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Enthusiast Tackle: Reel Review |
An Ultra-Light Baitcaster Worthy of Serious Anglers - The Daiwa
Liberto Pixy
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Date: |
12/01/04 |
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Tackle type: |
Reels |
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Manufacturer: |
Daiwa Japan |
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Reviewer: |
Cal |
Total Score: 9.17
Introduction:
Tired of the line twist issues inherent with spinning gear? Ever wish for just a
little more control while throwing finesse baits? Ever wonder what it’d be like
to fish 4lb test on a bait casting rig? Well, wonder no more. Specifically
developed to handle Japan’s high pressure, high intensity bass fishing waters,
the Liberto Pixy from Daiwa Japan is the bait casting equivalent of an ultra
light reel. But how would this little reel fair in US waters? Your TackleTour
team took one to the task to find out.
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Daiwa
Pixy base
Specifications |
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Weight (lab measured) |
5.7oz (5.7oz) |
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Gear Ratio (actual retrieve) |
5.8:1 (21 inches per turn) |
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Bearings |
8 Ball Bearings + 1 Roller Bearing |
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Line Capacity (lb/yds) |
4/110, 6/80, 8/65 |
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Additional Features |
Daiwa Air Metal
(magnesium alloy) frame, GIGAS spool, MagForce V Cast Control System, ball
bearing knobs on the handle |
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MRS. |
$320.00 (Approx. import price) |
Impressions: At
first sight and handling of the ultra light Liberto Pixy from Daiwa Japan, one
is left with the impression of holding a toy rather than a fishing reel. It is
so very small, and the spool so very shallow, how can this little reel possibly
be sturdy enough to handle the rigors of bass fishing? Yet, because of its ultra
compact design, this reel inspires a definite sense of excitement. You can just
sense that, teamed with a fishing rod of proper action, you’ll be able to feel
every little nuance that is happening in the water because your hand will be all
that much closer to the blank – a sense, not often attributed to bait casting reels.
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The Daiwa
Liberto Pixy boasts plenty of features despite being extremely compact and
lightweight |
The specific model of Pixy
reel in this review is the 2004 limited production Liberto Pixy distinguished
by its metallic yellow finish. The standard Pixy comes with a more subdued
silver finish and there is also a 2003 limited edition version in orange. The
only differences between all three reels are their finishes. Their inner
workings are identical from all counts.
Field
Tests: For our
tests, we spooled the Daiwa Pixy with 6lb Yozuri Hybrid and teamed the reel with
a Kistler Helium LTA He70MLC. This combo weighed in at a total of only 9.4
ounces! For baits, we mostly fished one-sixteenth to one-eighth ounce drop shot
rigs, 737-3/0 to 737-5 split shot rigs, and one sixteenth ounce ultra light
crankbaits like the Luhr Jensen Speedtrap and Mann’s Tiny 1-Minus – all setups
and lures one would normally attribute to spinning gear because of their low
weight.
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Paired up
with a Helium this combo is about as light as it gets |
Casting: Those
of you who have tried to cast split shot rigs with a baitcasting setup, have
probably met with similar results as we - marginal success at best. The awkward
placement of the weight, eighteen inches or so above the worm, and the sheer
weightlessness of the setups themselves makes life difficult with conventional
gear. Heavier weights alleviate this problem but also reduce the effectiveness
of the split shot rig. Needless to say, with this past experience, we were
pretty skeptical of this reel’s ability to handle these same setups. All doubt
was removed, however, after rigging the rod up and watching the size 737-3/0
split shot drop effortlessly to the deck of the boat when the reel was clicked
over into freespool. From that moment it was “game-on”. We were able to achieve
approximate casting distances of up to fifty feet with this weight and a number
two straight shank worm hook with a four inch curly tail worm attached. Heavier
split shots resulted in slightly further distances and all drop shot and crank
bait casts were met with little resistance. Not one of us were yearning for our
spinning gear while fishing this reel.
Retrieving:
With the advent of ball bearing supported knobs in the handle, the Pixy is very
smooth on the retrieve with no idiosyncratic noises or movements to disturb
one’s concentration. This is a huge advantage when fishing plastics super slow
in an effort to entice those stubborn bass. Daiwa’s infinite anti-reverse
performs reliably and solidly on this reel transmitting positive hooksets and
good cranking power. The reel comes with a standard 80mm handle and a lure
retrieve rate of about twenty-one inches per turn of the handle – all features
found on standard size baitcasting reels.
