Tournament Procaster SS-35

Striking in both looks and performance, the Tournament Procaster SS-35 has earned its place among the classics. This casting reel without drag belongs to the same series as its big brother, the SS-45, and both were designed for long-distance casting. The two-tone colouring gives the reel a distinctive look. Especially when paired with the original silver spool, it is a beautiful reel. Yet there was more to this reel than just the looks. Lightweight yet robust, it offered effortless casting.

History

From 1987 onwards, Daiwa introduced the 35 mm and 45 mm super long stroke reels. By combining lightweight materials, worm gear oscillation and skirtless long cast spools, they created a range in a class of its own, delivering outstanding casting performance. This family of reels can be split into the front-drag 3000–5000 and 6000–9000 models, and the Procaster 35–45 models without drag.

The Procasters were designed for long distance casting, focusing on minimal line resistance and weight. The 45 series was regarded as superior, while the 35 series was more aimed at practical, everyday fishing, according to the catalogue. Within the 35 series, two grades were available: the high-end SS-35 and the entry-level GS-35. The SS-35 used a magnesium alloy rotor and a titanium alloy main shaft. As a result, the SS-35 was around 65 g lighter, which helps to achieve longer casts. It featured a screw-in handle, at the time superior to the one-touch handles that had been around for years. Furthermore, a TiN line roller was used, and it came with both aluminium and graphite spools, rather than only graphite spools. It was therefore the premium casting reel, but it remained in the shadow of its big brother, the SS-45, in terms of casting distance, as its stroke was 10 mm shorter.

The SS-35 was discontinued after 1991, and succeeded by the SS-35II.

Releases

As a Procaster, the SS-35 was only released in Japan. It came in two releases, for use with light or heavy lines. The versions differ only in their spools.

The light line (PE2) version was released in 1988. It came in a box containing three 6-degree tapered shallow spools: one standard aluminium PE2 spool, an additional graphite PE2 spool and a graphite PE3 spool. The heavy line (PE5) version was released the following year. It came in a box containing two 3-degree tapered spools: one standard aluminium PE5 spool and an additional aluminium PE5 spool. The graphite spools come both with a print and with a sticker wrap, displaying ’35’. The box also included a spool protector, a cloth bag and maintenance kit.

Model comparison

Compared to other 3000–5000-35 models, the SS-35 visually resembles the GS-3000 and GS-5000, sharing their grey metallic body and black rotor, although the body lacks the lettering on the back of the stem. The bail kicker has no roller, and is white with black lettering and a red stripe. The screw-in handle is black and features a soft touch handle knob, just like the SS-35II.

Technically, when used for carp fishing, it sits in the middle of the 3000–5000–35 series. Compared to the 3000–5000 models, the main differences are the screw-in handle and lack of a drag system. Like its successors and the GS models, the SS-35 also lacks ball bearings on the worm shaft, but unlike the GS-3000/5000 this was probably not for cost-saving reasons. For its original purpose, good line lay was crucial for long casting, and since ball bearings do not improve line lay and only add weight, they were likely left out for that reason. The SS-35 is very similar to the SS-35II and Z35T, the main difference being its simpler line roller as the original model. It features a drive gear with a durable black almite finish.

Collectabillity

Slightly less popular than its entry-level counterpart (GS-35), the SS-35 is still a highly sought-after reel, especially compared to its successors. As Procaster models, these reels were originally for the Japanese market only, making them rarer than export models. The SS-35 is actually rarer than the GS-35, because it had a relatively short production run, roughly half that of the GS-35. The reels are quite expensive in good condition. Keep in mind that these reels need to be converted when used for carp fishing. However, most models offered for sale in Europe have already been converted.

Specifications

All models in this group are very similar in terms of technical design. Click the button ‘3000-5000-35 series’ for general technical information, or further info on certain subjects below.

General specifications

Model: Tournament Procaster SS-35
Country of manufacture: Japan
Production period:
– Light line version: 1988 till 1991
– Heavy line version: 1989 till 1991
Catalogue weight:
– Light line version: 460 g
– Heavy line version: 485 g

Body & rotor

Body material: Whisker Carbon
Rotor material: Magnesium alloy
Balanced rotor: No

Internal mechanics

Drive type: Threaded drive
Gear material: Super duralumin
Gear ratio: 4.1 : 1
Osc. type: Worm gear oscillation
Main shaft: Titanium alloy, Ø6 mm
Anti-reverse: Ratchet, inside body
Ball bearings: 3 (Koyo)
– Pinion gear: 1 BB (10x20x5 mm)
– Drive gear: 2 BB (10x20x5 mm)

Spool & bail system

Spool design: Skirtless spool
Stroke: 35 mm
Spool type: Long cast
Spool material: Aluminium, graphite
Spool lip: Aluminium, graphite
Line capacity (mm/m):
Light line version (PE2):
– Aluminium: 0.205-250, 0.235-200
– Graphite: 0.205-250, 0.235-200
– Graphite: 0.235-300, 0.285-200
Heavy line version (PE5):
– Aluminium: 0.33-250, 0.37-200, 0.40-150
– Aluminium: 0.33-250, 0.37-200, 0.40-150
Retrieve speed: 84 cm/turn
Bail type: Two-piece
Line roller: U-type TiN

Drag system

Drag type: No drag
Drag washers: N/A
Clicker sound: N/A

Handle assembly

Handle type: Screw-in
Handle shaft: Threaded
Handle length: 85 mm
Handle knob: Soft touch
Ambidextrous: Yes

Schematics

See the schematic below. While the exploded views are original Daiwa drawings, the parts list has been added separately. Some original part numbers may have been replaced with newer compatible part numbers.

Other 3000-5000-35 models: