Why I Use Daiwa Reels

[Bud Kennedy]

I am one of those guys that like all of my reels to be essentially the same.  Aside from different retrieve speeds all of my reels today are Daiwa SVTW103 models.  I have five reels of this model and have been using them for the past 3 to 5 years.

During my lifelong search for a casting reel that really worked for my particular set of skills and by particular types of presentations proved to be quite a challenge.  I literally had become the backlash king of South Carolina and I continued to search for the right reel to assist with this self-inflicted problem.  One of the reasons it took so long to finally find a reel that works for me was my refusal to spend what was needed for a quality product.  I tried them all in the lower end market place only to continue to be disappointed and frustrated with the backlash situation.

It was here on Ultimate Bass that folks were singing the praises of the Daiwa reels.  At that time, I had not ventured into the mid-range pricing set of products.  Eventually, however, I purchased my first SVTW reel.  It made such an impression on me and immediately mostly eliminated the lifetime of problems as the backlash king.  I just had to have some more of these and now I own my fab five and could not be more pleased.  It is not a true rarity that I have a backlash but they still happen occasionally and are usually caused by my own carelessness.

So here is the deal.  My fab five can be used for a very wide range of presentations and lure weights.  I don't have to fool with a brake system that is behind a side plate and can make instant adjustments from the exterior of the reel.  Over the years, I know exactly what setting works best for the style and weight I am tossing.  Since all of my reels are basically the same, they are able to be used on any of my rods simply by moving the reels to the rod of my choice.  This for me is a big advantage and also means I don't have to have a reel dedicated to a specific rod.  That alone is a cost savings.  Just consider how many reels you have in your stash, especially if you are one of those folks that carry a couple dozen rods in your boat.

The key for me has been the SV type spool.  I credit this innovation with the solution to my lifelong problem with backlashes.  I also am able to throw baits ranging from a weightless trick worm to a punch rig with over 1 oz with no problems by only changing a single exterior setting.  I am now able to fish for days, weeks, months without a backlash and even then, a backlash is not one of those twisted to the core of the spool deals.  Just a simple pull out is all that has been required.  So, this works for me and I hope whatever reels you are using gives you the same satisfaction.  My skills however just fit the Daiwa product and I am happy with that.

There are a whole bunch of fine reels in the market place by a host of manufacturers.  We all have our preferences to one type or another.  I just happened that Daiwa was my solution but I understand your choice may be completely different.

[zippyduck]

Bud,

That SV spool has made me a skipping fool. Without it I would be buying new line weekly.
If you think the Tatula sv tw is good go pick up a Zillion or Steez.

[Bud Kennedy]

Bud,

That SV spool has made me a skipping fool. Without it I would be buying new line weekly.
If you think the Tatula sv tw is good go pick up a Zillion or Steez.

Been looking at a SV103 steez but have been reluctant to pull the trigger.  for some reason, I remember some past comments here where they were not high on the steez reels.  Your comments suggest that I may have miss heard or the statements were not entirely true.

[BarryFL]

IMO, the Zillion SV TW and SV103, if you can find one, are the best value reels when comparing cost to fishability. I had a Steez SV 8.1 when they first came out and it felt cheap even though it was silky smooth. I think to get the weight down, it just wasn't as solid as the Zillions. I now fish a combination Zillions and Tatula SVs. Tatula SVs and Elite series are much better reels than the regular Tats, although I think the whole line has improved significantly in the last 3 years or so.

~Barry~

[zippyduck]

Barry, that is my whole line-up except for one Steez . I think the Zillion and SV103 are the best value for sure. Wish I could find some more SV103s.

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[caddyjoe77]

Barry, that is my whole line-up except for one Steez . I think the Zillion and SV103 are the best value for sure. Wish I could find some more SV103s.

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you and me both!! Lucky to have the few that I still have. 

Bud, the steez are going to be lighter, the newer ones have your spool or a variant of it.  The only downfall, IMO, out of the box, is that you might have a shallower spool. 


And yes, the SV spool has made it really easy to skip dang near anything. 

[BarryFL]

Wish I could find some more SV103s.

