The holiday season is here, and that means shopping for gifts for loved ones or possibly for yourself. As anglers, nothing would be better than new fishing gear, and there are plenty of good options out there for every budget.
Daiwa is a leader when it comes to fishing gear, and they have a whole line of rods and reels that start at the inexpensive price range and go all the way to the best that money can buy. Professional anglers Ish Monroe, Randy Howell, and Brandon Palaniuk all share their picks for that perfect gift.
Under $100
Randy Howell | Fuego CT Casting Reel ($99.99)
One of Randy Randy Howell’s favorite reels is the Daiwa Tatula CT, and this budget-minded Fuego shares many of the same characteristics.
“It has the compact size that a lot of the pros are going to because the reels are lighter,” he begins. “It has the same feel of the Tatula CT but is just a little less dressed up. It is an excellent reel and especially when you consider the price.”
Howell feels this reel is an excellent choice for beginning to intermediate level anglers and said high school anglers are one group where this reel would be perfect.
Ish Monroe | Tatula CT Casting Reel ($129.99)
If your gift budget is $100, Ish Monroe advises to up it just a little and get the Tatula CT.
“They are worth it and deserve the gift,” he says and adds that this is the same reel that all of the top-level pros trust when they are competing for big dollars in professional tournaments. “It is everything that you want in a reel,” he adds.
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Under $200
Randy Howell | Tatula Elite Casting Rod 7' Medium-Light ($179.99)
This rod is one of four of Howell’s signature series of rods, but he said this is his top recommendation due to its versatility. “You can use any technique with smaller treble hooks with this one rod. Shallow crankbaits, lipless crankbaits, and jerkbaits and really anything with a #4 or smaller treble,” he says.
Brandon Palaniuk | Tatula 100 Casting Reel ($159.99)
The Tatula 100 is the newest addition to the Tatula family, and Brandon Palaniuk is a big fan because of the compact size and fact that it can be used for a wide range of techniques.
“It is a beast of a little reel. The size is super comfortable in your hand,” begins Palaniuk.
He said that this one reel can do many things and is ideal for someone who doesn’t have the resources to have a pile of dedicated technique specific combos.
“With the Zero Adjuster (spool tension knob) it is easy to switch back and forth with different techniques if you can remember the setting number that was best for those lures,” adds the Idaho pro.
Ish Monroe | 7'4" Medium-Heavy Brent Ehrler Tatula Elite Rod ($179.99)
Monroe said that any of the Tatula Elite rods would be great gifts and when asked to pick just one, he chose Brent Ehrler’s 7’4” bladed jig rod.
“If I had to pick just one, that would be it. It is a great all-around choice for any reaction bait, not just bladed jigs,” he says.
The “When You Really Love Someone” Price Range
If you are looking for a very nice gift and the price is not a concern, there are plenty of great options out there. Whether it is a high-end rod or one of the best reels money can buy, there are several Daiwa products worthy of a mention here.
Randy Howell | Steez A ($449.99)
Howell recommends the Steez A casting reel that retails for around $450. “What you get with that reel is the highest quality Japanese engineered reel you will find. The Steez would make a really special gift,” he says and adds that the 7.1:1 gear ratio would be his first choice.
Ish Monroe and Brandon Palaniuk | Exist G LT Spinning Reel ($799.99)
Ish Monroe has made a name for himself with frogs, punching and other techniques with heavy braided line and big rods. That is what makes his pick of a spinning reel stand out. “I’m not a huge fan of spinning tackle, but this is the best spinning reel on the planet,” he says. “I would have to pick this reel because it is the ultimate gift for anyone who loves fishing.”
Palaniuk is known more than Monroe is for spinning gear, so this one makes sense, but he had similar good things to say about this reel. “It’s expensive but worth it. The Exist is the best of the best. If you are someone who likes to use finesse techniques, this is the best reel you can get,” he says. “It has a smooth drag and super smooth retrieve which allows you to have a better feel. This is important for techniques like spybaiting, so you feel the bait instead of feeling the reel.”
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