Real World Tests: It's no secret that both Zander and I are tackle addicts. It is the entire justification behind TackleTour - to share our enthusiasm and propagate the affliction, or is it share our affliction and propagate the enthusiasm? Eh, same difference. The point is we have a problem and we are not ashamed to share that problem. Case in point? Every now and then we come across a piece of tackle, sometimes a bait, sometimes, a reel, sometimes, in this case, a fishing rod that we've fished, written up, and grown so fond of that we gift one to the other. Late in 2022, Zander presented me with one such gift, a brand new G.Loomis DSR822S NRX+ - his current, favorite drop shot stick.

Ready for action

Retrieve: So after twenty years writing up more than my share of spinning reels, I can say without a doubt, that I cannot discern the difference in casting distance with these reels. Sometimes the line comes off the spool easier with some reels than with others, but honestly, as long as I can get the bait within reasonable proximity of where I am aiming, I'm happy. Where the differences in these reels show up, for me, is when I click that bail over and turn that handle. How much resistance do I feel and how much effort is required to turn that handle. The higher end reels feel like you can turn the handle by just breathing on the knob. Others can make it seem as though you're trying to summon Flipper for a face off with your forward facing sonar.

The new rotor is said to reduce weight and startup inertia by 16%

Drag: Now one thing many manufacturers do with the drag in their spinning reels is vary the composition based upon the model. Larger reels receive more robust drags, smaller reels receive something more suitable for finesse applications and smaller game. I'm assuming this is what Daiwa has chosen to do with the '24 Certate because my FC LT2500S-DH is equipped with a very finesse-targeted drag consisting of felt washers. Performance, is, as one might expect, buttery smooth and free from unexpected stops, stutters, or other inconsistencies that were the occasional occurrence of drags from yester-year. Really, it's been a long time since I can recall fishing reel with an inconsistent drag.

This model has a finesse tuned drag

Power: Power is another trait that will vary between models. With the FC LT2500S-DH and finesse presentations, there's little concern over power, but what's nice about this particular model is that double handle. It almost makes it feel like you're holding a baitcaster upside down than fumbling around with an awkward and off balance spinning reel. Actually, I'm not sure if either is a good scenario, but what is good is the double handle implementation on this reel. Formerly a very unnatural design for a spinning reel, Daiwa does a good job of making it feel balanced and natural on the FC LT2500S-DH.

Bail operation is effortless

Next Section: Enthusiast level refinement?