The 26 Tournament ISO LBD is a lever-brake reel for rock-shore fishing that Daiwa releases in November 2026. All 4 models are JPY 112,000 (excl. tax). If you want one reel for rock-shore float fishing, the 2500XH-LBD is the pick.
The Gear Nerd's Pick
This time the heart is that it brings all three Air Drive parts, rotor, bail and shaft, together on an LB reel for the first time. A lighter rotor lets the reverse spin start easily when you ease the lever, so line goes out to the fish faster. That is why I recommend this generation's 2500XH-LBD to anglers who chase both kuchibuto and onaga.
Key points
- Released Nov 2026. All 4 models are JPY 112,000 (excl. tax)
- The competition LBD is 114cm per turn, the 3000LBD 80cm
- Daiwa claims an 11% faster reverse-free response than before
When is the 26 Tournament ISO LBD out, and what does it cost?
It goes on sale in November 2026. There are 4 models, the Competition LBD, 2500XH-LBD, 3000LBD and 3000XH-LBD, all at a list price of JPY 112,000 (excl. tax). With the same price, the only things to choose by are gear and line capacity. Less to agonize over.
| Model | Weight | Per turn (gear ratio) | Nylon capacity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Competition LBD | 240g | 114cm (7.6) | #1.85 150m / #2 140m |
| 2500XH-LBD | 245g | 103cm (6.8) | #3 150m / #4 100m |
| 3000LBD | 240g | 80cm (5.3) | #3 200m / #4 150m |
| 3000XH-LBD | 240g | 103cm (6.8) | #3 200m / #4 150m |
How I judged it
As someone who likes reading spec sheets side by side, the first thing I looked at was the drag type. The Competition LBD and 2500XH-LBD use the "ATD TYPE-L," which starts smoothly. The 3000LBD uses "ATD Tough" with carbon washers.
Next, the line retrieved per turn. That settled it. The 2500XH-LBD has the same 103cm gear as the 3000XH and the same drag as the Competition LBD. It is a combination that can bring in kuchibuto on fine leaders or onaga on thick rigs. The best of both.
I decided. My pick is the 2500XH-LBD. For running rock-shore float fishing with one reel, this is the one I would choose.
Image: Rakuten Ichiba
Daiwa 26 Tournament ISO 2500XH-LBD
Pre-release: available from Nov 1How does it differ from the previous model (22 Tournament ISO)?
The biggest change is that it carries the Air Drive design on an LB reel for the first time. Three parts come together: a rotor shaped as if cut from a sphere, a thinner bail, and a shaft that does not touch the pinion.
Three differences show up in numbers. The reverse-free response is claimed to be 11% faster than before, and brake pad wear resistance 10 times better than before. The lever is 8mm shorter than before and sits where you can grip it as an extension of your fist.
Beyond that, the spring that returns the bail is stronger to prevent half-open bails, and the Twist Buster, which holds down line twist, moves to III. The handle is a new thin, light screw-in type. As a new generation, it removes the trouble spots on the rocks one by one. Impressive.
Which generation of the Tournament LB is this?
Counting from 1986, LB reels bearing the Tournament name have run for 40 years. That is 14 generations of accumulation. The 26 Tournament ISO LBD is the generation arriving at that milestone.
A long-running model name. It has 10 bearings, and 2 in the drive gear section are Mag Shield. Daiwa claims the highest waterproofing level within this model line.
What does an LB reel's brake do?
LB stands for lever brake. How hard you squeeze the lever stops or frees the rotor's reverse spin, and it lets line out when a fish runs.
What counts here is the lightness of the rotor. The lighter it is to start turning, the sooner line goes out the moment you ease the lever. The point of the Air Drive rotor lies in that instant. Light. And it counts.
How do I choose among the 4 models?
I calculated the turns needed to wind 100m from the line retrieved per turn. The gap is large.
- Competition LBD: 100 ÷ 1.14 = about 88 turns
- 2500XH and 3000XH: 100 ÷ 1.03 = about 97 turns
- 3000LBD: 100 ÷ 0.80 = 125 turns
The gap between the Competition LBD and the 3000LBD is about 37 turns per 100m. If you want to speed up your cycle, the Competition LBD. For winding in a big fish while keeping it held on the rod, the strong-geared 3000LBD fits.
The 2500XH and 3000XH have the same gear; only the line capacity differs. For big fish where you want 150m of #4 nylon, the 3000XH-LBD; for mainly kuchibuto and a lighter carry, the 2500XH-LBD.
Image: Rakuten Ichiba
Daiwa 26 Tournament ISO Competition LBD
Lowest price on Rakuten: JPY 94,380 (as of Oct 18). Prices change daily.
RecommendedSee it on Rakuten Ichiba
Image: Rakuten Ichiba
Daiwa 26 Tournament ISO 3000LBD
Lowest price on Rakuten: JPY 94,380 (as of Oct 18). Prices change daily.
RecommendedSee it on Rakuten IchibaThings to watch
This part is so-so. JPY 112,000 (excl. tax) is expensive. It sits in the upper band even among rock-shore reels, and once you collect a second and third reel plus spare spools, the money spent on reels alone comes close to the price of a rod. For anglers who do not enter competitions, the Competition LBD makes little sense, and you should first ask whether the gear choice is worth the price.
There is one welcome point. The spool is compatible with LB reels from the 1998 Tournament LBA onward (except the 3500, the 4000 and the Onaga Monster). You can put the spare spools you already own to use.
On the rocks, a life jacket and checking your footing come first. Follow the guidance of the Japan Coast Guard and each maker for equipment. A vest to wear over thick winter layers is compared with inflatables in the DF-6326 review.
Who is it for?
- Anglers who want to fish float tackle with one reel for both kuchibuto and onaga (2500XH-LBD)
- Anglers who want faster cycles in competitions (Competition LBD)
- Anglers who want to take on big fish with power (3000LBD, 3000XH-LBD)
Rock-shore tackle is a combination. For rods to pair with it, the Megathis R review, another release this autumn, compares each size. If you also fish cage float, see the Megathis R long-cast review. What to wear on the rocks is collected in our life jacket ranking.
Release dates for other new gear are in the fishing gear release calendar.
Image: Rakuten Ichiba
Daiwa 26 Tournament ISO 3000XH-LBD
Lowest price on Rakuten: JPY 94,380 (as of Oct 18). Prices change daily.
RecommendedSee it on Rakuten IchibaFAQ
When is the 26 Tournament ISO LBD released?
Nov 2026. All 4 models have a list price of JPY 112,000 (excl. tax).
How does it differ from the 22 Tournament ISO?
It is the first LB reel with an Air Drive rotor, bail and shaft, and Daiwa claims an 11% faster reverse-free response than before. The lever is 8mm shorter.
Which is better, the 2500XH-LBD or the 3000XH-LBD?
If 150m of #3 nylon is enough, the 2500XH; if you want 150m of #4, the 3000XH. The gear is the same 103cm on both.
