®
Winter 2026
called the “Bugatti” of fishing reels. This top end gear isn’t just premium for prestige; it’s premium because Daiwa engineers its own technologies, its own components, and its own materials. Daiwa has a global range, handling their own product development, research, marketing, design, and U.S.- based combo assembly in-house.
While Daiwa has grown from freshwater roots, it is experiencing a saltwater surge with the brands expansion from a dominant spot in bass equipment to its increasing saltwater presence over the last 10 years. Their salt growth includes major pushes into heavy-duty saltwater rods, big-game reel, offshore trolling equipment, electric reels (a category where Daiwa is the undisputed leader).
Another differentiating factor for Daiwa is that they are a product machine. In just one ICAST cycle, Daiwa released a staggering 640 new SKUs, followed by another 420 early the next year, covering rods, reels, line, lures, and accessories. It’s a pace that is hard to match.
While Daiwa builds nearly everything in-house, it also serves as the U.S. distributor for Evergreen International, a Japanese premium lure company known for exceptional quality and consistency. Daiwa has represented Evergreen in the U.S. for over a decade and is one of the world’s leading braided-line manufacturers (and the #1 seller in Japan).
THE FUTURE:
BEYOND RODS AND REELS
Clothing has become its next focused venture which is a natural, expansion for Daiwa. The company has already begun its movement into technical fishing apparel, lifestyle wear, and Gore-Tex foul-weather gear.
Notably, Daiwa is one of the only fishing companies allowed to use actual Gore-Tex, due to licensing restrictions,
a distinction that underscores the company’s reputation in high-performance design.
BIG-GAME HORIZONS
The company’s biggest future moves are coming in saltwater, specifically large offshore big-game reels, targeting species like giant tuna and large pelagic fish. While Daiwa has touched this category before, it is only the beginning and a Daiwa explosion in the category is on the horizon.
DEEPENING SALTWATER COMMITMENT
Salt fans can expect Daiwa to deepen their saltwater focus with more heavy-duty conventional reels, larger spinning reels, expanding lure programs, broader saltwater rod families. But freshwater anglers need not worry: Daiwa will continue innovating on both fronts.
A BRAND ANCHORED IN ITS PHILOSOPHY
Across all of Daiwa’s product launches, expansions, and innovations, one message stands out: movement forward. The DVEC “forward arrow” isn’t just a logo – it’s the brand’s identity. The global Daiwa mantra, “Feel Alive,” reflects their purpose: creating equipment that enhances the outdoor experience, mind and body.
For anglers, it isn’t just about fishing. It’s a heart- hammering, full-throttle action. The reel rips, the rod buries and everything else disappears. Daiwa gear is crafted for those moments. The Daiwa goal to Feel Alive is why their gear is tuned for power, refined for precision and ready for whatever is next in freshwater or saltwater for big baits or light line, Daiwa is built for performance to turn every strike into an experience. •
page
18