Bit the bullet...... hard

[NAGG]

So

As mentioned in a previous thread - I've been in the hunt for a new mid sized spin reel . ...... Ultimately it will be a impoundment barra spin reel for my trips up north & my soft plastics snapper reel back in NSW

I had in mind a Daiwa Certate of some description but I wanted to compare it with the new Penn Authority ..... which I did . For what I wanted .... it wasn't going to be the Penn . :-?

Fortunately or unfortunately I had the chance to play with several reels including the latest Shimano Stella & Daiwa Exist ....... ::) - I left the store without making a purchase but I knew what the choice lay between ....... bye bye Certate

I was in awe of the 5000 sized Stella & Exist ...... but that Exist felt like something else - Lighter & smoother . ..... it was something else - So after a restless night ( watched a few Youtube comparisons) then hit my local store which just happened to have the LT5000D-CHX in stock .......... after some negotiations , I walked out with it .

Once I got home - I fitted the reel to my Millerod Beast buster LM ....... wow - It hardly felt there was a reel even on it - it's a match made in Heaven . for comparison I threw on my Daiwa Certate HD4000 SH ...... which was massive & heavy - compare the pair ..... the little Exist pumps out more drag 10kg Vs 8kg than the certate but holds 30m less of 20lb braid ...... it's close to half the weight :o
125963

Yeh sure - it's a lot of coin ....... but gee it feels like one heck of a reel .

No doubt when it comes to fishing tackle ....... you really do get what you pay for

Chris

[Billy C]

Incredible how reels that weigh a little over 200g can withstand 10kg of drag. Good luck with it I will be keen to hear a report on it.

Cheers

[CT]

What were your thoughts on the Authority?

[NAGG]

Incredible how reels that weigh a little over 200g can withstand 10kg of drag. Good luck with it I will be keen to hear a report on it.

Cheers

Quite amazing isn't it ?

From my perspective

Daiwa have been at this game a hell of a long time so I have no concerns about their flag ship small / medium spin reel being able to cut the mustard . The previous model was / is a great reel ...... Daiwa just ramped it up again.

With this reel , there is some high end metallurgy going on & high tech design ..... pretty unique stuff .

I'm certainly looking forward to giving it a serious work out in a couple of months .

Chris

[stevej]

Why didn’t you get it from china alibaba for $49 ?

Can still break them if you don’t know how to fish and you use them as a winch
I would have gone exists just too many line classes to cover so went Luvias and have 8-9 of them

[NAGG]

What were your thoughts on the Authority?

For me - Nah not for how I like to fish . ...... but that's a me thing .

If someone was after a hard core heavy duty brawler ....... I reckon you would be hard pressed to find anything better - Also depending on the size of the reel you want ..... you may not find anything better .
If weight is not a concern & you dont mind that typical Penn feel .... heavy start up inertia - it will win a lot of fans . It's better than the Slammers (looks better too). .... but nearly double the price .
The range is huge - so you could cover so many species & fishing styles . You guys fishing the reefs & shoals up north ...... these would be great reels that I doubt you could break.
I thought I would be looking at a reel to compare to the Daiwa Certates ...... nah . Daiwa have moved further to creating lighter , sweeter versions of the previous models - progression . Penn on the other hand have worked on a tough reel that will go the distance ...... & a reel that you can service yourself - You cant do that with a Certate or the Exist I just bought .

I think these reels have their own niche ....... to me it would be like a 79 series Landcruiser compared to a Landcruiser 200 or 300 series .....

Oh & I've been assured now by 3 dealers that the Penn reels will become smoother over time .

But hey .... if you want a tough reel & dont want to pay $400-$600 more for the refined reels like Stellas , Saltigas , Exists - these would be a really good choice (IMHO) .

Chris

[NAGG]

Why didn’t you get it from china alibaba for $49 ?

Can still break them if you don’t know how to fish and you use them as a winch
I would have gone exists just too many line classes to cover so went Luvias and have 8-9 of them

I thought about it ...... I just didn't want to wait .

The Exist is very much a finesse reel ...... which is what I wanted when slow rolling placcies for Barra - or fishing placcies for Snapper . ..... It's this application that the Penn wouldn't do anywhere near as well.

