The Daiwa Steez is light in
Weight but not in Sophistication (continued)
Real
World Tests:
Shimano versus Daiwa, Daiwa versus Shimano, no other mêlée seems to inspire as
much fervor from anglers (with the possible exception of the discussions that
ensue concerning custom rod brands), and with the Core Shimano goes for the
jugular of what Daiwa does best, refined lightweight reels. We test the Steez
for over a year and compare our original results to the long term tests, and
then evaluate the Steez series versus the Core series. Our tests centered on a
number of Northern California bodies of water including Berryessa, Sonoma,
Pardee, and Clear Lake, as well as the California Delta.
The first fish we caught with the
Steez, not a big one but just many that would be caught on this reel during a
test that spanned seasons
Casting: The
battle begins with casting tests. Daiwa gets bonus points immediately for
external cast controls which make it easier to adjust cast controls for various
baits on the fly. Shimano continues to rely on their proven VBS cast system, and
makes it easier to change out settings with escape hatch trigger which drops
down the sideplate for faster access to the brakes.
The Steez offers generous access
to the spool
When it comes to actual
casting we were surprised with how good of a caster the Core actually was. The
Magnumlite spool has a very low startup inertia and it is possible to get baits
going quickly with little effort. Daiwa’s own 7075 dimpled spool is not very
different in that it features thin walls and a balanced core, only they add
dimples to further reduce the weight. Though the Steez features Daiwa’s free
floating spool design the Core consistently outcasted the Steez in our tests
when it came to sheer distance, and if you really wanted to work the spool for
maximum distance it is possible to physically remove the brake weights on the
Core, though you better be an expert at casting if you don’t want a backlash on
every cast. For normal use the Core also benefits from a tapered titanium
levelwind insert which minimizes friction on the outcast.
The Steez feels
more precise and
refined than
powerful
While the Core
proved to be our
distance winner
the Steez proved
to be better at
short accurate
casts like
flipping and
pitching. Here
the Magforce
excelled at
applying just
the right
amounts of
resistance at
the tail end of
the casts.
(Round 1: Tie.
This category is
going to
strongly depend
on what you
intend to use
the reel for. If
you plan to do a
lot of plastics
work then the
Steez has what
you are looking
for, but if you
plan on using
the reel for
wire and
hardbaits the
Core is going to
make more sense.
Both reels are
relatively well
rounded and can
deliver on both
sides of the
spectrum but
they definitely
have unique
areas that they
excel in.)
It is possible
to adjust the
Magforce cast
controls with
the same hand
holding the rod
by extending
your thumb
forward
Retrieve:
It is in this category that the reels vary the most. Like most Daiwa reels the
Steez emphasizes refinement and feel over power. The Steez is a marvelous reel
when it comes to feel, never before has an angler felt so connected to the lure
on the end of the line. Fishing plastics with the Steez seems natural, and with
the new 100HA version it is possible to use the Steez as a serious cranking reel
as well.
A turn of the screw releases the
sideplate to access the spool
Still the 100HA does not feel as powerful as the Core when there is a
large lure on the line. The Core on the other hand does not feel as refined as
the Steez when it comes to retrieve but does feel more powerful both with a
large lure or a fish in tow. Shimano manages this with their enlarged HEG (High
Efficiency Gearing).
Next Section: A
bigger fish
tests the
Steez's gearing
