First Impressions TAT SV TW 103HS

[Bud Kennedy]

The reel arrived today and I must say that it is absolutely beautiful.  The finish quality of this product is excellent.  I was pleasantly surprised how small it is and how it feels in my hand.  I have not spooled it up as yet but will do so later and give it a whirl in the front yard.  The overall balance of the product is first rate and this is the first time to see how the TW system works.  Very simple.  Just turning the handle you get the impression just how smooth and free this reel is right out of the box.  Still a lot to discover but wanted to post my initial thoughts.  If this is as good as I imagine then there will probably be a few more around here.  At this moment from an fit and finish perspective I could not be more pleased.

[SFL BassHunter]

Nice!
You're right these reels are very pretty, the finish is fantastic. They aren't overly flashy but they aren't boring to look at either. I think you're going to be just as impressed with the mechanics. Hopefully you have  good sized front yard, cause it will cast far with no hesitation!

[zippyduck]

I'm glad you like it. They are sharp looking and an extremely good operating. Best reel for the money I have ever bought.
I compare it to the old bantums as they were the best for the money for years and I think this will be that reel.

The T-wing is something that I don't think is necesary though.

[LgMouthGambler]

Buds transformation has begun. Lol

<")))>{

[Bud Kennedy]

Forgot to mention that this reel is silky smoooooooooooth

[Capt. BassinLou]

How do you like the feel compared to your Lews reels? Did you feel the weight of the reel was very significant?

[Bud Kennedy]

How do you like the feel compared to your Lews reels? Did you feel the weight of the reel was very significant?

Lou, I have not put it on a rod yet.  Just holding in my hand I could not notice any difference.  I have two identical rods one already has a Lews on it and I am going to put the Daiwa on the other.  That should give me something to compare.  Otherwise the Daiwa is going on one of my LSCRs as a permanent resting place.  I report back with my comparison along with the results of the casting try out.

[caddyjoe77]

Soon Bud will start a thread about the reel monkey!! 

[Bud Kennedy]

Spooled up some 10# mono and gave the new reel a whirl this morning.  All I can say is WOW.  Sure enough it does cast a good distance and offhand I would say about 10 - 20% longer than my Lews BB1.  The real deal is how easy it was to dial in.  Once I made the initial set up with the spool tension and the brakes as recommended by Daiwa the experience was unbelievable. 

In a video Daiwa was making casts without thumbing the reel.  Well I gotta tell you it is absolutely true.  It did not matter if it was a flip, pitch, side arm, overhead no matter what the spool reacted just as they claimed.  The braking system is fantastic.  This may be enough to get the wife away from using a spinning reel all the time.

The reel is smooth and does not feel geary during the retrieve.  I would not call it totally smooth during the retrieve but still good.  I think a good clean and lube would easily end that.  The drag seems to be very good as well but really won't know until we take it to the water and hook up on a big un.

To me the weight difference from the Lews is not noticeable but to a very skilled angler they may notice but certainly not noticed by me.  The size of the reel is a great fit for my hand.  I have medium hands with fairly short fingers and it was just fine.  I think someone with large hands and long fingers might want a bit bigger reel.

Will the reel monkey visit here again?.  I would say at this moment it is highly likely.  I will be keeping my Lews BB1 reels but the lesser speed spools might just have to go.  As you can tell I am suitably impressed with the Daiwa SVTW103HS.

The bait used during this test was an unweighted senko. 

[j102]

Nice looking reel!
I don't know much about the Tatulas, but everyone says they are great. It sounds like you are hooked already. Enjoy your new reel!

[SFL BassHunter]

Spooled up some 10# mono and gave the new reel a whirl this morning.  All I can say is WOW.  Sure enough it does cast a good distance and offhand I would say about 10 - 20% longer than my Lews BB1.  The real deal is how easy it was to dial in.  Once I made the initial set up with the spool tension and the brakes as recommended by Daiwa the experience was unbelievable. 

In a video Daiwa was making casts without thumbing the reel.  Well I gotta tell you it is absolutely true.  It did not matter if it was a flip, pitch, side arm, overhead no matter what the spool reacted just as they claimed.  The braking system is fantastic.  This may be enough to get the wife away from using a spinning reel all the time.

The reel is smooth and does not feel geary during the retrieve.  I would not call it totally smooth during the retrieve but still good.  I think a good clean and lube would easily end that.  The drag seems to be very good as well but really won't know until we take it to the water and hook up on a big un.

To me the weight difference from the Lews is not noticeable but to a very skilled angler they may notice but certainly not noticed by me.  The size of the reel is a great fit for my hand.  I have medium hands with fairly short fingers and it was just fine.  I think someone with large hands and long fingers might want a bit bigger reel.