Nothing wrong with the Luvias (Bream & Bass ... sweet) but I've noticed that they have become quite pricey with the new 21 Luvias Airity nudging $900 . Also they dont do a 5000 size in either Luvias models . ...... but yeh great reels .

It will be interesting to see how the Exist handles big rampaging impoundment barra ....... it will be fun testing it out .

Chris

[stevej]

lt luvias and arity luvias are two different reels
im a daiwa tragic so am biased

[NAGG]

lt luvias and arity luvias are two different reels
im a daiwa tragic so am biased

Yep understand they are different - but even the std Luvias is now pressing $600.

Yeh Ditto on the Daiwa thing ..... I still believe for the last decade they produce better spin & baitcast reels than Shimano with very few exceptions ....... Even the overheads (Saltiga's) have crashed the Shimano party & probably surpassed everything up to the Tiagra .

Daiwa is still pushing the envelope - Shimano not so

Chris

[stevej]

i got them all from japan before the world went to shit $379 aud delivered

ive never liked shimanos bail arms, although i do have 4 saragossas still for when i get offshore in the salt

[Lovey80]

Nagg, how do you think the exist will last in the salt environment? If it’s getting salt water on it a lot from offshore work do you think a Stella or Saltiga is better?

[gunna]

Chris - have you tried any Pflueger reels. I bought a couple 1500 size a couple years back and have been very happy with them.

[NAGG]

Nagg, how do you think the exist will last in the salt environment? If it’s getting salt water on it a lot from offshore work do you think a Stella or Saltiga is better?

That was my big concern - & why to this point of time not spent the coin on an Exist ...... always gone from Certate straight to Saltiga

With this reel - the sealing is next level & they are using the mag seal technology to stop water getting into the body - All bearings are CRBB .

Daiwa are promoting the 2022 Exist in Australia for bream , snapper & mulloway ........ so I guess you wouldn't do that unless you were pretty sure that your flagship light medium reel would be up to it . http://daiwafishing.com.au/pages/exist-showcase

This reel is next level technology - small & light .... but pumping out 10kgs of drag ...... but I wanted finesse - the only direct competitor is the Stella 5000 FK (silver one). Once you move into the black Stella's & Saltiga ..... you lose the light weight & feel . I have a Saltiga 4500 & it''s massive / Heavy - not a reel you would use for snapper & barra plastics .
This photo shows the size difference between my 4000 Certate , 4500 Saltiga & 5000 Exist ...... it gives you an idea of where I'm coming from .

125964 The Exist will still hold 300m of PE2 Varivas Avani + backing .

No doubt though , this is a reel that requires attention .... so every couple of years it will go back to Daiwa .

Time will tell.

Chris

[NAGG]

Chris - have you tried any Pflueger reels. I bought a couple 1500 size a couple years back and have been very happy with them.

Hi Pete

I've owned a couple of Pfluegers & used several over the years ...... how can I put it ? - It's like going from a Porsche GT3 to a Hyundai I30N ...... the I30N is plenty capable but it's not a GT3 .
Besides - A reel like a Patriach cant handle salt water ...... drag capacity is pretty low too

It's one of those things - where if you can afford to buy high end & get all the advantages why not buy the high end reel ? . I've certainly found that buying the better reels - they last & they are always enjoyable to use ....... I'm still using 1500 , 2000 & 3000 size Certates & Stellas that I bought in the mid 2000s . I'm not one to replace reels for the sake of replacing them with something newer - but will if there is something considerably better .

Chris

[Lovey80]

Thanks for that Chris. Please give us an update if you have any issues.

for a reel that expensive, I wish they would give a spare spool. With so much refinement in the reel and carbon rods now days having beautiful light tips but plenty of grunt in the lower sections, you could be using the same real with sub 10lb braid for whiting and bream and bass. Then with a spool change to stronger braid be straight into Barra, Jew and Spannish spinning. What’s a new spool worth $300? That then gets very expensive for one reel.

I know they want you to buy a 2500 and a 5000 but I just wonder how many extra sales they’d get as people convince themselves they’re killing two birds with one stone that way.

