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Fighting Smallies with Fire, Daiwa Fuego style
| Date: |
5/28/07 |
| Tackle type: |
Reels |
| Manufacturer: |
Daiwa |
| Reviewer: |
Zander |
Total Score: 8.33 +
BEST VALUE AWARD!
Introduction:
Long after the
introduction of the Fuego spinning series Daiwa introduces the new smaller size
Fuego 2000. This reel brings the benefits of magnesium frame design to anglers
looking for a light/ultralight reel. We pair the Fuego 2000 with the Steez
spinning rod and see just how well this reel can handle some hard hitting
smallmouth.
|
Daiwa Fuego
2000
Specifications |
| Line
Capacity (lb/yds) |
6/135, 8/110 |
| Gear
Ratio |
4.9:1 |
| Line
retrieve per crank |
23.6
inches |
|
Weight |
7.9
oz |
|
Bearings |
3CRBB,
3BB, 1RB |
|
Additional Features |
Magnesium frame and
sideplate construction,
sealed drag system, airbail, CRBB, titanium nitrided ball bearing line
roller, large diameter
spare spool |
|
Origin |
Made
in Japan |
| MSRP |
$249.99 |
The Daiwa Fuego now available in a
2000 size
Impressions:
Fuego means “fire” in
Spanish and carries Daiwa’s tradition of naming their brightly colored reels
Spanish themes. The reel is appropriately named as the reel shares the same deep
red finish as it’s popular baitcast sibling.
The rear of the reel shows a nonsymmetrical
profile
Unlike
many competing magnesium based reels the Fuego features both a magnesium frame
and sideplate, whereas many competitors only use a magnesium frame and graphite
sideplate. Prior to this point the Fuego spinning reel really targeted anglers
that pursued mid to large size species like bass and large trout, as the reel
was only offered in larger sizes. This always seemed somewhat odd to me as many
anglers that fish for smaller fish like stream based trout and panfish could
really benefit from a magnesium based Daiwa reel at this price point.
Loaded on the Steez Compile-X test
rod
Then just earlier this season
the Fuego 2000 was announced. Though it is labeled a 2000 size the Fuego is
nearly identical in overall size to the Tierra 1500 we previously tested. Both
reels sport similar features, but the Fuego is slightly more compact and does
boast some more advancements and added refinement. In fact the reel is actually
situated one notch above the Daiwa Sol spinning reel.
The reel and rod pair nicely...
Positioned in between the Sol
and Certate the Fuego is really designed for anglers that are looking for a
magnesium reel at a mid range price point. Though the Fuego contains many of the
same features as it’s siblings it has a unique profile. Unlike the other
spinning reels in Daiwa’s premium lineup it does not feature the angled back,
and instead is squared off and slightly more compact.
The benefits of a magnesium reel include near
perfect balance on this rig right on the grip
I was excited at the
proposition of pairing the Fuego with the Steez Compile-X spinning rod. Though
the Steez rod was designed for the Steez spinning reel it looked absolutely
perfect with the matching red Fuego. I was amazed how well this ultralight reel
balanced out the entire rig. The balance point with the 2000 size Fuego was
right above the reel on the grip. It felt light, sensitive, and yet
powerful….powerful enough that I decided to skip the panfish tests and go
straight to some harder fighting smallmouth.
Open the bail and prepare to cast....
Real World Test: To
test the Fuego we head directly for smallmouth water, and for us that means Lake
Berryessa just north of San Francisco. Lake Berryessa is a rich fishery that
supports smallmouth, largemouth, spotted bass, trout, and even landlocked
salmon. All of which made it the perfect site to test the capabilities of this
undersized reel, as we never knew exactly what we would hook into.
|
 |
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The Daiwa
Fuego is a respectable caster and falls in line with other reels of the same
size
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Next Section: Enough
talk, fish already!
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