Hi
My current shimano baby big pits are probably coming to the end of their lifespan so I'm thinking of getting some new reels if there are any post Xmas bargains to be had
Not sure on the Castizm BRs, Emblem 35 SCW QD or Crosscast 35 SCW QD?
Appreciate they are different price ranges but I've read conflicting reviews on the Castizm BRs not being as good as the old QD versions and issues with line getting caught behind the spools of the Emblems
Any long term reviews?
My current shimano baby big pits are probably coming to the end of their lifespan so I'm thinking of getting some new reels if there are any post Xmas bargains to be had
Not sure on the Castizm BRs, Emblem 35 SCW QD or Crosscast 35 SCW QD?
Appreciate they are different price ranges but I've read conflicting reviews on the Castizm BRs not being as good as the old QD versions and issues with line getting caught behind the spools of the Emblems
Any long term reviews?
I have used the Emblem 45 SCW's for a couple of seasons, I don't imagine there's a huge amount of difference between these and the 35's. The 45's are very smooth, the drag is excellent, they are light, and cast very well. I do have issues occasionally with line going behind the spool but that's fluro and I have been having a nightmare with it generally so perhaps not indicative of "normal" performance in that respect. I need another set of reels and am seriously considering the 35's myself.
Unfortunately daiwa keep discontinuing there best reels for some reason 🤷♂️
In reply to Post #1
I have the Crosscast reels, great value at the £100/reel I paid and see AD have them for £85 currently which is incredible value. I really like them, seem solidly made as you would expect from Daiwa, quick drag is fast but still plenty of room to adjust tension.
For me they were a good compromise of cost/performance, they sit nicely in mid range and I didn't think worth the extra money to step up to the emblem.
I have the Crosscast reels, great value at the £100/reel I paid and see AD have them for £85 currently which is incredible value. I really like them, seem solidly made as you would expect from Daiwa, quick drag is fast but still plenty of room to adjust tension.
For me they were a good compromise of cost/performance, they sit nicely in mid range and I didn't think worth the extra money to step up to the emblem.
In reply to Post #3
Exactly that mate, why they keep on doing it is beyond me but there's never any obvious reason for some of the decisions....?
For example, the Castizm 25QD was/is a superb reel, (much better than the BR version that's for sure...) and they decided to replace it with the Whisker 25QD which in comparison is much inferior and it looks a cheap plastic effort as well.....
Yet the "classics" like the SS2600, Tourneys, Infinity X etc have been around for years and are still in production?
Odd
Exactly that mate, why they keep on doing it is beyond me but there's never any obvious reason for some of the decisions....?
For example, the Castizm 25QD was/is a superb reel, (much better than the BR version that's for sure...) and they decided to replace it with the Whisker 25QD which in comparison is much inferior and it looks a cheap plastic effort as well.....
Yet the "classics" like the SS2600, Tourneys, Infinity X etc have been around for years and are still in production?
Odd
In reply to Post #5
Fishing reel market is pretty big if you look at it worldwide (link below), I guess there are many market factors beyond our simple understanding as to why.
My guess it's all about maintaining market share by bringing out new models to keep the brand interest sticky (which has its own R&D costs) whilst maintaining a few older reels where there is still strong demand (added there are no new R&D costs - better margin business)
If they EOL'd (end of life) a lot of the old reels we'd all be complaining that they don't make then like they used to and perhaps start to look at other brands
https://straitsresearch.com/press-release/global-fishing-reels-market-report
Fishing reel market is pretty big if you look at it worldwide (link below), I guess there are many market factors beyond our simple understanding as to why.
My guess it's all about maintaining market share by bringing out new models to keep the brand interest sticky (which has its own R&D costs) whilst maintaining a few older reels where there is still strong demand (added there are no new R&D costs - better margin business)
If they EOL'd (end of life) a lot of the old reels we'd all be complaining that they don't make then like they used to and perhaps start to look at other brands
https://straitsresearch.com/press-release/global-fishing-reels-market-report
In reply to Post #5
The whisker 25 is shocking compared to the castizm 25qd. Luckily i still have a few mint castizm. There biggest **** up was discontinuing to original iso. I still believe it to be the best carp reel ever made.