[NAGG]

Thanks for that Chris. Please give us an update if you have any issues.

for a reel that expensive, I wish they would give a spare spool. With so much refinement in the reel and carbon rods now days having beautiful light tips but plenty of grunt in the lower sections, you could be using the same real with sub 10lb braid for whiting and bream and bass. Then with a spool change to stronger braid be straight into Barra, Jew and Spannish spinning. What’s a new spool worth $300? That then gets very expensive for one reel.

I know they want you to buy a 2500 and a 5000 but I just wonder how many extra sales they’d get as people convince themselves they’re killing two birds with one stone that way.

Many years ago Daiwa went down a different pathway to Shimano

- Daiwa wanted to sell higher value reels targeting the higher end of the market .... even going so far as having a "tournament dealer " network . They didn't focus on mass produced reels sold to the chain stores . They developed better Japanese made reels & more of them ...... Luvias , Certate , Morethan Branzino , Exist & Saltiga where overtime the technology was shared with some of the cheaper reels . What was in the Saltiga - eventually ended up in the Certate .

Shimano wanted to sell to the masses ..... & their reel development showed that .. Stella ,& Twinpower ..... drop away to their Chinese mass produced reels ..... Alloy gave way to polymer .

Today if you go to the Chain stores you'll see 2 or 3 times Shimano's stocked to Daiwas

Daiwa even went has far as introducing technology (Mag seal) which ensures reels need to be serviced by Daiwa ..... $$$

My point is - Daiwa can sell a reel like the Exist nearly as fast as they can make them ........ Already certain models are harder to get here in Oz & In the US you wont get them for a couple of weeks yet .

Back to your point though ...... Daiwa aren't pressing to sell these reels to the average fishoe & that's why you dont see them for sale in BCF or Anaconda - these reels are rarely discounted because they are so desirable ...... & if you want that spare spool ..... someone will pay that $250 for it .

You are right - I just spooled this reel with PE2 .... which is 33 lb (Varivas Avani) - this reel would work with a PE1 or a PE2.5

Chris

[NAGG]

423 grams for a impoundment barra / soft plastics snapper outfit ....... that's just amazing you could put together a 30lb outfit that is so light

Chris

[disorderly]

423 grams for a impoundment barra / soft plastics snapper outfit ....... that's just amazing you could put together a 30lb outfit that is so light

Chris

A gym membership is probably cheaper though Chris...:P

[NAGG]

A gym membership is probably cheaper though Chris...:P


:D ...... $520 / year for Gym membership ....... reel is cheaper overall.

Seriously though ...... getting a barra bite on this type of gear will be so good ...... bring it on

Chris

[Dignity]

"that's why you dont see them for sale in BCF or Anaconda" - I had a spare moment when the boss needed to get something at Woolies, Rothwell and so popped into BCF there and they had a rather large range of Daiwa reels, more so than Penn and equal to Shimano. A bit different to my local BCF and only a short way down the coast.

[NAGG]

"that's why you dont see them for sale in BCF or Anaconda" - I had a spare moment when the boss needed to get something at Woolies, Rothwell and so popped into BCF there and they had a rather large range of Daiwa reels, more so than Penn and equal to Shimano. A bit different to my local BCF and only a short way down the coast.

what models though ?

Sub $500 reels I'm guessing

I've been through a heap of BCF stores (every one in greater Sydney) & the best you could hope for was a Saltist or Revalry ....... but you could buy a Shimano twin power or Stella

Chris

[NAGG]

Tackle tour just did their review on the Daiwa Exist

It seems that they are impressed - admittedly they were testing one of the smaller reels

worth a read

http://www.tackletour.com/reviewdaiwaexist22ltpg3.html

Chris

[Dignity]

what models though ?

Sub $500 reels I'm guessing

I've been through a heap of BCF stores (every one in greater Sydney) & the best you could hope for was a Saltist or Revalry ....... but you could buy a Shimano twin power or Stella

Chris

Didn't have time to explore but that's when I struggled when it came to so called sizing, the BG series was huge compared to some of their other styles.

