Daiwa 25 Tatula SV TW: SV BOOST Arrives for Longer, Trouble-Free Baitcasting
minagiman
Minagiman's Fishing Adventures in Japan
Daiwa 24 Certate vs 24 Certate SW vs 25 Saltiga: Which Top Daiwa Reel Is Right for You?
minagiman
What do you look for when choosing a reel? Lately anglers care a lot about how light the reel is to start turning and how water-resistant it is. Even Daiwa’s general-purpose reels now carry so much technology that the gap to big-game reels has narrowed, and some anglers buy on looks alone.
Here I compare three of Daiwa’s top spinning reels: the versatile 24 Certate for anglers of any level, the big-fish 24 Certate SW, and the 25 Saltiga, built to put the angler in control against big fish.
24 Certate
Airdrive Design for control
In 2024, its 20th anniversary year, the Certate was reborn with full Airdrive Design, combining four technologies for unprecedented ease of use. The Airdrive Rotor looks as if it was cut from a sphere: unneeded material is removed while rigidity is kept, so the reel is much lighter to start turning, improving control and sensitivity. The Airdrive Bail uses a hollow pipe and is slimmer while keeping its strength.
Aluminium monocoque body
The heart of the reel is a full-metal aluminium monocoque body. Instead of supporting the drive gear between body and cover, the cover is removed and a high-precision plate screws straight in, improving gear alignment and rigidity. The drive gear is an extra-super duralumin MC Tough Digigear, and the larger XH models (LT3000, LT4000-C, LT5000-C, LT5000) get the high-strength pinion proven in the Saltiga.
Line-up and features
There are 15 models from LT2000S-P to LT5000D. All have LC-ABS (Long Cast ABS), which moves the contact point forward for smoother line release, about 5% more distance than ABS II and fewer tangles. A stopperless body reduces entry points for water and debris and saves weight.
24 Certate SW
Airdrive Design with a full-metal body
The Certate SW keeps the Certate’s core performance but prioritises durability. The 4000, 5000 and 6000 sizes get a newly designed ZAION Airdrive Rotor tuned for low inertia and strength, for sharp, technical lure work.
Built for saltwater
It is designed for PE 2–3 (Japanese size) for blue-water fish, mahi-mahi and hirasuzuki. For big fish, the monocoque body is larger, the drive gear thicker and the engine plate supporting the gears thicker too, keeping ideal gear mesh and powerful winding under heavy load.
Water resistance is greatly improved: the seal at the handle mount is upgraded to keep out spray and salty air, working with Mag Sealed on the pinion. A manual bail return prevents the bail closing accidentally on the cast, adding safety with big lures.
Line-up
Sizes 4000 to 6000, each in Power (P), High (H) and Extra High (XH) gear. Weights are 335 g (4000), 345 g (5000) and 375 g (6000). ATD TOUGH drag with carbon washers is durable and starts smoothly, with up to 12 kg (4000) and 15 kg (5000/6000).
25 Saltiga
Big gains in core performance
The 2025 Saltiga was built to land fish when the once-in-a-lifetime chance comes, with more rigidity and durability that keeps it performing in harsh conditions for years. The result is Daiwa’s new large-reel concept, Power Drive Design.
Power Drive Design
It has two units: the Power Drive Engine and the Power Drive Rotor. The engine uses an Oversized Power Digigear about 10% larger in diameter and 6% thicker, and Roller Power Oscillation cuts friction by about 30%, giving a light start and powerful winding.
Built to land big fish
Models from 18000 up get the new DRD drag: one metal plate with eight metal rollers, over five times as durable as conventional carbon washers. Mag Sealed is fitted at three rotating points (line roller, pinion and handle shaft) for strong protection from water and outside influences.
