Daiwa Exist LT & Steez AGS 76MML Review - Is It Worth $1400???

Review and comparison to the NEW 2021 Steez AGS 76MML here - • Daiwa Steez Compile X ...
My review of the Daiwa Exist LT 3000 (EXISTLT3000D-C) and the Steez AGS 76MML (STZ761MMLFS-AGS).
More gear review videos coming up!
Below are links to the rod and reel, both from The Tackle Trap. They are also one of the only official Exist warranty shops in the country.
Daiwa Exist 3000D-C - tackletrap.com/index.php?main...
Daiwa Steez AGS 76MML - tackletrap.com/index.php?main...
Sunline FC Sniper 5lb - ebay.us/mvKSHI
Duo Realis Spinbait 80 gfix - ebay.us/TTQDbQ
#daiwaexist #daiwafishing above may contain affiliate links above may contain affiliate links above may contain affiliate links above may contain affiliate links above may contain affiliate links above may contain affiliate links

[@KeepinItReelFishing]

Roger, your review is amazing! Its obvious how much time you put into it all. Highly informative and so nuanced. Plus, your voiceover quality is crisp and you have a great soothing voice. So much beautiful B-roll that helped to highlight all your points. This is REAL high quality work man...enjoyed every second. Thank you!

[@CookingandFishing]

Thanks Carl! I appreciate the kind words, I think we are on similar wavelengths when it comes to review content, the kind of info that's important to get across etc. Tight lines in 2021, season is upon us!

[@dontdoxmebro1780]

I love the format of this video. Would love to see more from you like this.

[@stevenberg1903]

I've been waiting for this review. It was worth the wait!!

[@CookingandFishing]

Thank you!!!

[@Bigfish92084]

Well done review and philosophy. Your review made me take the leap. Thanks!

[@CookingandFishing]

Awesome!! I hope it lives up to expectations. The new Steez Compile X AGS is very, very nice.

[@victorsimonsen921]

thanks for sharing ,love your videos,you have a great way of explaining things .

[@CookingandFishing]

Thank you!!

[@miketorre16]

you are correct.... i was waiting 2 months for the 2022 stella FK.... when my local tackle shop got one in, i made the purchase... There was a 2018 Exist in there. I asked to see it... and i was really impressed. When i was in my car using the 2022 stella i noticed it wasn't as smooth at the 18 exist and when turning the handle, it felt like it the same rotation as my cheap shimanos. i was thinking about keeping it the whole ride home.. I returned it the next day. for now ill use my old old shimano, but ill keep this reel in the back of my mind

[@isaacortiz7338]

Best review of a set up that I've seen.

[@CookingandFishing]

ty!!

[@timtran7196]

3.6K views with 0 thumb down. Wow! You did a great job on this review. Thank you!

[@CookingandFishing]

Haha thanks!!! but don't jinx me loll

[@andregreen8040]

Very prophetic words at the end of your video. I have a Daiwa Exist 1003 with a Steez 6’ 11” rod, a Daiwa Exist Branzino 2508 Hyper on a Steez AGS 7’ rod, a Daiwa 16 Certate 4000HD on a Steez 7 mhfs, a Saltiga Ballistic 6000 reel on a Ballistic 13’ 3” Surf rod, a Saltiga Dogfight 7000 on a Saltiga rod, a Zillion Type R 7.3 bait caster on a Shimano Core 6-10kg rod and I just purchased a Daiwa 20 Emeraldas 8’6” MH-E rod which I will team up with an Emersldas LT AIR 2500. As you mentioned, I derive pleasure simply by using them. Catching fish is a bonus, and I have caught plenty. Buy once and buy well. If I were a 1 pack a day smoker, prices in Australia are $40 a packet, then I’d be burning up the equivalent of 1 Steez rod every 2 weeks.

[@CookingandFishing]

Right on! and man I'm glad I quit smoking the cigarette economics is insane lol

[@robb158]

Fantastic review!

