Daiwa Sol-Spinning Reel - California Fishing

BeachBear · 04-06-2007, 09:47 PM

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).

Click image for larger version

Name: SOL.jpg
Views: 23
Size: 94.6 KB
ID: 6521

YakityYak · 04-06-2007, 09:54 PM

Nice review. thanks

cashe · 04-06-2007, 10:07 PM

Nice report, cool looking reel.I think it would look nice in my hand. I'm so vain.

orchardhills · 04-07-2007, 11:07 AM

I have tried Rich's Sols and they are awesome. I have a Quantum Catalyst that I thought was nice, until I played with the Sol reels.

spooky007 · 04-07-2007, 01:40 PM

Nice reels Richard!! $200 a pop and you have 2!!!

Al

tompayne · 04-07-2007, 05:27 PM

Nice reels Rich, I've seen those

Good review as well, nicely done

Tom

NulodPBall · 04-07-2007, 06:52 PM

BeachBear · 04-07-2007, 10:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spooky007

Nice reels Richard!! $200 a pop and you have 2!!!

Al

One for me and the other for MrsBeachBear

I love her.

Wahoo! · 04-08-2007, 12:08 PM

Very nice review. Thanks for sharing! Do you feel like you get some good torque out of that reel?

BeachBear · 04-09-2007, 05:36 PM

Too easy of a torque on weights. Pulls in 1 oz no problem, almost effortless. We'll be using the reels for shovelnose and leos and honestly expect no problem out of a 2000 reel.

spooky007 · 04-09-2007, 08:19 PM

Richard, what do you think of the Fuegos?? I was looking at those also. I guess I just need to get one and try it out. What rod are you using with the sols?

Al

BeachBear · 04-10-2007, 04:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spooky007

Richard, what do you think of the Fuegos?? I was looking at those also. I guess I just need to get one and try it out. What rod are you using with the sols?

Al

I have a thing against red, working my way through college and stacking cherry tomatoes 12 hours a day 6 days a week during the summer made a real disdain for red. I once calculated that I moved 4 tons of tomato a day. It took about 3 years before I even ate a tomato. Nonetheless, I never tried the Fuego because it's red. Since you're sponsored by BOOYAH, hopefully your team could get a sponsor from Daiwa, or discounts.

I rotate rods for the surf. First, is a 9 ft, (6-12), Concept Guides, 85 million graphite Shimano Compre that SYthe Creations lengthened the handle. I think I'll have him marbelize it later. The other is a 9 ft (6-12)Matrix titanium tipped SYthe Creation.

My wife has hers on a 9 ft SYthe Creation with titanium guides.

My new baby on the way is a 9 ft Shikari, (6-12), blue ringed reel seet, split grip, black frame with blue ring. This one I'll marbelize with black, blue and a touch of white. I'll use a Daiwa Tierra for this one. SYthe Creation of course.

I have baitcasters too, but rarely use. Daiwa Coastal on a Daiwa Coastal rod and Luna 203 on a Setyr rod.

We (MrsBeachBear and I) will also use the Sols for our next rods. 8 ft Shikari (8-17) I think, guides will be silver with blue ring insert, blanks are neptune blue in color with a flake, a tricolor fade with our names BeachBear and MrsBeachBear enscribed. Another SYthe Creation on the way.

Some people love tattoos, I love custom rods.

tompayne · 04-10-2007, 04:36 PM

Damn those are gonna be some beautiful rods Richard. I can't wait to see how they turn out. I'm gonna have Sy put my name on my new saltwater rod and my surf rod. The Seeker Black Steel with the Diawa Saltist and my name in silver or orange is gonna look b!tchin. Damn you Richard, you got me hooked

Tom

spooky007 · 04-10-2007, 05:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BeachBear

I have a thing against red, working my way through college and stacking cherry tomatoes 12 hours a day 6 days a week during the summer made a real disdain for red. I once calculated that I moved 4 tons of tomato a day. It took about 3 years before I even ate a tomato. Nonetheless, I never tried the Fuego because it's red. Since you're sponsored by BOOYAH, hopefully your team could get a sponsor from Daiwa, or discounts.

I rotate rods for the surf. First, is a 9 ft, (6-12), Concept Guides, 85 million graphite Shimano Compre that SYthe Creations lengthened the handle. I think I'll have him marbelize it later. The other is a 9 ft (6-12)Matrix titanium tipped SYthe Creation.

My wife has hers on a 9 ft SYthe Creation with titanium guides.

My new baby on the way is a 9 ft Shikari, (6-12), blue ringed reel seet, split grip, black frame with blue ring. This one I'll marbelize with black, blue and a touch of white. I'll use a Daiwa Tierra for this one. SYthe Creation of course.

I have baitcasters too, but rarely use. Daiwa Coastal on a Daiwa Coastal rod and Luna 203 on a Setyr rod.

We (MrsBeachBear and I) will also use the Sols for our next rods. 8 ft Shikari (8-17) I think, guides will be silver with blue ring insert, blanks are neptune blue in color with a flake, a tricolor fade with our names BeachBear and MrsBeachBear enscribed. Another SYthe Creation on the way.

Some people love tattoos, I love custom rods.

Thanks Richard!! BOOYAA is more product support than actuall sponsorship. Plus, I really like Shimano better!!!

I do love my excellers but wanted another spinning outfit for bass. I use baitcasters primarily.

Al

BeachBear · 04-11-2007, 11:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tompayne

Damn those are gonna be some beautiful rods Richard. I can't wait to see how they turn out. I'm gonna have Sy put my name on my new saltwater rod and my surf rod. The Seeker Black Steel with the Diawa Saltist and my name in silver or orange is gonna look b!tchin. Damn you Richard, you got me hooked

Tom

Once you get one, you very rarely go back to buying one of the rack.