Daiwa Tournament ISO QD Reel - 08/06/2009
RICHARD STEWART weighs up the performance of one of the most sought-after reels on the market.
The heritage of these impressive reels is easy to see. They look like one of Daiwa’s ever-popular SS3000s that’s been given a space-age makeover. The Tournament ISO is an incredibly light reel, but it doesn’t give you the impression of frailty. In fact, I’m sure that I’ll be happily using mine for years and years. The deeper, more conventional spool makes you think that the ISO is more of an all-rounder than its cousin, the long-casting Basia. I’d have to say that the impression is borne out – it’s one of the more compact big-pit reels out there, yet it casts as well as I could ever need. I love the QD spool – it really does work just as it’s supposed to and I’ve not detected any decline in performance yet, nor do I expect to. It’s a real struggle to pick fault with the ISO but the one thing that I’d change would be the handle. I love the wooden grip and the metal shaft, but I’m not so sold on the way that the handle dangles around once it’s folded down. Like I said, it’s the only thing that I could find and, let’s face it – it’s pretty minor!
Daiwa manufactures two models, the 5000 and the 5500, with the latter having slightly higher line capacity – a consideration for those boating to extreme range at home or on the Continent. The ISO isn’t cheap, but I’m a firm believer that you get what you pay for with these models. Everything is taken care of technically, so what you’re left with is a thing of beauty that has the guts to handle whatever you can throw at it. If you do decide to buy a set, you won’t tire of looking at them sitting pretty on the rests.
PRICE: £399
CONTACT: Daiwa Sports on 01698 355723
WEBSITE: www.daiwasports.co.uk
