I have the Diwia Regal Ltd 3000d -Cxh a love it have it on St Croix Bass X rod bought it Sportsman Ware House it discontinued got a great price looks alot like the one in your hand only smaller might buy the Laguna 5000 have a Shimano 200gtb bait caster sometimes need something lighter this does it smallmouth large trout works well !!!!!
Mine was a Regal Z that had the twist buster! I still remember that to this day. And the spool was thicker at the top to help with casting distance. I loved that reel and it lasted 20 years. My son and I were kayak fishing in the river and I let him use it paired with a 30 year old ugly stick and he tipped over and lost them both. It was such a sad day
I always love these lower budget fishing reel videos. It helped me get back into fishing a few years ago, and also is a HUGE help with getting gear for others to start out. I got like 4 little epixors and they have been brilliant for getting people started, but this also seems to be a great option as well.
This Daiwa reminds me of the mid to late 1990's white Shimano Stradic that featured a wood crank knob. Without question this reel is way better constructed than anything in its price rang. For a pretty good $50 reel I can't see how'd anyone could go wrong. Neat !
I agree with you 100%! I bought the 3000 8 months ago and it’s still kicking butt. I fish nothing but saltwater. I haven’t washed this reel with water or soap and it’s still performing brand new. It’s so good I just bought another one! I started off with Shimano and Penns. I’m now a Daiwa guy. Thank you for the video and keep up the honesty 🤙🏽
I purchased the 4000 size when these first came out after watching this video. Purchased through J&H tackle and I gotta say I was extremely surprised. Casts great, drag is solid and has a all around great feel. No complaints for $50!
I have the older all silver and black model of this reel. Same price. Lasted 5 seasons of fluke fishing. I have greased it every winter. It’s starting to get a little sloppy at the handle. But for the price I think it’s time for the new one.
@@BJJandBS Still smooth and works great. Fished with it during the past year and took it back trout and redfish fishing. Just be sure to wash it out good after use.
TACKLE ADVISERS - How do you compare this reel to the Okuma Epixor? I usually run all high end gear but looking for a quality cheapie for the young nephew, but if he doesn't like fishing then I plan to keep it for rough weather days. I understand the Epixor is slightly more expensive but there's such little difference it doesn't matter. Which is the more solidly built, more reliable and better value reel?
yep, i got a sol lt 4000 (no service in 1 year. pulled it open yesterday. wasn't pretty, might need some new bearings and a bit of ferule liq, disappointed its again felt drag =( smoother than a nasci aye? wow
I love your assessment of this reel. I'm a guide in Oregon. Like you I appreciate quality gear. Because of Covid all my Shimano Ultegras are on backorder. I bought 6 Daiwa Laguna 3000's to get me through the winter steelhead season. So far I absolutely love them. I'm not expecting the longevity of one of my stradics or ultegras but they feel and fish like a reel of similar quality. They also are light enough to balance well on a quality rod which many reels in this price range are not. They are a steel for the price only $40 for the 3000.
Im also a salmon/steelhead fisherman from oregon. I got a new okuma SST float rod and i was looking for a decent low priced reel to match it. I purchased the laguna in 4000 and im excited to hear that they seem to fight steelhead well
I got one of these and compared it to my cheap Shimano FX4000 (2019 generation), almost no difference apart from the slightly higher drag output from the Leguna. The FX4000 is just as smooth and has even less play in the handle surprisingly. Ended up returning the Leguna and got another FX4000.
reels such as this are so smooth because their not loaded up with rubber o rings and washers to keep water out. best for fresh water if your not a maintenance buff
Bought one of these in the 2000 then seen the AU version and bought it too. Using one on a ul for crappie and the other for reds and spec trout in gulf. Have to agree for $50 it’s a winner
Can you do one one the new daiwa crossfire? I have the 1000,2000,2500, and the 3000. Super smooth and fished pretty hard w a lot of hours. Cast super far better than Penn and shimano. I'd say for a bang around reel that you dont have to worry about it getting stolen and loosing alot of money...best bang fir your $$$. It feels just as good as this daiwa laguna Lt! Your Chanel is very informative and I hope if you do a breakdown on the new crossfire a lot of people will be very happy and I hope it'll get more people to enjoy the outdoors...Aloha🤙👍😎
great video as usual. i have the revros 4000 and it seems to be the same reel, also 50 bucks. such a pleasure to jig off the surf. so smooth even under load. started to get scratchy one day and took it apart when i got home. anti reverse clutch bering was rusty. cleaned it up and oiled it and good as new again.
I can't afford reels like a Stradic, so this is amazingly helpful for me! I have a cheaper Daiwa Legalis that I really love, and I'll be getting one of these also after seeing your video! Thank you very much for letting me know about it!
@@tedsell1455 I ended up getting a Shimano Vanford 2500, which is on a whole different level of smoothness and how refined it feels, but I still think the Legalis is the best budget reel for the price!
I made $350 this week because of what I learned from watching you. I've always been mechanically minded and got into fishing this year. I'm now the main repair/maintenance guy in my area. I owe you thanks. You made it so easy to understand how to work on reels and what makes quality. I have a Sahara 5k i got for $50 and man, it's amazing. I'll be switching over to the Sahara line over the winter. Any thoughts on Tica reels?
It seems to me, the bias of line lay toward the top has to mean less spool-lip friction when casting. If instead, it layed evenly, it might look nice, but it should not cast quite as far because there would be a sharper angle to overcome as line peels from under the spool-lip, gaining friction, reducing cast distance. The problem with un-even line lay (physics here) is the different diameters (widths) between top and bottom lays, which means different speeds of spool rotation when a tuna gets the green light for a "drag race." But the problem multiplies a little further. Not only is it harder for your yellow tail to peel off line at the smaller diameter of line lay because it has less "mechanical advantage" to do so (it takes more torque to rotate the spool, the deeper into the spool the line gets; but also, the spool has to accelerate slightly to pay out line at the same rate compared to the upper lay, as yellow-tail Tippy maintains constant velocity for deeper depths. You might have a pulsing effect in the worst cases, or your line snaps if you at limit. The bigger the spool, the more this factors in.