[@CookingandFishing]

Thank you!

[@philhicks2167]

Very good vidio. I don't have exist but have certate, steez and a few luvias all nice on st croix high end rods. Thanks for the video.

[@KitebuildingGenius]

I have a 2500 CXH Exist paired with a G Loomis NRX 8528 JWR - almost exact same price point. Absolutely love it. Also have a 1000 Exist paired with a G Loomis GLX trout rod for ultralight (again, about a $1300 combo) - amazing

[@CookingandFishing]

Yeah hard to beat the high end Daiwas, the new Luvias Airity finesse custom models are calling my name too lol

[@zionezequiel3777]

Dope video as always. All the nice goodies poison adrena rod, Calcutta conquest.. nice things are nice indeed and this video helps me justify the luvias airity I ordered lol. What’s your experience with service/warranty on jdm reels, specifically daiwa. Am I fucked if I have a warranty issue?

[@CookingandFishing]

I've heard that Daiwa USA will service them on a case by case basis, not sure if they will honor the warranty. Always a risk buying JDM!

[@maasai-]

How true ur words r man , thnx for that. Still i’m in the other camp the shimano one , never let me down for years n i’m tough on my gears casting hard all daylong , having the best of shimano from flagship downward including bigpit reels as well ( altegra n bullseye) ,different rods in quality , price n length, yes u r right u only live once .high quality gears not usually justify their hefty price but yet they do add that enjoyment we may miss.

[@CookingandFishing]

We're really lucky to have Daiwa and Shimano locked in battle for the past few decades...can't really go wrong with either brand!

[@laundry08]

As an 80/20 guy, I'll stick with my

[@CookingandFishing]

Thank you! Like I said that 3-400 price point combos nowadays - amazing. The gap is MUCH smaller today than it was 20 years ago, that's for damn sure.

[@kennylim136]

I'm matching my 1000 size Exist to a $120 JDM 5'9" ultralight for sunfish and big bluegills. A little overkill for panfish but I'm also equiptment enthusiast...lol. Thanks for showing!

[@CookingandFishing]

Hey there are $700 JDM UL rods too :) but yes if anything using 2lb line requires even MORE refinement, not less haha

[@alexhytting3784]

Nice review. Totally agree, that life to short, so you migth as well enjoy good gear. Im really enjoying my set with Daiwa Exist LT 2500-xh and a Daiwa Morethan ags 93 ML (2,83 meter and castweight 7-35gr) for my coastal fishing for seatrout in Denmark. During fishing, Im tossing 18 grams lures more than 100 yards - easy. The retreive is smooth and breaks are amazing.. rgds

[@CookingandFishing]

Excellent!! The new Exist and Stella are both out, very difficult to decide lol

[@leo-js2tb]

Best review.

[@curtisg.8671]

Roger, most of us(hardcore) have surf setups with these price tags and even for fluking. Will it catch more fish? Probably not but more enjoyable? Heck yeah!!. You are the smallie master bro. I seen you use this setup in other videos. That rod sensitivity is insane.

[@CookingandFishing]

You might be thinking about Marc's Labrax AGS, but certainly more fun to use the high end stuff salt or fresh, regardless of its actual merits for catching fish lol

[@shore-moneyfishing1939]

Fluke season is upon us!

[@mistermatsuda]

You did a good job of justifying your purchase. ENJOY!

[@marcusvidrine7688]

Excellent explantion

[@natesomers5387]

We need more vids!!! Please

[@CookingandFishing]

We're ramping up for 2021 so expect weekly drops from here on out!

[@lusaeteurn6850]

Please do a review on the conquest and poison rod. I have been thinking of getting the conquest but haven’t found enough info about it. As far as the Adrena I have all the bait cast models and love them all.

[@CookingandFishing]

I will once I spend some time with it! Adrenas are great rods, a little limited in their spinning models but I'm eyeing that 74h!

