This Is My New Favorite Reel Under the $100 Price Point

Inshore saltwater fishing includes a lot of finesse presentations so you need a reel that can fit the bill while also not breaking the bank.
In my opinion, the Daiwa Legalis does not get nearly as much attention as I think it deserves.
Learn more about Daiwa Spinning Reels: bit.ly/3XyVx9e
If you've seen some of my past videos, I talk in-depth a lot about the advantages of the Daiwa Fuego.
Simply based on FEEL and nothing else, the Fuego and Legalis are extremely similar.
Join the Insider Club and get the Smart Fishing Spots App for FREE: bit.ly/3JuOnPd

[@Saltstrong]

Learn more about Daiwa Spinning Reels: bit.ly/3XyVx9e

[@davidgalloway904]

Thanks Luke. Confirms why I bought the Legalis a couple weeks ago and the BG MQ last year. I have used it in fresh and Salt water and it's been a fine addition to my growing Daiwa collection. Love the perks of being a member, just received the Daiwa Eliminator today, perfectly spooled up for me Thanks!

[@Saltstrong]

So glad to see that you are enjoying the new line spooling service!

[@BallinRiceBowl]

I’ve had a 3000 Fuego for about 5 years and mostly used it for inshore and river salmon. It’s still kicking ass with just simple rinsing

[@robertcox9226]

Retired, so i love your honest reviews and real unbiased reporting

[@Saltstrong]

Thanks so much!

[@fishinwithjj6642]

I just bought one but haven’t had the chance to use it . I love the Daiwa LT series reels. I own a Regal, Legalis, Excellor and Fuego. I have fished the Regal, Excellor and Fuego and can’t really tell that much difference. Light weight, smooth good drag although not carbon and all of mine are the 6.2:1 2500’. I never bought 2500’s until I started watching Salt Strong videos and now they are my go to size for inshore and bass fishing.

[@Saltstrong]

Thanks for sharing your findings!

[@slyfox720]

I purchased this reel to keep in my dad’s boat when we fish small rivers in Florida… and I have caught tons of bass on it. For the money it’s a really nice reel. I am a daiwa dude and really love Daiwa’s price point.

[@Saltstrong]

Nice!

[@donjohnson5661]

I have Legalis, Fuego, Daiwa BG, Penn Battle III LE, Okuma Custom Blues, etc. and the Legalis really holds its own against the more expensive ones. It has great feel and sensitivity but definitely isn't as well sealed and salt water resistant. Make sure to rinse it off after every outing. Great finesse rod in the shallows and flats around Cape Coral.

[@Saltstrong]

Thanks for sharing your findings

[@7506nitro]

Great video. Lots of good information!

[@Saltstrong]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@scottp8705]

I use the 2500 d-xh for ice fishing lake trout the reel is awesome drag is super smooth and 22 lbs of drag you can turn up the drag and will slow down a big fish on a run definitely a perfect rod and handles fresh water fish in 20lb range

[@Saltstrong]

Thanks for sharing!

[@davidarwood6264]

I just got a Diawa Legalis 3000 and a Fenwick HMG . Everything that was fishing gear in the place was 1/2 off. I would have bought much more , but selection was limited when I happened upon this. I really wanted a 1000 size . I haven't got to try it out yet , but it's very nice feeling.

[@mikecollett8513]

Bought an Excelor LT last season over the Legalis simply for the screw in handle vs through body style. Mostly same real otherwise. Pretty darn nice real. Have an itch for the new Sahara or up the anti for an Ultegra this spring. Should be fun to compare the new offerings.

[@Saltstrong]

Thanks for sharing!

[@agould53]

I've been pretty much exclusively Penn for saltwater for many years, but about 2 months ago I got a BG 2500 and spooled it with 10lb PowerPro. It's almost awkwardly smooth...really liking it.

[@Saltstrong]

I was a Shimano guy before I eventually tried a Daiwa and got converted.

[@P8intballEvans]

I love the daiwa LT series reels! Serious bang for the buck....i use the 5000 size and 6000 size on LT surf rods for beach and sound fishing

[@Saltstrong]

Definitely!

[@duffmeister6480]

It’s now my go to reel for freshwater, prefer what ever protection the mag seal offers for salt. Thanks

[@Saltstrong]

Thanks for sharing

[@darrinsparks8119]

What would you guys recommend for light tackle fresh water bass fishing?

