FOOTHILL RANCH, CA – What does 5 ounces feel like? Find a deck of playing cards in the junk drawer. They’re about 5 ounces. Travel sized toothpaste? Around 5 ounces, too. And that last egg in the fridge? It also pings the scale at about 5 ounces.

DAIWA has something even lighter – 4.8 ounces to be exact. It’s named LUVIAS ST (Sensitive Tune), and it might very well be the lightest spinning reel ever made…

DAIWA Field Marketing Manager Chris Martin, however, threw up his hands to make clarifications before we got too far over our skis.

“Specifically, the 1000 and 2000 sizes weigh 4.8 ounces. We call them LUVIAS Super Finesse, or SF. The 2500 size increases to a mere 5.3 ounces, and it goes by LUVIAS Light Tough, or LT.” Thanks, Chris, for clearing all that up.

The applications for such refined and lightweight reels are manifold. Martin explained: “Serious trout anglers are always trying to lighten up their gear to match with the premium performance rods they already depend on, while at the same time seeking better performance. The LUVIAS family achieves both objectives.” The 1000 and 2000 sizes are ideal for casting trout baits like inline spinners, small crankbaits, and casting spoons, like DAIWA’s PRESSO RAVE2 or Quanai Spoons.

For stream or stocked rainbow, brook, and typical-sized brown trout, Martin suggests spooling the LUVIAS SF 1000 and 2000 sizes with 4 to 6lb XBRAID Finesse or 2 to 4lb mono or DAIWA J-FLUORO Samurai fluorocarbon. Those are perfect line weights for panfish species, too, like bluegills, crappies, and yellow perch.

Engineered for ultra finesse fishing, the three model LUVIAS lineup maxes at a 2500 size, which is the starting size for the average reel collection.

“The LUVIAS LT 2500 is a great all-around size for everything from trout to panfish and perch, up to even walleyes and finesse fishing smallmouth and largemouth bass,” said Martin. “And that’s not to say LUVIAS models can’t handle bigger fish – they can, trust me. The three LUVIAS sizes and weights are best suited for lighter gear and finesse tactics, however.”

Line-wise, Martin said the LUVIAS LT 2500 spools ideally with 6lb or 8lb XBRAID Finesse or 2lb to 6lb mono or J-FLUORO fluorocarbon.

So, if you’re still scratching your head wondering how DAIWA achieved such miniscule weights, Martin shared DAIWA’s little secret. “We actually build the 1000 and 2000 size LUVIAS models on a 750 size frame, and the LUVIAS 2500 LT on a 1000 size body.”

Sizing down the chassis saved quantifiable weight, while the spools are still 1000 and 2000 sizes, spool capacities are another factor to note. These reels, being designed for light lines, are super shallow. Anglers need not waste unnecessary line to fill these reels for maximum casting efficiency. With these shallow spools, anglers can spool up with an appropriate amount of line and save the rest for another DAIWA reel. Worry not about the power in such a small body, either. DAIWA’s SF and LT frames are engineered to accommodate larger gearing than comparably sized reels.

MSRP $429.99

ZAION MONOCOQUE BODY

DAIWA’s advanced, proprietary, single component, high-density carbon fiber ZAION MONOCOQUE (MQ) Body is extremely lightweight, rigid, durable, and corrosion resistant. By removing the traditional screws used to attach sideplates, MQ maximizes internal space for larger diameter gears. These larger gears – DAIWA’s TOUGH DIGIGEAR – yield improved power, torque, and leverage, while promoting the life of the reel.

ZAION AIRDRIVE® Rotor

The smart design lessens weight, provides even rotary balance and stress distribution, and reduces vibrations, all while maintaining strength. Delivers a more precisely balanced reel performance than competing brands and models.

AIRDRIVE® Bail

Innovative bail design features a hollow, tubular stainless steel bail that delivers maximum rigidity and strength with minimum weight. The smooth protrusion-free construction lets the line easily flow to the line roller for trouble free line control.

AIRDRIVE® SHAFT

The AIRDRIVE SHAFT creates smooth, quiet rotation and provides anglers with enhanced torque and power. Additionally, both ends of the pinion gear are supported with bearings to transmit the crank power from the handle to the rotor with enhanced efficiency. By adding high quality collars to the main-shaft, rotational noise has been greatly reduced.

AIRDRIVE® SPOOL

Weight reduction is at the core of DAIWA’s progressive AIRDRIVE Spool. While lessening weight, the AIRDRIVE Spool also improves oscillation, minimizes resistance during winding, enhances reel balance, and makes the reel feel lighter and easier to use. This design also contributes to better casting performance with DAIWA’s Long Cast ABS.

LONG CAST ABS

The friction typically caused by line contacting the spool edge during casting has been significantly reduced. The LC-ABS two-stage spool features a unique upper wall angle that reduces line friction, allowing for tighter line exit and longer, smoother casts with fewer wind knots. This, while accommodating the maximum amount of line.

TOUGH DIGIGEAR

A7075 Aircraft Grade aluminum is forged into large, digitally-designed and machine cut gears with larger tooth patterns, which perfectly mesh between an ultra-tough drive gear and pinion gears for optimized speed, torque, efficient power transfer, smoothness, and durability. This precision gear alignment reduces vibration and resistance, providing a silky-smooth retrieve that helps anglers feel subtle lure movements and bites.

ATD (Advanced Tournament Drag) TYPE-L

The ATD TYPE-L drag system works in tandem with the pull of a fish. The initial response of the drag has been significantly improved, especially when using lighter lines to reduce the load and enable a quicker catch and minimize stress on the fish and handle sudden bursts of speed or steady pressure during extended battles.

MACHINED ALUMINUM SCREW-IN HANDLE

Provides a solid, rigid feel that enhances cranking power and durability. Screws directly into the reel body and the main gear, guaranteeing a smooth power transfer without play. Ensures that the handle is resistant to flex, which is crucial for maintaining power transfer and longevity.

LUVIAS ST spinning reels are peas in a pod with DAIWA’s PRESSO Air rods. These exceptional, ultralight spinning rods are engineered for anglers who demand extraordinary sensitivity and featherlight performance. Built with DAIWA’s exclusive HVF Nanoplus graphite blank and X45 construction, PRESSO Air rods are incomparably light yes surprisingly durable. Their MegaTop solid carbon tip ensures even the slightest bite is transmitted directly to your hand, making it ideal for finesse tactics and targeting species like trout and panfish. Fuji K guides provide excellent durability and minimize wind knots, especially when using ultralight braid. The split cork grip adds comfort and style, and the range of available lengths and actions means there’s a PRESSO Air spinning rod for every ultralight scenario.

For DAIWA’s latest color catalog and/or information on DAIWA dealers in your area, call DAIWA’s Customer Service Department at 562-375-6800 or e-mail inquiries to: CSR@DAIWA.com. The URL for DAIWA’s web site is daiwa.us

About Daiwa Corporation

Daiwa's first spinning reel rolled off the assembly line in 1955. Since then, the company has grown into one of the largest and most influential tackle companies in the world today. To handle sales and distribution in the United States, Daiwa Corporation first opened its doors on September 26, 1966, operating from a small facility in Culver City, California. Today, based in Foothill Ranch, California, Daiwa Corporation sells tackle throughout the United States, Canada, Central and South America. From the very beginning, Daiwa's emphasis has been upon innovation and quality. The result is a long list of product features, design and materials that have become standards for the fishing tackle industry. Daiwa’s long-standing record of innovation has left a visible mark on the majority of tackle manufactured today and continues to advance the sport of fishing. Learn more at daiwa.us