[NAGG]

Didn't have time to explore but that's when I struggled when it came to so called sizing, the BG series was huge compared to some of their other styles.

Yeh , I'm struggling with reel sizing ...... be it Daiwa , Shimano , Penn etc

I mean this 5000 Exist is smaller in physical size than my old 3500 Certate & much smaller than my 2018 4000HD Certate . The Exist in reality is probably the size of an old 3000. A 5000 Stella is bigger .

The closest thing in the new Penn was a 3000 (based on line capacity)

It makes my head spin

Chris

[Lovey80]

Do you think the exist does everything the 5000 Stella does? I use my 5000 Stella more than every other reel I own. When I don’t want to take too many rods it gets used for everything from whiting to spinning at mackerel.

this could be on my list for my next purchase.

[NAGG]

Do you think the exist does everything the 5000 Stella does? I use my 5000 Stella more than every other reel I own. When I don’t want to take too many rods it gets used for everything from whiting to spinning at mackerel.

this could be on my list for my next purchase.

I honestly don't think they are two reels that you can compare side by side (Exist Vs Stella SW)

A Stella SW should be compared to a Saltiga BJ - As they both have similar specifications .

The 5000 Exist sits on another pedestal ....... It's a finesse reel that comes in at half the weight of your Stella 5000SW The Stella is a much bigger reel .

Just like the Saltiga BJ the Stella SW is a high end work horse reel ..... We'd be comparing stock horses to a thoroughbred racehorse.

No I wouldn't consider the Exist as a better alternative to the Stella SW ....... horses for courses - The Exist is a reel that you want to use for flicking plastics around where you want to feel every nudge & bump ...... like when slow rollin placcies for barra where the bites can be so subtle . In that scenario the Exist will be unbeatable (why I bought it). Ditto for soft plastics fishing for snapper in shallow water.

If you want a really nice reel that can cover all bases ..... your Stella SW will do that - I dont think you would have that with the Exist . When I go & fish reef flats casting swimbaits , glide baits etc I wont be using the Exist ...... I'll be using my Saltiga 4500 .

As I said the Exist is a finesse reel .....

Chris

PS - to get the best out of the Exist - you'd really need to match it with an appropriate rod

[NAGG]

Do you think the exist does everything the 5000 Stella does? I use my 5000 Stella more than every other reel I own. When I don’t want to take too many rods it gets used for everything from whiting to spinning at mackerel.

this could be on my list for my next purchase.

Hey mate

I suggest that you go to your good tackle store & compare the reels ....... you'll see what I mean & gain that appreciation for a direct comparison

Cheers

Chris

[Ducksnutz]

Do you think the exist does everything the 5000 Stella does? I use my 5000 Stella more than every other reel I own. When I don’t want to take too many rods it gets used for everything from whiting to spinning at mackerel.

this could be on my list for my next purchase.

Hey mate,

your Stella 5000SW will do everything and more than the latest Exists…. Finesse and workhorse should not be in the same category.

I’m a Daiwa fan but the 5000SW is in my opinion, is the best “one” reel to suit a shit load of applications when limited in what you can take on a trip in the salt.

I’m still biased that the Daiwa Certate 3500HD did it all….

All in my humble opinion.

[Billy C]

Hey mate,

your Stella 5000SW will do everything and more than the latest Exists…. Finesse and workhorse should not be in the same category.

I’m a Daiwa fan but the 5000SW is in my opinion, is the best “one” reel to suit a shit load of applications when limited in what you can take on a trip in the salt.

I’m still biased that the Daiwa Certate 3500HD did it all….

All in my humble opinion.

I sold my 2008 Stella 5000SW. Still my biggest fishing tackle regret

[steve099]

I honestly don't think they are two reels that you can compare side by side (Exist Vs Stella SW)

A Stella SW should be compared to a Saltiga BJ - As they both have similar specifications .

The 5000 Exist sits on another pedestal ....... It's a finesse reel that comes in at half the weight of your Stella 5000SW The Stella is a much bigger reel .

Just like the Saltiga BJ the Stella SW is a high end work horse reel ..... We'd be comparing stock horses to a thoroughbred racehorse.