Will the reel monkey visit here again?.  I would say at this moment it is highly likely.  I will be keeping my Lews BB1 reels but the lesser speed spools might just have to go.  As you can tell I am suitably impressed with the Daiwa SVTW103HS.

The bait used during this test was an unweighted senko. 

But just curious what number are you setting your brakes to at this point?

The drag should be smooth. If it isn't there is something wrong. All 4 of my Tatula's have perfectly smooth drag, and strong drag.

I have big fat hands and I have a regular sized tatula, which is bigger and bulkier, and honestly I prefer the CT and SV sized ones. Though I have no problem handling the bigger ones.


Sounds like you might get hooked on these reels! Hope you like it in a real fish catching scenario.

[1ReelFanatik]

Congratulations.  First thing I did with mine when it came in was put it on a rod to see how it felt in hand....no line yet.  Great.  Got out once for a little bit.  Distance was average to start with, but increasing as I used it.  Will use as I set it out of the box for a while before trying to fine tune it.

Love the TD-Z105H, but the finish on the Tat looks not only nicer, but tougher.  Time will tell.

[Bud Kennedy]

Rick, I started the brakes out on the #6 setting as recommended by the info sheet.  I have since reduced it to 4 and the casting distance did improve even further.  Still outcasts anything else I have.  I was using a Shimano Sellus rod on both the Lews and the Daiwa.  The Drag is indeed smooth, sorry if I gave you the impression that it was not. I simply state that since this is a mid priced reel it probably could be better but it certainly is good and I have no complaints.  I will be switching the reel over to one of the LSCRs in my stable and I am sure that will be the icing on the cake.

[SFL BassHunter]

Cool! Yeah 6 is a good number when casting in the wind. Eventually if you get down to 2 your casting will be even better.
Good stuff!

[Smallie_Stalker]

Soon Bud will start a thread about the reel monkey!! 

  When he starts adding all the bling then we'll know he's done for. Resistance is futile. 

[Bud Kennedy]

not planning any bling.....however......I wonder what a red crank handle nut costs.   

[Smallie_Stalker]

not planning any bling.....however......I wonder what a red crank handle nut costs.   

Oh oh. It's starting already. 

[zippyduck]

not planning any bling.....however......I wonder what a red crank handle nut costs.   

No Bud not you too!

[SFL BassHunter]

Don't do it bud! It's a drug, once you start it will be hard to stop!

Just imagine that every time you buy bling for your reel, a baby seal gets clobbered. That might help you not do it lol.

[flowerjohn]

Cool! Yeah 6 is a good number when casting in the wind. Eventually if you get down to 2 your casting will be even better.
Good stuff!

At #2 Bud will have all the swallows of Capistrano on the top of his rod in an hour. 


Message sent via the FC Network.

[LgMouthGambler]

Hey Bud, have you tried the reel with a real weightless plastic? Not them 1/2oz crappy non appendage things you throw. Lol. Take like a weightless lizard or something. Haha

<")))>{

[Bud Kennedy]

Matt I have tried it weightless and was very excited about the results.  Truly great performance and no problems at all.  I am very impressed overall with my ability to control my casts.  Accuracy is very much improved at least here in the yard.  Will be on the river next week flipping cypress trees that they will be a good test but given the test I doubt there will be any problems.  I have tested with a senko a craw and some Larry the Lizard stuff all performed with ease.  I certainly won't need any weight to make the cast but only to get a fall rate that is suitable.

[Bud Kennedy]

Decided to play with the TAT again today.  I have a senko tied on and turned the brakes down to 4 to start the test and the distance was again fantastic.  Decided to turn brakes down to 2 and was casting the senko from my garage door across the street and landing it on the roof of my neighbors house.  At no time during this play date did the reel backlash.  Just absolutely fantastic.  For sure I am gonna buy another one but might select the fast retrieve model since they are all the same price.  I have never used a reel that performs like this thing.  Absolutely wonderful.

[TWBryan]

I have read that the Tatula is the best "economical" choice for a new-fangled reel. I have thought of trying a modern baitcaster ,but I'm confused as to all the modern terms,series,and nomenclature.

I guess I don't understand the difference between a $90 Tatula and a $150 one. Can you help me understand? Is there a difference between yours and a Tatula ct?

Thanks:)

[LgMouthGambler]

The CT has a regular style spool. The SV version, has the SV spool, which has a little bit different style braking system due to the way the rotor works on the spool as it moves inside of the inductor. It enables a better casting ability to lighter baits.