The differences in one line each
- 24 Certate: full Airdrive Design for lightness and control; versatile from finesse to power games
- 24 Certate SW: based on the Certate with more durability and water resistance
- 25 Saltiga: Power Drive Design and new DRD drag for total reliability against big fish
Specs
The 24 Certate starts from size 2000, but here I show 4000 and up to compare with the Certate SW. Retrieve in cm per turn, PE capacity in Japanese size and metres, prices before tax.
24 Certate
| Model | Weight | Gear | Retrieve | PE | Drag | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LT4000-C | 235 g | 5.2 | 82 | 1.5-200 | 12 kg | ¥58,600 |
| LT4000-CXH | 235 g | 6.2 | 99 | 1.5-200 | 12 kg | ¥58,600 |
| LT5000D-CXH | 245 g | 6.2 | 105 | 2.5-300 | 12 kg | ¥60,600 |
| LT5000D | 290 g | 5.2 | 87 | 2.5-300 | 12 kg | ¥61,600 |
| LT5000D-XH | 290 g | 6.2 | 105 | 2.5-300 | 12 kg | ¥61,600 |
24 Certate SW
| Model | Weight | Gear | Retrieve | PE | Drag | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4000-H | 335 g | 5.7 | 90 | 2-300 | 12 kg | ¥67,000 |
| 4000-XH | 335 g | 6.2 | 98 | 2-300 | 12 kg | ¥67,000 |
| 5000-P | 345 g | 4.9 | 82 | 2.5-300 | 15 kg | ¥70,400 |
| 5000-H | 345 g | 5.7 | 96 | 2.5-300 | 15 kg | ¥70,400 |
| 5000-XH | 345 g | 6.2 | 104 | 2.5-300 | 15 kg | ¥70,400 |
| 6000-P | 375 g | 4.9 | 86 | 3-300 | 15 kg | ¥72,700 |
| 6000-H | 375 g | 5.7 | 101 | 3-300 | 15 kg | ¥72,700 |
| 6000-XH | 375 g | 6.2 | 110 | 3-300 | 15 kg | ¥72,700 |
25 Saltiga
| Model | Weight | Gear | Retrieve | PE | Drag | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8000-P | 670 g | 4.8 | 94 | 3-460 / 4-300 | 25 kg | ¥150,000 |
| 8000-H | 680 g | 5.6 | 110 | 3-460 / 4-300 | 25 kg | ¥150,000 |
| 10000-P | 675 g | 4.8 | 99 | 4-380 / 5-300 | 25 kg | ¥150,000 |
| 10000-H | 685 g | 5.6 | 117 | 4-380 / 5-300 | 25 kg | ¥150,000 |
| 14000-P | 690 g | 4.8 | 102 | 5-340 / 6-300 | 25 kg | ¥150,000 |
| 14000-XH | 690 g | 6.2 | 133 | 5-340 / 6-300 | 25 kg | ¥150,000 |
| 18000-H | 920 g | 5.5 | 129 | 6-420 / 8-300 | 30 kg | ¥170,000 |
| 20000-P | 930 g | 4.4 | 111 | 8-370 / 10-300 | 30 kg | ¥170,000 |
| 20000-H | 930 g | 5.5 | 138 | 8-370 / 10-300 | 30 kg | ¥170,000 |
| 25000-P | 945 g | 4.4 | 118 | 10-360 / 12-300 | 30 kg | ¥170,000 |
Which one?
Each reel has a clear character. The 24 Certate is the versatile choice with excellent control. The 24 Certate SW adds water resistance and durability for shore casting to blue-water fish. The 25 Saltiga is about raw power and reliability for offshore big game. Choose by your main target species and what you value most.
More detail: my Daiwa 24 Certate review and Daiwa 25 Saltiga. For Shimano’s side, see Shimano vs Daiwa spinning reels.
ABOUT ME
Born in 1994. Originally from Hyogo Prefecture, I moved to Iwata City in Shizuoka Prefecture in search of the sea. I am an Enshunada surf angler who enjoys surf fishing. I am also active on YouTube, and my fishing grounds range from Irago to Iwata.
