Clearly a true large arbour reel, this is the 5/6 model so it looks a little bulky for that line-weight, but at 6.5oz it’s not that heavy. Hefting this in my hand the size makes the actual weight seem less. Capacity is listed as WF #6 with 100 yards of 20lb backing – more than adequate.

Very nicely finished, all exposed surfaces are smooth and angles are rounded. Both the handle and drag knob are large; no fumbling nonsense, I can get a proper hold of both whether my hands are cold or gloved. Daiwa has decided on a captive nut to link the spool to the body, switching spools may not be quite as swift as a quick-release mechanism but that’s a very secure system, it means there is no end-float between the reel and body and fewer small parts to get clogged or damaged. Cartridges are colour-anodised aluminium, light and pretty rigid. Nice touch of simplifying design used to secure the cartridge to the spool, the designer has noticed the handle and counterweight are held in place with screws and has used the screw-heads as lugs.

Half cage design, the body seems rigid enough. I failed to get leader or line stuck between spool and body – which is good. There's a fully exposed rim, so I can cup the reel in my hand for extra drag and fine control if and when I need it. Daiwa have set the reel foot quite a way off the centre of the body so it balances, i.e. hangs straight down. (Also sits balanced on its foot for display.) Oddly, the foot on this reel seems to be slightly squint.

The drag housing is small (see photo, left); the blurb mentions carbon drag surfaces. The NewEra spins freely and silently on the way in, click and ‘shusshing’ sound of the drag on the way out. Drag range is good and adjustment has a clicker and seems well capable of fine adjustment. Direction of wind is decided by a one-way bearing housed inside the hub of the spool, switching hands means releasing one nut and inverting the clutch bearing – dead easy!

That matt finish and simple pattern of ports on the spool looks functional and spare. A glossier finish or more elaborate pattern might be just as functional but more decorative, clamouring for more attention. Side-stepping that gloss and glamour, the NewEra just sits there confident in its ability to do the job and do it well.