Comments: Great smooth handling reel especially for the price. This is my second one. The first one I purchased about 5 years ago and it works just as nice as when I first bought it.

From: Terry: Lake Placid, FL 8/18/23

Comments: Good price on a very high quality smooth reel. My only gripe with it is that the instructions for putting the handle on the reel from the box was non-existent. That is not a Tackle Warehouse problem but a Daiwa issue. But I was able to figure out how to put it on.

From: Matt: 7/27/23

Comments: Great reel. It is incredibly light and very smooth. The drag is very smooth and fluid. I've used this reel so far to cast very light baits (hover shot), nothing over 1/8 th of an ounce and it has surprised me. I liked it so much I bought a second one to throw a drop shot on. It has great line capacity and I was able to buy it in a faster ratio than most spinning reels offer.

From: Charlie : TN 7/13/23

Comments: I own 2 Exceler 3000 reels, both purchased primarily for trout fishing. One is on a 7-1/2' Bass Pro ultralite with 4 lb test, the other on a 13 Fishing Defy 7'1'' Light and 6 lb test, which is my go to for fishing Flatfish, Kwikfish( K11, K13 sizes, Spy Baits, Rapala and similar for big trout in a creek loaded with logs and other snags. The reel has one of the smoothest drags I've experienced in a spinning reel, and its very light weight, combined with a large line capacity allows it to perfectly balance both rods I use it with. In 2 years fishing these reels, I've caught and released well over 100 Trout, both Rainbow and Bull, up to about 25", and I've got no doubt that the reels smooth drag, even set higher than normal to keep fish from dragging me under logs has landed me more fish!

From: Unknown: 5/4/23

Comments: Excellent product, I'm really impressed with the reel so far. I've used it 4 times and the operation is extremely smooth and casting distance is outstanding. I use it for bass but have not caught any fish on it yet, so I can't speak to how it operates with a fish on.

From: Matt: CA 3/13/23

Comments: Of all the sub 100 dollars reels behind the Fuego, this is your best bet, light, super smooth and super nice looking. I own several Regal, Legalis and Fuegos and just one Exceler purchased in the early 2000s that never failed. Purchased 2 and they didn't disappoint, great reels...

From: E.J.: Puerto Rico 11/28/22

Comments: This reel was honestly really nice and conformable in the hand. Reeled in like an expensive reel and was butter smooth. It's one of the best budget reel in the market. Overall, I really suggest this reel if you're starting to fish.

From: Felix: CA 8/2/22

Comments: I have at least a dozen of these reels. I use them on everything from panfish rods to heavy ctafishing rods. They are by far the smoothest and toughest reels you will find in their price range.

From: Unknown: 7/29/22

Comments: I bought one of these for my lady last year and realized it's so much lighter and smoother than my old BPS spinning reel that I picked one up for myself. Paired it with a dobyns fury spinning rod and the setup feels incredibly light and sensitive. I would recommend this reel to anyone who is in the market for a solid, smooth, light spinning reel that won't break the bank.

From: Hawk: Pennsylvania 5/26/22

Comments: Smooth and light, fishes like reels costing twice as much...so nice I bought a second one.

From: Dennis: Oak Creek, WI 5/9/22

Comments: Great reel for the price, got the 2500 with 6.2 ratio. Use mainly for smallmouth, like the faster ratio for catching up to the fish and drag is pretty smooth

From: Keith: Morehead, KY 11/11/21

Comments: Fantastic reel, especially for the price. Very smooth, very light, high-speed return. My only issue is in the heat of summer 95-100+F, the frame of mine flexes quite a bit. I thought I broke it when I first felt it hooking a fish on a really hot day, but it was only flexing. Haven't noticed it in cooler weather. Still butter smooth after 2 seasons of use and I really enjoy it, just would prefer a stiffer frame (maybe mine is an outlier).

From: Scott: Arkansas 11/7/21

Comments: Got to use the reel for the first time today and wasn't disappointed. Several 2-3 lb smallmouth, performed flawlessly.

From: Sam: Callahan, Ca. 10/3/21

Comments: No good in the salt, been using mine almost a year just pier fishing, rinsing off every time, and its already chattering. The spacing sleeve full of rust when I opened it up, water got through to the main shaft.

From: Caliboi3/29/21

Comments: Great reel for the price. I bought the 2500 size in the 6.2:1 Speed.  It's hard to find a 2500 size reel in the higher speed ratio especially at an affordable price.  I basically bought this reel because it was the only one I could find under $100 at the time (Xmas 2020, Low stock levels due to Covid).  I typically run Pflueger Supreme but after buying this Daiwa I think I'm done with Pflueger.  You won't be disappointed in the quality for this price. 

From: Tanner: Newport 3/23/21

Comments: I have several of these reels and they are excellent reels. Smooth, light, and dependable.

From: Ray: Prentiss ,Mississippi 2/26/21

Comments: Great finesse reel for those weightless applications. Pan fish and trout. Also use this for surf fishing with 4lb. holds up well!

From: Unknown: California 1/17/21

Comments: This is a great reel,nice price range.. smooth,comfortable, light. Daiwa is a legit brand so you wont be disappointed here!

From: MG: Central California 12/31/20

Comments: Great reels, smooth quite and a fantastic value. I own several Nasci spinning reels and these perform just as well for fresh water fishing. I now own just as many exceler spinning reels.

