welcome. Need to check how it performs.
The 2500H has about 4kg. of drag.

Machine cut aluminum handle

Always a great looking handle. I still wish they could make it "screw in"
model like in most medium range Shimano reels. 

ABS design aluminum spool

Another proven feature. It ensures long casts.

First Impressions:

The reel is smooth and quiet. Digigear is again a plus.
I like the color choices, especially for the rotor and the "gold" trims on the spool.
I think I will be able to spool 200 meters of PE 1 line. Too bad that US models still don't have a PE line holding capacity chart.
The gear ratio is 6.0 so it is a pretty fast reel, the type I prefer for my fishing.
240 Grams is pretty much what I need to balance my Yamaga Blank Early rod.
At 150 USD I think I got  myself a reliable reel for occasional medium power use. I hope to write more in the future once I spool it with my YGK G SOUL PE 1 line.

MORE DETAILS:  Daiwa Procyon Reel

Another Reel to Review Soon: Shimano Biomaster SW 4000XG

I am really packed with stuff to review on my blog. First my trip to Tokyo, then my new Daiwa Procyon 2500 reel and my latest toy the Biomaster SW 4000XG. I am trying hard to spare some time for these posts because I want to come up with something of quality.
I got my Daiwa Procyon as a medium power reel to fill with 1.2 PE and enjoy some seabass fishing here in Turkey with the Yamaga Blanks Early.
 The Biomaster SW 4000XG will be my medium-heavy reel for some fishing in the Aegean Sea. It will match my custom 8.6ft  15-58gr. St. Croix blank rod nicely.  I also got some YGK Jigman4  2.0PE to fill the spool.
Stay tuned...

Daiwa Procyon 2500SH

Here is my new toy. It is a Daiwa Procyon. Reviews and close up photos coming soon.

New lures from Daiwa

It is April and Daiwa will be introducing some new lures this month. According to their official website, these are some of the cool products to hit the market (Japanese) very soon.

HIRAME HUNTER 115LD-S

This is a lure dedicated to the flounder. A compact yet heavy lure (for its size) that allows great casting distance from the surf. He can reach up to 70m thanks to the moving tungsten and spherical weights inside.
It is a surf specialist which means great resistance to rips and heavy surf. Dive range 50-150cm.

Details here

MORETHAN X-ROLL 148F 

A great looking 148mm long jerk minnow with a tight roll action dedicated to the seabass. Comes again with a moving tungsten weight system that ensures long casts. The morethan series always mean quality.
Check the link below for a nice action video.

Details here

Specs
Length: 148mm
Weight: 22.8g
Action Range: 50-150cm
Hooks: ST46 #4

Daiwa Seabass Lures Chart

This is a great chart. You can see all Daiwa's seabass lures and their action and casting range. Impressive and very useful.

Source: http://daiwa.globeride.co.jp/

Daiwa Saltiga Minnow

This a lure that has made the history of lure fishing. This model and the Daiwa Shore Line Shiner has sold millions of units in the world. Considered one of the best long jerks on the market the 14cm and 17cm version have been real fish catchers in all the seas that are present in our world.
Here is the Daiwa Saltiga Minnow 14cm sardine color version. Rusted hooks and scratched paints shows that this lure has been a long companion during my fishing trips. Excellent for seabass and bluefish. Definitely worth having it in the tackle box.

Daiwa Exist 2012 video

It is in Japanese, but if you want to watch a video of the new Exist in high definition just click here. Courtesy of Gear Station.

Daiwa Exist 2012. More info available

The Osaka Fishing Show has almost opened the doors and Daiwa is already putting online some info about the new products.

I have already posted a teaser about one of the most awaited products as the new Exist reel (here) but now Daiwa has a complete special page for the Exist. It is in Japanese but with the trusty google translate you can understand quite a bit about the features of this very cool looking reel.
Enjoy the link: Daiwa Exist

Osaka 2012 Fishing Show

Something very important is going to happen this weekend in Osaka, Japan.
The Osaka Fishing Show is one of the most important shows of the industry and certainly a dream for every JDM tackle enthusiast. It is the show where all our favorite Japanese brands introduce the latest and coolest products to the public. I wish I could visit it, but for now I will be just staying in front of the PC waiting for some new video uploads that usually start showing up on the net during the show.
Check this blog frequently because I will try to write anything that I can find about the show.
Companies like Daiwa and Shimano give lots of importance to the show. Expect some great stuff like reels and rods from these two brands.
On Daiwa's official page there already teasers and tidbits of info about new reels like the Exist and Catalina.

It is going to be a long weekend!!!

Cartoon Style Banner for the Osaka Show. 

Daiwa has opened a special page just for the show.

News from Japan 2 : New Daiwa Exist Video

Daiwa is updating the old Exist reel with this one. The teaser looks amazing.

News from Japan: Daiwa Shore Line Shiner SL 10F-G

Just found this one on Daiwa's official homepage (Japanese). We already know the famous 17 and 14cm versions. I even have the 12cm version and now Daiwa is introducing the 10cm version armed with size 10 trebles. It looks like a great alternative for fishing in calm waters like ports and estuaries. Sometimes I need to use minnows that are small enough to attract local seabass. Let's wait and see more. I am sure some videos will be up pretty soon over the net.
Worth checking it.

Source: Daiwa Japan 

Lure Photo 10: Daiwa Saltiga Slider

New Daiwa Ballistic

Today I had the chance to handle the new Daiwa Ballistic reel at my local tackle shop.
This new reel introduced by Daiwa this year, has many features that have been a trademark for the Japanese company. The design of the reel is very similar to the JDM "Freams" which has been on my radar for a long time.

My impressions:

I liked the design, the dark red metallic trim looks awesome, so does the shiny charcoal colored body.
It feels solid and after a single spin of the handle I realized that it is a very smooth reel, similar to my actual Daiwa Team Advantage.

What I did like:

I liked the dark color and the dark red ruby trims.
The reel is smooth. You can feel the digigear in there.
Waterproof drag.
High Speed Retrieve.
Light reel thanks to the Zaion Body.
Cool looking air rotor
Torx screws for the reel body

What I didn't like:
Somehow this med-high priced reel is made in China. Usually these kind of reels were made in Malaysia.
The body looks cool but on a closer look the painted surface looks a little uneven. Too plastic for my taste.

Conclusion:
Overall a good reel. The Japanese company has improved the looks of the reels and the new features are interesting. The zaion material gives lightness but the paint job looked a little flawed.  The fact that is made in China bothers me a little. Maybe Daiwa has implemented great Q.C. over there.

I would like to compare it with the Caldia and the JDM Freams. I wish I could handle those too.

I have tried the size 4000 which is ideal for some medium-heavy fishing.

Lets check the specs:
Size : 4000
Gear Ratio: 6.2:1
Bearings: 3+4CRBB
Spool Capacity: 240mm 12lb

Main Features:
Real Four

Zaion® body and side cover 
Air Rotor 
Air Bail® 
Oil impregnated fibre seal
Waterproof drag 
Twistbuster II
UTD Ultimate Tournament Drag
Seven Ball bearings including four CRBB 
Digigear 
High speed retrieve 
Machined aluminium handle 
ABS II
Two ball bearings on spool

More info here at Daiwa UK

Daiwa Caldia Video

This is a short 360 degree video that shows the 2011 Daiwa Caldia in detail.