Daiwa Exceler LT Review

Initial Impressions

When I first unboxed the Exceler LT at my workbench, I was immediately struck by its modern aesthetic and lightweight feel. The reel’s clean lines and mix of matte and glossy finishes give it a premium look that belies its modest price point. While some might find the chrome accents a bit flashy, I think they work well with the overall design, especially when paired with contemporary rod builds.

I’ve tested many reels in this price range over my years fishing the St. Johns River basin, and the build quality here immediately impressed me. There’s no wobble in the handle, the bail closure is crisp, and the overall fit and finish suggests attention to detail in manufacturing. The reel feels notably lighter than its predecessor, thanks to Daiwa’s LT concept and Air Rotor design.

Field Testing

I mounted the Exceler LT 2500D-XH on a 7′ medium-light G. Loomis E6X spinning rod and spooled it with 15lb PowerPro Super8Slick V2 braid with a 10lb Seaguar InvizX fluorocarbon leader. This setup became my primary finesse rig for testing.

My testing grounds included:

• Julington Creek’s dock lines for skip-casting soft plastics
• Durbin Creek’s lily pad fields for wacky rigs
• The deep bends of Black Creek for drop shots
• Various community lakes around Jacksonville for general purpose fishing

The majority of my testing occurred during early morning and evening sessions, targeting largemouth bass in both moving and still water conditions. I focused particularly on finesse presentations where reel sensitivity and smooth operation are crucial.

Performance Analysis

Casting

The Exceler LT really shines in casting performance, particularly with lighter lures. During a memorable morning session at Durbin Creek, I was working a wacky-rigged Senko around cypress knees, and the reel’s smooth spool rotation and well-designed line management system allowed for precise casts into tight spots between the trees.

The Air Bail system, while primarily designed for weight reduction, also seems to contribute to improved casting. I noticed less line slap during casts, which translated to better accuracy, especially when skip-casting under docks along Julington Creek. The bail closure is positive and reliable – I never experienced any random bail trips during casts, which has been an issue with some competitors in this price range.

Retrieve

The 6.2:1 gear ratio hits a sweet spot for versatility. It’s quick enough for burning soft plastics when bass are aggressive, yet still maintains good cranking power for working deeper presentations. The retrieve is remarkably smooth for a reel at this price point, though not quite as silk-like as Daiwa’s higher-end offerings like the Ballistic or Exist.

During a particularly productive evening at Black Creek, I was working a drop shot in 15-foot holes, and the smooth retrieve really helped maintain feel with the bottom and detect subtle strikes. The digital gear design shows its worth here – there’s very little play in the handle, and the engagement is instant when you need to set the hook.

Drag System

The ATD drag system is a standout feature. Rated at 22 pounds of max drag, it’s overkill for most bass fishing applications, but the smoothness of engagement is what really matters here. During a battle with a 6-pound largemouth at one of Jacksonville’s community lake/ponds, the drag performed flawlessly, smoothly releasing line when the fish made powerful runs near the dock.

The drag’s initial startup is particularly impressive – there’s no stuttering or hesitation when a fish makes its first run. This is crucial when fishing lighter leaders, as any sudden drag engagement can lead to break-offs. I’ve found the drag adjustments to be precise and consistent throughout the range.

Ergonomics

At 6.9 ounces, the Exceler LT feels notably lighter than many competitors in its class. The weight reduction is most apparent during long days of repetitive casting. During a recent outing, I threw a Ned rig for a few hours straight, and the reel’s lightweight design helped minimize fatigue.

The handle design deserves special mention. The paddle-style grip provides good leverage, and the rubberized coating offers secure grip even when wet. The reel balances well with most medium-light to medium-power rods in the 6’8″ to 7’2″ range.

Special Techniques

The Exceler LT proved particularly effective for finesse techniques. Skip-casting light soft plastics under docks became a confidence technique with this reel. The smooth spool rotation and precise line lay allowed for controlled skips that could reach well under dock structures.

One technique where this reel really impressed me was fishing a light Carolina rig in Black Creek’s deeper holes. The sensitive blank-through handle design, combined with the smooth retrieve, made it easy to detect both structure and subtle bites. During one particularly tough mid-day session, this sensitivity helped me detect several light bites that resulted in solid 3-pound class fish.

Price and Applications

At $99.99, the Exceler LT represents excellent value. While it lacks some refinements found in premium reels costing twice as much or more, it delivers where it counts – in real-world fishing performance. Compared to direct competitors like the Shimano Sahara or Pflueger President, the Exceler LT offers better drag performance and lighter weight.

This reel is particularly well-suited for:

• Finesse bass techniques (drop shot, Ned rig, wacky rig)
• Light-line applications
• All-day fishing sessions where weight matters
• Anglers wanting premium features at a mid-range price

Ratings

(1 = terrible : 5 = mediocre : 10 = outstanding)

Construction/Quality – 8.5: Solid build quality with good attention to detail. No wobble or play in critical areas.
Performance – 8.0: Smooth operation and excellent drag system. Casting performance is particularly good with lighter lures.
Price – 9.0: Excellent value proposition at $99.99, offering features found in more expensive reels.
Features – 8.5: Good implementation of Daiwa’s technologies, particularly the Air Rotor and ATD drag.
Design/Ergonomics – 8.0: Lightweight and comfortable to fish all day. Good balance with most rods.
Application – 8.5: Versatile enough for most bass fishing techniques, excelling particularly in finesse applications.

Overall Score: 8.4