Daiwa Samurai Spinning Reels Review

Own two of these reels, 2009-09-14
Reviewer: Ron Shy

I own two of the Samurai in the 3500 size. They have functioned well as heavy freshwater reels for over a year. However, I have moved and now live close to salt water. I am using them for pier and surf fishing. They still function "OK", but once dunked in saltwater, full disasembly and cleaning is required. The dunked reel sounds like it is full of sand, even after detailed cleaning and lube. It had originally "locked up" and could not be reeled at all even with a rinsing and only a day of delay prior to depot level maintenance.

The reel(s) cast well, feel solid, and have a good drag. I typically have bought a higher level reel, but at $25 in the Bargain Cave at Cabelas, they were a great value.

Major corrosion problems!, 2008-09-18
Reviewer: Joe M.

I got this reel and paired it up with a balanced rod to catch snook using artificials. I can cast this setup all day! However, the metalized plastic corrodes at the back where the anti-reverse switch is located, corrodes on the metalized spool, and corrodes on the bail. After this the retrieve feels "sticky" and this raspy corrosion is damaging the line ever so slightly and all the while. I used to be a diehard Daiwa fan based on the quality of materials at their price point. I should have pony-ed up the extra $25, and bought a reel "behind the glass counter." It seems to be the trend these days-- plastic reels or spools at the under $50 threshold... At the higher price point, I may start looking at Shimano brands which is what I use for all of my freshwater setups.

Nice Reel, 2007-01-13
Reviewer: InlandFishKillr

i use this reel specifically for surf fishing. I have not had any corrosion on the spool as long as I rinse and wipe it down after each use. The drag is smooth and it casts great....great reel for the price!!!

What you pay is what you get, 2006-12-22
Reviewer: Ximonello

It has major corrosion problems when used in salt water in both the aluminium spool and ball bearings (not sealed and poor quality steel). It swings when retriving heavy lures (30 grms or so)

Smooth but flawed -- useless, 2006-11-23
Reviewer: Don Jiskra

In the tackle shop it felt very smooth, the infinite anti-reverse was nice.

On the first trip to the stream its design flaw manifested itself. Two trips later this real is basically useless.

There is an "s" shaped steel pin that operates against a cam-ramp cast into the pot metal body of the reel. This operation flips the bail back to closed after your cast, when you turn the crank.

After a hundred or so casts the steel pin wears a groove into the much softer pot metal cam-ramp. The bail no longer flips over. This to me, doesn't appear to be a faulty part or malfunction, it is a design flaw. This real is going in the garbage.

bad spool, 2006-08-04
Reviewer: mike

I've used the reel a few times in salt water and it's started to rust. other then that it's a good reel for the money. decent cast and decent drag. i many use it for catching bait fish and ocasionaly hook up.

You're Right, 2006-05-31
Reviewer: Kakuman

Had problems with the lip on the spool corroding. And yes, I do soak and wash the spool after each saltwater trip. Disappointing to say the least. Now I use the graphite spare spool and keep the reel in my car trunk as a spare.

Don't be fooled by the # of Bearings!, 2005-03-17
Reviewer: JKim

Seems like a bargain on paper: 7 ball bearings for under $40. But like they say, you get what you pay for.

My 1500 7i had some major issues. The first was the drag. It pulsed unevenly due the spool wobbling slightly on the rotor. This is almost impossible to detect when fiddling with the reel in the store. I only noticed it when I loaded 4# test on it and gave it a pull. I popped the drags out, buffed the metal washers and even lightly greased the fiber washers but the pulsing is still there. An interesting note: this is only 1500 size reel I've seen that has a multi-disk drag stack instead of the customary single metal/single fiber drags. But a useless feature if the spool doesn't turn uniformly on the rotor.


The Samurai lost its silky smoothness after a single surf fishing outing. The reel did not contact the saltwater nor the sand but a slight "grinding" sensation was noticeable after that first trip. After the fifth or sixth trip, I changed the line and found the spool had corroded. And yes, the reel was rinsed with freshwater after EVERY trip.

Keep in mind, this reel was used in saltwater, which is probably not what it was designed for. But then again, I've used plenty of fresh water spinning reels and never had a spool corrode like that.

If not for the drag issue, it would probably be fine for freshwater use.

Daiwa Samurai, 2005-03-14
Reviewer: UncleSteve

Bang for the buck..! It's a trooper and works great for grubbing the beaches for perch. Just take good care of it because folks have had rust problems. Can't think of a better bang for the buck spinning reel in this class, perhaps the Sedona from Shimano..?