Daiwa LT spinning reels

[Tim Kelly]

I have a couple of the LT reels, a Fuego and a Ballistic, and really like them. I have one gripe though and wonder if it's only me, or it's a common issue. The new design has the drag knob reaching nearly all the way to the spool lip and it is very easy to move. I find myself brushing against it a few times a day when I'm opening the bail and I hear the drag moving a few clicks. Is it only me? Has anyone addressed it? Can the drag knob be made stiffer and a bit more difficult to turn accidentally?

[Tim Kelly]

Just me then.

[bronzefly]

I've been fishing Fuego LT, Tatula LT, Ballistic LT, and Exist LT for some time now and haven't had the same issue you describe. Hope that makes you feel better

[Tim Kelly]

Thank you.

[Mnsmallieguy]

I too am experiencing this. I don't even know I brush the drag setting and I hear it ticking. I am using a Fuego LT currently for panfish, I have found the drag knob just doesn't tighten down enough to be set in a stable position. Flip the bail, grab the line and I hear the drag knob ticking.

[timinmo]

I have fished some of the LT reels and have not encountered this problem, but in all honesty my time with them has been limited. I hope to fish with some of the spinning reels this week and will watch for this problem.

[Winstondry]

I haven't encountered this issue with my Exist LT.

[Mnsmallieguy]

I think my problem has to do with the light setting I am using the drag at. The drag knob spins pretty freely because I am not tightening it down, rather fishing panfish on 4lb test.

It is as if the drag tension knob does have enough tension. I am also using a new BG 1500 with no problems.

The Tatula is a great reel for the price and the few ticks it turns wont impact the drag setting but I do hear it click a few times during use.

[Tim Kelly]

Glad it's not just me then. I've found that if I set the drag knob to a north south kind of position I hit it less often than if it's east west, so as a 1/4 turn doesn't make much difference to the actual setting, I try to do that.

[freelancer27]

I just received my Ballistic LT and it make some slight grinding noise when reeling. Is this expected?

[Tim Kelly]

No. But spinning an empty reel straight out of the box is very different to fishing with it.

[Mnsmallieguy]

I bought my first Fuego LT after turning the handle and playing with a demo from my local Pro shops reel case. I generally put my own line on at home so I didn't open the new reel box in store. I returned home to spool it up and when i put the handle on and turned it the first time I found a reel far different from the demo.

When turning the handle there were sticking points on retrieve, at numerous points it got hard to turn small seizure points. When I took the handle and give it a free fast spin it made that sound of air rushing through the rotor (normal) but also made a sound like a turbo engine winding up, very odd. The reel was very tight for some reason. I assumed too much lube or oil or something but didn't want to take a chance.

I fished it once, on an ultra light fishing 1/32 oz jigs, the reel issues completely killed that trip, it was too hard to retrieve and eliminated the advantages I expected my new St Croix 7lxf Legen elite panfish rod would afford me.

I returned it and the store told me on occasion they have out of box failures from every manufacturer. they exchanged it and spooled it up for me.

[mrpao]

I have noticed that with some new reels these days, sometimes it takes a little breaking in before they get silky smooth. Some of my reels didnt get smooth until after several trips to the lake. I' m not sure if manufacturers are using more grease on the internals or what.