OBJECT OF DESIRE
TOTAL FISHING TACKLE DAIWA BASIA CUSTOM REEL £374.99
FOLLOWING the success of its internet-based custom reel service, which allowed anglers to log on and design their own Basia reels, Daiwa rolled out another unique service.
This time it was to its key retailers, and included a bespoke Basia design exclusive to each shop. Each design would only be available at that shop and would be unique, as well as there being only a limited number created.
One of my absolute favourites is the one that the guys at Total Fishing Tackle have designed together which, to my eyes, looks superb and a little big edgy while still remaining true to the original Basia styling in many ways.
What I mean by that is, every man and his dog seems to own dark, matt-black reels these days, such is the current trend with manufacturers. In the case of the really top-end stuff, there’s little in their appearance to differentiate the reels from many others much further down the budgetary food chain.
However, TFT’s Basia is a wonderful combination of modern touches in the form of a black spool, bail-arm and handle arm, combined with the Basia’s original grey body and wooden handle.
I love it and, as you’d expect from a Basia, the performance more than matches the impressive looks.
Long casting is made incredibly easy thanks to the tapered spool, while the super-smooth QD spool allows a switch from locked up to freespool in just half a turn of the drag knob.
The Basia has long been a top performer – I remember when they first launched and, for me, they raised the bar in terms of carp-reel performance.
In this custom version, that sublime performance has been married with a stunning look that I think genuinely sets it apart from the rest.