Looking at getting some new reels and rods. Do any of you fish with the daiwa steez rods and reels? How are they? Are they better than the shimano cores?

THey are great reels. The reels seem to be very unpredictable at times. Hard to explain, but and I am not the only one who thinks this. I prefer cores.

What do you mean "unpredictable?"

My two cents (and the other $350) would go to the core also.

I love mine . I say Sweet

what about the rods

The pricetag is a tad too sweet for my blood.

I dont know about the rods mine are on loomis

I know several guys that put the Steez through a beating on Fork with no issues. Core feels better in my hands, but if you are set on the Steez reel go for it. They have a strong following for a good reason.

Not crazy about the rod at all, I stocked several here in the marina while they sold eventually they felt and looked cheap. I'd rather go with an NRX for the price.

thanks for the info. Im not set on getting them. I have fished with loomis and cores for a while now and was just wanting to see if they warranted the price difference.

Pick them up and see which reel handle size fits your hand better. I fish 103HLA Steez reels and they are the best,for me. I prefer the G Loomis GLX rods to the Steez or NRX rods. The GLX MBR 783c rod and the 103 HLA Steeze is a,beautifully,balanced combo.

I've had the Steez 103HA and I know what people say about them being finicky, they just seem to take a little more tweaking to dial them in right... Awesome reels for sure but I don't think I'd go from a Core to a Steez if I was happy with the Core. There were certain things like throwing a Carolina rig when the weight would move / slap during the cast and make it backlash, (spinnerbaits and other baits that were sensitive to wind conditions could also be tricky), that drove me nuts. I just dont have those problems with my Shimamos. I just didn't throw Carolina rigs with it anymore... It went to my t-rig / jig rod and did excellent casting and pitching those things. Shimanos are just more set it and forget it for me and that's what I prefer but everyone is different! Demo one from tacklewarehouse or just buy one and try it, you should have no trouble re-selling it if you don't like it. Here's a link to a discussion on a different site that can hopefully give you a little more information on the topic...
http://www.tackletour.net/TTForums/viewtopic.php?f=47&t=36060&hilit=Steez

I have a Steez that I use for drop shotting and haven't had any problems with it. Just set it and forget it.
It is a good finesse reel.
I really like my cores. Great reels. I use the cores for pitching jigs on my Dobyns rods. Great combinations.

I have a few I love them but like jkitchens said not the best for c-rigging. Do love them for pitching and any weightless presentation

No comparasion in the reels. The Steez is more refined,better balanced,and has click adjustment for the spool brakes. I've already made 6 Pitches,in the time,you are fumbling with your centrifugal brake stalks.

Saw some at a couple of Academy stores marked down close to 50% since the new ones are coming out in a few weeks.