The whisker 25 is shocking compared to the castizm 25qd. Luckily i still have a few mint castizm. There biggest **** up was discontinuing to original iso. I still believe it to be the best carp reel ever made.
In reply to Post #7
Hahaa... opinions are fantastic, I love my whisker 25's, didn't like the castizms at all and flogged my original ISO's after one seized up within an hour of use!
Hahaa... opinions are fantastic, I love my whisker 25's, didn't like the castizms at all and flogged my original ISO's after one seized up within an hour of use!
In reply to Post #8
You just have to watch the videos on youtube of the side by side comparison between the whisker and the castizm to see its an inferior reel. I was quite surprised at how bad the whiskers were as ive always been a daiwa fan. My mates just sold his whiskers as they two of them broke inside of 6 months. I can only go off my own findings and i had 5 isos for around 5 years and not one of them let me down. I even had one on my spod rod that got totally abused and still felt like new when i gave it to my mate.
You just have to watch the videos on youtube of the side by side comparison between the whisker and the castizm to see its an inferior reel. I was quite surprised at how bad the whiskers were as ive always been a daiwa fan. My mates just sold his whiskers as they two of them broke inside of 6 months. I can only go off my own findings and i had 5 isos for around 5 years and not one of them let me down. I even had one on my spod rod that got totally abused and still felt like new when i gave it to my mate.
In reply to Post #9
Agree completely, the Whisker is miles off the level of the Castizm, like comparing chalk and cheese!
Agree completely, the Whisker is miles off the level of the Castizm, like comparing chalk and cheese!
I had cast'izms which i didn't really give a chance and now have the whiskers. Looking back the cast'izms did feel better quality, however i do prefer the colours of the whiskers the cast'ozm were too blingy. I really miss the theory 4000d's thought they were brilliant little reels. Have 2 on my scopes but trying to find a couple more for my barbel rods is proving tricky. Had original 5000t's which i wish id never sold, they were going strong at 15 years old and when serviced had the original metal internals, whereas all the newer ones were plastic and no where near as robust apparently.
In reply to Post #9
Yeah I'd not dispute which looks more well built but my track record with top end reels means it's down to pure luck 🤣
You name them, I've broke them and I don't fish anywhere near as much as some people and I don't throw my kit around. Even so called ‘bombproof' SS3000's and Tourneys.
Ironically one of the only reels that never seized up or self destructed on me were my original Basias and they were made out of glass and paper!
Yeah I'd not dispute which looks more well built but my track record with top end reels means it's down to pure luck 🤣
You name them, I've broke them and I don't fish anywhere near as much as some people and I don't throw my kit around. Even so called ‘bombproof' SS3000's and Tourneys.
Ironically one of the only reels that never seized up or self destructed on me were my original Basias and they were made out of glass and paper!
In reply to Post #12
So what is so bad about the Castizm BR?
Think I might go for the Emblems
So what is so bad about the Castizm BR?
Think I might go for the Emblems
In reply to Post #13
Why not just get another set of ultegras ?
I'm still using the ones I purchased in 2006, maybe they were better built in that time.
Why not just get another set of ultegras ?
I'm still using the ones I purchased in 2006, maybe they were better built in that time.
In reply to Post #10
Its strange how the whisker is so bad compared to the castizm. You would of thought they would of used the same internals and just updated the colour. I personally hate all this all matt black faze and pefer the shiny bits on the castizm but im a bit old school and i still prefer shiny stainless pods and sticks.
Its strange how the whisker is so bad compared to the castizm. You would of thought they would of used the same internals and just updated the colour. I personally hate all this all matt black faze and pefer the shiny bits on the castizm but im a bit old school and i still prefer shiny stainless pods and sticks.
