Retro Fishing PH

Retro Fishing PH Oldschool Tackle 🎣
20 year old to 1989 Fishing gears. Bass Angler
✝️ Fishing with faith, guided by the Word

Here’s another interesting Daiwa size evolution comparison, lined up side by side:1997 Daiwa Tournament Z 1500iA → 2001 ...
29/08/2026

Here’s another interesting Daiwa size evolution comparison, lined up side by side:

1997 Daiwa Tournament Z 1500iA → 2001 Team Daiwa Ignis 2004C → 2007 Presso 1025

At first glance, the numbers make it look like the reels are getting bigger: 1500 → 2004 → 1025. But Daiwa’s numbering isn’t a direct measurement of the physical body size. The evolution was actually toward smaller, lighter, more compact bodies with increasingly specialized shallow spools.

The 1997 Tournament Z 1500iA represents the classic late-’90s Tournament generation. The iA generation was notable for Daiwa’s move toward a larger spool diameter with a smaller body, giving us that famous “big spool, compact body” philosophy.

Then came the Team Daiwa Ignis 2004C. The TD-Ignis was a high-end freshwater reel built around a magnesium body, with a 2004 shallow-spool configuration designed for light line. The 2004C is listed at about 6.22 oz (176 g), with capacity around 3lb/140m or 4lb/100m.

And then we have the Presso 1025 a reel developed specifically with area trout and finesse fishing in mind. The 1025 designation represents an extremely shallow, finesse-oriented spool rather than simply saying “this reel is physically smaller.” The Presso family became closely associated with Daiwa’s light-line trout specialization.

So this photo is a pretty cool visual reminder:

1500 → 2004 → 1025

The numbers changed, the technology evolved, and the intended fishing became more specialized - but the physical progression tells a different story.

Daiwa didn’t simply make the reels bigger. They learned how to make them smaller, lighter, and more capable. 🎣

Retro Fishing PH — preserving the evolution, one old reel at a time.

“If you have faith as small as a mustard seed…” — Matthew 17:20

Living in a tropical country means humidity is the enemy of old tackle.When you see one of your EVA rods starting to dev...
29/08/2026

Living in a tropical country means humidity is the enemy of old tackle.

When you see one of your EVA rods starting to develop mold, clean it immediately. But don’t stop there. After cleaning your rods, check the rubber k***s on your older reels too.

From my own observation, some early-2000s Shimano and late-’90s Daiwa rubber k***s seem to be starting to deteriorate when exposed to damp conditions.

If you notice that white, powdery substance appearing on the surface of the rubber, that’s a sign the material is beginning to break down or “bloom.” I call it rubber cancer. Once it gets really bad, the rubber can become sticky, hard, cracked, or start falling apart.

I’ve been slowing the process on some of mine by wiping and conditioning the rubber with a very light application of oil, then keeping the reels as dry as possible.

Old tackle needs a little more love. ❤️

Check your rods. Check your k***s. Check your oldschool reels.
Prevention is much easier than trying to find replacement parts 20–30 years later. Or just buy wood, cork or alloy k***s. (Please make sure it looks period correct)

“And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God.” — Luke 17:15

The ten lepers cried out to Jesus for healing, but only one came back to give thanks.

So while we’re cleaning, maintaining, and preserving these old pieces of tackle, let’s also remember to be grateful for what we already have. 🎣🙏

Take care of your old gear. Take care of what God has entrusted to you. And always remember to give thanks.

A little Daiwa history lesson through size comparison. From the late ’80s to the end of the ’90s, Daiwa’s smallest spinn...
29/08/2026

A little Daiwa history lesson through size comparison.

From the late ’80s to the end of the ’90s, Daiwa’s smallest spinning reels kept getting bigger: The actual reels didn’t necessarily get bigger - in fact, they became lighter, more compact, and more refined over the years. What changed was how Daiwa assigned the size numbers.

• 1989-1993: smallest size — 600
• 1994–1997: smallest size — 1500
• 1998 Team Daiwa Z: smallest size — 2004

And here’s my wife’s favorite - her 1997 Daiwa Tournament Z 2500SiA, the Shallow Spool, beside its smaller brother, the 1997 Tournament Z 1500iA with the regular spool.

Same era, same classic Tournament Z DNA, but you can really appreciate the difference in size when they’re sitting side by side.

The 2500SiA has always been one of her favorite reels. ❤️
For this setup, I’m going with 4lb Sunline Fluorocarbon, while the spare spool gets 6lb braid.

Old reels, old-school engineering, and a little bit of fishing history in the hands. 🎣

Retro Fishing PH - fish with what you love, and appreciate what you have.

Tomorrow let’s compare the 1500 , 2004 and the 1025 size of the Real four era.

Rigging my one and done Abu combo for the next fishing trip.Abu Garcia Revo Elite IB × Abu Garcia Hornet Killer Bee 66ML...
28/08/2026

Rigging my one and done Abu combo for the next fishing trip.

Abu Garcia Revo Elite IB × Abu Garcia Hornet Killer Bee 66ML.

I know… I know… I still want a Fantasista. But honestly, I’m loving how this combo feels in hand - and those matching red and chrome accents? Matchy-matchy goodness. ❤️✨

And what’s up with rod makers naming their rods after venomous insects? 😂

Abu Garcia has the Hornet Killer Bee.
Shimano has the Scorpion.
Daiwa has the Tatula, complete with that unmistakable Tarantula logo.

