In this review of the Daiwa Fuego LT, we will look at this new reel released at the 2017 ICAST event.
Based on the reel’s name, we must ask ourselves: Is this a HOT, LIGHT, & TOUGH reel? Let’s dig in and see.
As many of you who follow Salted Angler know, we are big fans of the Daiwa brand, with the Daiwa BG SW being our favorite reel for under $100 (most models).
Does the Daiwa Fuego LT live up to the Daiwa reputation?
We like that this is a lighter-weight reel than the Daiwa BG SW (its carbon body is light and tough) and that the main shaft is protected by Daiwa’s Magsealed design.
The Fuego LT uses the same Digigear drive system as the Daiwa BG SW and a similar machined aluminum screw-in handle for strength that can be reversed for right- or left-handed use.
Like the BG, the Fuego LT also uses a 7-bearing (6BB + 1 RB) system for smooth casts and retrieves.
The primary difference between the two reels will be in the weight category. The Fuego LT 2000 weighs in at 7.2 oz vs. the 9.3 oz of the BG 2000, which is almost a 25% reduction in weight.
The same goes for the largest model, the Fuego LT 4000, which weighs in at 8.4 oz vs. the same-sized BG 4000 at 14.3 oz, which is a whopping 41% drop in weight for the same-sized reel.
The Bottom Line
- Another favorite saltwater reel from Daiwa is in the $100 range for inshore fishing
- Very smooth reel with a great drag
- Lightweight due to the carbon-infused body
- Magsealed technology to keep saltwater out
The Daiwa Fuego LT reel is an all-around winner and is available here.
Features
Sleek design, yet solid and durable
Daiwa has focused on reducing the weight of the Fuego over previous models and has created a reel that meets all the criteria for a finesse saltwater reel.
Lightweight, sturdy carbon-infused housing
The carbon-infused housing of the Daiwa Fuego LT means that you are going to have a reel that is both lightweight and durable.
Air Rotor with Air Bail
The air rotor is very lightweight, does a great job of distributing the rotor’s stress, and is well-balanced. The air bail is also very lightweight due to its hollow stainless steel construction.
While hollow, the bail is still sturdy and should hold up over years of fishing.
DigiGear computer-driven gear design
These oversized gears are digitally cut on what we believe to be a CNC machine, and Daiwa is pretty hush-hush about how this is done.
The oversized gear allows for more teeth to be in contact simultaneously, which means you get a smoother retrieve and extended life of your reel as there is not as much stress on any tooth at a time.
Torque is also increased, so you have more power when retrieving a larger fish. The Daiwa Fuego LT reels come in 3 gear ratios 5.2:1, 5.3:1 & 6.2:1 to handle a variety of fishing lures and styles.
Magsealed technology protects the main shaft
Magseal technology uses Magoil that can be magnetically solidified, similar to how a boat’s propeller shaft uses packing to keep water, dirt, and salt out of the main shaft.
The advantage of this is that you will have a reel that feels like a new reel for much longer.
Buttery smooth 7-bearing (6+1) system
There are seven anti-rust stainless steel ball bearings in the Daiwa Fuego LT, but they are not shielded for water protection, as you will find in most higher-end reels from Daiwa.
Extremely powerful drag system
The drag system on the Daiwa Fuego LT is excellent and provides the proper amount of drag for even your hard-fighting inshore species, such as snook. I like the fact that it is also protected from water.
Ergonomic machined aluminum handle
The machined aluminum handle has a gentle sway that feels right in your hands. The handle is designed to screw in for a solid feel with no slop and can easily be adapted for both right- and left-handed retrieving.
Field Test
I paired a Daiwa Fuego LT 2500 for my field test with a 5.3:1 gear ratio to one of my favorite rods, the St. Croix Mojo Inshore.
The combination of these two gives me a very lightweight setup with a total weight of just over 13 oz, loaded with a 20 lb test braid.
Since the fishing has been horrible here lately due to our algae runoff from Lake Okeechobee and the red tide, I decided to head over to Mosquito Lagoon on the east coast and target some redfish and spotted sea trout with artificials.
On a side note, if you have not taken the time to learn about what is going on in South Florida, please visit Captains For Clean Water.
Ok, back to the review — but these water quality issues have me heated.
The reel performed very well, and I was impressed with how smooth it was out of the box. While I have just started using the Fuego LT, I have spoken with several fellow fishermen who have been using the reel for the last 6-9 months, and they all had very positive things to say.
The reel seems to hold up after extensive use in saltwater. One person commented that there was a small amount of binding after two weeks of fishing every day and no rinsing. However, that was quickly resolved with a thorough cleaning that did not involve breaking the reel down.
I got into some decent-sized redfish 24″- 28″, and the drag was flawless, no jerkiness, just smooth. I also found the retrieve very soft with the oversized DigiGears and the ever-so-slightly bent aluminum handle.
I got into and landed a few trout in the 20″-22″ range with a much lighter drag setting, and the reel proved to be a lot of fun to use here as well; I love light tackle! I did not experience any issues with drag in the lighter settings. However, some people have reported slight sticking in the light drag setting.
I have been a fan of the Daiwa product for the last few years as I feel that it delivers a great bang for the buck, and the Daiwa Fuego LT is no different. I think it is a step up from the Daiwa BG SW, which I greatly fish.
Personally, I love this reel, and it will most likely replace my Daiwa BG SW as it is a lot lighter and has more drag, with 22 lbs on the Fuego LT vs. 13.2 lbs on the BG SW.
The Daiwa Fuego LT comes in 4 sizes: the Fuego LT 1000, the Fuego LT 2500 (2 gear ratios, the Fuego LT 3000, and the largest, the Fuego LT 4000).
With the range of sizes, you can find one to fit your needs, from teasing small mangrove snappers out from their cover to fighting a nice-sized redfish or snook.
As I mentioned, the Daiwa Fuego LT is a newer reel, so it will take a few years to get detailed feedback from a large group of people to see how well the reel holds up over the long haul.
With that said, I have spoken with several guides and pros using these, and the consensus seems to be that so far, so good.
Pros
- Very lightweight
- Sealed against the elements
- Smooth and strong drag
Cons
- There were some reports of a slightly sticky drag in the light setting, but I did not have this issue.
- There were some reports of the bail being off balance, and I did not have this issue.
Daiwa Fuego LT Alternatives
Sticking with the Daiwa brand, I would have to direct you to the Daiwa BG SW, which is still one of my favorite reels and has been proven over the years.
What you won’t get with the BG is the lightweight that you get with the Fuego LT. Remember, in a 2500 series, the BG weighs in at 9.3 oz vs. 7.2 oz, which is about 25% more for the BG.
In the lightweight category, I would recommend that you also look at the Quantum Smoke Inshore PT. This reel will be very similar in features and weight with a little bit more in the water protection category and will run you about 50% more. Read the full Quantum Smoke Inshore review here.
The last reel you might want to consider is the Shimano Stradic Ci4+, which is even lighter than the Fuego LT but comes about twice the price. Read the full Shimano Stradic Ci4+ review here.
In Conclusion
Overall, I am very impressed with the Daiwa Fuego LT and look forward to continuing fishing with it in the foreseeable future when I throw light artificials. Compared to other options, I think it is hard to go wrong at this price point.
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