Thread: JDM reels relating to panfish

Little over 6 oz is still really light for a reel... nice write up and I look forward to seeing what you think about the freams after you take it for a spin

Originally Posted by redearhoosier

Nice job, Matt. I'm waiting on the 1000 series Ballistic and I hope it is similar to the Luvias. Honestly, I doubt I would ever catch more fish with a more expensive reel. That said, I do enjoy the high end quality of JDM.

It will not be as nice as the 2020 Luvias.....But.....it in many ways is better than the 2015 Luvias....although the 2015 Luvias is machined better than the Ballistic FW. I am doing a comment on Matt’s post about reels. Take a look at it....I hope you find it informative.

Regards


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Originally Posted by D10

Attachment 365051Attachment 365052
I recently received a Daiwa Freams LT 1000s reel. I was looking for a JDM Daiwa reel that was mag sealed and more cost efficient over the Daiwa Luvias. The Freams was $120 shipped compared to the $280 of the Luvias. I did a brief comparison in my office of three JDM Daiwa reels: Presso Limited 1025, Luvias 1003, and Freams LT 1000 s. All three reels are factory stock, I bearing kits installed (yet). All three reels are quality builds but you can see some minor difference as you step up from the Freams to the Presso. The Freams is a little heavier than the Luvias and Presso. This makes me think that the Freams will be a little more durable and capable and handling harder use. All three reels are very smooth but you can definitely detect a little more friction in the action of the Freams. I wanted to quantify this difference but I do not have any meters that measure rotation force (torque) or inertia. I can definitely tell a difference between the initial resistance of the handle turning between the Presso and the other two Daiwa reels. I’m guessing this is because the Presso is not mag sealed like the other two Daiwa reels. I have discussed ways to measure the differences of torque with an engineering buddy of mine and he thinks we might be able to measure the differences with a fine scale electronic torque meter. He said he would look for one for me. Since I didn’t have this kind of meter, I did a simple handle spin test that basically is assessing the friction in the reels. I turned the handle as fast as I could, let go, and counted the number of unassisted handle rotations. Once I felt like I was being consistent, I did five reps. The Freams averaged 12 revolutions. The Luvias averaged 16 revolutions and the Presso averaged 19 revolutions. I know that this wasn’t a reel (pun intended) scientific evaluation but I thought it would give y’all a little insight into the differences. The take home message is that you do get what you pay for. There are some differences in quality and performance in the JDM Daiwa reels. Will these differences help you to catch more fish? It depends on how you fish. If you need absolute control of micro jigs, the Presso might help you keep a very consistent and smooth retrieve. I personally do not think my skill is high enough yet with finesse fishing tactics to fully utilize the Presso. What about the differences between the Luvias and the Freams? There are some differences here as well but the jump from the Freams to the Luvias is less than the jump from the Luvias to the Presso. The average angler (like me) would probably catch just as many fish with the Freams than the other two Daiwa reels in the review. That’s the truth. But as Randy has pointed out in the past, there is just something about the feeling of high end JDM gear. It is hard to quantify and explain. For an average angler looking to improve the quality of their spinning reel, I recommend the Freams. For the avid angler looking to step up their game and fully enjoy the feeling of a high quality JDM reel, I recommend the Luvias. For the enthusiast who likes to use some of the best gear out there, I recommend the Presso. I hope to get out this weekend and test the Freams out and see how it feels in action. Stay tuned.


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First let me say a great write up. Very informative and spot on. Today I boated over 120 fish....70 crappie 12-3 inches....40 KY spotted bass all 11-12.5 inches.....not to mention around 15 white bass until I decided to heck with the white bass......I went back down river for the Spots and crappie. Today was the most finesse day of fishing I have ever done. I reeled slower today than I ever have. I had left the Presso at home and had my tuned Ballistic FW 1000S-P on the 6’ 7” Fine Tail Bansee. The fish were all on the bottom in 10 feet of water. If you weren’t tickling rocks you weren’t catching. I had the ester mono.....Daiwa Gekkabijin jig head....and a Ring Kick tail. I was more deliberate than I’ve ever been. The reel played a huge part in that. The weight.....low inertia....allowed me to keep the lure in the zone and there was not a lot of effort required for me to do it. I could have done the same with the Presso......but I’m not so sure I would have the same results with the 2015 Luvias. I have never mentioned about how very smooth.....low inertia reels helps one to catch fish. Most would think it is ridiculous. I have been reading about it for 7 years now. A lot of that info I have gleaned from write ups from what I call Japanese “Master Anglers”. I have never mentioned the double handle for spinning reels either. Many area trout fisherman say it is a must for the ultimate finesse presentation. I have never tried it...but I will.....as a good handle costs about 150 bucks. Low inertia......low ratio.....Daiwa Gekkabijin jig heads with needle sharp hooks.....Ring Kick Tail......Major Craft Fine Tail Banshee.......2.3# test ester mono......all made me a better fisherman today. But the reel was extremely important. Today I felt that it all finally came together. Not a lot of folks in the area were catching fish today. I firmly believe my equipment made me a better fisherman.....and the reel was a huge part. Once again thanks for the effort you put into the testing. Getting feedback has been my goal since I started this thread.

Regards




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Just WOW, Randy!! Thank you for a superb report! This whole thread is Gold!

The JDM ultra light rods and reels really shine. They allow me to cast my jigs TWICE the distance of most American spinning setups!! That's just the tip of the iceberg...they are far superior products. I'll probably buy me several more this spring...I've fallen completely down that slippery slope known as JDM fishing gear!

Man, I hope you made a video of that day, Randy! Off to check...

Originally Posted by jawjatek

Man, I hope you made a video of that day, Randy! Off to check...

I have 2 videos I’m finishing up. The one I made today I had to edit 4 hours of video down to a 1.15 hour video.....I still have to cut out more fish. Today was one of the best days of fishing I’ve experienced from the perspective of quality crappie.......with the numbers......and the bonus Spotted bass to give me a little more fun. I’m going to probably order a new 35 or 40 millimeter handle for the new Luvias. I really like the shorter handles on the Presso and Ballistic.

Regards


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Great read. Bet That big block headed bruiser gave you a good ride. Slow is key in cold water, fish are cold blooded, and the low gear ratio reel allows the necessary deliberate presentation of the bait. The bite is lighter in cold water, fish are cold blooded, so the super sensitive rod can help transmit the more delicate bite. Amplified by the low stretch small diameter line to transmit that light cold water bite, well the rascals do not stand much of a chance if they decide to taste the rainbow. Fish on, hope you made a video!

Awesome report Randy. Can’t wait for the videos!


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