What is Daiwa's Next-Generation ATD Drag? Exploring Its Appeal and Differences from UTD
The ATD (Automatic Tournament Drag) system has a proven track record,
even landing a 104 kg yellowfin tuna from the shore.
ATD is designed to support anglers not only when fighting such massive fish,
but also across various species, including bass, trout, and seabass.
In this article,
we will introduce the features of ATD
and how it differs from the previously used UTD (Ultimate Tournament Drag).
The Importance of the Drag System You Should Re-recognize
Generally, many people consider the drag to be a function to "minimize line breaks" during a fight with a fish.
Of course, the drag is a crucial system in terms of reducing the load on the line, but it also plays important roles in "hooking" and "action."
The Importance of Drag in Hooking
During hooking, the role of the drag is to disperse the force when you strike hard.
Naturally, if the force is dispersed too much, the hook won't penetrate the fish's mouth securely, increasing the risk of the fish getting away.
Conversely, if the drag is too tight, it can cause the mouth to tear or the body to rip, which also leads to losing the fish.
Therefore, when setting the drag, an exquisite adjustment tailored to the rod's action and the line's thickness is necessary.
The Importance of Drag in Action
Next, let's explain the role of drag in lure action.
For example, in Eging (squid fishing), you can freely change the action by adjusting the drag. By tightening the drag, the action becomes tighter and sharper, while loosening the drag allows for a gentler, more natural action.
Thus, even in terms of action, the impact of the drag setting on the ”Egi” or lure is significant.
The Importance of Drag in Fighting Fish
Finally, let's discuss the role of drag during a fight.
It goes without saying that your drag setting should take into account both the pulling power of the target fish and the strength of your line.
In addition to that, it is also important to skillfully switch between a tighter drag setting and a looser one as the situation demands.
For instance, in areas with heavy structure where line abrasion is a risk, you need a tighter drag setting to prevent line from being pulled out as much as possible.
In contrast, for fish like seabass that have strong swimming power and often perform tail walks, a looser drag setting is necessary to avoid losing line tension.
Drag Settings Can Change Your Catch Rate
As introduced so far, drag settings play a vital role in hooking, action, and fighting fish, requiring optimal adjustment.
Also, depending on the reel, when instantaneous force is applied, the line might not pay out unless a force exceeding the set drag power is exerted.
Therefore, to find the best drag setting, an understanding of the reel, fishing method, target fish characteristics, and actual fishing experience are inevitably required.
Daiwa's Technological Innovation! Evolution from UTD to ATD
To achieve the best drag setting, an understanding of its various roles and ultimately the angler's experience were necessary. However, with the birth of Daiwa's new drag, it has become possible to minimize these drag adjustments.
Here, to also help you understand the process of Daiwa's drag evolution, we will introduce in detail the transition from the old drag system "UTD" to the new drag system "ATD" used in modern reels.
UTD (Ultimate Tournament Drag) with Enhanced Precision
Developed in 2010, UTD (Ultimate Tournament Drag) refers to the drag system that cleared the high standards set by Daiwa starting from that year.
Its main feature is that it significantly resolved the "line payout stutter" that occurred at the beginning of the drag engagement—a problem until 2010—allowing the line to be paid out stably.
The New Technology! How ATD (Automatic Tournament Drag) is Different!!
In 2015, based on the concept of "What is the optimal drag for anglers?", UTD was reviewed, and the new drag system ATD (Automatic Tournament Drag) was developed. This drag system is the "modern drag system" adopted in various models, from small spinning reels to electric reels, as of 2018.
A Drag Like an Automatic Gear
As a primary feature, when the line is pulled with strong force, the line pays out with a constant force.
Conversely, when a gentle force is applied, the drag engages gradually, providing "tenacity." This drastically reduced the hassle of the angler having to manually adjust the drag setting made during hooking to match the fish's pull throughout the process leading up to landing.
Overwhelming Durability
With conventional drags, the drag power tended to decrease during long fights, but ATD can firmly maintain it. Therefore, compared to the past, it offers the advantage of advancing fights with large fish favorably. In fact, using this drag, there is a record of landing a 104kg yellowfin tuna from the shore.
5 Daiwa Reels Featuring ATD
Daiwa spinning reels equipped with ATD-based drag systems are now available across a wide range of categories, from lightweight finesse models to more rigid all-purpose reels.
As of April 2026, a more up-to-date selection is to focus on the following current models from Daiwa’s official lineup.
24 LUVIAS LT2500S
The 24 LUVIAS is one of Daiwa’s core upper-mid spinning reels, built around a ZAION body and rotor.
In this lineup, ATD TYPE-L is used from LT2000S-P through LT4000-XH, while the 5000 size uses ATD Tough. The LT2500S is a highly versatile representative model for bass fishing, eging, and light saltwater applications.
Gear Ratio: 5.1
Weight: 150 g
Max Drag: 5 kg
Line Retrieve per Crank: 72 cm
24 CERTATE FC LT2500S
The 24 CERTATE combines AirDrive Design with a full-metal aluminum monocoque body, giving it a more rigid and durable character.
It also uses ATD TYPE-L, and the FC LT2500S is a strong current option for anglers who want a compact but highly solid reel for versatile lure fishing.
Gear Ratio: 5.1
Weight: 175 g
Max Drag: 5 kg
Line Retrieve per Crank: 72 cm
23 AIRITY LT2500S
The 23 AIRITY remains one of Daiwa’s premium lightweight spinning reels, using a magnesium monocoque body while still carrying ATD TYPE-L.
The LT2500S keeps the reel at just 150 g while maintaining a 5 kg max drag, making it a standout current example of a high-end ATD-equipped spinning reel.
Gear Ratio: 5.1
Weight: 150 g
Max Drag: 5 kg
Line Retrieve per Crank: 72 cm
25 CALDIA FC LT2500S
The 25 CALDIA adopts ZAION V for both the body and rotor and uses ATD TYPE-L in sizes from FC LT1000 through LT4000-C.
The FC LT2500S is a practical mid-range choice for anglers who want modern Daiwa drag performance and a lighter, compact setup without stepping up to LUVIAS or CERTATE pricing. Larger 5000-size models in the same family move to ATD Tough.
Gear Ratio: 5.1
Weight: 170 g
Max Drag: 5 kg
Line Retrieve per Crank: 72 cm
26 FREAMS LT2500
The 26 FREAMS is Daiwa’s current global-standard spinning reel, newly updated with AIRDRIVE Design, pinion MAGSEALED, TOUGH DIGIGEAR, and ATD TYPE-L.
The LT2500 is a broad-application model suited to both saltwater and freshwater use, making it one of the clearest current entry points for anglers who want a modern Daiwa spinning reel with an ATD-based drag system.
Gear Ratio: 5.3
Weight: 195 g
Max Drag: 10 kg
Line Retrieve per Crank: 75 cm
ATD is Daiwa's Latest Drag System Loved by Everyone from Beginners to Experts!
By using ATD, you can minimize drag adjustments from hooking to landing. Not only advanced anglers particular about drag work but also beginners who lack confidence in drag settings should definitely try a Daiwa reel equipped with ATD!