Nail on head... Also.. Keep in mind... A bias favoring one spool lip over the other.. Assuming the top lip is the same diameter as the bottom... Will limit overall capacity.... Spool right up to the lip as shown in this video with a more drastic keystone... And you miss out on a few cubic cm's of line capacity :) (excellent observation.... Reels that spool line in a lumpy manner depending on spool position in relation to the line roller.. Will "scrape" on the ridge on its way to the line roller... The twang under 20lbs plus of drag is nerve wracking lol
@@TackleAdvisors YES.... they will scrape the line roller as does my 4500LL Spinfisher! And your only reward is lost yardage, yes. ;) I have observed! And it is terribly keystoned wider at the spool base. At least if it were at the top, it could cast with less total friction. Remedy: I have removed all but the last shim washer or it would be sitting on brass, yet it's still severe. Maybe you know why? I'm probably going to sand down that thick brass washer that holds the rubber seal--it should sit the spool lower and raise the lay. You crack me up... that twang! You can tune a violin to it--a Stradic-varius. ;)
Got to play a nice steelhead over 10lbs on a fiends 3000LT and was impressed that a $39.99 reel could feel this smooth under load. Will be interesting to see how long this reel holds up but hard to go wrong at this price
That's a definite sleeper. This one feels a tick better. Which surprised me. The okuma brings a better bail than this one though in terms of feel and design. But it's msrp is significantly higher.
@@TackleAdvisors have you checked out the legalis? I was sent one of those instead of a fuego which I was bullshit about. But I kept it and was very surprised.
@@blindabinda1234 not the Legalis....but had the exceler....Same reel with thread in handle. Liked it...started an experiment with Elias V to see if my preventative maintenance would outlast the fuego magseal (which elias did well with) Unfortunately the exceler doesn't float...and it ended up at the bottom of the ocean after day 1 lmao.
@@alex111683 yeah...word on the street is Okuma got word of the hundreds bought through my community tab and they put a halt on it. It's a double edged sword....Penn cracked down hard after seeing the volume moved on the links for the cheap slammer and ssvi combos........Dealers weren't happy that penn allowed map violations to go unchecked.
Ha ha. I still use my Ryobi Applause, a much copied reels for 42 years. Work perfectly. Just change the handle knob to look a little modern. Have also a 35 YO Ryobi Vertigo, 2 Tica Libra All metal in 4000 n 2000. Also a 35 YO reel. Still works perfectly. Most of my reels are Daiwa mid price reels have 6. Use only Japanese brands and Abus. Some Shimanos. My BG built like a tank and little heavy side
Like someone else in the comments said, I also have the older white Laguna. Really like it thus far and caught some decent Louisiana brackish largies on it.
Hello, I would like your recommendations on what spinning reels your would use for musky/pike fishing. I prefer throwing smaller bucktails and 6 to 8 inch swimbaits.
Inexpensive gear is trending up in quality which is nice to see. Any update after your interview process with whatever company you have been in talks with?
The LTs seem awesome regardless of model. I have Excelers, Fuegos, Revros and they spin smoothly, crank easily under load, have great drag and cast well, light and strong. All under 100 USD. 👍👍👍
Thanks for the review! I'll be picking one up in 4000 size for a family surf fishing loaner. Better than the cheaper reels I currently use for that purpose.
I got a 3000 on 12lb braid and a 2000 on 6 lb pline already got a 3 pound corvina on the 2000 so lite and good dragg I use them saltwater lagoons In San Diego
Love the videos, I am from England and really love the content and attention to detail. Are you still active? I would so love e to see a tear down on a Shimano Baitruner X-Aero 10000 RB. It is reel we use for freshwater carp fishing in Europe, we use its specific freespooling design feature on the take to allow the fish to run before the strike.... It's marketed as a mid range - premium reel (£150) and would absolutely relish your feedback and what you make of its design. Probably an unusual and interesting one for you as you don't seem to use freespooling setups in the States. Tight lines and wet nets!
I have the 2500 series and I was amazed by how it felt. I have the stradic FL and the feeling of it feels almost similar. I’d still pick the stradic any day of course but for $50 it’s a steal. Pair it with a Daiwa aird-x and it’s the best combo out there. Although the down side of this reel is that the lower size reels of the laguna can’t hold as much line. Either than that it’s perfect for $50
Lol the Laguna couldn't lace the boots of the Stradic FL - the Stradic FL is the best reel Shimano make bar the Stella. It is on par with the twin power. The Laguna is good value for money but that's it
@@thetoyota86perspective54 agree bro. The FL’s technology is just so much better. Durable and light weight as well. Feels so rigid too. For the Daiwa reels. I honestly would skip the Laguna and get a lighter weight reel such as the Legalis LT instead. Stradic Fl all day though.
Awesome, detailed and very informative video, great job! This reel caught my eye for some light-medium freshwater spinning, I've gone to the store and gave it a spin, tested the drag, bail, etc... I then grabbed some of the other Daiwa reels that are a bit more money, for example Legalis LT, Regal LT, Exceler LT, Fuego LT, and I must say that I did not feel almost any difference in smoothness or other features. What do you think about smaller sizes? I'm planing on buying 3000 size, do you think they are durable enough?
Daiwa LT models wo forged gear have one weakness- use it for 6 months then you’ll feel the zinc main gear play. $50 for a reason, it’s a throw away reel. Shimano is the exception since the main gear is cold forged aluminum, however bulky compared to Daiwa
Could you compare the laguna lt , regal lt, exceler lt, and fuego lt not really sure which one to go with yet wanted to get the fuego but everyone mentions the struggle of shimming which doesn’t seem to be too hard on the lower model daiwas
@@anthmania no it’s definitely the same reel I’m pretty sure you’re talking about the older Laguna the new Laguna LT is the same as the American one just different colour
@@brodiemathews5139 thanks mate fr the reply - it's definitely not the older version (white/black) , Ive seen the "A" at the end for models sold in the Asia market - and in some cases an inferior version. The differences are soften subtle but sometimes material. If you search daiwa Laguna 2500A, you'll see what I mean.
