Anyone has some experience with '18 Daiwa Ryoga?

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fishingjunkie75
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Anyone has some experience with '18 Daiwa Ryoga?

Post by fishingjunkie75 » Wed Sep 22, 2021 5:26 am

Amazon Japan is selling this nice little round reel for ~$340, the "Crazy Cranker" version. I don't have much experience with round reels, but itching to try one for spinnerbait/chatterbait/jigs. I searched around Internet, and saw some nice reviews from TT. But I also saw a number of users mentioning an alleged design flaw with the palm side plate locking mechanism, which is only a plastic ring holding the whole side plate to the frame. I wonder if there're any owners here who may share their opinions on this? Thanks!

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GOOD YEAR 71
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Re: Anyone has some experience with '18 Daiwa Ryoga?

Post by GOOD YEAR 71 » Wed Sep 22, 2021 9:39 pm

I had initial concern as well but so far no problem. I'm sure you'll be pleased with it.
PEACE

SSS
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Re: Anyone has some experience with '18 Daiwa Ryoga?

Post by SSS » Thu Sep 23, 2021 2:14 am

I too am thinking of getting one, but not too sure if its worth it. Also strange how Daiwa introduced their micro gears, and abandoned them almost instantly. I think Millionaire CT is the only other reel that uses them?

fishingjunkie75
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Re: Anyone has some experience with '18 Daiwa Ryoga?

Post by fishingjunkie75 » Thu Sep 23, 2021 6:12 am

GOOD YEAR 71 wrote:
Wed Sep 22, 2021 9:39 pm
I had initial concern as well but so far no problem. I'm sure you'll be pleased with it.
Thanks! I tend to worry too much sometimes O:) Regarding this side plate issue, another user on BR forum reminded me that sometimes, users tighten the spool tension knob too much, or use it as a cast control knob, even on a zero adjuster. That might weaken the plastic ring lock latch in long term.
SSS wrote:
Thu Sep 23, 2021 2:14 am
I too am thinking of getting one, but not too sure if its worth it. Also strange how Daiwa introduced their micro gears, and abandoned them almost instantly. I think Millionaire CT is the only other reel that uses them?
Yeah, I think the "Hyper Mesh Gear" was only used on Ryoga so far, not even on Millionaire CT. Cal did a Millionaire CT review and confirmed that:
http://www.tackletour.com/reviewdaiwajd ... tsv70.html
But so far, I didn't see many Ryoga users complained about that; on the contrary, I saw some owners commented on how smooth it stays in long term. So, I guess those tiny gears teeth held up.
PS: Plat website is selling Millionaire CT on 50% off right now, but only right-handed model.

SSS
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Re: Anyone has some experience with '18 Daiwa Ryoga?

Post by SSS » Thu Sep 23, 2021 8:22 pm

So only one reel is using Daiwa's micro grears, and might be the last. That's crazy. Finding these in the future will be difficult to say the least.

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Re: Anyone has some experience with '18 Daiwa Ryoga?

Post by Dalleinf » Fri Sep 24, 2021 6:10 pm

I have the 18 Ryoga HL in 1016 and 1520.
Really like both of them and can recommend them.
The sideplate is indeed a bit wobbly esp on the 1520, but I have only felt it while pulling on the side plate / toying with the reel - never while fishing.

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