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Me, too. I have a search on eBay and they do pop up from time to time but I only use left hand which seem to be even more rare.

[zippyduck]

Wish I could find some more SV103s.

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Me, too. I have a search on eBay and they do pop up from time to time but I only use left hand which seem to be even more rare.

Me too.

[BarryFL]

7.9 lefty on eBay now but I don't like the high speed reels.

~Barry~

[zippyduck]

7.9 lefty on eBay now but I don't like the high speed reels.

~Barry~

Thanks I'll be on that when I get home if it is still there.

[caddyjoe77]

7.9 lefty on eBay now but I don't like the high speed reels.

~Barry~

Thanks I'll be on that when I get home if it is still there.

did you get it?

personally I liked the 7.9 for pitchin/flippin -- especially if you upgraded some items like a better drag and a bigger handle. 

[BarryFL]

Still there. Asking $250.

~Barry~

[zippyduck]

Bought and paid for. 
Sorry Joe.

I love those fast reels. I only own three that are slower than that one.

[FISH520]

Bought and paid for. 
Sorry Joe.

I love those fast reels. I only own three that are slower than that one.

Man I wish I would of seen this thread before. I have always loved my SV103. Im getting back into fishing again and I have refined my line up to a few. It hurt like a mother to sell that reel, but extremely happy I know its going to a good home! Lol.

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[FISH520]

I can toss in these if you like bud

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[FISH520]

Those rcs knobs are my absolute favorite. I have 3 sets of the corks on the way lol.

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[zippyduck]

Is this real? If so its a big fat yes and Thanks.

[FISH520]

It is real! I'll put the knobs in the box when I get home and get her on the way to ya.

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[fishballer06]

Wish I could find some more SV103s.

Me, too. I have a search on eBay and they do pop up from time to time but I only use left hand which seem to be even more rare.

I know a guy that has a 7.9 left handed 103 laying around that prefers his Shimano's...

[caddyjoe77]

Bought and paid for. 
Sorry Joe.

I love those fast reels. I only own three that are slower than that one.

if it were right handed it wouldnt have lasted longer than the time Barry posted it 

congrats on the grab

[Smallie_Stalker]

Hey guys, what are the differences between this reel and a Tat 103 SV? Is it primarily the absence of the T-Wing or are there other things too?



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[caddyjoe77]

Hey guys, what are the differences between this reel and a Tat 103 SV? Is it primarily the absence of the T-Wing or are there other things too?



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the original, as far as i know, had the old zillion frame, and brass gears but they could have been alluminum. 

to me, it was the perfect reel for doing just about anything in close -- pitching spinnerbaits, short casts, jigs, punching, skipping -- good lord man -- wanna skip a 3/8 or 1/2 oz jig to a tight spot?  DONE 

it didnt have the greatest casting distance, but i never used it for that anyway. 

I had 9 at one time.  Gave some to Dad.  The others were stolen (4) by the jerk last year.  I still have 3 and those are guarded closely. 

[zippyduck]

Wish I could find some more SV103s.

Me, too. I have a search on eBay and they do pop up from time to time but I only use left hand which seem to be even more rare.

Oh boy there goes my entire paycheck.

I know a guy that has a 7.9 left handed 103 laying around that prefers his Shimano's...

[BarryFL]

Hey guys, what are the differences between this reel and a Tat 103 SV? Is it primarily the absence of the T-Wing or are there other things too?



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the original, as far as i know, had the old zillion frame, and brass gears but they could have been alluminum. 

to me, it was the perfect reel for doing just about anything in close -- pitching spinnerbaits, short casts, jigs, punching, skipping -- good lord man -- wanna skip a 3/8 or 1/2 oz jig to a tight spot?  DONE 

it didnt have the greatest casting distance, but i never used it for that anyway. 

I had 9 at one time.  Gave some to Dad.  The others were stolen (4) by the jerk last year.  I still have 3 and those are guarded closely. 

Yes, zillion frame and brass gears. Will cast a 1/2oz rattletrap 35-40 yds on a 7'7" cranking rod with 15lb yozuri hybrid.

[Smallie_Stalker]

Thank you gentlemen.