[@Abstruseish]

I bought 2 of the 2500D-XH models last year before summer. I put 15lb jbraid on both. they're on 7' ugly stik elites. We use them for fishing around rocks, docks ect for greenling and rockfish, and in the rivers for salmon. I'd like a better rod for them, they're so light they throw off the balance a little bit too far forward with the ugly stik. I just haven't found a 2 piece priced right to pair them with. They've held up great, and no problems with 15lb braid. One of them the handle bent a little riding to the river, but it bent back easy enough. I've ordered a beefy handle for it to try and balance the rod better (and I like a power knob anyway).

[@Saltstrong]

Thanks for sharing! Sounds like you have a great set up!

[@robp497]

I'd recommend a Kastking Parigee II rod, comes with two diff tips, amazingly light and balanced. Mine is mounted with Shimano Sedona FJ 3000 but the legalis (which I own too - 2500) would go great on it. I also use Daiwa Stimula spinning rod which is literally $30 but amazing value, it would be blue on blue with that rod. Hope it helps.

[@gabrielduarte3904]

is the zion v material, the legalis is supposed to be built from, as rigid as the zion material in the tatula or the ballistic? or is it as flexy as the ds 5 graphite the fuego is built with..

[@Saltstrong]

Check out the blog on our website and post your question there. That way our team can respond back directly with their input. You can find it here: bit.ly/3XyVx9e

[@Ch3f880]

I have a Fuego & a Certate. The Fuego is a cool reel. My buddy has a legalis & he swears it's great too. I'm looking for a metal frame reel for my Bull setup.

[@Saltstrong]

Thanks for sharing! It may be tough to go down from a Certate... such an amazing reel.

[@Ch3f880]

@@Saltstrong I broke the rotor on my Certate pulling in a 44" Bully. Ever since I repaired it, I've made it my finesse setup on a bull bay bolt. Now I let the Fuego do the heavy lifting.

[@troysouza361]

My con is when you have the spool all the way up the bail doesn’t clear it is there a way to fix that?

[@Saltstrong]

When you lift the bail? If the spool is all the way up it is likely not fully secure to the reel. Please clarify your question!

[@whiteliontransportation5516]

Would u recommend this real for yellowtail fishing in the keys ?? Your thoughts

[@Saltstrong]

Assuming you'll be using light line/tackle, then yes.

[@edwardbranch3520]

Great video Luke!

[@Saltstrong]

Thanks!

[@hectormpagan9296]

That reel and a TFO 7.5 med action would be a great for starters?

[@Saltstrong]

For sure!

[@cobanks]

daiwa makes fantastic reels

[@Saltstrong]

They sure do!

[@shermanou1337]

I have a vanford 5000 and legalis 4000, they weight almost the same on a identical rod. Both very smooth, I am surprise how smooth the legalis is compare to a $300 vanford, not just smooth, they both spinning extremely quiet, usually there are a lot of noise coming from a $80 reel. Both have exceptional drag, the vanford has carbon drag so feels more solid, while the legalis feels more refine. By apply pressure on both reel, I can immediately tell the legalis frame is a little stiffer than the vanford, but the rotor on the legalis is significantly stiffer. I guess Shimano shave down a lot of materials for weight saving. But it is not a long term comparison, vanford might hold up a lot better against saltwater because legalis no seal whatsoever, not even a rubber ring. I asked my buddy to do a blind test by not looking at the reel and he can’t tell the difference except red/black vs blue/sliver.

[@Saltstrong]

Thanks for the input!

[@coreytowner9726]

What TFO would you pair with either reel for the fishing you're explaining?

[@Saltstrong]

Here's one of my all time favorites: fishstrong.com/collections/saltwater-rods/products/tfo-pro-professional-spinning-rods?variant=40649101967534

[@jenniferswicegood4455]

Either the TFO Pro S 7’ or 7’6” are great rods. Use their Medium action if primarily for soft plastics with a single hook. Use their medium light if primarily for hard baits with treble hooks. Good luck.

[@teamflanneloutdoors5631]

Does it have a screw in handle like my BG2500??

[@Saltstrong]

The Legalis does not have a direct drive handle like the BG.

[@ikhwan7769]

is daiwa legalis size 6000 suitable for surf fishing, is it strong enough to pull a 10kg+ stingrays?

