Tournament-S 5000T & 5500T
The Tournies! Featuring a full cobalt blue finish and a light gold spool, the TS5000T has become a true cult classic. As the best selling Tournament model, it helped multiple generations of carp anglers land their personal bests. Even today, many still use them because they are incredibly robust and reliable, but back in 1995 they were considered highly advanced, featuring no fewer than seven ball bearings.
The TS5500T is a JDM model, identical to the TS5000T but with a deeper spool.
History
UK Daiwa catalogue (2015)
In 1988 and 1989, Daiwa released the SS-3000 and SS-5000, high-end front drag reels for long casting. The TS5000T and TS5500T are their successors.
In 1995, Daiwa introduced Twistbuster, a TiN-coated tapered line roller, designed to reduce line twist. Seeing it as a major innovation, Daiwa updated many models with the new rollers, including the SS models, returning as the Tournament-S 5000T and 5500T. The handle knob now featured two ball bearings for smoother winding. The SS-9000 received the same updates, returning as the TS6000T with the same new look, and now placed in the same line-up as the largest model.
Around the same time, Daiwa revised its grade system from ST/GS/SS to S/X/Z, with ‘S’ as the entry-level grade and ‘Z’ as high-end. Unlike their predecessors (SS-3000, SS-5000) and their casting siblings (Z35T), they were now positioned as an entry-level range. In the catalogue, they appeared alongside the much higher-priced Tournament Z-iT series. Although the designs were quite different, both new series were positioned for a similar purpose as large, strong long cast reels, likely explaining the move from ‘SS’ to ‘S’ rather than ‘Z’.
Both models were discontinued in Japan after 2006. The exact year the original TS5000T was discontinued in Europe is unknown. However, demand remained high in Europe, so it was re-released as an export model. The re-release was finally discontinued in early 2026, 31 years after its original release!
Releases
While the TS5000T was released for both Japan and export, the TS5500T was a JDM model. In Japan, both were offered from 1995 to 2006. The TS5500T is identical to the TS5000T, with only the spool and rear cover decals differing. Both came with a line reducer, cloth bag and maintenance kit.
The TS5000T was introduced in Europe in 1996. In the UK, the original release was offered until at least 2002, probably longer. In France, it was also listed in the 2009 catalogue, probably as the original release. It was likely discontinued for a period, then re-released in Europe, perhaps only in the UK, although the exact year remains unclear. The re-release may have been around the introduction of the TS5000BE. The schematics supplied with the reels still showed the original TS5000T, as indicated by the drive gear part number: the original drive gear (F00-6001) was listed instead of the plain drive gear (G47-4901). The re-release was discontinued in 2026. Any further information on the re-release would be welcome.
Model comparison
Compared to other 3000–5000-35 models, these reels stand out visually with cobalt blue bodies and rotors, combined with light gold spools. The black bail kicker features a roller, just like the SS-3000, SS-5000 and TS5000BE. The folding handle features a premium wooden knob.
Technically, they sit at the top end of the 3000–5000-35 series and are the most advanced of all 3000-5000 models. With a total of seven bearings, they run very smoothly. As the successors to the SS-3000 and SS-5000, they feature two extra ball bearings in the handle and Twistbuster TiN line rollers. The drive gears have a durable black almite finish on the original releases, while the re-release TS5000T features a plain drive gear. It also features Thai and later Cambodia made bearings instead of Koya ones, along with other minor differences.
Regarding line capacity, the TS5000T matches the GS-3000 (aluminium spool), SS-3000, and TS5000BE. The TS5500T matches the GS-5000 and SS-3000.
TS5000Ts on the bank
Collectabillity
The TS5000T remains popular, valued for its durability, slightly smoother feel and, for some, the nostalgia it brings. Although a little more understated than earlier models, many still appreciate its distinctive blue finish. Compared with other Tournament models, the TS5000T is relatively common and far less scarce than earlier SS models such as the SS-3000. Its long production run means many examples remain in circulation, keeping prices relatively low compared with other Tournament models, although they are still fairly expensive. The TS5500T is likely priced higher as it was only sold in Japan.
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-S 5000T
- Country of manufacture: Japan
- Production period
– Original: 1995 till (unknown)
– Re-release: (unknown) till 2026 - Catalogue weight: 575 g
Body & rotor
- Body material: Whisker Carbon
- Rotor material: Super Metal
- Balanced rotor: No
Internal mechanics
- Drive type: Hex 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: 7 (Koyo, Thai / Cambodian)
- – Pinion gear: 1 BB (10x20x5 mm)
- – Drive gear: 2 BB (10x20x5 mm)
- – Worm shaft: 2 BB (4x7x2 mm)
- – Handle knob: 2 BB (5x8x2,5 mm)
Spool & bail system
- Spool design: Skirtless spool
- Stroke: 35 mm
- Spool type: Long cast
- Spool material: Aluminium
- Spool lip: Aluminium
- Line capacity (mm/m):
- – 0.33-350, 0.40-250
- Retrieve speed: ±85 cm/turn
- Bail type: One-piece
- Line roller: Twistbuster TiN
- Drag type: Front drag
- Drag washers: 5 felt + 5 metal
- Clicker sound: Yes
Handle assembly
- Handle type: Foldable
- Handle shaft: Silver-coloured hex
- Handle length: 85 mm
- Handle knob: Wooden
- Ambidextrous: Yes
General specifications
- Model: Tournament-S 5500T
- Country of manufacture: Japan
- Production period: 1995 till 2006
- Catalogue weight: 565 g
Body & rotor
- Body material: Whisker Carbon
- Rotor material: Super Metal
- Balanced rotor: No
Internal mechanics
- Drive type: Hex 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: 7 (Koyo)
- – Pinion gear: 1 BB (10x20x5 mm)
- – Drive gear: 2 BB (10x20x5 mm)
- – Worm shaft: 2 BB (4x7x2 mm)
- – Handle knob: 2 BB (5x8x2,5 mm)
Spool & bail system
- Spool design: Skirtless spool
- Stroke: 35 mm
- Spool type: Long cast
- Spool material: Aluminium
- Spool lip: Aluminium
- Line capacity (mm/m):
- – 0.33-500, 0.40-350
- Retrieve speed: ±85 cm/turn
- Bail type: One-piece
- Line roller: Twistbuster TiN
- Drag type: Front drag
- Drag washers: 5 felt + 5 metal
- Clicker sound: Yes
Handle assembly
- Handle type: Foldable
- Handle shaft: Silver-coloured hex
- Handle length: 85 mm
- Handle knob: Wooden
- Ambidextrous: Yes
Schematic
See below for the schematic of the original TS5000T and TS5500T. The exploded view and parts list have been added separately, but all part numbers are copied exactly from the original schematic.