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Low profile
and light weight make the Pixy an ideal palming finesse reel |
Drag:
Designed specifically for small and light lures, one would expect the drag on
the Daiwa Pixy to follow suit with its intended purpose, but in our lab tests
the maximum drag measured in at three pounds of pressure. This was about one
half to one full pound more than expected and a welcome surprise. Line pulls out
of the reel easily and evenly during battle with feisty fish, but one small
drawback is the fact that the drag star does not offer a micro-click
adjustment.
Ergonomics:
Those with medium to small
sized hands will really appreciate the palm-ability of the Daiwa Pixy. The
reel’s low position in the reel seat really enhances the angler’s feel of the
rod though comfort would be optimum if the reel sat just slightly back in the
reel seat for a more snug fit into one’s hand. The external adjustment MagForce
V cast control system is a familiar and welcome carry over of all Daiwa reels as
is the previously mentioned standard length cranking handle. One thing of note,
because of the reel’s diminutive size, picking out backlashes can be a challenge
as the top bar on the reel does limit access a bit.
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The Pixy
makes it easy to fish light lines with just as much effectiveness as most
spinning reels |
Line Capacity:
The Pixy was developed specifically for finesse fishing techniques targeting
black bass. As such, it is intended for lines ranging from four (4) to eight (8)
pound test – that’s in Japanese fishing line diameters! Fishing lines made for
the Japanese market are much thinner than that of their American market
counterparts and hence more can be used. The line capacity specifics given above
have been corrected for American market averages hence the discrepancies you may
find on individual research and comparisons. While these capacities are not very
robust, they should not pose any difficulties to those targeting species not
typically known for long runs during battle. The Pixy may well be the definition
of a specialty reel.
Price and Availability:
Depending on which edition of the Daiwa Pixy you’re interested in, availability
is medium to difficult. The left hand retrieve model is a new, 2004 offering so
the 2003 limited edition orange Pixy is only available as a right hand reel.
Otherwise, through persistent research and resourcefulness this reel is not an
impossible find but it is on the pricier side of the import market considering
its specialty nature.
Ratings:
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Daiwa Pixy Ratings (?/10) |
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Construction/Quality |
A well made reel but with
a stamped metal handle and drag star rather than forged. |
8.5 |
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Performance |
Met and exceeded all
expectations for castability and power. |
10 |
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Price |
Pricey for a special
application reel |
8 |
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Features |
A magnesium frame,
MagForce V
cast control, and GIGAS spool, ball bearing handle – what more could you
want? Oh yeah, how about a micro-click adjustable drag? |
9 |
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Design (Ergonomics) |
Fits very well in the hand
but would fit better if it sat back just a little in the reel seat. This
could be the lightest bait caster on the market at
5.7 ounces! |
9.5 |
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Application |
A reel made specifically
for freshwater, light line and light lure applications and it fills this
niche surprisingly well. |
9.5 |
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Total Score |
9.17 |
Pluses and Minuses:
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Plus Minus |
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J
One of the lightest bait casters ever made! |
L
No micro click adjuster on drag |
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J
Surprisingly strong drag for the reel size |
L
inability to be used in salt or brackish water |
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J
Ability to use light lines |
L
small line capacity |
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J
Super low profile for easy palming |
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Conclusion: There’s
an idiom that exists in the cycling world known as the “sub-twenty”. It refers
to a bicycle that, when fully assembled, weighs in at under twenty pounds and is
coveted for the fact such a machine will deliver the ultimate in responsiveness
and acceleration. Cyclists have been known to go to extreme measures and
ridiculous expense to achieve this once lofty goal. With advances in technology,
this bar has now been moved to an unheard of fifteen pounds. In fishing, a
similar measurement can be thought of in terms of the rod and reel combo – the
ultra light. Only this idiom more commonly refers to the line and lure weight
capabilities of such a combo, not the overall weight of the rod and reel
together. Certainly, a lightweight combination of these two items will deliver
to the angler, the ultimate in sensitivity and all day fish-ability. The
question is can such a combination be delivered without sacrificing power,
durability, and performance? The Daiwa Pixy is here to answer one side of the
equation with a resounding, “absolutely”. Weighing in at under six ounces and
carrying with it the pedigree of one of Daiwa’s higher end offerings, the Pixy
is the ultimate finesse fisherman’s tool. Paired with an equally lightweight
fishing rod, like the Kistler Helium LTA He70MLC, it’s possible to achieve the
sub-ten – a rod and reel combo that weighs less than ten ounces! Line weary fish
living in crystal clear lakes and reservoirs beware, Daiwa has delivered a reel
with the traditional advantages of a conventional reel, but with the ultra light
line and lure capabilities of a spinning reel. The Daiwa Pixy is a must have for
fisherman seeking that ultra light advantage.
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