I am sure if u tried this reel i would have the exact same opinion. I have been talking about Legalist for 3 years now (in ultralight world) and when brand new it feels just as good as Tatula LT, but heavier. BTW i have the old Lagunas. They had a metal frame and ABS spool and were already butter smooth even with the GEN 1 Digigear (whatever that is). One important improvement i see from your video is the adoption of the LT reels clicker. My lagunas have a plastic pin for clicker and that thing can't click for sh1t. You may have heard i can be particular about the clicking : ). My Lagunas have 4 bearings though.. Cheers mate!
I was thinking of you and your legalis review when I was fishing this one. I hope you're doing well with this crazy 2020 we're all in. Have a safe and happy new year!
Ive always favored shimano reels until recently. I still love shimano baitcasters but I think daiwa is making better spinning reels. Im not sponsored so I dont have any loyalty to one company and I always try to get the best for my money. I bought a BG and Im in love with it. Ill have to try the Laguna, they are being sold at walmart for $40.
Hey TA! Just found your channel and have enjoyed it a lot so far. What would you recommend for maintenance after a saltwater trip (mostly inshore boat fishing) and yearly maintenance at beginning/end of the season? Thanks!
The big Daiwa's are stiff. I bought a Daiwa Sweepfire 5000 to save my old Daiwa SS 2000 from the Rocky point I fish for Chinook and Coho Salmon. I'd have got a Laguna but none at my local shop's. More than happy with it. Although if I was to make a rash guard I would use Aluminium or Stainless Steel. Doesn't matter much tough.
OK, so I have tried on my few reels the way you test the handle axel tightness and gears spacing and I must point one thing you maybe missed. From what I have tested, some of the play comes from the handle's "hinge". The spacers aren't usually thight, so the handle goes in play. You should get exact "readings" only if you install handle without the hinge. Next, about this Laguna and your feeling from it (smoothness) ... isn't it because I see no "fuzzy" grease, but oil mostly?
You're 100 percent correct about the handles... And they were tight. And the joint is partially where the movement was coming from. Grease and oil or lack their of don't make a reel artificially more refined. Good gear mesh, good clutch, good tolerances and good bearings. All those things need to be good and were.
You should make a video on the penn clash two. Not to big of a fan of penn I have a slammer and had two conflicts that took a shit. But my buddy got a clash two for Christmas and holly shit I was amazed I thought I was using my stradic fl. It wasn’t sloppy like most penn reels.
Looks and feels like daiwa Ninja LT but with 1 less bearing .I used my ninjas for almost 2 years for feeder and spinning and they work like butter as new. Nice budget reels ! I also love that these low budget reels look very nice too. Keep it up with the videos !
This is literally exactly what I thought haha, I got the crossfire lt (1 step below) for my sister and thought I have a go with it, and coming from Exists and Stellas I honestly could use the Crossfire with no gripes at all for hours of fishing haha, which shocked me, I then tried out the Nasci just for curiosity and it felt like Crap compared to the Crossfire! Very interesting indeed!
First of all, I've seen a lot of your videos , thought it took me a while but I finally subscriped to your channel. Excellent job on tearing apart and reviewing it step by step like many of your other reviews. Looks like more than a decent reel for the money. Second of all, I am in the middle of purchasing a light/medium reel for my daiwa ballistic xspin 10-40 rod. It is mainly in use for spinning or lure trolling in the Adriatic sea so target species consist of blue fish, bonito, mahi mahi and seabass. The weight I assume won't be bigger than 4kg/8pounds approx. (Well, I hope I'm wrong and I end up with a trophy a bit larger but time will tell). I was already set on getting the Daiwa BG 2500 which retails at about 100€ in my country, but I stumbled on your latest review on this Daiwa Laguna which is currently on sale for about 50€ here, and it looks like a steal for what you get based on your review. Do you recommend me spending the extra for the BG or should the lack of some BIG differences be a dealbreaker with the Laguna? Sorry for the long post, keep doing what you do the best, which is teaching us less knowledgable fisherman updated with the market. Best regards from Slovenia, Robert. P.s. sorry for the bad language, it's my third or fourth language 😂
Add to my original comment; I purchased the laguna lt 4000c. Right out of the box I was impressed. Both with the reel and how accurste your review was. Already spooled it with braid and paired it with my daiwa ballistic xspin rod. To be tested on sea this week, some light inshore action to be expected... Thanks for this kind of free content ... Saves us plenty of money that would result of nonreviewed reels and bad quality..cheers
Oh, almost forgot.. I would like to mention one negative that I noticed on some latest/newest reels... The clicker/drag sound tends to be lower/more silent than it used to be on some of my older reels...not sure about others, but that sound when drag goes on, is one of the main reasons that got me hooked on fishing...that would be all I guess...
@@robertrex8194 totally true, I really want to get this Daiwa Laguna so bad but just like you mentioned, the drag sound is almost silent, this is why I'm still hesitated, you won't be able to feel the joy of fighting a giant fish if the your reel is not screaming
@@aziziilyes7 after a while, caught some smaller species but good fighting fish it isn't as low sounding as it was in the start. All in all, best bang for the buck reel ever!
@@robertrex8194 I bought it today this morning, filled it with braid and in the afternoon I took it for a trial session. I had the chance to fight a big fish today with new reel, to be honest the drag sound is not loud at all, this is what I was afraid of. But the reel is very light and smooth and it does the job. I'll try to find a way to make the drag sound a bit louder.
Will the gears rust out if submerged in water (freshwater) my abu promax rusted out now cant even turn. Now im in the market for new budget reel. This or the shimano nexave fi./sienna. daiwa revros and others within the 40-70 range Kinda on the fence on this 1 cause not a fan on the handle
I picked one up and was using it to bottom fish in the sound. Got a run, picked it up, closed the bail, set the hook and the anti-reverse stripped lol. Tackle shop let me return it. Daiwa reels have repeatedly let me down.
