Daiwa Emblem Spod Reel
RRP £139.99
Long Term Test
 Finding a reel that can handle the rigours of casting fully loaded Spods, deadbaits, large marker floats and leads obscene distances continuously for a living, without the fear of them going kaput half way through a session, or having to spend that much money that you end up going bankrupt is with out question a daunting task for any angler.
However, about 3 years ago those clever chaps at Daiwa realised that there was a big gap in the market place for such a reel, and the Emblem Spod was born. Designed around the body and spool of the already established Emblem Pro the 'Spod' retrieves over 100cm of line for every handle turn. The oversize ABS spool lets line peel off effortlessly and the Tournament line clip cushions even the most powerful of casts.
Features
• Twin line clips
• ABS Aluminium Spool
• CastLock Mechanism prevents accidental bail closure
• Twist Buster
• Super Auto Cast II system for easy line pick up
• 4 Ball Bearings including 1 "CRBB"
• Quick Drag
• Worm Shaft Oscillation Mechanism
Daiwa have introduced two important features that make life easier. CastLock ensures that the opened bail stays locked in the correct position during the cast. The second is Auto Cast II where, under the tension from a loaded spod you simply engage the button on the underside of the reel and the rotor will turn and stop at the perfect position for line pick up and bail opening. With four high quality ball bearings including one CRBB combined with worm gear oscillation the Emblem Spod really can handle whatever you throw at her.
Although designed as a designated hardcore addition to your reel artillery, the Emblem Spod is also at home when being used as a fish playing tool. I originally got my hands on four of the Emblem Spods well over a year ago and have used them as my main reels and personally can’t fault them. The obvious features like the linelay, casting, retrieve and clutch on the Spods are as good as many reels of greater value. Plus, as an added extra, for those fashion victims amongst us (Tackle Tarts, you know who you are) they also look the dogs. We also have used these reels under heavy duty predator situations, and have found that they will easily handle the casting and retrieval of large deadbaits such as whole Mackerel or Herring with no problems at all.
So in a nutshell, The Daiwa Emblem Spod is a versatile reel that has the finest qualities you would expect to find on any top of the range, far more expensive reel, with the added bonus of knowing that when you need to punch holes into the horizon time and time again, and retrieve line at a fast 5.1 to 1 ratio but still keeping everything nice and tidy for the next cast. Then take a good look at the Emblem Spod, a reel that does exactly what it says on the box and it does it exceptionally well.
IMPORTANT FOOTNOTE
On far too many occasions I’ve seen experienced anglers using the same Top of the Range reels for Spodding as they regularly use for there general fishing, then after hours of casting eight ounce spods out over 120yds and retrieving like a lunatic. These same said anglers can’t understand why their precious £400 pieces of rod blingage (of which they have five) have started sounding like a coffee grinder grinding nuts and bolts.
Always ensure that the reel you are using for heavy spodding and marker work is up to the job, otherwise it can become REEL expensive. (Excuse the pun) |
