Daiwa Fuego LT Reel Review [Pros & Cons]

I’ve been using the Daiwa Fuego LT Reel for a few months now. It’s a fairly new reel on the market and I wanted to see firsthand how this product would perform on the water over time.

I wanted to share my honest opinion of it with you in hopes that you or others who have used it too could add in your opinions (good or bad) down below in the Comments section.

Daiwa Fuego LT Reel Specs
Price Range: $79.99-$99.99
Series: 3000
Weight with 10 lb braid: 8.0 oz
Max Drag: 22.0

Pros of the Daiwa Fuego LT Reel
1. They Are Lightweight Reels
2. Very Smooth and Nice Feel
3. High-Quality Drag System

Cons of the Daiwa Fuego LT Reel
1. Unknown Longevity
2. Line Bunching at Top of Spool

Have you used this reel? Whats your opinion on it?

Let us know in the comments below.

Tight Lines!

[MrJaynotts]

I've had mine 3000 for about 10 months, I've had no problems with it at all. I live on the North coast of Cornwall in England and we get lots of sea mist even in summer. I do lots of spinning of the rocks, it's had loads of wash and spray thrown at it and works fine.i just tighten up the drag when I get home, rinse out with fresh water and losen the drag once it's dry. Great value for money. I brought it as a "cheaper" light fishing reel at the same time I brought a Penn slammer 3, I use it over the slammer all the time.

[IrishDevil]

I’ve been using a few 2500XH almost since they came out. It’s been great for trout and up to 40” redfish. They have performed every bit as well as my Ci4+ 3000. I did notice a little bit of flex when reeling in the larger redfish, it isn’t as stiff as the Ci4+. I’m happy with them, especially for the price. This has became my go to lightweight budget reel.

[marko]

i hooked a setup while i was saltwater fishing and it had this exact reel, i cleaned it up a little and it works just like it’s new. It was probably sitting down 20 ft for about a week or so.

[Capt.JorgeMoran]

I own this reel on the 2500 size and have been using it for the past 3 months now and I'm very happy with it. Light, feels strong even for a composite material reel, the spool holds a good amount of line and that price point is very attractive. $100 or less anywhere online.

Mine has been splashed and fairly abused and so far has lost none of it's smoothness. I have not dunked it completely in saltwater but it hasn't received a good amount of splashing like I mentioned before.

I did however have the same problem with spooling it with new line out of the box, but all I had to do was add a washer (included) and it was fixed. Mind you, putting in that washer was not that simple but once it was there it was all good. I would 100% recommend it to anybody looking for a light, solid reel in the $100 price range for any inshore fishing applications. Great review as always Luke and keep Strong. Tight lines.

[JeffB]

i got a 2500XH a bit over a year ago and really liked it . last week i got a new 2023 2500XH version but i haven't used it yet . i only fish fresh water but i find salt strong to be VERY helpful . thanks folks :)

[rmbooker]

I’ve been using this reel on a Tsunami Air Wave Coastal 7’ MH for about 3 months fishing from my kayak. Love the reel so far working stripers, blues and flounder. I have the 3000 model and yeah it gets salt water on it while in the rod holder at times. The thing I do with my gear after an outing, is rinse thoroughly with fresh water and allow to air dry.

[mrs.p]

Love this reel and the line bunching isn't an issue on the 4000 series. I don't think I could have found a better reel for the money, especially that's being used primarily in saltwater.

[RahmanHidayat]

Daiwa has been champion in every class... with 100 bugs fuego you can override 150 bugs shimano reels... manufacturers competitions are always good for costumers... keep casting

[smoothddd]

why do you mark "havent used it enough" as a con? thats weird.

[TheTim]

Smoothest reel I own and I own reels at three times the cost. I've been using it on saltwater and its gotten very wet with spray. I hose it down when I'm done as and it doesn't skip a beat. I've used it about 30 times in the last two months.

[ErikColl]

I've had this reel for 6 months and I use it in the salt with no issue, but I also rinse my stuff after each use.. The issue I did have was the line lay was off from the factory on mine as well and causing knots. It was subtle but just enough to cause some issues that I did have to address with washer swaps.. I was impressed with it though compared to my Ci4 that was more than double the price..oh and the thicker bail wire is a pro IMHO

[RevIt]

I don't know if you have realized by now but Most Daiwa reels bunch the line to the outside, it should be conical, it's part of the whole long cast thing, changing it to be flat is really nerfing the reel ;-)

[RogerFordSuperRog]

So glad I searched! I bought a Daiwa Fuego last year. I loved it and bought 2 more. Am thinking of getting a 3rd, so nice to hear good words about my choice!
Roger, The Smiling BassHole

[kevinspade]

I have a 2500 so far its holding up in salt. Awesome videos man!

[RH-qklt]

Luke, since it's been a year now, I'm curious of your opinion of the Fuego? I've caught a number of 5 - 10lb Jacks, trout and one 25ish lb. Black drum on my 3500 Fuego. I believe the Fuego is a nice reel for the money. 22lb's of smooth drag and bearing smooth reeling. I still prefer the BG but the weight savings in the Fuego is noticeable and appreciated. I don't believe there's a $100 reel, mag sealed bearings or not, that will continue to function like new if they're dunked in salt water. But the mag seal on the Fuego helps with normal salt moisture. Especially if you do what we're supposed to and wash off our reels after each use. I believe Daiwa is making some of the best fresh water reels available, period. And some very, very good salt water reels in that $100 range. Which for the average guy will provide many years of enjoyable use. Curious of your opinion now that you've been using it.

[eazypeazy]

What’s the difference between the 1st fuego and the new fuego besides the bail ? I hear from some people they like the old fuego better than the new and have problems with the new one.

[jimarneson]

im using the LT 2500D-XH, 10 lb mono line, 7" jonny mitchell medium light walleye rod, it casts incredibly smooth, reels with very smooth, ive had to dunk it after catching pike to clean it off.
most of the time I'm catching small mouth bass up to 4 lb, some walleye up to 6 lb so far,
a very sensitive setup I've made close to 1000 casts and spent any trips trolling with it.
I have to say it has become my favorite setup.
only thing I've noticed is the drag has to turn couple more revolutions more than my other reels to set drag tighter when my habit of loosing drag after catching a fish but the drag is very smooth no sticking.

[papiomasta]

I have all the size since it's debut. Not a single problem. Very light rinse after use. Still super smooth. Nothing bad to say about this reel. Its light and for the price best bang for your $$$. Beats all the reels in its class per price point!

[nicholasfano]

I have the 3k w 20 lb braid, again, too much flex when reeling in fish. Yes, v light, smooth, but excessive flex is no starter

[InshoreChaos]

This reel is also mag sealed, something that daiwa used to only offer in their high end lineups. Mag seal is what makes the reel last and prevents corrosion in the bearings. Plus there are o-rings where you screw in the handle that make it even more waterproof. I really wish I got this reel instead of the BG now :/