Bail Operation: Another refinement check for me with higher end spinning reels is the operation of that bail. The more refined a spinning reel the less effort is required to both open the bail and flip it back over. For the FC LT2500S-DH, the bail flips open and holds in place with a very secure, and quiet "click." When closing by hand, very minimal effort is required and the bail responds with a very reassuring, spring like action. If closing the bail by turning the handle, again, very little effort is required. Bail operation is consistent and easy even when the rotor is rotated right to the point of bail trip. You know that spot, when the bail is open and locked up against that point in rotation where it's about to be flipped back over. Some spinning reels can lock up in this position requiring a manual close of the bail to resolve. Not this reel. Even in that awkward location, just a turn of the handle with minimal extra effort closes the bail and puts you back in action.

Line twist is inevitable, but can be delayed with proper technique

Line Twist: One of the big reasons spinning reels are so admonished is the occurrence of line twist. What most anglers do not realize is, the use of spinning reels come certain responsibilities. These responsibilities can help mitigate the occurrence of line twist. Make no mistake, there's no avoiding line twist, but there are measures you can take to prolong the effects and hopefully keep it from ruining your day out on the water.

The "FC" in this model's number, of course stands for "Finesse Custom."

Things like making sure your line is not hanging down off the reel before you close the bail, closing the bail by hand, and, when you have a fish on, not turning the handle when the drag is engaged. Most anglers know these preventative measures, but it's difficult to stay vigilant. With all that said, the only line management difficulty I ran into while fishing my FC LT2500S-DH was the appearance of a mysterious wind knot in the middle of my leader after a cast. It was a somewhat windy day, and I was in a good groove with this combo casting, working my bait, retrieving it, and casting again until the sudden appearance of that knot.

Another look at that "AirDrive" rotor

It was really far up my leader, so instead of cutting it all off, I cut the knot out and reconnected my leader with a uni to uni knot. It's the quickest, most reliable knot I know how to tie to connect two similar line types. I only use the Alberto or Albright or even the FC for that matter, when connecting braid to fluorocarbon or mono. After that, everything was fine through a handful of trips.

This needs to happen more on USDM spinning reel models

Design & Ergonomics: My original Daiwa Certate 2000 (circa 2004 model year) weighs 8.2 ounces (yes, I still have it). This 2024 Certate FC LT2500S-DH, with its double handle remember, weighs just 6.5 ounces. Two decades later and it's almost two ounces lighter. The feel of this reel in hand versus the original is like night and day. I didn't think it possible. The improved startup inertia and lighter weight take the new Certate to a different plane.

The original Certate Circa 2005

Price & Applications: Now for the sobering news. Certate has always been a mid to high end product. Back in 2005, the import price on this platform was about $350 depending on the model. Today, the FC LT2500S-DH, a JDM model, retails for 57,600 JPY. That number in dollars will fluctuate based on the exchange rate but at the time of this writing, it translates to $400. Not bad compared to 2005, however, the US Certate LT retails for between $570 to $630 depending on the model.

Conclusion: I'm constantly surprised at how refined the majority of today's spinning reels feel in hand. I often have the thought "why would I want anything more?" when sampling some of the new and more affordable options. Then of course comes a new Stella or Exist and the rhetorical is once again rendered moot. However, now, in these upper middle tier reels, that question bubbles to the surface once more because at half or two thirds the price, you can get near flagship performance and ergonomics.

Daiwa's new Certate satisfies that enthusiast hunger for something new and refined in a spinning reel

Throw in the double handle and shallow spool options available in the JDM models, and Daiwa Japan has answered the call of enthusiasts like myself who still use spinning gear but perhaps not enough to justify a new upper echelon reel - at least not at every refresh. The Daiwa Certate FC LT2500S-DH, for me, delivers flagship performance at a much more reasonable cost satiating that hunger for something new and refined. Well, at least for this year.

Looking for a Daiwa Certate FC LT2500S-DH?

Try JapanTackle and TackleWarehouse for the US Certate LT