Gear Review: Daiwa Ballistic LT 2500D-XH Reel and Brent Ehrler Signature Finesse M/XF Rod

I've reviewed a few rod and reels this summer and have fell in love with the Ballistic LT 2500D-XH and the Brent Ehrler Signature Finesse M/XF 7’0” 1-piece spinning rod. This rod and reel combo is so light but is a work horse on the water. When holding these together it literally feels like I am holding nothing.

The Daiwa Ballistic LT 2500D-XH Spinning Reel is designed with Daiwa's carbon fiber sealed housing material known as "Zaion". The Air Rotor design weighs 15 percent less than previous models but still delivers maximum strength. This spinning reel comes in 7 different models ranging from 11 pounds of drag with the 1000D series to 26.4 pounds of drag with the 6000D series. I had the opportunity to review the 2500D-XH. This reel spools up nearly 300 yards of 15-pound braid and has a lightweight aluminum and rubber handle for a great grip when wet. With a nice 22 pounds of drag and a 6.2:1 ratio pulling 34.5 inches of line per turn this is an awesome finesse reel for worms, drop-shotting and swimbaits.

Insidethe carbon fiber body is a machined aluminum alloy DigiGear component. The gear helps to amplify the spindle rotations for each rotation of the handle. DigiGear allows anglers to reel in fish smooth and quickly. Complimenting this reel is a main shaft utilizing the Magseal, which prevents water and debris intrusion. Also the corrosion resistant 7-Bearing System (1-CRBB, 5-BB and 1BB) incorporates an effortless and ultra-smooth cast and retrieval and lasts up to 12 times longer than standard stainless steel. The bail trip is smooth as well. Instead of grease, Daiwa has used a new generation of Nano Fluid called “Magnetic Oil” and if I understand it correctly, it actually coats interior parts for longer life.

Along with this fabulous spinning reel, I reviewed the Brent Ehrler Signature Finesse M/XF 7’0” 1-piece spinning rod. According to Daiwa’s website, these Elite Series rods were truly designed by Elite Series Anglers and are each designed for a unique purpose. Whether you are fishing worms, frogs or crankbaits, Daiwa offers a rod for each use. For those like me that sometimes struggle with rod and reel selection, this helps to take out the guesswork.

These Elite Series rods are designed with SVF Nanoplus Super Volume Fiber blanks. This allows the rod to be lightweight and for the angler to have great feel over the rod. I can vouch for both, I could really feel the surface under the water and the smallest of bites. Each blank is constructed with Daiwa’s X45 BIAS graphite fiber construction. This prevents twisting and ovalization of the blanks allowing me to experience the great long casts I was getting and accuracy when needed. One thing I have not had to do is re-tighten my seat to the reel at all. I know I shouldn’t need to, but on some I have reviewed this year I have had to re-tighten more than I feel I should. Along with this great rod, the product comes with a limited 5-year warranty.

Overall, I have adopted this rod and reel as my favorite go-to combo for fishing worms, swimbaits and drop shot set ups. I can throw this all day with no soreness in my arm. The only drawback I have experienced is that when I switch to another one of my reels, I tend to under throw.

For more information on the Daiwa Ballistic LT 2500D-XH Reel and Brent Ehrler Signature Finesse M/XF Rod, visit Daiwa.com.

Review written by Gary Elliott, facilitator of https://www.facebook.com/GarysOutdoorNewsandReviews and @garys_outdoor_news_and_reviews.