Great review. I could use a couple of these as loaners. I have a view diawa BGs and their sizing is odd to industry standards. Can you please tell me if the laguna LTs are sized the same as the BGs or did Diawa revert back to industry standards as they have on some of their other reels? They really make selection difficult with their inconsistent sizing. Your insight on this would be useful and much appreciated here. Thanks
I love this reel. Best buy I've made. Like as much as my shimano or Penn. Really well balanced. Amazing for 50 bucks. Hands down best under 100 bucks. Maybe even 200.
I just got this reel in the 3000 size. Is there a function on these that allows you to back reel ?? Either there's not or I'm totally blind. I thought most spinning reels had that function. Thanks for any info
Most of my reels are Japanese and most are Daiwa,some 40YO Ryobis and Shimanos.With odd 40YO Ticas Libra that are surprisingly very good. But old reels built better and last longer. Especially the BGs model. Don't need top reel. Getting Daiwa Regal LT next.
Two days after seeing this. I ended up buying a 5k size laguna and a new penn slow pitch rod. Next day took it out for the last day of bottom fishing season. Hooked into a 30 pound ish black sea bass. At first the captain was scolding me for using a noodle rod and a egg beater. But I was fishing 10lb drag on 30 braid to 30lb fluro. Had that sucker to the boat in no time.
COoool....I remember fishing on a charter boat with a daiwa interline rod a decad and a half ago....he was goofin on me over the intercom...."Hey can I get a radio check...some asshole stole my radio antenna and is fishing with it" LMAO
@@pops1185 that one was a baby. I live in California so I fish the pacific ocean, Stereolepis gigas is the black "sea bass" I caught. They get huge. The one that I caught wasn't even ready to start breeding yet. He was never taken out of the water, swam off no problem.
Update on the reel. Been using it couple times a month in the saltwater. It spanks seabass and local inshore fish up to 10lbs no problem. Been using it for throwing stickbaits to smaller yellowtail (amberjack) and bonitos. Very fun and those fish definitely test the drag. Only problem is that I wish the handle knob was bigger. Might upgrade it soon.
Off topic question for you. Would you be interested in a doing review / breakdown of a Okuma Avenger AFB-40 baitfeeder? I used a 65 for a few years Striper fishing here in Maine. Worked great till it didnt but it was neglected. I would love to get your input on the afb-40 I bought at a discount place for 25bucks.
I wonder what's the main difference between the Laguna LT and Crossfire LT. I know Laguna has 2 more bearings than the Crossfire LT. For a budget reel is the crossfire lt good enough?
Great stuff!
Sup homie! FOLLOW THIS DUDE'S TH-cam CHANNEL!
I have the Diwia Regal Ltd 3000d -Cxh a love it have it on St Croix Bass X rod bought it Sportsman Ware House it discontinued got a great price looks alot like the one in your hand only smaller might buy the Laguna 5000 have a Shimano 200gtb bait caster sometimes need something lighter this does it smallmouth large trout works well !!!!!
Mine was a Regal Z that had the twist buster! I still remember that to this day. And the spool was thicker at the top to help with casting distance. I loved that reel and it lasted 20 years. My son and I were kayak fishing in the river and I let him use it paired with a 30 year old ugly stick and he tipped over and lost them both. It was such a sad day
I always love these lower budget fishing reel videos. It helped me get back into fishing a few years ago, and also is a HUGE help with getting gear for others to start out. I got like 4 little epixors and they have been brilliant for getting people started, but this also seems to be a great option as well.
This Daiwa reminds me of the mid to late 1990's white Shimano Stradic that featured a wood crank knob. Without question this reel is way better constructed than anything in its price rang. For a pretty good $50 reel I can't see how'd anyone could go wrong. Neat !
Those Stradics were tremendous reels. Had one as a kid, lasted over 15 years without a single service, inshore fishing 4-5 times a week in FL.
I agree with you 100%! I bought the 3000 8 months ago and it’s still kicking butt. I fish nothing but saltwater. I haven’t washed this reel with water or soap and it’s still performing brand new. It’s so good I just bought another one!
I started off with Shimano and Penns. I’m now a Daiwa guy. Thank you for the video and keep up the honesty 🤙🏽
I purchased the 4000 size when these first came out after watching this video. Purchased through J&H tackle and I gotta say I was extremely surprised. Casts great, drag is solid and has a all around great feel. No complaints for $50!
I have the older all silver and black model of this reel. Same price. Lasted 5 seasons of fluke fishing. I have greased it every winter. It’s starting to get a little sloppy at the handle. But for the price I think it’s time for the new one.
Yep Picked up a silver 2500 for 15 bucks last year
I have 2 of the white lagunas. I guess academy was clearancing them last year $19. Took it sea trout fishing for 3 hard days fishing and it was great.
Same here. Just picked one up and I really dig it this far.
19 BUCKS?? Steal...
HOw are they holding up?
@@BJJandBS Still smooth and works great. Fished with it during the past year and took it back trout and redfish fishing. Just be sure to wash it out good after use.
I have used laguna 1000 xh since last year and I love it. Works for everything
Man of my own heart with all the wera and knipex love my German tools as well
TACKLE ADVISERS - How do you compare this reel to the Okuma Epixor? I usually run all high end gear but looking for a quality cheapie for the young nephew, but if he doesn't like fishing then I plan to keep it for rough weather days. I understand the Epixor is slightly more expensive but there's such little difference it doesn't matter. Which is the more solidly built, more reliable and better value reel?
