Daiwa Underspin-XD Series, Trigger-Control Closed-Face Reel

This review is of the Daiwa Underspin 40-XD. This is the smallest size available of the XD reels and is considered "ultra-light" tackle. I've caught quite a few sunfish, perch, bluegill, and stocked stream trout on this reel with 4 lb line. I've used everything from float/hook/split-shot to jigging to small spinners and the reel performs well.I bought the 40-XD to replace a Zebco 33 Micro triggerspin ultra-lite on which the drag no longer worked and could not be repaired. I was surprised at the quality difference right out of the box. Here's a brief comparison:Daiwa 40-XD:--body made of aluminum--spool shroud made of aluminum--trigger made of solid aluminum--strong and rigid solid aluminum reel foot that is thin enough to fit rods comfortably--one large hardened pick-up pin that actually spins with the line to reduce friction and wear (if I'm not mistaken, you've got to go all the way up to the Zebco Bullet at $99 before Zebco offers you a rotating pick up pin).--solid aluminum anti-reverse switch that has a very good and solid "clicky" positive feel--large crank knob for this size reel that spins freely--nice, chunky aluminum crank arm--excellent multi-disk drag, a little touchy at first but definitely serviceableZebco 33 Micro triggerspin:--body made of plastic--spool shroud made of stainless steel--trigger made of plastic--thick plastic reel foot that never really fit my rods well--two tiny static ceramic pick-up pins--plastic anti-reverse switch that always felt sort of fragile--difficult to use drag that eventually failed altogetherI love Zebco and own a few of their reels, but at least in this ultra-lite catagory, the Daiwa looks, feels, and functions much better than the Zebco 33 Micro. All I know of Daiwa is from my experience fishing with a Fuego baitcaster combo, which has been very positive, so I decided to give their ultra-lite a try. For the level of quality, the price of the 40-XD is more than fair. All-in-all, I've been pleased with the 40-XD, so much so that I've decided to buy a 120-XD for bass fishing and throw it on my Eagle Claw Pack-It spinning rod. You just can't beat the prices of these reels for how much fishing you can get out of them. It's kind of funny because I was just about to buy a Zebco Omega reel because I always wanted one, but fishing with a Daiwa spincast reel makes me want to switch that plan to the Daiwa Goldcast 80 or 100.I plan on making this my go-to backpacking reel, coupled with an old two-piece 4'6" fiberglass pack rod. I find spincast reels to be good for backpacking because the spooled line is completely enclosed inside the spool shroud, making tangling and unintentional releasing of line rather unlikely. I'm also thinking about getting my hands on Daiwa's Minicast System. The fit and finish here seems solid. The 40-XD is a clear winner the battle of ultra-lite spincasters. Recommended.

Update 2020/10/10:Now that my son has expressed desire to move onto the standard spinning reel, I'm wrapping up this review.I would recommend to replace supplied line with 8lb line that is labeled "as easy manageable" and do not pack it to the top - leave about 1/8" free. This will help to avoid line tangles. Neither little kid nor big kid (you) will be able to cast too far with this reel so having full reel of line will only add work untangling it because little kids take time to learn to keep the line under pressure when reeling in. Possibly use size 50 if it fits your kid or you, but definitely do not go for smaller than size 40. Line rated at 8lb will do the best in this size 40 reel imho, but for certain applications (vertical line drop) you might manage 10Lb line as well.---------------Daiwa US40XD-CPReel size is perfect for my 5yo boy. Underspin reel style is perfect as first ever reel and to learn how to handle a spinning reel and for easy transition to spinning reels in the future.The reel comes pre-wound with clear monofilament line, but the packaging does not indicate line test rating (I would guess it's within 4-6lbs).In my opinion, this reel beats any reel that comes in a paired rod and reel style packaged in blister plastic for kids.I've paired this reel with a 5 feet telescopic spinning rod from South Bend. They together look and perform beautifully. For the record, the rod model I paired it with is SBN-505L/TSP.

I loved these reels years ago but around the early 2000's they got very cheap, breaking after a short time. I bought two of these last summer and they both broke after about 7 hours of use. The back reel doesn't disengage making setting the hook impossible unless two hand are used. Great when they work but useless for brook trout fishing after breaking, and it will break. I bought another one for this year and after about 9 hours of use it broke, same issue. I'm sure if you're fishing for pan fish or relaxing by the lake this reel will do it for you. As an avid trout fisherman this reel doesn't hold up even if it's taken care of.

This under spin reel... I loved it when it was casting good. Had it on an out of production abu Garcia vigilante 2.0 ultra light or light rod.This and the zebco trigger spins. Wonderful. Working a reel with just a single finger in nice simple fluid motions is a thing of beauty.Maybe I spooled the braid too tight. At one point the braid frayed and got caught half on half off, on the pin that spools up the reel.Tried restringing with Berkeley nano unafilmaent(?)(love it for creek chub/pan fish). Anyway, I couldn't get it to spool up tightly on the next try.Maybe it's me, maybe it's the reel.I bought this because my zebco trigger spin just didnt hold enough line and this does hold a lot more.ProsMostly metalThe handle stays tight(zebco trigger spin does not)Holds a ton of line.Has the added switch to reverse line feed line some spinning reels.ConsThe spooling pin gave me problems with my braid.Didnt like the aesthetics, gold but awkward and bulkyThe trigger/cast button seemed not as smooth as the zebco version

Had a nice $120 spinning rod I needed a reel for. I don’t care for spinning reels though and won’t fish with them so I bought this upside down closed face spincast for the similarities to a spinning reel in order to match the rod. The line it comes with is garbage, I immediately switched the line out out for a good quality 6lb monofilament. Turned out to be about the furthest casting set up I have. Learning curve of the trigger cast was quick and easy. After a few casts I can put a lure anywhere as accurately as any rod I have. Don’t overfill it with line and this reel should work out well for anyone. Hard to beat for the money.

This is a nice reel for the price. I bought one for my great nephew and we both found it really easy to use, especially for float fishing. I liked it so much, I ordered one for myself. Comes loaded with sea fishing line which you may want to change for coarse fishing, although I feel that it could easily cope with line up to 10lb.

I like the operation with the trigger release but did not work well. It feeds out line poorly. After research for the part I find this is a common fail. Clearly a DO NOT BUY recommendation!

Ad picture is a bit misleading. I had to have this product replaced due to a malfunction with the drag system. The picture showed a rear drag system but the product arrived with a plastic front drag. As you would wheel in the line it would get wrapped around the plastic drag and cause it to come loose. The first reel had the plastic come off and fall into the water. The replacement has the same issue. I'm actually disappointed in diawa for such a poorly crafted reel. Love the type of reel, very easy for younger children learning to fish. Just wish diawa would revert back to the rear drag system. It would make this reel a 4-5 star experience.

Loved it. Threw it on the rod, tossed a spinner in the backyard to be sure it worked before hitting the river and flung it in the next door neighbours yard. Worked great, good weight, came with 6-8 lbs test

Super fun, not once did it nest on me or screw around. Crazy smooth casting. Out fished my buddy 6 to 1 who used a spinning reel, same tackle, same line.