Daiwa Spool Sizes
Like other Japanese fishing tackle manufacturers, Daiwa is renowned for producing reels designed for a specific purpose, species or angling method. Here, we focus on how to interpret the many different spool size options Daiwa has available for its vast range of spinning reels, past and present, so you can best determine the right size model for the desired application.

But first, let’s consider what role the spool of a spinning reel plays in your fishing. Most obviously, the spool holds the chosen mainline. But consider how much line you need for your chosen discipline and what strength or diametre is needed. Choosing a spool with much greater line capacity than is actually required means adding unwanted weight to your fishing outfit (the line you won’t ever need) plus the added hassle and expense of loading and tying backing line.

Next up, the spinning reel spool normally houses the drag washers. The design and components of this drag stack generates the performance of any specific spool. If you’re chasing big, powerful fish you’ll need a more powerful drag to control the flow of line and tire out the fish. But if you’re targeting fish with light line and a finesse approach, it will probably be more important that the drag moves quickly and smoothly to protect light line from a sudden break.

Lastly, the design of the spool can help massively with casting performance when combined with good line lay from the spinning reel’s rotor. Different line materials have different properties, some of which need good management to limit any negatives. As well as its standard spool design, Daiwa offers dedicated spools for both PE braid and fluorocarbon mainlines.

For this article we’re going to focus on Daiwa spool sizes between 1000 and 4000 – the lighter end of the spinning reel scale. The first thing that I’m sure you already know is that the larger the four-digit number, the larger the spool. That means a 3000 Certate is larger than a 1000 Certate.

The second attribute to consider is spool depth, or line capacity. A spool that ends in ’00’ is a full size, deep spool model. For example; 1000, 1500, 3000, etc. Whereas a spool that doesn’t end in ’00’ can be considered a shallow spool variant. As an example, 2000 and 2004 size spools are the same size with the same external dimensions, but the 2004 is a shallow spool design with much less line capacity. The actual numbers on the end of the spool model denote different things, which we’ll explain next.

So, starting at the smaller end of the spectrum, let’s run through the typical Daiwa spool sizes. Bear in mind that different Daiwa reel models may vary in actual specifications, so always check the model specs before purchasing. Right, let’s do this!

1000 – the smallest, lightest Daiwa spinning reel with the largest capacity. Really only optimal for fluorocarbon and monofilament lines.

Specs- 2kg drag, 4lb/110m.

1025 – ultra finesse. The 1025 spool has the lowest line capacity of Daiwa’s spinning reel line-up, being designed for 100 metres of 2.5lb mono / FC line. It’s equally suitable for the lightest of braids.

Specs- 2kg drag, 2.5lb/100m, 0.3PE/90m.

1003 – shallow spool intended for 3lb mono / fluoro line but great for light, braided line too.

Specs- 2kg drag, 3lb/100m.

1500 – next size up from the 1000, but still pretty small. This spool offers the deepest line capacity in a 1500-sized reel. Drag rating can vary between reel models.

Specs- 2/4kg drag, 4lb/155m.

1503 – the shallow spool version of the 1500 is designed with 3lb mono / fluorocarbon mainline in mind.

Specs- 2kg drag, 3lb/100m, 0.4PE/100m.

2000 – deep spool popular with light gamers targeting fast pelagics, requiring decent line capacity for long runs. A step up in drag power too.

Specs- 4kg drag, 6lb/190m, 1.0PE/200m.

2003 – shallowest spool design in the 2000-size reels.

Specs- 2kg drag, 3lb/100m, 0.4PE/100m.

2004 – popular spool size with many light game anglers across the world. Perfect for 0.3PE and 0.4PE lines. Quick start-up drag.

Specs- 2kg drag, 3lb/140m, 0.4PE/120m.

2500 – deep spool all-rounder steps up in capacity and drag resistance. In this spool configuration, the 2500 can easily suit both heavier light game applications or lighter mid-range targets like European Seabass.

Specs- 7kg drag, 8lb/200m, 1.5PE/200m.

2505 – the shallow spool in the 2000 size range designed for 5lb mono / FC.

Specs- 3kg drag, 5lb/100m, 1.5PE/200m.

2506 – combines a shallow spool and finesse drag in a 2500 size reel. A fantastic option as a spare / extra spool for a standard 2500.

Specs- 3kg drag, 6lb/100m, 1.0PE/100m.

2508 – shallow spool capability with the full 7kg drag stack. A shallow spool with grunt. Perhaps best for PE braided lines.

Specs- 7kg drag, 6lb/120m, 1.0PE/120m.

2510 – shallower than the standard 2500, but not too shallow for heavier lines.

Specs- 7kg drag, 12lb/100m, 1.0PE/200m.

3000 – deepest spool capacity in Daiwa’s 3000 size. Standard drag spec is 7kg.

Specs- 7kg drag, 12lb/200m, 1.5PE/300m.

3012 – shallower spool, perhaps the most applicable in the 3000 range for modern braid line usage.

Specs- 7kg drag, 12lb/150m, 1.5PE/200m.

3500 – stepping up now in capacity and drag rating.

Specs- 8kg drag, 16lb/200m, 2PE/300m.

4000 – the biggest reel size available in Daiwa’s light tackle spinning reels. 8-kilo drag with plenty of line capacity.

Specs- 8kg drag, 16lb/250m, 2.5PE/300m.

What do the extra letters mean?

Many of the reels and spools will feature specific codes and letters in their model names. Here’s what they mean:

R – first introduced to many on the Certate R. Indicates that the reel has over-sized gearing. For example, the Certate 2510R carries the gearing of the larger 3000 Certate. A consideration if you need a smaller reel for heavy duty applications.

PE – ‘PE’ obviously denotes that the spool is designed specifically with polyethylene lines (PE) / braid in mind. Designed to tame braided line flowing on and off the spool.

RCS – RCS stands for Daiwa’s ‘Real Custom System’ of tuning parts – including many spool options.

H & SH – denotes the spinning reel as being a hi-speed gearing model. The standard gearing on Daiwa light tackle spin reels is 4.8:1. On ‘H’ reels this normally increases to 5.6:1. On ‘SH’ reels this denotes ‘Super Hi-speed’ at over 6:1.

Spool Taper

While we’ve already highlighted that Daiwa spools can vary in both size and capacity (shallow vs deep spool), they can also vary in their taper. Here’s a short summary of Daiwa’s spool tapers and their intended benefits:

ABS – the original design of Daiwa’s unique Advanced Ballistics System (ABS) spool delivering less line tangles and greater castability.

The principal of the ABS system is a maximized core diameter (arbor) combined with a reversed taper spool design that results in 100% useable line. Line can be filled tight to the edge of the spool lip without any fear of tangles or line control issues. The oversized spool arbor allows for higher cranking speeds, improved drag performance, and reduced line friction.

ABS II – advances in design upon the original ABS, ABS II features a more pronounced reverse taper spool that enables greater line control and increased casting distance.

Type-R – originally made famous by the legendary JDM Daiwa TDZ Type R, type-R spools are designed specifically for fluorocarbon line usage. Featuring a more pronounced reverse taper, type-R spools control fluorocarbon line on and off the reel better than any other Daiwa spool type. Daiwa’s newest Type R spool has one of the smoothest drags they have ever made.