My buddy had one of these this weekend and I was surprised at how good it felt and how well it casted
Daiwa LT reels are hands-down the best sub-$100 reels you can buy.
yep, i got a sol lt 4000 (no service in 1 year. pulled it open yesterday. wasn't pretty, might need some new bearings and a bit of ferule liq, disappointed its again felt drag =(
smoother than a nasci aye? wow
I love your assessment of this reel. I'm a guide in Oregon. Like you I appreciate quality gear. Because of Covid all my Shimano Ultegras are on backorder. I bought 6 Daiwa Laguna 3000's to get me through the winter steelhead season. So far I absolutely love them. I'm not expecting the longevity of one of my stradics or ultegras but they feel and fish like a reel of similar quality. They also are light enough to balance well on a quality rod which many reels in this price range are not. They are a steel for the price only $40 for the 3000.
Im also a salmon/steelhead fisherman from oregon. I got a new okuma SST float rod and i was looking for a decent low priced reel to match it. I purchased the laguna in 4000 and im excited to hear that they seem to fight steelhead well
Who the hell gave it thumbs down? Tackle Advisor is the best!
I might have for not showing up to the premier.. Lol
More linelay at the top is just perfect and on purpose for longer cast. I read it somewhere 🤔 just dont remember where.
I got one of these and compared it to my cheap Shimano FX4000 (2019 generation), almost no difference apart from the slightly higher drag output from the Leguna. The FX4000 is just as smooth and has even less play in the handle surprisingly. Ended up returning the Leguna and got another FX4000.
You’re sleeping 😂
@@tackleboxtonyy big brain reply right there, well done.
@@ioijiopjkiopjkp THATS RIGHT BRO. GO SHIMANO. !!!!!!
reels such as this are so smooth because their not loaded up with rubber o rings and washers to keep water out. best for fresh water if your not a maintenance buff
Bought one of these in the 2000 then seen the AU version and bought it too. Using one on a ul for crappie and the other for reds and spec trout in gulf. Have to agree for $50 it’s a winner
Can you do one one the new daiwa crossfire? I have the 1000,2000,2500, and the 3000. Super smooth and fished pretty hard w a lot of hours. Cast super far better than Penn and shimano. I'd say for a bang around reel that you dont have to worry about it getting stolen and loosing alot of money...best bang fir your $$$. It feels just as good as this daiwa laguna Lt! Your Chanel is very informative and I hope if you do a breakdown on the new crossfire a lot of people will be very happy and I hope it'll get more people to enjoy the outdoors...Aloha🤙👍😎
great video as usual. i have the revros 4000 and it seems to be the same reel, also 50 bucks. such a pleasure to jig off the surf. so smooth even under load. started to get scratchy one day and took it apart when i got home. anti reverse clutch bering was rusty. cleaned it up and oiled it and good as new again.
I can't afford reels like a Stradic, so this is amazingly helpful for me! I have a cheaper Daiwa Legalis that I really love, and I'll be getting one of these also after seeing your video! Thank you very much for letting me know about it!
Smooth for the Money !
@@tedsell1455 I ended up getting a Shimano Vanford 2500, which is on a whole different level of smoothness and how refined it feels, but I still think the Legalis is the best budget reel for the price!
@@cincinnatiking8008 yes I have a Vanford 500 on a TFO and love it
I made $350 this week because of what I learned from watching you. I've always been mechanically minded and got into fishing this year. I'm now the main repair/maintenance guy in my area. I owe you thanks. You made it so easy to understand how to work on reels and what makes quality. I have a Sahara 5k i got for $50 and man, it's amazing. I'll be switching over to the Sahara line over the winter. Any thoughts on Tica reels?
Good stuff...for a second I thought I was going to read a "I make 25$ an hour working from home...here's how" LOL.... Best of luck!
@@TackleAdvisors Thanks again Scooby.
I bought 2 for bass this past 6ear and love them!
It seems to me, the bias of line lay toward the top has to mean less spool-lip friction when casting. If instead, it layed evenly, it might look nice, but it should not cast quite as far because there would be a sharper angle to overcome as line peels from under the spool-lip, gaining friction, reducing cast distance. The problem with un-even line lay (physics here) is the different diameters (widths) between top and bottom lays, which means different speeds of spool rotation when a tuna gets the green light for a "drag race." But the problem multiplies a little further. Not only is it harder for your yellow tail to peel off line at the smaller diameter of line lay because it has less "mechanical advantage" to do so (it takes more torque to rotate the spool, the deeper into the spool the line gets; but also, the spool has to accelerate slightly to pay out line at the same rate compared to the upper lay, as yellow-tail Tippy maintains constant velocity for deeper depths. You might have a pulsing effect in the worst cases, or your line snaps if you at limit. The bigger the spool, the more this factors in.
Nail on head... Also.. Keep in mind... A bias favoring one spool lip over the other.. Assuming the top lip is the same diameter as the bottom... Will limit overall capacity.... Spool right up to the lip as shown in this video with a more drastic keystone... And you miss out on a few cubic cm's of line capacity :) (excellent observation.... Reels that spool line in a lumpy manner depending on spool position in relation to the line roller.. Will "scrape" on the ridge on its way to the line roller... The twang under 20lbs plus of drag is nerve wracking lol
@@TackleAdvisors YES.... they will scrape the line roller as does my 4500LL Spinfisher! And your only reward is lost yardage, yes. ;) I have observed! And it is terribly keystoned wider at the spool base. At least if it were at the top, it could cast with less total friction. Remedy: I have removed all but the last shim washer or it would be sitting on brass, yet it's still severe. Maybe you know why? I'm probably going to sand down that thick brass washer that holds the rubber seal--it should sit the spool lower and raise the lay. You crack me up... that twang! You can tune a violin to it--a Stradic-varius. ;)
Got to play a nice steelhead over 10lbs on a fiends 3000LT and was impressed that a $39.99 reel could feel this smooth under load. Will be interesting to see how long this reel holds up but hard to go wrong at this price
The very best "sleeper" I've ever used is the Okuma Epixor Xt
That's a definite sleeper. This one feels a tick better. Which surprised me. The okuma brings a better bail than this one though in terms of feel and design. But it's msrp is significantly higher.
@@TackleAdvisors have you checked out the legalis? I was sent one of those instead of a fuego which I was bullshit about. But I kept it and was very surprised.
