LIGHTEST Spinning Reel Ever? Luke’s First Impressions
- By: Luke Simonds
- on
Let’s face it: we anglers are always on the lookout for gear that makes fishing easier, smoother, and just flat-out more fun. That’s exactly what I’m diving into with the Daiwa SOL MQ spinning reel — and wow, this thing feels incredible.
This reel claims to weigh in at just 5.64 ounces, and when I first picked it up, I couldn’t believe how light it felt in my hand. So naturally, I had to break out the scale and test it for myself.
But I didn’t stop there. I paired it with the lightest rod in my arsenal (the Slot Machine rod) to see just how lightweight this combo could get. The result? Let’s just say this might be the ultimate ultralight setup for anglers who want top-notch performance without sacrificing comfort.
Now, I’ll be honest, this reel isn’t cheap, and it’s definitely an upgrade from the gear I usually use. But after battling some tennis elbow, I decided it was time to invest in something that wouldn’t weigh me down. So far, I’m impressed, but the real test will be how it performs on the water.
Want to see the full breakdown of this ultralight combo and my first impressions? Watch the quick video below to find out what makes this reel so exciting!
Got questions about the Daiwa SOL MQ or want me to cover something specific in the full review? Drop a comment below!
And if you’re ready to get your hands on this reel, don’t wait too long. We’ve got limited stock in the Fish Strong store, so act fast! Click here to get yours!
Tight lines,
Luke Simonds
Chief Fishing Addict
P.S. If you’re serious about catching more fish, don’t forget to check out our Salt Strong Fishing School. We’ll show you exactly where the fish are biting and how to catch them with confidence.
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I have had so many reels to use I can’t remember when one under a pound survived a +27″ Red fish run on the drag. I’ve gotten cranking rubs, warped Spools … I used 10-20# line weights and own one Diawa that works well still but it’s over a pound in weight a then has enough body build to withstand those drag settings in the runs to wear them out. Tell me if you ever try the upper line limits on the reel using 15# line. Heavy line for me means less break offs once hooked up. Not so much you yank the hook out though.
I’m assuming that it’s been a while since you’ve tried lightweight reels because the ones made now can easily handle 27 inch reds… even my $79 Legalis 2500 which is only about 7 oz has landed 36+ inch black drum along many overslot reds, and it’s still working fine.
I ordered one put it on my bull bay tac x/waiting for slot machine to be back in stock. 7’6” mh fast with the 2500 size. I went out last Sunday on the boat with my son and drifted and tossed some prawns around on weed less hooks. With my weight being just a little heavier at 10.5 ounces. It felt so nice to feel like I wasn’t even holding a fishing rod I felt like I was attached to the lure in the water. I could feel it touching the bottom going with the drift of the current and I’ve never been able to cast something so light so far. The reel is so smooth. I can definitely feel the craftsmanship that went into designing the reel.
Luke, when you do your subsequent review after using the reel, please address how this light reel balances overall when combined with the Slot Machine Rod. From memory (which could be wrong), I thought you and/or Justin stated that the reel weight was a consideration and one reason, among others, that the suggested reels were recommended versus some heavier ones others like Penn would not be optimal. I also thought a coach commented that a 1000 series was not a good choice because it was so light that it wouldn’t balance well with the SM rod. And perhaps you can replicate the finger balance test which was done earlier.
Great point Rob.
A reel this light will result in the balance being tip-heavy which in general is good for anyone who is often fished in windy conditions or who uses lures that excel with a tip-down retrieve.
But just to be clear for anyone reading these comments, the balance of the combo isn’t a factor that should hold much weight unless you’re evaluating two very similar setups.
For example, when a reel like this is paired with a lightweight rod, even a technically tip-heavy combo that it results in will require much less energy and effort to work a lure with the rod tip up compared to a normal combo that is tip-light balanced… the overall weight factor can trump balance in a situation like this where the entire combo is only 10 oz.
Are the 3ks in stock? It shows them to be but for some reason I can’t add to cart…
I got it to work, I realized it wouldn’t allow me to add a line selection to the order…
Sorry about the line option not being there for the 3000 variant… that was my mistake when setting it up. The line option is now on the 3000 too. We are currently out of all 8, 10, and 15 lb lines, but we finally got confirmation that they on en route to our office now (they’ve been on backorder for 2+ months).
So just let us know which variant of the j-braid 8 grand you want, and we’ll be happy to spool it up for you.
The reels are showing J-Braid in 8#, dark green being available.which is what you told another insider the other day in the Community. Perhaps it has run out, and no one in the tackle store is removing it as an option if having to be done manually.
Thanks Luke! If they can do the #10 Grey it would be great! If not, no worries…
I noticed the box says Zaion opposed to the newer Zaion V that’s used on the new Fuegos. My question is will this reel flex like the old Fuegos? I did not like the flex at all. Keep us posted Luke!
This reel feels rock solid in spite of being super lightweight… it’s surely their lightest/strongest material given the price point.
Excellent question by Mario. I believe the reel’s body is made from Zaion, not Zaion V. The Airdrive rotor is made from Zaion V. This is based on what’s shown in the specs on the Daiwa website.
Luke, you might look at the description SS is using for this reel in the SS Tackle Store. It’s showing “Daiwa TD Sol MQ. The Daiwa U.S. website leaves out the “TD” as you do in this review. However, Daiwa Australia and the tackle stores in that country use the “TD”. I didn’t investigate if there is a difference between these two differently labeled reels but usually there is.
In your next review, perhaps staff could clarify with Daiwa if there’s a difference between these two different versions sold in the U.S. and Australia. And explaining the main reasons behind the weight reduction with this reel. It seems the same materials were used that’s been used in other recent premium reel releases. Leaves one wondering if it’s about a design with thinner parts to achieve weight reduction.
Hey Rob. Tackle Warehouse has a First Look video they posted on TW website during I-cast this year talking about the new SoL Mq. Tackle warehouse sat down with Mr.Takeshi who is Sr. Manager in the reel research and development department at Daiwa. Mr.Takeshi gives a breakdown of the new Sol MQ and talks about the weight reduction.
I believe the TD stands for Team Daiwa.
Thanks, Ashley! I tried to understand what Mr. Takeshi was saying but had trouble following it all. The Team Daiwa makes sense although I don’t know why reels sold in USA don’t carry over the same name as presumably they operate as a team here too.
Daiwa Full 2024 New Product Lineup | ICAST 2024:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qz9R1zlXTeo
Can’t wait to see the review on it Luke. Does it come in a 3500 series too?
It has a 3000 and 4000 size, but not a 3500.