From: Unknown : Baton Rouge, Louisiana 12/23/20

Comments: This reel is great. For the price there's nothing lighter and smoother. This was a gift for my dad and he loves it. He fished a Shimano for years until it broke. I got him this one after I fished the Daiwa Legalis. Fantastic reel.

From: Matt: Fort Worth, TX 12/22/20

Comments: I love this reel. Buttery smooth, casts well, drag is smooth. Never had any issues with it. Pair it with a Powell Inferno rod, balances well. 2500 size is perfect for all around bass fishing, but can also handle catfish, carp, and even big hybrids. For the price, you can not beat it. Fishes like a $200+ reel.

From: Adam: Pittsburgh, PA 8/29/20

Comments: I bought one in 2500 size for a dropshot rod a year ago.  I'm using 10 lb braid to fluoro leader.  Best reel I've owned.  Drag is incredibly smooth.  First spinning reel I don't feel the need to back reel on big smallmouth. 

From: Dave: Boise 4/21/20

Comments: Bought this reel in the 2500 size and have had it for about a year and a half, still works like the day it came out of the box. Paired it with my g-loomis texas rig rod and it is very light and sensitive with braid. Smooth as butter drag.

From: Derek: Arizona 4/20/20

Comments: I bought this reel around a year ago, and I love it. I use 15 braid to a 10 pound flouro leader. I bought this for smallmouth and largemouth, in the 2500 size. It works great, just ordered another one for trout, I highly recommend this reel. I thought about a shimano nasci but the bail was thin and did not seem very sturdy. This reel has a thick bail which I like, overall I would definitely recommend this reel.

From: Unknown: 3/25/20

Comments: Bought this reel in the 2500 size to pair with my phenix drop shot rod, and man what a combo! This reel is so light and has a deep spool capacity for its size. The drag is awesome, its butter smooth, and it performs great with braid. A no brainer reel, I will be buying several more of these beauties!

From: Michael: NJ 1/10/19

Comments: I purchased the EXLT2500D-XH during Christmas, it's without a doubt the best spinning reel I've purchased for under $100. Compairing it to my stratic Shimano 3000 CI4+ which cost me $220, they are about the exact same size. The daiwa held 200yards of 8lb FC sniper line, couldn't fit anymore than that though. The bail is a little thicker than the shimano and closing and opening it is smoother, the drag is just as smooth aswell, this reel looks like it borrowed some looks from the shimano too, so it looks pristine. The daiwa has the reverse lever that the shimano doesn't have anymore so thats a plus for some people. There were two negatives for my Daiwa reel, firstly I had to add one more inclosed spool washer to get an even line lay. Without it, the line spooled thicker at the top of the spool. Easy fix, but didn't have that issue on my shimano. Secondly the knob, makes a noise when you touch it or turn it. It's noticeable in a silent room, and from what i can tell, it can be fixed changing the bushings out with bearings, ive had some shimano reels do this too. I hope my review helps someone, but IMO this $80 reel is more than worth the cost and I see no need to purchase anything better or more expensive, unless your into spinning reels only, I only use these reels for dropshot and ned rigs and also as my crappie and trout set ups aswell.

From: Ryan - Texas 1/6/19

Comments: So needed to get a setup for salmon/trout fishing with my buddy. So i picked this reel (3000) up unfortunately not from TW. Though i really wanted the Revros LT or Legilas LT but needed a reel that day. I hooked up to a Steelhead and a COHO and this reel performed flawlessly. I never owned a Daiwa but man this thing impressed me super smooth casting and retrieve. Also the fact that Daiwa reels have high drag (EXLT 1000 11lbs!) means you can use them from pan fish up to strong line peeling King Salmon. As for Paco's review i wouldn't take anything for value. Not ment for saltwater and the fact he says that Daiwas crossfire $30-$40 reel is better then one of their LT series reels. Crossfire 1000 8.3oz Exceler LT 4000 8.4oz yeah that's a 1000 reel that weighs 8.3 and then a 4000 reel weighing 8.4.

From: Martin: Illinois  11/22/18

Comments: Perfect reel. I own all Daiwa reels now and my spinning reels include Procyon, Ballistic, BG and Luvias and for the money this reel is very nice! Line flies right off the spoon on the cast, retrieve is smooth as butter and the drag is amazing for a reel in this price range. Light and Tough...just like they claim. Paired a 2500 size with a mojo bass 6'10" finesse and just love it. Been using it a LOT and it hasn't let me down.

From: Dominic: Indiana 8/27/18

Comments: Great real, smooth cast far and seems better than my Fuego it replaced. Glad I saved a few bucks. As for Paco in Spain JFK he used it Saltwatet or even brackish water instead of getting a mag sealed salt water safe reel I have a hard time giving his opinion much weight.

From: Unknown: Texas 1/14/18

Comments: Very light weight reel n smooth paired it with a pheonix maxim n its super light can fish all day with this setup. Reel is great for all my finesse techniques. Best bang for the buck here if ur looking for a super lite reel.

From: Kongo: Fresno ca 11/15/17

Comments: i used this reel for salt water althought i Knew it was for lakes that doesnt justify that in one month was imposible to cast, also i cant forget all the times i was casting and at the midle of the cast the real closed it self and broke the line, i have lost so many lures... there are beter reels for eaven less price than this, i hardly recomend the Daiwa Crossfire Spinning Reels.

From: paco: sapin, granada 10/22/17