@@blindabinda1234 not the Legalis....but had the exceler....Same reel with thread in handle. Liked it...started an experiment with Elias V to see if my preventative maintenance would outlast the fuego magseal (which elias did well with) Unfortunately the exceler doesn't float...and it ended up at the bottom of the ocean after day 1 lmao.
Price point is definitely higher now on the Epixor. They were all selling for $35-55 about a year ago. They're around 60-75 now
@@alex111683 yeah...word on the street is Okuma got word of the hundreds bought through my community tab and they put a halt on it. It's a double edged sword....Penn cracked down hard after seeing the volume moved on the links for the cheap slammer and ssvi combos........Dealers weren't happy that penn allowed map violations to go unchecked.
I just bought a Regal LT 2500….. can’t wait to get a bass on the other end
How does it compare to the okuma ceymar c40 or c50
Ha ha. I still use my Ryobi Applause, a much copied reels for 42 years. Work perfectly. Just change the handle knob to look a little modern.
Have also a 35 YO Ryobi Vertigo, 2 Tica Libra All metal in 4000 n 2000. Also a 35 YO reel. Still works perfectly.
Most of my reels are Daiwa mid price reels have 6. Use only Japanese brands and Abus. Some Shimanos. My BG built like a tank and little heavy side
the only thing i found on this reel is the reed is not really loud , but its a great reel though
You have to get your hands on the penn low profile reels. I would love to see your take on them.
Check out his review on the Revo 4 Beast 40 its very similar to the Fathom LP im pretty sure
Like someone else in the comments said, I also have the older white Laguna. Really like it thus far and caught some decent Louisiana brackish largies on it.
Hello, I would like your recommendations on what spinning reels your would use for musky/pike fishing. I prefer throwing smaller bucktails and 6 to 8 inch swimbaits.
Wonder how it would hold up in saltwater applications?
Inexpensive gear is trending up in quality which is nice to see. Any update after your interview process with whatever company you have been in talks with?
Seems like higher end features are trickling down faster and faster with daiwa and shimano. Its great for you and me, the consumer!
The LTs seem awesome regardless of model. I have Excelers, Fuegos, Revros and they spin smoothly, crank easily under load, have great drag and cast well, light and strong. All under 100 USD. 👍👍👍
Do you think this reel will be likely to be just as good in other sizes?
A bit out of topic here, but i am looking to buy a new reel, if you have tried them is the legalis or the exceler better? (Both the 2023 versions)
Thanks for the review! I'll be picking one up in 4000 size for a family surf fishing loaner. Better than the cheaper reels I currently use for that purpose.
I just recently purchased the 4000c can never go wrong with Daiwa great quality. Great video
I got a 3000 on 12lb braid and a 2000 on 6 lb pline already got a 3 pound corvina on the 2000 so lite and good dragg I use them saltwater lagoons In San Diego
What do you fish for over there?
Lucky craft rapalas baby jerk baits for corvina I use 6lb pline the halibut love the 4 inch jerk baits got to go with at least 10 12pound test
Being in the same price range how would you rate the Penn Pursuit 3 up against this one?
Penn wins there better diawa reels deals to be fine
Very good review.....I learn stuff I never heard before. Keep it up!
Love the videos, I am from England and really love the content and attention to detail. Are you still active? I would so love e to see a tear down on a Shimano Baitruner X-Aero 10000 RB. It is reel we use for freshwater carp fishing in Europe, we use its specific freespooling design feature on the take to allow the fish to run before the strike.... It's marketed as a mid range - premium reel (£150) and would absolutely relish your feedback and what you make of its design. Probably an unusual and interesting one for you as you don't seem to use freespooling setups in the States. Tight lines and wet nets!
I have the 2500 series and I was amazed by how it felt. I have the stradic FL and the feeling of it feels almost similar. I’d still pick the stradic any day of course but for $50 it’s a steal. Pair it with a Daiwa aird-x and it’s the best combo out there. Although the down side of this reel is that the lower size reels of the laguna can’t hold as much line. Either than that it’s perfect for $50
Lol the Laguna couldn't lace the boots of the Stradic FL - the Stradic FL is the best reel Shimano make bar the Stella. It is on par with the twin power. The Laguna is good value for money but that's it
@@thetoyota86perspective54 agree bro. The FL’s technology is just so much better. Durable and light weight as well. Feels so rigid too. For the Daiwa reels. I honestly would skip the Laguna and get a lighter weight reel such as the Legalis LT instead. Stradic Fl all day though.
Awesome, detailed and very informative video, great job! This reel caught my eye for some light-medium freshwater spinning, I've gone to the store and gave it a spin, tested the drag, bail, etc... I then grabbed some of the other Daiwa reels that are a bit more money, for example Legalis LT, Regal LT, Exceler LT, Fuego LT, and I must say that I did not feel almost any difference in smoothness or other features. What do you think about smaller sizes? I'm planing on buying 3000 size, do you think they are durable enough?
Head to head - spheros "inshore", bg, fuego, or tatula lt
saltwater- reds, trout, snook
fuego or Spheros
Should ad. battle 3
@@stevestory8483 not a Penn fan- just can't do it! The new DX may change my mind after TA gave it a thumbs up.
Haven’t tried spheros but Fuego for more finesse, BG for more power, grunt work applications. Tatula I get paranoid in brackish or Sw
Daiwa LT models wo forged gear have one weakness- use it for 6 months then you’ll feel the zinc main gear play. $50 for a reason, it’s a throw away reel. Shimano is the exception since the main gear is cold forged aluminum, however bulky compared to Daiwa
I have a revros Lt and Exceler lt and love them both. Smooth light and inexpensive.
Does it work for salt water
What grease would you suggest
Could you compare the laguna lt , regal lt, exceler lt, and fuego lt not really sure which one to go with yet wanted to get the fuego but everyone mentions the struggle of shimming which doesn’t seem to be too hard on the lower model daiwas
Ryobi Zauber CR is in that price range with worm gear , 8 ball bearings and NCRT body. You should take a look at it...it's worthed.
