The Fuego baitcasting reels are one of Daiwa’s most popular fishing reel series. They are well built with a small aluminum frame that fits in your palm for easy control.
The Fuego CT was designed as the entry level model in Daiwa’s Fuego series, and offers some of the most important features of Daiwa’s more expensive reels.
The CT is available in 6.3:1, 7.3:1, and 8.3:1, has an infinite anti-reverse bearing, and comes with Daiwa’s Ultimate Tournament Carbon Drag.
The reel is fitted with Daiwa’s Magforce Z cast control which is a highly functional braking system that provides straight forward no-nonsense casting. The cast on the CT extends quite far with nice granular control due to the braking system.
The Fuego CT is strong, durable, fairly lightweight, and able to handle a wide range of fishing applications. It is capable of handling plenty of weight, and can tackle anything from finesse plastics to larger crankbaits.
The Fuego CT is built for anglers who want a quality Daiwa baitcasting reel, without spending the money on one of their more expensive models.
I’ve had my 7.3:1 Fuego CT for over 2 years and have put it through hell….and still catches fish!
First off, the drag is very strong and worked well. Never had a problem with fish fighting back. I’ve landed and released several 17+ inch largemouth and a 28 inch striper with this reel. I love the swept handle. It is comfortable, even with big bass on. No chance of your hand slipping off.
The reel has a good capacity, and I’ve landed fish from 1-3 pounds all the way up to around 15-16 pounds.
I love this reel, and it’s definitely one of my go to reels for fishing shallow flats and docks with a jig and trailer.
The Daiwa Fuego CT Casting Reel is an all-around performer. Not designed for a specific presentation, the Fuego CT offers the features and functionalities to work in a wide variety of situations.
While the Fuego CT doesn’t include all of the high end features of some of the premium priced Daiwa reels, it is equipped with the best functionality Daiwa has to offer at a much lower price point than its more expensive siblings.
The Fuego CT includes a traditional centrifugal braking system in conjunction with Daiwa’s Magforce Z magnetic cast control which offers a great, consistent casting experience especially with heavier lures. The external cast control on the Fuego CT is easily adjustable with just one finger, allowing for quick and easy adjustments on the fly.
Using the MagForce-Z cast control, anglers will find the Fuego CT provides long and smooth casts. This allows you to reach the areas of the water you need to get your lure to, without having to worry so much about backlash and birdnests.
The Fuego CT’s Ultimate Tournament Drag (U.T.D.) system is one of its most impressive features. It offers fine tuned drag settings and provides a smooth, high performance drag system.
Rated to provide 13.2 lbs of drag pressure, the U.T.D. easily handles big largemouth bass. The drag is also incredibly smooth, making for a great fighting experience when hooked up to a large fish.
The Fuego CT Casting Reel also includes a stainless steel anti-reverse bearing. This helps to provide reliability and durability when fighting fish.
The bearing is also corrosion resistant, meaning it will stay in good condition no matter how long you spend on the water.
The Fuego CT Casting Reel is designed to be lightweight and compact. Weighing in at only 7.6 oz, this Daiwa reel is easy to use all day long without feeling weighed down. The smaller frame is also perfect for those anglers who prefer a more compact reel.
The Daiwa Fuego CT Casting Reel is one of the most affordable reels on the market today. Offering quality features and performance at a fraction of the cost of some of Daiwa’s more expensive casting reels, the Fuego CT is a great value for any angler.
The frame of the Fuego CT utilizes Daiwa’s special aluminum CT frame. This frame is strong and offers great durability while maintaining a light weight.
The Fuego CT is designed to stand up to the abuse that anglers dish for years.
Anglers have the choice of three different retrieve ratios with the Daiwa Fuego CT Casting Reel. This gives anglers the ability to choose the best retrieve for the fishing conditions and the specific lure they are using. The 6.3:1, 7.3:1, and 8.3:1 gears provide a good range of fishing speed options.
The Fuego CT’s 90mm swept handle provides a great grip and plenty of torque when fighting big fish. The handle is also contoured to fit comfortably in your hand for extended periods of use.
I’ve been fishing the Fuego CT for a couple of months now. It’s a very smooth reel, and it feels light when I hold it in my hand. The palm-sized aluminum frame is comfortable, and the swept handle is covered in rubber, which makes it easy to maintain a good grip. When holding the Fuego CT it feels like I’m holding a good quality reel and not a budget-type reel.
The first thing I noticed about the Fuego CT was how smooth it was. From casting to retrieving, the Fuego CT felt nice to use. I like the contoured handle on the Fuego CT. It feels nice in the hand, and it’s large and ergonomic.
I use the Fuego CT with the 6.3:1 gear ratio and I like the way it responds to my casts. The Fuego CT is a very nice reel for the money. I’ve been pleasantly surprised by how much I’ve enjoyed fishing with the Fuego CT.
If you didn’t know, Fuego is the Spanish word for fire and all I can say, is that when I fish with the Fuego CT I feel like I’m on fire. I’m pulling bass in left and right and the reel never makes me feel like it won’t handle whatever I throw at it. It’s so lightweight and yet feels so solid.
I’ll be honest, I was a little skeptical of this reel, since it was entry level priced and most of the other Daiwa reels are quite a bit more expensive. I was imagining a reel that would feel cheap and would not hold up over time.
However, after using the Fuego CT this last year, I can say that Daiwa has made a baitcasting reel that not only performs well, but also has great looks and a quality build.
The Fuego CT is available in both right and left handed models. It’s worth noting that the handle side can not be changed. So when purchasing, make sure you select the correct version for your preferred hand use.
The Fuego CT will work in saltwater for inshore fishing, however, it is not a sealed system. So make sure that you wash it off very well with freshwater after use. If you’re using it consistently in saltwater, it would be advisable to perform maintenance more regularly on the reel.
The Fuego CT line series is made in Thailand.
Yes, Daiwa makes some of the top baitcasting reels on the market today.
Daiwa includes a 2 year warranty for their reels that includes issues with defects in construction or materials.
There isn’t really a “best” rod to go with the Fuego CT, as it is a versatile reel that can be paired with most baitcasting rods.
If you’re also looking for a rod to pair with the Fuego CT, check out our page on the top casting fishing rods.
The gear ratios available on the Fuego CT include 6.3:1, 7.3:1, and 8.3:1. The 6.3:1 gear ratio is a good all-around option for a wide range of applications, while the 7.3:1 and 8.3:1 gear ratios are better suited for specific situations.
Check out our info on choosing the right gear ratio for you.
We’ve given the Daiwa Fuego CT ratings in four categories. They are as follows:
The Daiwa Fuego CT earns an overall score of: A
The Fuego CT is a great all around baitcaster that is designed to take on the rigors of a full season of fishing, and at a price tag of right around $100 it is a great value as well. Daiwa delivers a reel that has a high quality feel and is nicely balanced in the hand. It is light enough to be used for hours on end and strong enough to stand up to large bass.
The Fuego CT isn’t the flashiest reel on the market, but it just doesn’t need to be. It has the features and performance you need to consistently pull in smallmouth all day long.
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