Daiwa Tierra 2000

[bucaneer]

Hi,
With the impending purchase of some more Black Diamond rods, I need at least 2 new reels. As this will stretch the budget to breaking (read that as divorce) point, I need to curb my expensive tastes. After a lot of consideration I think the Daiwa Tierra 2000 looks the pick on paper of a reel about the $200 mark. What I now need to know is how they stack up in the real world, and if there are others I could be considering. I've looked at Ebay, overseas, and the second hand market, and although I can buy them a bit cheaper, they only have the international 12 months warranty. By buying them at Campbells I may pay a few dollars more, but I get the Australian 5 year warranty.
Cheers,
Andy

[breamN2wheels]

Hi Andy

I have 2 TD 2500 Tierra's.

I have caught Longtail and Yellow Fin tuna on them (2-3kg maby a little bigger (was a few months ago)) as well as some good Bream.

They have a smooth drag system and are a well balanced reel.

For there price i think they are great value.

HTH

[bucaneer]

Thanks James,
Those Tuna certainly test the reel drag out, don't they?
Sounds like you are pretty happy with them, which supports my research results.
Cheers,
Andy

[kamikazeghost]

The TD Tierra's are a finely tuned and well balanced reel for the middle-end market. The 2000 series would ideally suite for bream and if you're up for it, the longtails (just be willing to chase them around).

They have a very nice and strong drag system which on the 2000 series can easily give you roughly 4kg of drag pressure which is plenty enough to slow and stop most fish species.

The line lay as expected with all daiwa reels is great, but obviously not as perfect as the High-end market reels, but trust me, it's probably the top of the middle-end market reels.

The other one's you can look at is the Exceler Plus (around $179)or even the Exceler (around $129) which have been at the forefront for the middle-end market for a while now. Same as the Tierra in its qualities as a reel apart from the fact that the drag system doesn't quite pull as much as the Tierra but 3-4kg is not much of a difference anyway really (well it can be).

One thing that a number of anglers get their heads twisted around is the weight of the reel. In all honesty, that's a nil concern. What you're ideally looking for the weight balance ratio to the rod you're buying or already have. Make sure that the reel balances well with the rod. What I mean is, you could have the lightest reel on the market, but cos the rod blank is more tip heavy, all the weight moves to the front and thus it obviously is not balanced and can pose problems with feel, finnesse, etc.

So, take your rod in and make sure it feels balanced to you. So that's why I advise to get the rod first, then the reel. Not the other way round if you're not too sure of the weight balanced ratios.

[bucaneer]

K. You have done it for me again. I am becoming more and more convinced the Tierra will do the job. Not the reel I would normally be looking at, but the cost factor does weigh heavily on this occasion. Twelve months down the track I may look at moving the Tierras on and upgrading. They will be predominantly used for Bream, occasionally on trout and Estuary Perch. Not much chance of tangling with Long Tail in cold old Victoria. I think our Blue Fin Tuna would laugh at it, though we did have a solid run of Mahi Mahi mixed with the SBT this year, so who knows what will migrate down here next.
The BD rods I'm ordering are all very light and fairly "tippy", so the Tierras are probably as heavy as I would like to go, though I take on board what you say about getting the rods first.
Thanx for all the useful info
Cheers,
Andy

[Hotrods]

got a 1500 as a back up about 6 months ago...loaded it with 4lb TD sensor...cant seem to put it down !!!
gave it a pre season strip and look see a wek ago..mechanically A1...cant find any faults with it yet ...

[bucaneer]

Dave & Perrie,
Thanks for the positive comments fellas. I am beginning to realise my research was pretty well on the mark, and I will probably settle on the Tierras. For the sake of variety I may get one Sol as well. Next step is to find a tackle shop with a good range of Daiwa reels and have play with them. Is there any subtle little advantage/feature the Sol has that the Tierra hasn't?
Cheers,
Andy

[Hotrods]

internally the SOL is a far better reel...little 'economical' machanical differences that make the Tierra a cheeper option, bit more nylon / plastic componentry...

the body of the tierra isnt as tight as the SOL, you get a little play of the handle and the main crown, also the sleeve under the spool is Nylon, not alloy like the SOl...
after upgarding the Sol to a bearing i transfered the alloy sleeve to the tierra...
apart from that the spools are interchangable (1500 - 2000)

i use a SOL 2000 (6lb) and the Tierra 1500 (4lb) , swap the spools over all the time, depending on where im fishing...

[Hotrods]

oh and the handle is Reel 4 compatible...meaning you can remove the 'I' knob and replace it with anything you like...

[bucaneer]

Thanks Perrie,
More great information. If I wasn't spending all this money in one hit, and was only looking for one reel, I'd be looking at an Airity or Certate. For me, looking at the lower end of the scale is proving quite confusing. So many choices with so many subtle differences. I am beginning to think buying 2 different reels maybe a good idea.
Cheers,
Andy

[kamikazeghost]

If you buy both you won't be sorry. You'll have a reel from the top-end of the middle-end market and a reel from the bottom-end of the High-end market basically.

Both highy exceptional reels overall. If you have the cashflow then it is well worth it.

The Airity, Luvias, Certate, Exist are the eschalon of spinning reels in the current market. Any of them will do. There is really no negatives with any of them and so it'll come down to personal preference. the 2000 series in these (apart from Exist), you can easily without problems take on the snapper you have in Melbourne and Salmon.

[bucaneer]

Yeah, what the hell , it's only money, and what else is it good for If I don't spend it, I only end up paying bills with it, or the missus spends it. The rods have been ordered tonight, so as soon as they arrive, I'll go reel shopping.
Cheers,
Andy

[bucaneer]

Update on my reel search.
Okay, I admit it, I'm an angling tragic . I no sooner make up my mind on what I am going to buy (Tierra and Sol), then I just have to look at the next level up . I really did like the Airity, but as I wanted 2 reels, they were way outside my budget. Next best thing was a Luvias, also still well outside budget. Having heard Japan Tackle were very cheap, curiosity got the better of me, so I checked their price out. I found I could buy the Luvias from them for AU$300 each delivered...........hmmmmmmmmm........only $100 over budget.....what the hell, it's only money
I was sold, so I tried to order 2, only to find they had no stock....BUGGER!!! I have spent most of this afternoon searching the internet with no success. One site had a notice up saying they were out of production, so maybe this is the reason the major Jap onliners have no stock.
Then I remembered a Jap store who used to be an Ebay seller, Ginrinpeche. I logged onto their site, and Bingo!!!, they had stock, and even better they were much, much cheaper than Japan Tackle. I now have 2 Daiwa Luvias 2000 reels on their way for a total of AU$516 delivered to my door. That is just $16 above budget for the Sol & Tierra, so guess who's a very happy chappy now For anyone who is looking for a good price on a Daiwa reel, here is the link https://www.ginrinpeche.com
Cheers,
Andy

[TranquilityBass]

What was that about the warranty you were mentioning in your first post?

[bucaneer]

I rarely buy off shore as I am happy to pay $50-$60 extra to get the full local warranty, but in this case I saved nearly $120 per reel. If something goes wrong with them, I will happily pay the cost of repair knowing I will still be miles in front with that sort of saving.
Cheers,
Andy