[@s12drifter]

Just bought the steez rod I can't wait for it to come in. Right now I have my exist on a 902s conquest, now I can put my exist on the steez and put my stella fj on my conquest lol.

[@CookingandFishing]

Haha awesome! How do you compare your stella vs Exist?

[@s12drifter]

@@CookingandFishing both are really nice I like the exist more because it feels like it can crank stronger, it feels like I'm cranking nothing and I like the drag better. The stella feels tighter tolerance, the drag sounds really good and I think it cast smoother and farther. Both are really good though I just fish the exist more.

[@TailDancer_55]

I couldn't have said it better!

[@JerzyAnt609]

Half way through the video I just realized you got a new hobie looks real nice lmao and the fidget spinners think was so funny

[@CookingandFishing]

haha thank you! I bought and sold that outback in 2020, back on my inflatable...I actually prefer it as a fishing platform, maybe I got too used to it!

[@10-Man]

Well said, and enjoy brother!

[@CookingandFishing]

Thanks!

[@joedennehy386]

I had a 3000 exist , i foolishly used it in salt water, it virtually disolved. The nz distributor replaced it with a certate. Which was the best i used. The exist was even better but no good in salt water. The point of diminishing returns is about 200 to 300 in nz. Where a sol, or vanford. Is 90% towards perfection. But to get that extra 10% costs 3 times the money. Great review

[@CookingandFishing]

I will say the Daiwa paint jobs seem a little suspect - and that's not what you want in a magnesium reel for saltwater. Where did the corrosion start? Reel foot?

[@joedennehy386]

@@CookingandFishing the tip of the body, looked perfect on the outside, inside actually disolved

[@LVLogisticsLLC]

Can you give me info on that baitcaster? Please it looks beautiful

[@johngalbavy451]

Did it come with that handle? I got the same exact model and I have the paddle handle. Had it a year so far and its awesome, but love that round foam style handle tho - Id say I use my Vanford 5000c even more because of it....

[@CookingandFishing]

The knob is off the '18 Zillion TW HD (Catalina TW uses the same knob), and last I checked it was out of stock at hedgehog but they might be back in stock now. It's probably my favorite knob for anything that requires a slow, constant retrieve - spybait, small swimbait, little shad plugs etc.

[@bestthingsinceslicedrice]

Well made review! So for others out there wondering if you need to spend this much on fishing gear? Not really since its your skills as a fisherman is what makes you catch more fish. This is more on the side of luxury of course and if you are looking for certain features and comfort. But i am very interested in my end to own a Daiwa Exist out of curriosity if its better than the Certate LT

[@CookingandFishing]

In terms of refinement and smoothness, not really; the Certate is every bit as smooth as the Exist. The only real difference is weight and that lifetime warranty - a 3k sized Certate weighs significantly more than a 3k sized Exist.

[@bestthingsinceslicedrice]

@@CookingandFishing btw can you help me decide on which rod to get for Daiwa Certate LT2500-H size? I plan on having a freelining setup or using float rigs depending on wind condition. So far im thinking of getting the St Criox avid AVS80MLM2 or go with a Jdm Shimano Sephia SSR806ML or Major Craft Triple Cross TCX-832MLW. If you where to chose which one would you get?

[@idkwhattouseforname]

Interesting. Never thought about how smoother drag would allow you to use lighter line.

[@CookingandFishing]

Yeah it makes a big difference but honestly anything Stradic and above has great drag systems.