No I wouldn't consider the Exist as a better alternative to the Stella SW ....... horses for courses - The Exist is a reel that you want to use for flicking plastics around where you want to feel every nudge & bump ...... like when slow rollin placcies for barra where the bites can be so subtle . In that scenario the Exist will be unbeatable (why I bought it). Ditto for soft plastics fishing for snapper in shallow water.

If you want a really nice reel that can cover all bases ..... your Stella SW will do that - I dont think you would have that with the Exist . When I go & fish reef flats casting swimbaits , glide baits etc I wont be using the Exist ...... I'll be using my Saltiga 4500 .

As I said the Exist is a finesse reel .....

Chris

PS - to get the best out of the Exist - you'd really need to match it with an appropriate rod

So the Exist 5000 compares to a Stella 4000FJ ?

[NAGG]

So the Exist 5000 compares to a Stella 4000FJ ?

Stella 5000 FK would be the nearest match from Shimano .....

Chris

[NAGG]

I sold my 2008 Stella 5000SW. Still my biggest fishing tackle regret

IMO - that silver & gold Stella was the best of the Stella's ..... Once they went black no where near as good .... plenty of failures

Chris

[NAGG]

So I just had the opportunity to give the new Exist 5000 a good run at Kinchant on some barra & I have to say ........ WOW !!!!

Not only was it a pleasure to use - extremely light when matched to the Millerod Beast buster LM but easily handled those 80-90cm barra .

I only used this outfit to fish 6" hollowbellies on 1/4 jig heads & the odd frog in the lilies - which it did with aplomb for such a light lure .

The absolute standout was no issues with wind knots - none , nada , zip ...... something the has been unavoidable in the past - even with reels like Certates - so that was refreshing. My deckie battled a few during the trip on his Sustain 5000 & an ATC Valiant SW5000 ..

My only disappointment was that I didn't have a second one :P

Chris

[Dignity]

Chris, There is probably nothing wrong with your deckies reels as there is a whole range of dynamics involved from how the line comes off the reel, the closeness of the reel body to the rod, the size and shape of the spool, the suppleness of the braid and the size and placement of the first runner.

I have one outfit that casts out of this world with a stiffer braid as the supple ones I initially put on it just gave me grief. The same braid on another similar spinning outfit wasn't an issue what so ever but the reel body was further out from the rod. Just saying that changing one item can fix things but knowing what the cause was rather than the symptoms is required to solve the problem. It took me a while to work out the reel body position relative to the rod was the cause but once I worked that out then I realised I needed a stiffer braid so that it came off the reel in a narrower loops, your mate could be suffering a similar problem.

[alleycat]

Just on wind knots, when i started using braid wind knots nearly drove me mad, i thought it was almost impossible to use and not lose line every trip, i solved this by running the braid between the first 2 fingers on hand holding the rod, just to put a little constant pressure on the braid, this completely solves the issue and i never get wind knots, easy to do and do all day constant casting with 2-4kg rod using 4kg braid.

[NAGG]

Chris, There is probably nothing wrong with your deckies reels as there is a whole range of dynamics involved from how the line comes off the reel, the closeness of the reel body to the rod, the size and shape of the spool, the suppleness of the braid and the size and placement of the first runner.

I have one outfit that casts out of this world with a stiffer braid as the supple ones I initially put on it just gave me grief. The same braid on another similar spinning outfit wasn't an issue what so ever but the reel body was further out from the rod. Just saying that changing one item can fix things but knowing what the cause was rather than the symptoms is required to solve the problem. It took me a while to work out the reel body position relative to the rod was the cause but once I worked that out then I realised I needed a stiffer braid so that it came off the reel in a narrower loops, your mate could be suffering a similar problem.

Agree with everything you said

Need to add lure weight - lighter the worst it becomes

However one thing that is absolutely critical is how a reel lays the line on the spool ...... the latest Exist (& Stella FK) do this better than previous models - & it shows in the Exist even throwing quite light lures & in windy conditions .

This reel did it better than any spin reel I have owned & I was using a fine braid (Varivas Avani Pe2 - 33lb)

Chris