[@Saltstrong]

Check out the full blog on our website and post your question there. That way, our coaches can respond back directly with their input and recommendation. You can find that here: bit.ly/3XyVx9e

[@eves08109]

I personally wouldn't use it for the surf but depending on your budget if I were you I'd go with at least a BG. The Saltist is the same reel but it's better sealed for accidentally dropping in water. My BGs I have used for years and they are my favorite saltwater reels. I also use them for the surf.

[@johnarnett1411]

Not just magseal, air bail,the leagalis has a pin through handle as well

[@Saltstrong]

Thanks for the feedback!

[@Aztec4life]

The fuego is a master piece

[@Saltstrong]

Sure is!

[@tracereed7457]

Yes it is. Mines outlasted my Penn spinfisher 2500 and it’s almost double the price

[@mikemykoniatis]

This for saltwater fishing 4000 (Greece) or the bg 3000?

[@Saltstrong]

Thanks for the question! Please visit the full blog on our website and post your question there. That way, our Coaches can respond directly with their recommendation. You can find it here: bit.ly/3XyVx9e

[@lionels839]

Hello Could you please test the Okuma Ceymar ?

[@davidarwood6264]

I have the Okuma Ceymar OTD. It's a 1000 size. It almost looks like a 500 . I think that's their way of keeping weight down , but it's a great ultralight reel. Smooth , no problems. It is the green tactile color. I don't know anything about the black and red model.

[@PinkBlondeBarbiexo]

have it love it

[@Saltstrong]

Good to hear!

[@kylebuschfan3228]

I would pick the Exceller for few more dollars just for the screwed in handle

[@Saltstrong]

Thanks for sharing!

[@rickyconage7939]

What’s the best stick for that reel…

[@Saltstrong]

That of course depends on what type of fishing that you'll be doing. If looking for a good all-purpose inshore rod for ~10lb braid, then he's a link to one of my favorites: fishstrong.com/collections/saltwater-rods/products/tfo-pro-professional-spinning-rods?variant=40649101967534

[@12askalHarry]

The con I would say it doesn’t have the screw in handle everything else is solid

[@Saltstrong]

Thanks for sharing

[@updraft4me280]

seems like a good choice for us juvenile striper folks !

[@Saltstrong]

Definitely!

[@colesheehan9929]

I need help finding a rod in the 120 dollar range for light tackle fishing. Can anyone leave a comment for some suggestions please? Thanks!

[@Saltstrong]

Thank you for your question! We have a massive library of fishing tips on our website along with a search feature to let you quickly filter down to find help you're looking for, so just go to www.saltstrong.com/ and use the Search feature in the top menu. Note: If you don't see the exact answer you're looking for, just leave a comment in the post that most closely matches up with your search and one of our coaches will respond to your question... our coaches only make time to answer questions that get submitted to our website.

[@colesheehan9929]

@@Saltstrong thanks means a lot

[@louisoctaviojr6876]

You should pick up a Piscifun Carbon X

[@Saltstrong]

I got one of their reels about 3 years ago, and it felt nice... it just seems like the smaller companies can't quite compete with the amount of R&D and purchasing power of the bigger companies.

[@jeffderiemacker4418]

I just bought this reel the legalis. But I’ve only been freshwater fishing. I’ve been wanting to go to Florida and do some saltwater fishing. So this reel is good for saltwater fishing???

[@Saltstrong]

It's not specifically designed for saltwater, but it holds up surprisingly well from what I've experienced when taking it out for snook, redfish, trout, and juvenile tarpon.

[@jimmywang9535]

Any reel that’s 8000 size for saltwater under $100

[@Saltstrong]

Check out. more info at fishstrong.com

[@walteroquinn757]

My stradic is like cherry pie and Chevrolet

[@Saltstrong]

👍

[@davidarwood6264]

Maybe Toyota is more appropriate 😅.

[@shadypiratefishing4127]

The only con of the Legalis is that you can’t remove that ugly T handle knob. Definitely king of the light weight budget reels.

[@Saltstrong]

True but such a great reel at a great price point!

[@Pays2Win]

never in my 35 years of fishing have I ever thought “damn this reel is too heavy to cast all day”.

[@Saltstrong]

Others might have an issue!

[@vernhibner1252]

You will if you stay with it

[@justinbunn6714]

Ozzy man's American cousin

[@Saltstrong]

Thanks for watching!