Maybe there’s something about insects that just sounds fishy… fast, aggressive, and ready to strike. 🦂🐝🕷️

I don’t have a Tatula, though. I don’t want to start collecting another entire line. 🤣 I’m already thinking the Zillion gives me enough of that Daiwa Tatula itch.

For now, this Abu combo is locked and ready.

Trip booked. Gear rigged. Now we just pray for good weather. 🙏🎣

Lord, You know when we need the rain and when we need the sunshine. Please bless our next trip with safe travels, calm waters, and just enough sunshine to make memories.

“If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.” — Matthew 21:22 🙏


26/08/2026

Contentment.

When you’ve caught enough, know when to stop. Don’t overdo it.

If you love eating fish, take home what you need. And if a fish is badly hooked or bleeding, that’s the one you keep. You can also keep a few extra for family or friends who would love some fresh catch. ❤️

For the rest, practice catch and release. Let them swim away, grow, and give someone else the joy of catching them another day.

The same goes for fishing gear. Know when to stop. Enjoy what you already have. Appreciate the reels, rods, and tackle already in your hands instead of always chasing the next one.

And if you’re like me and stopping completely is just not happening… just slow down. 😂

Contentment doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy more. It means learning to appreciate what you already have - and knowing when enough is enough.

“Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have.” — Hebrews 13:5

Two Long-Cast LegendsTwo surf reels. Two different philosophies. One obsession: DISTANCE. 🎣Finally giving these two beau...
25/08/2026

Two Long-Cast Legends

Two surf reels. Two different philosophies. One obsession: DISTANCE. 🎣

Finally giving these two beauties some proper tackle-cleanup love.

On the left: Shimano Super Aero Technium Mg - the ’03 magnesium generation of Shimano’s legendary Super Aero long-cast family. Shimano introduced the Super Aero Technium in 1997, followed by the magnesium version in 2003. Lightweight, beautifully engineered, and designed around the pursuit of long casting.

On the other side: Daiwa Tournament Surf Basia fitted with the Z45C spool. The Z45C came out in 2001 and was a serious piece of distance-casting engineering—45mm stroke, magnesium body and rotor, and an incredible 410g catalog weight.

What I love about both is that they don’t feel like oversized surf reels. They were built around the same idea we still chase today: lightweight construction, a shallow/long-cast spool, smooth line release, and as little resistance as possible between you and the horizon.

And yes… I actually got the Z45C spool and pouch FIRST before I got the Daiwa reel. 😂
Sometimes the accessories find the reel before the reel finds you. 🤣

Both are near mint, which is honestly the surprising part. Finding oldschool Japanese surf reels this clean on the second-hand market is getting harder and harder.

Now I just need to do the impossible…

Take them to the beach and actually cast them. 🌊🎣

Someday.

“Come, follow me, and I will send you out to fish for people.”
— Matthew 4:19

There is something special about fishing beside the sea and remembering that Jesus Himself walked along the shore, called fishermen, and changed their lives forever.

Retro Fishing PH 🎣
Old tackle. Long casts. Good memories.
And always a little faith along the way.

TACKLE CLEANUP TODAY Yesterday was a good reminder that sometimes the OG gear still has what it takes.I took out my OG S...
23/08/2026

TACKLE CLEANUP TODAY

Yesterday was a good reminder that sometimes the OG gear still has what it takes.

I took out my OG Shimano Calcutta Conquest 100 paired with the Evergreen Tactics The Warrior. I also brought a sidearm - my Pixzilla paired with the Evergreen Tactics The Dagger.

A teammate once told me, “Mahirap mag-Calcutta buong araw.” Maybe for some, but the Conquest 100 proved otherwise. I could fish this reel all day if I had to - and yesterday, every fish I landed came on the Calcutta.

The Pixzilla got a couple of short strikes, but I failed to stick them properly. So, unfortunately, The Dagger failed to kill.

Meanwhile, my wife brought out her ever-reliable combo: the 1997 Daiwa Tournament Z 2500SiA. As usual, she put fish after fish in the boat. At this point, I’m starting to think she won’t be bothering me much during the coming southwest monsoon.

Today, it’s back to the bench - cleaning, wiping down, checking, and appreciating the gear that got the job done.

Old gear. Good memories. Still catching fish.

Retro Fishing PH 🎣
Fish the old. Appreciate the craft. Keep the memories.

“Whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” — Mark 11:24

22/08/2026

Last night, we finally got the update we were waiting for - the road to Intang was passable again. So I called our boatman: “We’re coming early tomorrow morning.” Booked. Gear ready. Sleep early. 😴

Morning came, and the lake was smooth as silk. What a blessing. We caught a good number of largemouth bass- kept a few for the table and released the rest. 🎣🐟

We decided to extend the trip into the afternoon and maximize the fishing window. Then around 3 PM… the heavens opened. Heavy rain poured down, and suddenly our thoughts shifted from fishing to the muddy road home. 😅

The path was already really muddy that morning, and with that much rain, there was a real concern that it might collapse again.

Good thing I had my good old Isuzu mu-X. With its traction control working overtime, it still thinks it’s a 4x4. 😂💪

Sometimes you just have to take the window God gives you - fish hard, enjoy the lake, and trust that you’ll make it home.

“For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven.” — Ecclesiastes 3:1 🙏

Scratching the itch.
22/08/2026

Scratching the itch.

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Daan Sarile
Cabanatuan City
3100

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