Daiwa Exceler DA

Diawa Exceler DA 2000 Review – I've had the 2000 model for about 2 years and it cannot be faulted. Sold to me at the fishing store as a low-cost entry into finesse bream fishing. Unless you're a pro tournament angler or have money to waste, then you should buy one of these. Lighter and way cheaper than any Shimano equivalents. And if you use it for bream, etc, it'll have no problems. Obviously not a Stella but at about $160 as opposed to $800 its affordable. I use mine with 4lb flourocarbon on one spool, 6lb braid on the other (came with 2 spools). These reels are probably now old stock though as I don't see them at fishing stores. Diawa has a new model - Aird - which is not metal body (but I've found you really do not need that in a small reel anyway) and so its light, is a funky metallic orange (that's different!), way fast (6.2:1) and has 9 bearings and Digigear. Seems to sell for $129 but I got two (the 2500/3000 and the 3500/4000) on special at BCF for $99 each. BARGAIN. Was gonna get two Exceler DAs on clearance for $120 each at another store (the only store I've seen them in lately) but decided I'd rather the speed and extra bearings of the Aird over the metal body Excelers. So unless you need speed (the Exceler is about 4.7:1 - not much line cranked in per turn, being a small spool, but fine for finesse breaming, etc) and if you like the idea of a metal body, I'd recommend the Exceler DA if you can grab one on clearance for $100 or so. quality, reliability, light weight, price not fast - no prob for the 2000 or 3000 but if you wanna saltwater spin, it may be slow in the 4000 size

Big and brawny on the outside & just as strong on the inside! – The Daiwa Exceler 4500 DA is Daiwa's Saltwater's little hero, from what I have seen of my own reel and read about it, it is the little ugly backward cousin of the Saltist and the Saltiga at a third or more less of the price! All this without skimping on the quality and overall professional finish of the reel itself - so its definitely Daiwa Seiko quality! It comes in a metallic blue finish, which is a little overpowering and does not fit the with some colour schemes found on most rod's available at tackle shops. However I have matched it up to a Shakespeare Ugly Stick Gold 6 to 9 Kg 7'2'' spin stick (loaded with 15lb PE) which feels quiet right for lobbing chrome slugs and heavy minnow's, and fortunately the colours match up with the bindings.

When looking at the reel it is defiantly a Wolf in sheep's clothing, and defiantly orientated towards the budget minded fisherman / woman, those that look for function over bling of say a Stella or Twin Power. It has a solid as a rock all metal body and rotor, and the bail arm is very very positive in its action. The duel anti reverse is something of a art form, as you can hear it positively lock in and the reel does not have a switch to release anti reverse - this is a one way reel 'forward' to bring the big ones in! The reel holds about 400meters of 30lb PE and has a standard 10kg drag which is also pretty well put together! I have backed the spool with 20lb nylon and then put at least 300 yards of PE which is usually the norm, also these reels only come with one spool. I would suggest that two spools are attained so that you can fish the reel with both Monofil and PE, for varying the fishing options and success's - however getting close to 1000yards of PE put on both spools is very very costly.

The innards of the reel are huge and positive, and the only thing I can see letting this reel down in the future is the el cheapo' bearings that are made in Thailand. No quality Jap spec bearings in this reel - must be how they keep the price down. However if well looked after and plenty of grease and fine oil is used when cleaning they should last quiet a few years - then you can change to ceramic's and notice the instant gain in smoothness and absolute no servicing of bearings.

Daiwa's proven Digi Gear 2 drive system is clean and sharp, and positive with little play within the gears and the reel itself is minimalist inside. The fewer the parts the stronger it will be, and this is shown in the mighty Saltist and Saltiga range...

With careful use and half yearly cleaning and so forth I hope that this reel lasts a lifetime, but being Daiwa that's already a given. The body is assembled with 3mm Allen Key screw's, so careful consideration that a 'fresh' Allen key be used to that you dont strip the bolt, or even replacing these bolts with Phillips would be an option straight up.

Overall, I think that for a sub $300 reel, this is a far superior reel to some others on the market. Save the rest of the cash for other things like future upgrades or put it towards a rod or some decent line. This reel is not going to disappoint in a hurry - I am self assured! Daiwa's commitment to quality. Huge internal gearing, simplicity, full metal construction, basically the top model that's been 'uglied' and sold at a cheaper price point. Some considerable weight compared to others, one spool option only, metallic blue is very old new's..., bearings made in Thailand could be a future issue?