The surf is just a dangerous place to be. Sand can clog gears and even a pinch of it can end your day and end your reel. Salt will eat away and dissolve hooks, guides, and even your reel. Because of these dangers to your tackle I look for two main features on a reel.
First, is a sealed drag. There's few things worse than taking a rogue wave and drenching your reel. Or keeping it safe all morning long, then washing salt into it. The Daiwa Sol's sealed drag allows washing of the reel and keeping salt and debris in.
Second is CRBB's (Corrosion Resistant Ball Bearing). They're shielded to keep the salt crystals out. They last longer than other bearings as a result. Overall, they're a good choice for a harsh environment.
There are other features that I've come to love about this reel. First is the light weight. Cast after cast, hole after hole, I'm not getting tired. That leaves more energy to fish longer. Second is the AIR BAIL (TM) synergy with the DIGIGEAR levelwind. Usually, braid will dig in and once a month I'll have to strip out the braid and restring it. Not so with this reel and I've had mine for over 3 months now and haven't needed to yet. I've seen lesser reels get line tangles knowing it was their levelwind going up and down wildly like a rocket without fins that was going to create a loop or line twist. When reeling the Sol it looks like a printer, smooth and even line after line. THe reel also comes with another aluminum spool.
DRAWBACKS:
At near $200 this reel prices itself out of many anglers pocketbook. You do get what you pay for, it's just a lot to pay for. I wish I was sponsored by Daiwa or at least a tackle company.
TOO GOOD. The drag is just awesome and the DIGIGEAR does exactly as it says in the brochure, "It is a precise engine to turn your winding energy efficiently, silently, and smoothly into work." When testing the drag I wouldn't lock it down all the way, just a good tightening and I could horse around just about any fish. Turbot, surf perch, and dink halibut must have felt like they were being pushed by a gorilla. I gave quite a few corbina a fast ride in, enough to make them think that they grew legs and ran in. Getting that right amount took awhile, but I guess that can be said of any new reel.
The sun (sol)comes and goes every day. It's shiny andit's bright, it's dependable, and it may cost money but look at what you're getting. That's how I'd describe the Daiwa Sol (Sol is Spanish for sun).