The hex handle allows you to back reel without the handle unscrewing
In your hand
When do you need to do that
So have you put more time on this reel? hows she holding up?
Yeah in Australia they recently bought out the same reel just different colour
Is it the same reel though? I've seen the Laguna LT XXXXA - XXXX being the size, and note the "A" at the end. Would be keen to know!
@@anthmania no it’s definitely the same reel I’m pretty sure you’re talking about the older Laguna the new Laguna LT is the same as the American one just different colour
@@brodiemathews5139 thanks mate fr the reply - it's definitely not the older version (white/black) , Ive seen the "A" at the end for models sold in the Asia market - and in some cases an inferior version. The differences are soften subtle but sometimes material. If you search daiwa Laguna 2500A, you'll see what I mean.
@@anthmania thanks I will have a look 😀
As always ,never leaves anything unturned, great info & hope to see a maxell hybrid review in 2021.. cheers..
I am sure if u tried this reel i would have the exact same opinion. I have been talking about Legalist for 3 years now (in ultralight world) and when brand new it feels just as good as Tatula LT, but heavier. BTW i have the old Lagunas. They had a metal frame and ABS spool and were already butter smooth even with the GEN 1 Digigear (whatever that is). One important improvement i see from your video is the adoption of the LT reels clicker. My lagunas have a plastic pin for clicker and that thing can't click for sh1t. You may have heard i can be particular about the clicking : ).
My Lagunas have 4 bearings though.. Cheers mate!
I was thinking of you and your legalis review when I was fishing this one. I hope you're doing well with this crazy 2020 we're all in. Have a safe and happy new year!
@@TackleAdvisors u too buddy
Ive always favored shimano reels until recently. I still love shimano baitcasters but I think daiwa is making better spinning reels. Im not sponsored so I dont have any loyalty to one company and I always try to get the best for my money. I bought a BG and Im in love with it. Ill have to try the Laguna, they are being sold at walmart for $40.
Hey TA! Just found your channel and have enjoyed it a lot so far. What would you recommend for maintenance after a saltwater trip (mostly inshore boat fishing) and yearly maintenance at beginning/end of the season? Thanks!
Good video. I would be interested in a video on the new penn pursuit iv as well. Thanks and good luck.
Between the laguna and the daiwa eliminator wich one would you choose
22 hours? Fuck!
I’ll be back!
Edit:
91 minutes? Fuck!
I’ll be back
Great review, thank you for what you do. Happy New Year, Fish on!
Thanks Dennis.. You as well!
I have a 4000 on a 7ft beefstick for the surf, thank you
So, this or the Epixor ?
I still love the daiwa Fuego LT 5000- CXH so smooth and handle 12kg drag
Which one is good in between Laguna and shimano naxav…
It's interesting that it weighs so much more on the Daiwa site vs the Exceler. I hope they fixed the flex on the stem with the extra weight.
The big Daiwa's are stiff. I bought a Daiwa Sweepfire 5000 to save my old Daiwa SS 2000 from the Rocky point I fish for Chinook and Coho Salmon. I'd have got a Laguna but none at my local shop's. More than happy with it. Although if I was to make a rash guard I would use Aluminium or Stainless Steel. Doesn't matter much tough.
it will flex on anything over five lbs but you'll get it in
OK, so I have tried on my few reels the way you test the handle axel tightness and gears spacing and I must point one thing you maybe missed. From what I have tested, some of the play comes from the handle's "hinge". The spacers aren't usually thight, so the handle goes in play. You should get exact "readings" only if you install handle without the hinge.
Next, about this Laguna and your feeling from it (smoothness) ... isn't it because I see no "fuzzy" grease, but oil mostly?
You're 100 percent correct about the handles... And they were tight. And the joint is partially where the movement was coming from. Grease and oil or lack their of don't make a reel artificially more refined. Good gear mesh, good clutch, good tolerances and good bearings. All those things need to be good and were.
You should make a video on the penn clash two. Not to big of a fan of penn I have a slammer and had two conflicts that took a shit. But my buddy got a clash two for Christmas and holly shit I was amazed I thought I was using my stradic fl. It wasn’t sloppy like most penn reels.
Looks and feels like daiwa Ninja LT but with 1 less bearing .I used my ninjas for almost 2 years for feeder and spinning and they work like butter as new. Nice budget reels ! I also love that these low budget reels look very nice too. Keep it up with the videos !
This is literally exactly what I thought haha, I got the crossfire lt (1 step below) for my sister and thought I have a go with it, and coming from Exists and Stellas I honestly could use the Crossfire with no gripes at all for hours of fishing haha, which shocked me, I then tried out the Nasci just for curiosity and it felt like Crap compared to the Crossfire! Very interesting indeed!
Love my Crossfire 1k. Have it on a St. Croix Premier Light Power and the quality makes it feel like an 80 dollar Shimano.
I use a Crossfire lt 3000 on my small jigging rod and I love it..needs oiled every 5 or so outings but it's been perfect
First of all, I've seen a lot of your videos , thought it took me a while but I finally subscriped to your channel. Excellent job on tearing apart and reviewing it step by step like many of your other reviews. Looks like more than a decent reel for the money. Second of all, I am in the middle of purchasing a light/medium reel for my daiwa ballistic xspin 10-40 rod. It is mainly in use for spinning or lure trolling in the Adriatic sea so target species consist of blue fish, bonito, mahi mahi and seabass. The weight I assume won't be bigger than 4kg/8pounds approx. (Well, I hope I'm wrong and I end up with a trophy a bit larger but time will tell). I was already set on getting the Daiwa BG 2500 which retails at about 100€ in my country, but I stumbled on your latest review on this Daiwa Laguna which is currently on sale for about 50€ here, and it looks like a steal for what you get based on your review. Do you recommend me spending the extra for the BG or should the lack of some BIG differences be a dealbreaker with the Laguna? Sorry for the long post, keep doing what you do the best, which is teaching us less knowledgable fisherman updated with the market.
