DAIWA Emeraldas Air LT Spinning Reel

DAIWA Emeraldas Air LT Spinning Reel

The Emeraldas Air LT is Daiwa’s flagship reel dedicated to squid and cephalopod fishing, built around a ultra-light ZAION Monocoque (MQ) body and the LT – Light & Tough concept. It is designed for anglers who spend long sessions working egi and want maximum sensitivity, balance and control without sacrificing power. 

Both the FC LT2500S-DH and LT2500-DH are double-handle models, giving superb rotational balance and precise line control – ideal for watching slack line and detecting subtle squid takes.

Recommended Environment (AU & NZ)

• Rock walls, breakwaters and harbour mouths targeting calamari and arrow squid

• Inshore reefs and weed beds in bays such as Port Phillip, Sydney Harbour, Hauraki Gulf and similar grounds

• Drifting from small boats over weed beds and broken reef with egi size 2.5–3.5

• Secondary use for light inshore finesse – bream, whiting, flathead, trevally – and even trout or bass in freshwater when a very light, sensitive reel is desired 

Target Species

Primary (Eging / Cephalopods)

• Southern calamari, arrow squid, cuttlefish, broad squid

Secondary (Light inshore & freshwater)

• Bream, flathead, whiting, trevally, Australian salmon / kahawai

• Estuary perch, Australian bass, trout in lakes and rivers

Model Breakdown – Which One To Choose?

1. Emeraldas Air FC LT2500S-DH – Finesse Double Handle

A true finesse eging reel for lighter egi and long sessions on the stones or in the bay.

• Weight: ~175 g 

• Gear ratio / retrieve: 5.1:1 – approx. 72 cm per crank 

• Max drag: 5 kg (Finesse Custom ATD drag) 

• Line capacity (braid): PE 0.6 – 200 m (approx. PE 0.8 – 190 m, PE 1.0 – 140 m) 

• Handle: 90 mm double handle with EVA Power Round knobs

Best for:

• Egi 2.5–3.0 in shallower or moderate depth

• Long shore-based sessions where light weight and sensitivity are more important than brute drag

2. Emeraldas Air LT2500-DH – Power Custom Double Handle

A stronger, more versatile option for heavier egi, deeper water and mixed-species work.

• Weight: ~195 g 

• Gear ratio / retrieve: 5.2:1 – approx. 73 cm per crank 

• Max drag: 10 kg (ATD drag system) 

• Line capacity (braid): PE 0.8 – 200 m (approx. PE 1.0 – 190 m) 

• Handle: 90 mm double handle with EVA Power Round knobs

Best for:

• Egi 3.0–3.5, deeper reef edges and areas of stronger current

• When there is a real chance of by-catch such as snapper, kingfish or bigger salmon/kahawai alongside squid

Key Features & Technologies

• LT Concept (Light & Tough) – reduces overall weight while keeping the drivetrain rigid and powerful. 

• ZAION Monocoque Body (MQ) – one-piece carbon body with zero flex, able to house a larger Tough Digigear drive gear for smoother, more powerful winding over the life of the reel. ZAION Air Rotor – lightweight rotor with reduced start-up inertia, improving sensitivity when working egi and detecting gentle takes. 

• Tough Digigear – forged and machine-cut aluminium main gear, tuned for long-term smoothness and torque. 

• ATD (Automatic Tournament Drag) – progressive drag that starts smoothly to protect light leaders, then ramps up to full power as the fish or squid pulls harder. 

• Magsealed line roller & pinion (regional dependent) – magnetic oil seal at key entry points to resist saltwater and grit, extending service life. 

• ABS Longcast aluminium spool – long-cast spool lip for smoother line release and improved casting distance with thin PE lines. 

• Perfect Line Stopper – easy to use, low-profile stopper that works well with thin braid. 

• EVA Power Round Knobs & Double Handle – keep the handle from spinning on its own after a jerk, helping you watch the line for hits and giving excellent balance during the retrieve. 

Performance & On-Water Advantage

Compared with standard 2500-size reels, the Emeraldas Air LT:

• Feels noticeably lighter in the hand, reducing fatigue when you are repeatedly jerking egi all night.

• Offers far better sensitivity, thanks to the rigid MQ body, ZAION rotor and light double handle – you feel bottom contact, current changes and tiny squid taps more clearly. 

• Provides excellent drag control with ATD, ideal for fine PE lines typically used for eging and finesse inshore fishing.

• Maintains long-term smoothness – the combination of Tough Digigear, Magsealed and quality bearings makes it a reel you can fish hard over several seasons.

Why Aussie & Kiwi Anglers Choose It

• Purpose-built for squid and cephalopod fishing, but adaptable enough for bream, whiting, flathead, trout and more.

• The double handle configuration is ideal for eging style: the handle doesn’t fall under its own weight after a jerk, so you can focus on the line for visual bites.

• The FC LT2500S-DH suits anglers who want the lightest, most sensitive set-up; the LT2500-DH suits those who fish deeper water, stronger current or expect hard-fighting by-catch.

Short “at-a-glance” spec block for your page

FC LT2500S-DH

• 5.1:1, 72 cm per turn – 5 kg drag – approx. 175 g

• PE 0.6/200 m – 12+1 bearings – 90 mm double handle

LT2500-DH

• 5.2:1, 73 cm per turn – 10 kg drag – approx. 195 g

• PE 0.8/200 m – 12+1 bearings – 90 mm double handle