In reply to Post #10
Superb reels the theory sp's. Still regret selling mine. There is a mint unused pair of theory 4000 sp's on ebay for £350 or best offer. I was really tempted to buy them but bought a daiwa exist instead.
Superb reels the theory sp's. Still regret selling mine. There is a mint unused pair of theory 4000 sp's on ebay for £350 or best offer. I was really tempted to buy them but bought a daiwa exist instead.
In reply to Post #14
I have some emblem blacks on my 12 ft rods and they feel a lot smoother than the shimanos so I'm thinking a smaller diawa reel will also be as smooth so therefore better to use than what I currently have
I have some emblem blacks on my 12 ft rods and they feel a lot smoother than the shimanos so I'm thinking a smaller diawa reel will also be as smooth so therefore better to use than what I currently have
In reply to Post #1
Which Shimano baby big pit reels do you have if you don't mind me asking?
Have you had them serviced recently? Shimano's of old don't usually come to the end of their lifespan they possibly just need a few bits replacing, if they are older Shimano reels you'd be foolish to get rid in my opinion as most manufacturers now don't build em like they used to
Which Shimano baby big pit reels do you have if you don't mind me asking?
Have you had them serviced recently? Shimano's of old don't usually come to the end of their lifespan they possibly just need a few bits replacing, if they are older Shimano reels you'd be foolish to get rid in my opinion as most manufacturers now don't build em like they used to
In reply to Post #7
Stuart appreciate your opinion with the original ISO reels I too have a set along with many others I've collected over the years but for me they aren't the best ever reel made for carp fishing.
The only thing for me that lets them down is the retrieve ratio which is well down on a lot of other reels I have, they sit in the mini pit section reels for me, great for small waters but no use on big tows when you need that decent retrieval rate and the spool capacity, a bit like the original Technium which was a superb reel but the retrieval rate wasn't good either.
I have lots of top end Shimano and Daiwa reels but constantly find myself using my old Ultegra Ci4 XSB's for all my fishing as they do everything sublimely, I've actually just managed to get another set of spare spools for them so will be using them more again this coming season.
Stuart appreciate your opinion with the original ISO reels I too have a set along with many others I've collected over the years but for me they aren't the best ever reel made for carp fishing.
The only thing for me that lets them down is the retrieve ratio which is well down on a lot of other reels I have, they sit in the mini pit section reels for me, great for small waters but no use on big tows when you need that decent retrieval rate and the spool capacity, a bit like the original Technium which was a superb reel but the retrieval rate wasn't good either.
I have lots of top end Shimano and Daiwa reels but constantly find myself using my old Ultegra Ci4 XSB's for all my fishing as they do everything sublimely, I've actually just managed to get another set of spare spools for them so will be using them more again this coming season.
In reply to Post #19
The answers people are after are already in the post, why make something that lasts for ever, that's not a business model! Most of us are mugs and are happy to keep replacing kit looking for the next best thing anyway (then moan the previous version was better but it's now dicontinued)
Apple perfected it, make it last 1-2years before you convince yourself you've had good use out of it, and then as a manufacturer make sure a new version is readily available.
The answers people are after are already in the post, why make something that lasts for ever, that's not a business model! Most of us are mugs and are happy to keep replacing kit looking for the next best thing anyway (then moan the previous version was better but it's now dicontinued)
Apple perfected it, make it last 1-2years before you convince yourself you've had good use out of it, and then as a manufacturer make sure a new version is readily available.
In reply to Post #20
Hence my post and that is exactly why I'm not tempted to buy any new offerings from Shimano or Daiwa as they are not a patch on what they used to be and they do nothing my current reels can't do.
Reels are an investment for me, not something that will break or fail after two years of use and be expected to be replaced, that's bad business in my eyes and the said company wouldn't be getting any more of my hard earned cash if that was the case.
