Hey Paul, the nice thing about going JDM is you have the option to buy lower-speed gearing and braid-specific spools.
The Japan list of model offerings includes many different drive ratios and spool depths, with shallow spools designed just for braid, and deeper spools for loading fluorocarbon.
Size-wise, I think you're asking for a 2000 size Daiwa or a 2500/3000 size Shimano. Note Shimano's 3000 is the same body as the 2500 with a larger spool diameter. When you go to Daiwa 3000, it's the size of Shimano 4000 (like Tica).
The best place to sort out the gear ratios and spool capacities in JDM models is to search the reel on
JP FishingTackle NewsVery typically, there are 14 or 15 JDM sizes for each reel model, v. 5 or 6 high-speed versions exported to USM.
(The Japanese also have 14 or 15 different Offshore niches for those reels.)
If you want to convert PE line # to mono diameter, use
This ChartIf you want to calculate capacities for different diameters of braid and fluorocarbon,
This is the best line capacity calculator available. I've been so floored with Shimano since the '18 Stella, I'm a better student of their offerings, have picked up as many of those as you have Ticas, and can tell you just about everything about Shimano's line following Stella.
But wouldn't rule out Daiwa - I have an inshore braid size Daiwa in my sights, also.
The whole issue is confused by use of catchy tradenames to describe both manufacturing and functional features on both brands of reels. Daiwa uses more physical seals and ferro-fluid mag seal bearings. Shimano simply uses hydrophobic surface coatings and labyrinth seals, which aren't overnight-immersion-proof, but make water ingress during operation impossible.
In both brands, newer models will have larger, finer-teeth drive gears and stiffer spindles suitable for higher drag loads.
Shimano and Daiwa are in competition for line management, smooth operation, and light weight. IMO, Daiwa wins the light weight, and Shimano wins the other two. I'm going to say up front I wouldn't consider either brand in the less-than-$200 US-market bracket - they have to cut too many corners to keep the cost down.
For big salty reels, the high-grade Penns are still worth buying, but they don't make a reel I'd consider for your niche.
Lower prices, IMO, you'll get a better-built reel in Tica, Okuma, and Tsunami (outside this list, consider cheap offshore brands to be disposable).
I haven't yet figured this out for Daiwa, but here's the breakdown on Shimano models that have followed and copied '18 Stella.
Stella, btw, is all stainless drive, which is essentially wear-proof, use of titanium to save weight, magnesium body and rotor.
Every new '19 and '20 Shimano model will exchange parts with Stella, and every one uses Stella's over-designed roller bearing clutch.
Every reel in the new Shimano line also uses the Stella drive reproduced in the same wear-treated aluminum alloy gears (also where Daiwa gets their light weight). Higher grades will fit in a few titanium weight-saving parts.
Aside from that, the big difference for Shimano models is frame and rotor MOC. (This will hold for Daiwa, as well, but I haven't figured out their hierarchy yet.) Weight is not a bad thing, because it usually means a stiffer, longer-wearing reel.
'18 Stella is magnesium frame and rotor.
'20 Twin Power is aluminum frame and aluminum rotor.
'19 Vanquish is magnesium frame and CI4+ (composite) rotor.
(every reel above is built in Japan with parts-matching for improved inertia and smoothness - reels below from Malaysia line)
'20 Vanford is Ci4+ frame and and CI4+ rotor (in older models, this grade is Stradic CI4+)
'19 Stradic is aluminum frame and CI4+ rotor. .
(I wouldn't consider a Shimano model that isn't on this list, unless you're looking for features like bait-feed and lever-drag)
Maybe Tom can chime in with his views on Daiwa.