[@walterkonopacki5860]

Hi Roger, Hoping you will have more fishing and cooking videos this year. I make my own rods about 10 now and have purchased all the components from Mudhole Tackle. Have made most of my rods for under $100 from fluke fishing and light fresh water fishing. I was wondering if there is any source to cross reference some of the better rods into mudhole blanks, looking to maybe move up a little i quality. Mostly drift bait in raritan bay and off sandy hook so really high end stiff I do not think is necessary. Kinda have all the rods i need, so to build one my look to step up a little. Anyway have been a viewer for a while and always enjoy your presentations, take care. Having knee surgery april 20th, hoping to be healed in time the summer fluking. Have been fishing off Sandy Hook since the 50's. Take care... Walt

[@CookingandFishing]

I don't know much about blanks but one that caught my eye from experience with their production rods - the Phenix Feather. They sell blanks too...and the price seems reasonable. You can probably build something very, very light with the Feather blank, provided you're willing to spend the money for titanium guides. I know a lot of people are in love with NFC X ray blanks as well, but those cost more. Good luck with surgery and tight lines!!

[@walterkonopacki6881]

Hi roger, thanks for the reply, again looking forward to you videos going forward, stay safe and well. FISHON !

[@hooper4581]

My opinion is if you want something nice (and can afford it ) go and get it. Only live once. I feel for most part higher end reels will pay themselves off in time. Between wear and tear and breakage on moderately priced reels they will eventually have to be replaced. I have a couple primary use VS reels for 12 and 15 years. Probably spent less than 200 on maintenance and upgrades still perform flawlessly.

[@CookingandFishing]

Definitely, although in 2 years when the new Exist/Stella comes out this one might very well be replaced haha...

[@mandogfish7418]

I'm waiting on a rod review on the new model.

[@kenglee88]

how does this rod compare to a nrx or conquest??

[@88jbc]

Right on! I sure can afford those nice reels and rods that i want lol

[@CookingandFishing]

You and me both!

[@mandogfish7418]

So have you bought the new model yet?

[@lw7128]

Hooo. Nice things are nice indeed. That combo is definitely one of those you only live once moments. But for me it will also be my wife telling me I’m not gonna be living for long. Question though, what do you do to keep those pricey combos from being sacrificed to the deep. I’ve only lost one combo off the kayak, it was probably under 50 bucks, but it was pretty gut wrenching when it happened since I just got it. I can’t imagine a 1400 combo taking a dive. Leashes? Tie downs? I started putting floats on my rods that I take out but sometimes the line does get caught in them.

[@CookingandFishing]

That combo taking a dive is unthinkable, but so too is putting a leash/float on such a light/well balanced setup. If there's wind/waves I bungee the reels to the rod holders, but I can't imagine fishing with a leash on it. I've flipped once and lost a couple of 400ish combos - terrible experience, but an excuse to upgrade nonetheless lol

[@joedennehy386]

You leash it when its not actually in your hand.

[@fjin1]

Which state do u live ? Why u can fish salt and fresh water at the same time?

[@Talos353]

What is that handle knob you have on the exist and certate? Thanks.

[@CookingandFishing]

It's the Zillion HD/Catalina TW knob, I took it off my Catalina they also sell it on hedgehog studio but it's been sold out for months. Very comfortable knob esp for slow winding spybaits/swimbaits.

[@bobjohnson7207]

I forgot about the best thing you can buy for an average guy used to be a racing bicycle but now that's way out of reach but certainly reel is achievable.

[@eugenejohnson8635]

What is the name of your rod the one Shimano Calcutta conquest is on plus is it a 100 or a 200 conquest dc

[@CookingandFishing]

100, it's on a Poison Adrena 72M.

[@stripervince1]

Beautiful combo. You get wat you pay for. I fish with a saltiga dogfight $1400 and a $550 St croix rod

[@CookingandFishing]

I agree!!

[@fabulousfishing6285]

Rodger Love the new hobbie!!

[@CookingandFishing]

Someone else is riding it now, I'm back in the i11s haha

[@rawrfishing]

Holy smokes! That's money

[@CookingandFishing]

Nice things are nice!

