Daiwa 25 Caldia LT Reels
Product Information
The Daiwa 25 Caldia LT Reels are lightweight fixed-spool reels for lure and predator anglers, covering perch, trout, zander, bass, pike and general spinning.
AIRDRIVE components include the rotor, spool, bail and line roller, giving the reel a refined, responsive feel when you are casting and retrieving. Tough Digigear provides the reel’s main gearing.
A ZAION V monocoque body accommodates a larger drive gear, while MagSealed body construction protects the internals from water and dirt.
The AIRDRIVE ABS Long Cast aluminium spool, Twist Buster III line roller, Cross Wrap system and Infinite Anti-Reverse are all part of the build. There are six ball bearings, including one CRBB.
Reels up to size 4000 use the ATD Type-L drag, which dampens a fish’s first run before applying braking pressure. The new 5000 size has ATD Tough Drag with carbon discs, a more power-oriented drag and an oversized EVA round handle knob for large, powerful fish.
The range runs from 1000S to 5000C.
Featured in our Best Spinning Reels guide.
Daiwa 25 Caldia LT Reels Review
The Daiwa 25 Caldia LT is a light, premium spinning reel for lure anglers, built to cover everything from perch and trout on light gear to zander, bass and pike on the bigger sizes. It's built around Daiwa's ZAION V monocoque body and AIRDRIVE rotor, spool and bail, with a MagSealed body to keep water and grit out of the works.
So, why pick it? For me, it's the weight and the feel. The sizes run from 165g up to 240g, which is light for a reel this well built, and the ATD Type-L drag is made to cushion a fish's first run.
It's a big spend next to a Ninja or a Prorex, but overall I think it's a superb lure reel if you fish a lot.
How well is it built?
So, what are you paying for? The heart of the Caldia is the ZAION V monocoque body, a one-piece frame with room for a larger drive gear, and Daiwa's Tough Digigear handles the gearing. Together, that gives you a stiff, solid reel without the weight of a metal body.
MagSeal protects the body from water and dirt, which matters if you fish the salt for bass or spend winters on a wet, gritty pike bank. You also get six ball bearings, one of them corrosion resistant, and Infinite Anti-Reverse, so there's no back-play when you strike.
Overall, I think the build is right up there for the money, and the finish is clean and nicely machined.
How well does it cast and retrieve?
How does it cast? Very well, I think. The AIRDRIVE ABS Long Cast aluminium spool is shaped to let line peel off cleanly, and the Twist Buster III roller and Cross Wrap system help lay the line neatly, which matters a lot with fine braid.
The AIRDRIVE rotor, bail and line roller give it a refined, responsive feel on the retrieve, and there's a wide choice of gear ratios, from 5.1:1 up to 6.2:1 on the CXH models, with up to 93cm of line per turn of the handle.
To be fair, a faster ratio isn't always better for slow-worked lures, so it's worth picking your size and ratio carefully. Overall, it's a lovely reel to cast and retrieve with.
How useful is the drag system?
The drag is where the Caldia earns its keep with predators. Up to size 4000 it uses Daiwa's ATD Type-L, which is designed to soften a fish's first run before it applies steady braking pressure, so you're less likely to pull a hook on a lunge at the net.
Maximum drag runs from 5kg on the smaller sizes to 12kg on the new 5000, which steps up to ATD Tough with carbon discs and an oversized EVA round knob for big, powerful fish. That gives you a sensible spread from light perch work right up to big pike and bass.
Overall, I think the drag is very well matched to lure fishing, and the 5000 gives you something extra for the heavy work.
Is it good value for money?
So, is it worth the money? It costs a good deal more than a Daiwa Ninja LT or Prorex X, so it's not the reel I'd buy for the odd session. If you fish lures most weekends, though, you'll feel the difference in weight, smoothness and sealing.
The Penn Spinfisher VII usually costs a little less and has a sealed metal body, so if you mostly fish the salt, that's the one I'd weigh it against. For freshwater lure fishing, the Caldia's lighter weight is the bigger draw.
Overall, I'd recommend the Caldia LT to keen lure anglers who want a light, smooth, sealed reel for perch, zander, pike and bass, and who are happy to pay for it. If you're starting out, the Ninja LT does the basics for far less.
Pros
- Light, stiff ZAION V monocoque body with a larger drive gear
- MagSealed body keeps water and grit out of the internals
- ATD Type-L drag cushions a fish's first run
- Long Cast aluminium spool and Twist Buster III for neat line lay
- Sizes from 1000S to 5000C, weighing just 165g to 240g
Cons
- Costs a good deal more than mid-range lure reels
- Not a full metal body like the Penn Spinfisher VII
Features and Specifications
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Reel sizes | 1000S to 5000C |
| Weight | 165 to 240 g |
| Gear ratio | 5.1:1 to 6.2:1 |
| Line retrieve | 67 to 93 cm |
| Line capacity | 100 m/0.12 mm to 150 m/0.37 mm |
| Maximum drag | 5 to 12 kg |
| Body | ZAION V monocoque body |
| AIRDRIVE design | AIRDRIVE rotor, spool and bail |
| Drag system | ATD Type-L through 4000; ATD Tough on 5000 |
| 5000 handle | Oversized EVA round knob |
| Bearings | 6 ball bearings, including 1 CRBB |
| Line management | AIRDRIVE ABS spool, Twist Buster III and Cross Wrap |
How It Compares
See how the Daiwa 25 Caldia LT Reels compares with other spinning reels on overall score and current price.
| Name | Price | Overall Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Daiwa 25 Caldia LT Reels | £174.37 | |
| Shimano Stradic FM Reel | £186.99 | |
| Fox Rage TR Reel | £119.99 | |
| Savage Fazor Spinning Reel | £119.99 | |
| Daiwa 23 Ninja LT Reel | £63.21 | |
| Daiwa 24 Prorex X Reels | £69.79 | |
| Okuma Ceymar HD Spinning Reel | £59.99 | |
| Fox Rage Warrior Reels | £38.24 | |
| Shimano FX FC Reel | £21.99 |
Price History
Tracked shop prices over time.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What reel sizes are in the Daiwa 25 Caldia LT range?
The range runs from 1000S to 5000C.
How much do Daiwa 25 Caldia LT reels weigh?
Weights run from 165 g for the 1000S to 240 g for the 5000C.
Which Daiwa 25 Caldia LT models use ATD Tough Drag?
The 5000 model uses ATD Tough Drag with carbon discs.
What drag system is fitted through size 4000?
Models up to size 4000 use the ATD Type-L drag system.
What line capacities do Daiwa 25 Caldia LT reels cover?
Capacity runs from 100 m of 0.12 mm line to 150 m of 0.37 mm line, depending on size.
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