The new Isla spinning reel is a breed apart and offers anglers the stopping power necessary for handling big stripers and blues in the surf, all the way up to battling tuna in the canyons. In fact, the Isla 7000 Bull offers an amazing 66 pounds of drag and a gear ratio of 4.3:1. It holds a whopping 550 yards of 80-pound Samurai braid – more than enough when plying the deepwater tuna grounds.
The Isla series incorporates some of Daiwa’s most advanced technology including Digigear. What Digigear does is ensure a perfect mesh between ultra-tough, surface treated alloy drive gears and the marine bronze pinion gear for optimized speed, power and durability. The drag system features their Ultra Carbon Tournament system that utilizes advanced carbon materials for smooth, fade-free stopping power to control hard-running fish. Each reel also comes with nine ball bearings (incl. 2 CRBB) plus a roller bearing. The Corrosion Resistant Ball Bearings are specially treated stainless steel and last up to 12 times longer than standard stainless steel bearings in a corrosive saltwater environment. Sealed bearings shield out sand, fine grit, salt crystals and other abrasives where ordinary “corrosion resistant” bearings are open to saltwater and grit.
I had the opportunity to tangle with stripers to 20 pounds off the beaches of Long Island this fall with the Isla 7000H, which is the high-speed version of the Bull. With a gear ratio of 5.7:1 and taking up 54 inches per crank, the reel easily handled these fish with power to spare. The reel’s drag is smooth and flawless. What I really like was the infinite adjustment of the drag, where no matter what pressure you apply, it remained constant at that setting. The fast gear ratio will also aid in taking out the slack in your line, especially on days with a strong cross wind.
The reel’s large handle is very comfortable, and the bail is not automatic, so you must manually flip it closed at the end of a cast. If you’re wondering about a bail-less conversion kit, there is no need, other than maybe your own preference. As hard as I tried, I could not get the bail to flip without my assistance. The spool measures slightly over three inches in diameter, allowing the line to leave the spool with minimum resistance. I spooled up with mono backing, and then added 300 yards of 20-pound-test PowerPro braid. Casting A17 tins with green tubes, I outdistanced every caster with ease. I honestly feel that the reel was the biggest factor in the distance I was getting, rather than my casting ability. The only drawback I encountered was the large size of the bail, which at times was a bit cumbersome. However, after using the reel for several weeks, it was much less of a factor.
The series also boasts a new sealing technology that uses oil. Magnetic oil is one of a new generation of Nano Fluids that can change density and shape when a magnetic field is applied. It creates an excellent, low-friction seal for the rotating shaft. To produce a low-friction seal that keeps water, dust and grit from entering the reel’s rotor bearing and gearing, magnetic oil is controlled by a magnetic field. The result is a watertight seal with much lower friction than rubber type seals. Bear in mind, it is not submersible as the oil system only works on a rotating shaft. If the reel is submerged, just like virtually every other reel on the market, water will seep into the housing. However, the tight tolerances will not allow the reel to get “flooded” but you should avoid keeping it totally submerged if possible.
The Air Rotor is made from Zaion carbon composite and weighs up to 15 percent less than ordinary rotor designs. Its unique shape reduces unnecessary weight while distributing stress more evenly throughout the rotor for maximum strength.
The Isla comes in four models: The 7000H, 7000 Bull, 5000H and 4000H. I feel the 5000H is best suited for surf work. It boasts a line capacity of 440 yards of 55-pound braid or 240 yards of 20-pound mono. The 5000 also has a maximum drag pressure of 33 pounds, more than enough to stop any gamefish you’ll encounter. Although I field tested the 7000H, this 29-ounce work horse is probably better suited for offshore duty.
The Isla series is going to set you back a pretty penny, but not nearly as much as some other powerful, high end reels on the market. The series includes models to fit your every need, whether it is chasing pelagics in the canyon, or working calm back-bay waters