[@natesomers5387]

Amen

[@Mgtowfreedom]

Yep I agree 800 bucks for a frigate spinner v 500 bucks for a good reel

[@CP-rp7yp]

what do you use to take off the line then re spool

[@CookingandFishing]

I use an old berkley spooling station, but I did pick up an extra spool for the Exist. Very handy to have even though it costs more than a Stradic lol

[@CP-rp7yp]

@@CookingandFishing ahh i got it, i'll look into one of those i get bad knots and twists when doing it myself lol.

[@dmnguye69]

9:24...another Amen to that view.

[@CookingandFishing]

:)

[@PHARRAOH]

my salt water sage fly rod and Able super 8 reel is over 2 grand! crazy what they milk us for but you want great gear, pay it and deal with it.

[@CookingandFishing]

Lol it's crazy for sure...but if you know what you want and it delivers - all worth it!

[@Jessica37323]

What is the gear made of? Zinc, aluminum, brass or SS?

[@CookingandFishing]

Aluminum - "Duralumin" in Daiwa speak. Gear material in this class of reels...Exist/Stella etc is not something you need to worry about lol.

[@leonardovu997]

What kind of hand gloves are those?

[@CookingandFishing]

Outdoor Research sun gloves!

[@nawinchester]

Well stated.... Let's face it, purchases like this are lifestyle choices. Be it a car (mercedes vs toyota), a motor cycle (harley vs a yamaha), a boat (fiberglass vs tin bass boat), etc etc etc... As you say, if fishing is your thing, and you can afford it, fish with what makes you smile....

[@CookingandFishing]

Well put!

[@nawinchester]

@@CookingandFishing If I am not mistaken, you provided me insight on a great braid to leader knot on BBC about a month or so ago.

[@fredhill1575]

Did you switch yours to the right side yourself?

[@CookingandFishing]

If you're talking about the handle - yes. There's a rubber washer you swap over to the other side as well.

[@shore-moneyfishing1939]

Sounds like a step or two up from my "Caldia" lol

[@CookingandFishing]

Caldia needs to retire!

[@purifierphoenix2043]

For its price I expect all the bearings to be full ceramics (si3n4), which would easily shave off an ounce from the reel and make it even smoother.

[@CookingandFishing]

Lol full ceramics in a spinning reel...ok

[@purifierphoenix2043]

@@CookingandFishing someone did it for the stella here on youtube.

[@CookingandFishing]

Yeah, no thanks.

[@bomiwonabi]

Oh shit homie. You got a proper hobie?!!

[@CookingandFishing]

I had it for 4 months or so, long enough to know I prefer my inflatable lol

[@exconcurly]

Roger what make where those bad ass white boat clogs my freind

[@CookingandFishing]

Haha they are called Crosskix, but I'm not sure if they're still being made. They do okay for pedaling but I wouldn't walk around in them!

[@exconcurly]

Thankyou roger

[@larryakramongkolrojn5904]

The certate is a equivalent reel if not better considering saltwater abilities

[@CookingandFishing]

Depends on your application - full metal body and a full oz or more lighter makes the Exist worth it for many people. And FWIW the Exist is rated for saltwater - lifetime service/warranty makes it a feasible experiment as well.

[@seanhung14982]

Am I the only one who is impressed that the reel handle turned on its own weight at the 30 second mark?

[@seanhung14982]

Meant 20

[@CookingandFishing]

Lol it's very smooth indeed

[@matthewprestine1974]

You should at least put together a video of 2020 bass highlights.

[@CookingandFishing]

Yeah I have a ton of footage, it's a possibility for sure

[@feeldafury]

How does the 18 exist compared to 22 exist?

[@CookingandFishing]

Probably incrementally more refined on the 22, but I'm not seeing anything revolutionary.

[@feeldafury]

@@CookingandFishing Thanks for the reply. I am thinking of picking up a used one on eBay.

[@CookingandFishing]

@@feeldafury Personally I would not buy an Exist w/o the extended service warranty, unless you are only using in freshwater!

