Diawa Emblem Pro 5500

[block]

I am looking at getting a Diawa Emblem Pro 5500 for spinning with slag's and for floatlline fishing. Would also use it for sp's as I to have the nuclear chicken bug !!I have been using 2 Okuma EPIX EFS60 for the last 4 year's . Thay give no trouble (just keep oil up to bail arm bearing) and have landed a lot of fish in the applications above. Thay twist and bend when you have a good fish on but the drag is still good and thay are still landing fish.
The Diawa would cost a bit more but it looks and feel's like it is top bit of gear!! Any one got one and what do you think?
Regards
Dwane

[mattooty]

I havent personally used one but have alot of mates who spin with them and they are only to happy with them. They rate them very highly and have used them for years, getting a spin about once a week. From what i can recall they have mostly hooked up kings and longtail tuna and the like and havent faulted. The high speed retrieve is especially good for spinning metals but im not sure how it would go for throwing plastics as the retrieve is very fast!
Another reel in the same class would be the shimano spheros (cheaper and not the quality but good never the less). As it has a lower retrieve rate making a fight less painful on teh gearing of the reel but not quite the "snaz" factor that the emblem feels like.
Matt

[reelchippy]

I think they are one model short. cheers

[craftycarp]

Have had an emblem for 1 and half years or so awesome reel never let me down and casts a dream.

[metaloid]

The Emblem is a way bigger reel than the Epix (I have both) and suits a bigger rod which in turn suits heavier lures. Imo the Emblem is overkill for sp's, but match that with a 10-12' rod and "Hello New-Zealand!".;D