Best regards from Slovenia,
Robert.
P.s. sorry for the bad language, it's my third or fourth language 😂
Add to my original comment;
I purchased the laguna lt 4000c. Right out of the box I was impressed. Both with the reel and how accurste your review was. Already spooled it with braid and paired it with my daiwa ballistic xspin rod. To be tested on sea this week, some light inshore action to be expected... Thanks for this kind of free content ... Saves us plenty of money that would result of nonreviewed reels and bad quality..cheers
Oh, almost forgot.. I would like to mention one negative that I noticed on some latest/newest reels... The clicker/drag sound tends to be lower/more silent than it used to be on some of my older reels...not sure about others, but that sound when drag goes on, is one of the main reasons that got me hooked on fishing...that would be all I guess...
@@robertrex8194 totally true, I really want to get this Daiwa Laguna so bad but just like you mentioned, the drag sound is almost silent, this is why I'm still hesitated, you won't be able to feel the joy of fighting a giant fish if the your reel is not screaming
@@aziziilyes7 after a while, caught some smaller species but good fighting fish it isn't as low sounding as it was in the start. All in all, best bang for the buck reel ever!
@@robertrex8194 I bought it today this morning, filled it with braid and in the afternoon I took it for a trial session.
I had the chance to fight a big fish today with new reel, to be honest the drag sound is not loud at all, this is what I was afraid of. But the reel is very light and smooth and it does the job.
I'll try to find a way to make the drag sound a bit louder.
sir in the sideplate if you open it. it has a spiral like spring. that have different mechanism than usual reels. is that a cons?
Will the gears rust out if submerged in water (freshwater) my abu promax rusted out now cant even turn. Now im in the market for new budget reel. This or the shimano nexave fi./sienna. daiwa revros
and others within the 40-70 range
Kinda on the fence on this 1 cause not a fan on the handle
dose the daiwa laguna LT 5000-C cast far? i need to know
Further than what? I'd say the rod you are using is a bigger factor than the reel. Especially in a spinning reel.
Definitely going to get one for light freshwater lure fishing in the 2000 size
I've thought about picking this up. I'm so looking forward to this vid!
Hows the drag on this sucker?? Smooth ?
That reel flip was smooth 😎
Have you ever looked through a revros?
I picked one up and was using it to bottom fish in the sound. Got a run, picked it up, closed the bail, set the hook and the anti-reverse stripped lol. Tackle shop let me return it. Daiwa reels have repeatedly let me down.
I've had daiwa AR clutches slip...(they don't really "strip"but I get what you're sayin" mainly in sub zero temps. That sucks either way.
Have you had any experience with the Daiwa Kage LT?
Great review. I could use a couple of these as loaners. I have a view diawa BGs and their sizing is odd to industry standards. Can you please tell me if the laguna LTs are sized the same as the BGs or did Diawa revert back to industry standards as they have on some of their other reels? They really make selection difficult with their inconsistent sizing. Your insight on this would be useful and much appreciated here.
Thanks
I love this reel. Best buy I've made. Like as much as my shimano or Penn. Really well balanced. Amazing for 50 bucks. Hands down best under 100 bucks. Maybe even 200.
you gotta try a SeaKnight Treant the line lay is actually pretty impressive and its under 50....CAD
What do you think bof the Regal LT? Received one for Christmas.
Was tempted to try this reel but I refuse to buy any hex handle reels anymore. They either break or the cap on the other side comes loose
Any idea if the 3000 and 4000 have the oversized knob handles?
Great review!
is this good for salt water or only fresh water?
I just got this reel in the 3000 size. Is there a function on these that allows you to back reel ?? Either there's not or I'm totally blind. I thought most spinning reels had that function. Thanks for any info
Nope no ar swotch
Most of my reels are Japanese and most are Daiwa,some 40YO Ryobis and Shimanos.With odd 40YO Ticas Libra that are surprisingly very good.
But old reels built better and last longer. Especially the BGs model.
Don't need top reel. Getting Daiwa Regal LT next.
The daiwa rega LT 3000D-CXH Has ten bearings And is very smooth It lays line good and has 22 pounds drag Wt 7.8 OZ
Sweet. What is the yellow/grey line?
Two days after seeing this. I ended up buying a 5k size laguna and a new penn slow pitch rod. Next day took it out for the last day of bottom fishing season. Hooked into a 30 pound ish black sea bass. At first the captain was scolding me for using a noodle rod and a egg beater. But I was fishing 10lb drag on 30 braid to 30lb fluro. Had that sucker to the boat in no time.
COoool....I remember fishing on a charter boat with a daiwa interline rod a decad and a half ago....he was goofin on me over the intercom...."Hey can I get a radio check...some asshole stole my radio antenna and is fishing with it"
LMAO
30lb sea bass !
@@pops1185 that one was a baby. I live in California so I fish the pacific ocean, Stereolepis gigas is the black "sea bass" I caught. They get huge. The one that I caught wasn't even ready to start breeding yet. He was never taken out of the water, swam off no problem.
@@otroflores91 Nice catch !!
Update on the reel. Been using it couple times a month in the saltwater. It spanks seabass and local inshore fish up to 10lbs no problem.
Been using it for throwing stickbaits to smaller yellowtail (amberjack) and bonitos. Very fun and those fish definitely test the drag. Only problem is that I wish the handle knob was bigger. Might upgrade it soon.
Off topic question for you. Would you be interested in a doing review / breakdown of a Okuma Avenger AFB-40 baitfeeder? I used a 65 for a few years Striper fishing here in Maine. Worked great till it didnt but it was neglected. I would love to get your input on the afb-40 I bought at a discount place for 25bucks.
How does this compare to the legalis lt
How would this compare to the shimano sedona? Seem like direct competitors
I wonder what's the main difference between the Laguna LT and Crossfire LT. I know Laguna has 2 more bearings than the Crossfire LT. For a budget reel is the crossfire lt good enough?