2015 Daiwa Procyon Spinning Reel

New to my charters in 2014, the Procyon spinning reel by Daiwa is one that I will be using for years to come. Redesigned for 2015, the reel takes on an even better “feel” and has enhanced durability. I can tell you that I really enjoy this reel. With the name “Daiwa” on it, it is another one that fits their mold: They make quality products that provide great performance and impressive durability.

“Procyon is now magsealed for fresh and saltwater applications. Procyon also has a Hardbodyz body design, Air Rotor and Digigear to make it one of the best values around.” What does “magsealed” mean? From the Daiwa site: Magnetic Oil is one of a new generation of Nano Fluids that can change density and shape when a magnetic field is applied.

As it is with all of my equipment, there is a performance factor and a durability factor. As a kayak guide the durability factor comes in much more critical. Low to the water, you want reels that repel and otherwise stand up to the salt water we are around every day.

My history with Daiwa reels goes back 21 years. My attraction to their product at the time I became a fishing guide had a great deal to do with their function and durability in my own fishing.
In the past I utilized these reels extensively:

The Tierra
The Team Daiwa Advantage
The Ballistic

Two and a half years after first adding this one into my repertoire:

I would use any of these reels again. Procyon has also entered that category. There is little doubt that they are built very well, a smooth reeling action and they have actually not needed any servicing in the four months they have been in daily use. The previous two years I relied heavily on the Ballistic 2000 and 2500 for my charters. Their durability was unmatched until this year. All of those reels are still in working order. In heavy use, I was taking off for servicing about every three months. With the Procyon I have not yet removed one to send in for servicing. Upkeep of my reels, the most I have done, pouring a little bit of bottled water over the top of the spools if they got wet at all during a fishing trip.

There are absolutely no signs of wear on the reels. The actual performance, the same as the day that I put them on the rods: Perfect. They crank with a quiet, fluid motion and the drag system is perfect. They are available in the following model sizes: 1500, 2000, 2500, 3000, 3500 & 4000.

Cost: Around $150, this is a strong option for your purchase choice.

From the Daiwa web site:
Procyon® Spinning
These quality built reels offer a perfect match for Daiwa’s Procyon rods, fresh or saltwater.
Procyon® Spinning Feature:
• Narrow, rigid aluminum “Hardbodyz” body design
• Magsealed construction
• Air Bail® of lightweight, hollow stainless steel
• Digigear™ digital gear design
• Air Rotor for lighter weight and greater sensitivity
• Water proof drag
• Machine cut aluminum handle
• ABS aluminum spool

The air rotor feature: “The Air Rotor weighs up to 15% less than ordinary rotor designs. Its unique shape reduces unnecessary weight while distributing stress more evenly throughout the rotor for maximum strength.”

In every review I write, I bring up the concept of value. I have found it in all Daiwa products. It comes down to tough choices of which reels I would use if I could only have one. There are more I have to try in the future. For the price point, the Procyon is probably the best value of any Daiwa reel I have used so far. A price check I did, I found that they were available in the $150 to $160 price range.

Choosing a reel size is really a decision based on what you do. My own clients have learned that with throwing a lot of lures like I do, the medium size reel is a good selection. I will be trying out their smaller reels next year but right now a perfect choice for the medium light inshore fishing that I do is the 2500. Going as light as possible, the line capacity is the issue in the final decision. Tip: If you don’t know, get the 2500. That is in the perfect range either way: Light but not short on line capacity.

Capacity for each reel spoon is more for the larger sizes. Isolated down to the three choices I would consider for use, excluding here is the line capacity for each reel size
Procyon 2000 6/135 8/110 10/90
Procyon 2500 6/210 8/170 10 140
Procyon 3000 8/240 10/200 12/170

Larger than I personally use, the reel is also available in a size 4000 with these capacities: 10/300, 12/260, 14/210

Product reviews should be about performance in use, durability under stress: I can tell you that I would use nearly every Daiwa product because I know what their name means, but I can also tell you that some stand out above others. The Daiwa Procyon is what I would call a “no miss” piece of equipment to own.

Neil Taylor
Owner and guide: www.strikethreekayakfishing.com
(Cell) 727-692-6345 LivelyBaits@aol.com
Owner and site administrator: www.capmel.com
Co-host: Outdoor Fishing Adventures, 8 to 9AM Sundays on 1040 “The Team” Radio