That Floating Feeling – The Daiwa Ryoga 1520H

I’ll admit it, unashamedly, I’m a tackle junkie.

Drawn into a sweat-drenched frenzy by even the faintest scent of a fresh fishing product – especially new Cod Candy. So, you can only imagine the state I was in when I got word the new ‘cod-strong’ Daiwa 1520H Ryoga was about to hit Aussie shores.

After a few false alarms courtesy of an errant postman, I finally peeled the reel out of its packaging. Straight up, the predominantly black aesthetic of the aluminium alloy, machine-cut frame and side plates just screams strength.

Weighing in at 270gm, which is 55gms less than its close competitor the Shimano Calcutta Conquest 300, the Ryoga was slightly smaller than I expected, but, impressively, had a really comfortable palm feel when strapped onto a rod.

While the spool is a similar width on both reels, the overall bulk and body on the Conquest was noticeably bigger when compared side-by-side with the Ryoga.  

After ‘fan girling’ on the Ryoga’s looks, it was time to put my Shimano Conquest on the bench and spool the Dawia rocket up with some 65lb braid and head into battle at Australia’s number one cod cauldron, Copeton Dam.

Silky Smooth

I partnered the 6:3.1 ratio Ryoga, which will retail in Australia for around $650-$700, with a 7’3” Bone Voyager XXXH baitcaster rod and they instantly became best mates, balancing perfectly.

First up, I cast a 2oz Jackall Mega Pompadour to really test the reels ‘big bait’ temperament from the get-go. What I instantly noticed, from the first piff, was the close contact you have with the reel during the retrieve, courtesy of Daiwa’s Hyper Mesh Gearing System (HMGS).

It legitimately felt like it was ‘floating’ on the rod. It was a feeling like no other baitcaster I have used, and as a result, it took a few casts to get accustomed to the weightlessness on the crank.

Offering the reel to my angling buddy for two casts, max, he remarked the same thing about how it ‘hovered’ on the reel and how unique it felt to wind, due to its ultra-smooth gearing.

After a bit of research, I nutted out that the Daiwa folk have increased gear contact by 50% on the Ryoga, which explains when combined with the slightly swept 90mm handle, why it offers such a seriously silky retrieve while you’re crankin’ it – big tick!

Magseal of Approval

While not visible from the outside, the Magsealed cast control bearing is locked away tighter than the recipe for KFC’s secret 11 herbs and spices, in an effort to prevent water and dirt intrusion, keeping the reel functioning flawlessly for longer.

This is a huge asset for the longevity of the reel and for anyone looking to take it into the salt, or for those particularly grubby freshwater anglers, just like me.

What a Drag

After passing the big bait casting test with flying colours, punching out long cast after cast, it was time to test the promises made by the Ryoga’s 6kg Automatic Tournament Drag (ATD).

It’s a seriously strong 6kg drag, which is 1kg under its comparable cousin, the Shimano Calcutta Conquest 300.

While we didn’t encounter any truly mythical beasts, the Japanese pocket rocket did effortlessly subdue two very spritely smaller models.

Impressively, as I fish all my cod drags at 90% lock, there was no stuttering of squealing when the fish pulled string while making repeated dashes for freedom – huge tick.

Powerful Pocket Rocket

So, after spending a weekend on the water casting my arm off I could not be more impressed with how this little eye-catching pocket rocket handled everything that I chucked at her.

Max distance on the cast with both heavy and small lures, unbelievably smooth on the retrieve, with a stutter-free clicking drag that could pull a bogged Hilux free from the mud.

It will mesh nicely with the rest of my fishing family and become my ‘go-to’ native reel for casting large to extra large baits for Murray cod and Barramundi.

Due to the Magsealed bearings, it has also shotgunned a spot on my next native kayak adventure, that will inevitably see it take an unexpected dip in the river and roll in the sand.

Unlike other bigger barrel reels that become somewhat cumbersome on a kayak trip, the Ryoga’s smaller profile, but beefed-up Japanese engineered internal gearing system makes it a world-class weapon for tossing big baits in tight conditions.

All the Specs:

• • Super Sturdy Aluminum Alloy Machine Cut Frame & Side Plates

 

• • G1 Duralumin 36mm Free-Floating Spool

 

• • Hyper Mesh Gear System

 

• • Automatic Tournament Drag

 

• • 12 Ball Bearings

 

• • 270gm in total weight

 

• • Magsealed Cast Control Bearings

 

• • Magforce Z Braking System

 

• • 90mm Swept Handle

 

• • Hi-Grip I-Shape Knob

 

• • Clicking Drag

 

• RRP $650 – $700 AUD