[@matthewprestine1974]

dont think I have ever seen you fish in "regular" kayak?

[@CookingandFishing]

It was a brief experiment, back in the inflatable now!

[@marinaugustin3415]

Amin 🤟❤️❤️❤️❤️🎣🎣🎣🎣

[@Brnjanin]

It's a cheap combo I have Daiwa Exist 2500 (first magseald version) for 1050 Euro and Daiwa AGS morethan Branzino for 1350 Euro. 2400 Euro combo, the reel is great i have it many years, the rod I youse maybe 10 times last years. I don't like it

[@NFiltr8Red]

Kobe beef of fishing tackle.

[@CookingandFishing]

100%

[@mandogfish7418]

Steez rods are due for a revamp.

[@CookingandFishing]

Long overdue imo!

[@benjaminyang5872]

Just annouced!!!!

[@mandogfish7418]

@@benjaminyang5872 link?

[@88jbc]

@@mandogfish7418 Tackletrap!! Just pre-order the new 7'6 mml.

[@mandogfish7418]

@@88jbc saw them, ugly cork grip. I prefer the EVA foam much better. Cork gets ugly very quickly. I wont be buying them....

[@p4pfisherman]

Exist badass but that rod is too expensive for made in China.

[@CookingandFishing]

I don't disagree but few rods made in Japan are of similar spec. Wherever it's made the AGS is perfect for spybaiting, absolutely perfect.

[@stateniland]

'Is it worth it?' Hell No kzbin.info/www/bejne/kGPbnKKnjraZas0 Bought it 55yrs ago when I was 12 for $19 at Modells. It still works like new and it still catches any Salt or Freshwater fishing I do.

[@renkeschulenberg1596]

No, its not worth it, daiwa has no long stroke-spule...

[@ekcng]

Catches same fish with the cheaper setup😂

[@CookingandFishing]

Maybe, but I'm having more fun :)

[@matthewprestine1974]

White claw revenue, you're not a chef, you're a fishing machine!!!!! Sturgeon Bay has extremely big small mouths!!!!!

[@CookingandFishing]

One day I will check out the great lake smallies!

[@bornlucky9564]

Don't buy Daiwa reel. They service sxxk. I sold all hight end Daiwa reels.

[@CookingandFishing]

lol

[@Jessica37323]

Just don't keep it on your boat. People will steal it.

[@georgeniebergall7074]

Hey, you might want to try A Piscifun real

[@CookingandFishing]

😆

[@georgeniebergall7074]

@@CookingandFishing don’t laugh the reels are all carbon well balanced, and I have great drags on them for the price. You wanna try one for what you’re paying for yours stuff you got nothing to lose.

[@CookingandFishing]

@@georgeniebergall7074 Life's too short for that, no offense. If you want a budget reel both Shimano and Daiwa make amazing sub 100 dollar models with proven tech and actual QC/R&D. There is no reason to buy Chinese OEM reels in 2024.

[@georgeniebergall7074]

@@CookingandFishing I take no offense at all you are an excellent fisherman. I can see that you’re a quality guy but don’t knock it until you tried it. The real is $63. I’m telling you you will be smiling with this real but anyway pay 600 what the hell, I don’t doubt your professionalism at all. I can see it every time I watch your videos I mean I just love it. I’m 73 years old and you taught me something about Luke Fisher and I didn’t think that that was possible, but I thought for the money, I don’t think they can be beat. That’s just my opinion and opinions are like assholes. Everybody’s got one. I hope to meet you on the beach one day with my set up here. I’m telling you it’s really quality you can pay for names all you want, just because you see something that’s cheap. Some really not this company is out of Warsaw so anyway, thanks for the comment.

[@CookingandFishing]

@@georgeniebergall7074 I appreciate your comment, and I agree you don't need to spend a lot of money for great quality. Tight lines this season!

[@PunchFishing]

Great review!

[@CookingandFishing]

Thanks!