Daiwa Legalis LT Spinning Combo Review

I’ve become obsessed with finding rod and reel brands that provide affordable alternatives to anglers on a budget. Daiwa fits that category now. The Legalis LT Combo Spinning Rod is a go-to drop shot, ned rig, and trout rod for mostly freshwater fishing. Although, I’ve heard it holds up well in salt water. It’s a rod combo that has all the basics of a pricier count part and it holds up well after many days of exposure to the elements of the outdoors. I’ve mostly been using it for finesse worms and spinners for trout, and I have to say it’s a tough rod with a workhorse reel and a reasonable price point. But other features stand out on this combo rod. Trust me, it aint no ordinary combo.

Sharp Look

Right off the bat, the Legalis is a good-looking rod combo.  As far as affordable fishing reels go, the Legalis LT provides a real bang-for-your-buck quality. Key reel features I like include an automatic tournament drag. Its smooth and provides a nice click as you loosen and tighten and never slips. The aluminum oxide guides are perfect for both salt water and taking a beating. As far as comfort goes, the graphite build provides a light weight while maintaining a nice backbone. I’ve brought in eight-pound bass on this this rod and it holds up well – no problems turning the fish or losing control.

Well Built

So far, I’ve given this rod a real beating in fresh water. The reel feels well-built and smooth with no lose or jangling components. It’s got a machine cut handle that gives you a direct connection to the body. That, combined with the power and lightweight of the rod, provides a higher level of control when bringing in larger fish. I’ve set it before that I’m a sucker for cork grips and the grips on the legalis are pretty sharp looking.

Holds Up in Salt Water

It’s a good rod combo for smaller saltwater species and the tough guides hold up well against sand and salt. I run braided line to a fluro leader for perch and striper usually and Sufix braid runs smooth on and off the spool.

Rod Power

I’ve brought in a lot of small mouth bass on it as a dropshot rod. It held up against some pretty mean fighters and managed to break free of snags and cut through tough hydrilla and it supports other different tactics. You never feel like you don’t have control – I can turn the toughest gamefish and never feel they have the upper hand. The longer models are tough enough for big striped bass and other saltwater species.

Versatile Range of Length

From 5′ options to 9′, you can hit the surf or finesse approach for weary mountain trout. What’s more, it’s a two-piece rod combo; perfect for storage and transporting to and from the water. My main setup is a 7′ medium heavy which I use for small swimbaits and drop shotted worms.

Final Thoughts

The Daiwa Legalis is a fantastic rod combo for the money. You get a high-quality feel for an affordable price. The lineup is divers with rod lengths you can use for finesse fishing and long enough for larger species. It’s a solid inshore rod set-up for larger species and perfect for freshwater angling across the country. The rod weight is barely noticable. I mean, meany rod companies can manage a good graphite composite but the Daiwa Legalis is extremely light, which is why I lean toward this rod when I know i’ll be spending a while in one spot.