About this Review: This review is my honest opinion of the reel, which I purchased with my own money in September of 2022.

My take

The Daiwa Revros LT is a quality spinning reel that outperforms other options at its price point for a wide variety of freshwater fishing applications. This reel is a phenomenal option for beginners, anglers on a budget, and those looking to put together a backup combo.

About the reel I own

• Model: Daiwa Revros LT 3000-C
• Reel Size: 3000
• Construction: Spinning reel, carbon-composite body
• Drag System: Felt
• Drag Pressure: 22lbs

About me

• Preferred fishing style: Freshwater bass fishing
• Experience: 20+ years of fishing

Test conditions

• When I bought this: September 2022
• Rod Paired with Reel: Cashion Element 7’1” medium-light, fast
• Line Paired with Reel: Suffix 832 10lb Hi-Viz Yellow Braided Line, Sunline Sniper 6lb fluorocarbon leader
• Days tested: 75
• Waters I’ve used it on: Freshwater lakes and ponds
• Species targeted with reel: Largemouth bass

How it performs

What I was looking for

I was looking to put together a dedicated spinning setup for fishing a drop shot. I had been using my 1000-size trout-fishing reel for drop shots, but I wasn’t able to pick up slack line fast enough to set the hook when I felt a bite. Since a spool with a larger circumference will pick up slack more quickly than a smaller spool, I wanted to find a 3000-size spinning reel that would allow me to make quick hooksets and hold enough line for increased casting distance.

Why I chose this gear

I was originally looking for a reel at around the $100 price point, and had been considering the Daiwa Fuego or Shimano Miravel. During my search, I came across some positive reviews for the Daiwa Revros, and ultimately decided that I’d take the risk of purchasing a less expensive reel.

What I love about it

• Performance: The smoothness of the reel is impressive, given its price. When turning the handle, there’s no play—which makes it easier to detect bites when retrieving lures. The 3000-size spool holds plenty of line, which increases my casting distance and makes it easy to keep proper line tension for bite detection and easy hooksets.
• Quality: I am impressed by the quality of the reel. There is nothing that feels loose and the rotor is well-balanced, which is hard to find on a budget spinning reel. The frame of the reel is a quality carbon-composite material that is notably more rigid than other similarly priced reels. The rigidity of the frame means that the gears will be kept in precise alignment, which adds to the durability and longevity of the reel.
• Application: The reel has been perfect for the finesse fishing applications that I’ve been using it for. The 3000-size version of the Revros LT only comes with a 5:3:1 gear ratio, which is slower than I had wanted. But, the larger circumference of the spool allows me to pick up line quickly enough to get a good hookset. Also, since I’m using a light, six pound fluorocarbon line, the larger spool is able to hold a larger felt drag washer. This increased surface area allows for smoother drag pressure, which helps keep my line from snapping when fighting aggressive fish.
• Feel: I am impressed by the smooth performance of the Revros LT for a budget-priced option. The lack of any looseness or “play” when turning the handle allows me to focus on feeling bites and presenting lures. The lightweight rotor is well-balanced and doesn’t create much resistance while I am retrieving light lures—giving me a good deal of control over my presentation. I also found that the reel has a surprisingly focused center of gravity, which allows me to make more accurate casts—essential when using spinning gear.

Issues I’ve encountered

• Drag System: While the drag pressure on the reel is very smooth, I wish that it had a louder click when fighting fish. It can be hard to feel faint bites when fishing finesse techniques, and hearing the clicking of the drag when a fish is on the line is a helpful indicator that I need to set the hook.
• Aesthetics: I’m not particularly impressed by the overall aesthetic of the reel. I don’t love the gray and gold color scheme. And while the silver-flecked gray frame and shiny finish are interesting, I find them very distracting—especially when fishing in the bright sun.

Favorite moment with this gear

When I took it out of the box, I was pleasantly surprised at the smoothness of the reel and the balance of its rotor. Since I purchased the second largest size (3000), I expected it to be somewhat heavy, but for the size of the reel I found the weight to be very light and well-balanced. A welcome surprise.

Value for the money vs. other options

Compared to other options at its price point, the Daiwa Revros LT is a quality reel that deserves consideration. The Pfleuger President and Okuma Ceymar are comparable to the Revros as far as price is concerned, but the smoothness and build quality of the Daiwa Revros LT sets it apart from its competitors.

Final verdict

All in all, the Daiwa Revros LT is a quality reel for freshwater anglers across a wide variety of species and techniques. I enjoy using it to fish a drop shot, neko rig, and ned rig for largemouth, but I can see how it would be effective for small spinnerbaits, wacky rigs, and other lightweight bass-fishing applications. For any freshwater angler on a budget, the Daiwa Revros LT would make an excellent addition to their lineup.