Hence my post and that is exactly why I'm not tempted to buy any new offerings from Shimano or Daiwa as they are not a patch on what they used to be and they do nothing my current reels can't do.
Reels are an investment for me, not something that will break or fail after two years of use and be expected to be replaced, that's bad business in my eyes and the said company wouldn't be getting any more of my hard earned cash if that was the case.
In reply to Post #18
5500 XTBs
5500 XTBs
In reply to Post #22
Ultegra or baitrunners?
Ultegra or baitrunners?
In reply to Post #22
The original blue'd shimano ultra xtb were a classic. A reel well worthy of keeping forever.
Some of the more vintage shimano and daiwa reels will go on forever.
The original blue'd shimano ultra xtb were a classic. A reel well worthy of keeping forever.
Some of the more vintage shimano and daiwa reels will go on forever.
In reply to Post #24
cosmetically they can go scruffy, the chrome on all mine went scruffy and flaked, the plastic bit that screw into the back snapped but mechanicaly they were sound
cosmetically they can go scruffy, the chrome on all mine went scruffy and flaked, the plastic bit that screw into the back snapped but mechanicaly they were sound
In reply to Post #24
That's the ones I have also and yes one suffered with the back protection plastic bit flaking and snapping which I've repaired.
Spares for these reels have been discontinued though which is a shame but that's the way of the world.
Apart from that have been faultless.
I've done very little in the way on maintenance apart from a bit of oil n grease
A future classic if not already and I'd agree they don't make them like they used to.
For my distance setup I'm still using emblem z ‘s 5000a 😀
That's the ones I have also and yes one suffered with the back protection plastic bit flaking and snapping which I've repaired.
Spares for these reels have been discontinued though which is a shame but that's the way of the world.
Apart from that have been faultless.
I've done very little in the way on maintenance apart from a bit of oil n grease
A future classic if not already and I'd agree they don't make them like they used to.
For my distance setup I'm still using emblem z ‘s 5000a 😀
In reply to Post #23
The blue ultegras
Maybe I'll just get them serviced then
The silver plastic at the rear is looking a bit knackered and the plastic spine on the rear of one of mine has snapped off too
The blue ultegras
Maybe I'll just get them serviced then
The silver plastic at the rear is looking a bit knackered and the plastic spine on the rear of one of mine has snapped off too
In reply to Post #27
Send them off to Felindre mate they will come back like new and won't break the bank
Send them off to Felindre mate they will come back like new and won't break the bank
In reply to Post #27
There's another thread with some suggestions ;-
https://www.carpforum.co.uk/Shared/Messages.asp?TopicID=440714
I had a look at the c14 reels the other day for the first time in the flesh nice enough but didn't look or feel as robust (just seemed all about saving weight but will they last as long - I'm probably wrong likely stronger materials used)
I could say the same about the Daiwa reels also. Not really loving the all black either..
Guess I'm happy to remain unfashionable.
There's another thread with some suggestions ;-
https://www.carpforum.co.uk/Shared/Messages.asp?TopicID=440714
I had a look at the c14 reels the other day for the first time in the flesh nice enough but didn't look or feel as robust (just seemed all about saving weight but will they last as long - I'm probably wrong likely stronger materials used)
I could say the same about the Daiwa reels also. Not really loving the all black either..
Guess I'm happy to remain unfashionable.
In reply to Post #29
I hate the all black reels as well. They just remind me of a 50 quid tfg reel. Cant beat a bit of colour on a reel. The original iso and castizm were perfect looks wise and performed as well as they looked.
I hate the all black reels as well. They just remind me of a 50 quid tfg reel. Cant beat a bit of colour on a reel. The original iso and castizm were perfect looks wise and performed as well as they looked.
In reply to Post #13
emblem br 25a are lovely reels mate 👌
emblem br 25a are lovely reels mate 👌
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