For any of you who are considering adding a new reel to your arsenal and are thinking in terms of trying a product that is designed utilizing, “outside the box” engineering, the Daiwa Tatula 100 Type-R Casting Reel should be on your list of serious contenders.
There are multiple reasons of which the most intriguing is the TWS{T-Wing System}. We’ll explore this in depth in due time but let’s get a look at all the spec’s before we focus on just one.
What it Looks Like on Paper
The Tatula Type-R is available in both right and left hand retrieve models, each with the same gear ratio’s of 6.3:1 & 8.1:1. All of them tip the scales at 7.6 ounces, have 2CR, 5BB +1RB. All of them share a healthy line capacity of 14/120, 16/100.
They all share the same features which include a super lightweight A7075 aluminum spool, Zaion swept star drag, the new air rotation system, a proven Magforce-Z cast control, the new UTD {Ultimate Tournament Drag}, an oversized cut-away 90mm swept handle, custom Daiwa handle knobs as well as a solid aluminum frame and gear side – side plate.
The fit and finish of the Type-R are exceptional. The color scheme with the graphics are understated but cool. This reel will look good on any number of rods out there.
Many of you will be familiar with some of the technologies that are incorporated into the Tatula Type-R as they have been proven solid and reliable for several years.
However, it is the blending of the old with the new that differentiates this reel.
Daiwa has in years past built reels that stood a little on the tall side for some folks with hands a bit on the smallish side. I just so happen to be among this group so I get where you’re coming from.
They addressed this by recessing the reel foot more on the Tatula Type-R than on some of their other reels. This makes palming this reel much easier for folks like me.
The new knobs are very comfortable whether completely dry or soaking wet. The grip is sure even in the midst of a downpour.
The new 90mm swept handle makes winding a breeze and provides plenty of torque when you’re fighting fish.
The Magforce-Z braking system is straight forward with 20 individual settings for fine tuning your casts. To open the side plate, you still unscrew the screw in the center of the adjustment dial which allows for quick spool access.
On the handle side, the spool tension knob is easy to find as it is finished in a red highlight color. While it adjusts easily enough, there is no micro-click on it so you have to estimate just how much you’re changing the pressure. While not a deal breaker, the addition on a clicking mechanism would be welcome.
The Air Rotation System really allows the spool to start up extremely quickly. Initially you will want to use more spool tension than you may think necessary to get used to this feature.
This Is Where It’s At
The TWS {T-Wing System} is the latest incarnation of one that was featured on an earlier model reel. However, it has been altered so that the control is no longer dependent on a flap on top of the reel to expose the large portion of the line guide when in the casting position.
It now flips from one position to the other depending on whether you’re casting or retrieving.
The result of this system is when you depress the thumb bar, the larger “T” portion is exposed so that when you’re casting, there is less friction on your line. This results in a freer flow of line off the spool. The question is, do you get increased casting distance as a result and are there other pro’s and con’s to it?
The answer is that yes, you do get more distance on your cast depending on the weight of your lure. If you’re throwing a plug that is 1/4 or better, you will notice greater distance than you’re used to. On lures that are smaller than this, you won’t get an appreciable longer cast.
Other Benefits
This having been said, there is what you may well consider an even cooler benefit at play here. That being that across the entire spectrum of lures that we’ve chucked out there with the Type-R, it consistently takes less effort to attain the same distance as many other brands. Yeah, you don’t have to work as hard to put your lure where you want it.
That may not seem like much but, if you’re spending all day on the water, it is a noticeable feature when it comes time to pack up and head home. You simply aren’t as tired as you would otherwise be. Maybe that’s just one old guys opinion but the energy savings during the cast makes for more energy to put into the hook set, fighting and landing of the fish.
Cosmetically, the way Daiwa accommodates this technology is by having a wide front end on the Tatula. This is necessary so that the T-Wing moves beyond the edges of the spool as your retrieving your bait.
One thing of note that this system also provides is a very even line lay. Due to the smaller than average size of the bottom portion of the T when you engage the reel, it seems more precise than larger, rounder line guides. If you’ve ever used a reel that tends to bunch up your line on one side of the spool, you’ll appreciate this.
The Tatula Type-R is a smooth casting, smooth retrieving, very functional reel. It isn’t out there trying to break the record for the lightest reel in the world. It feels solid and dependable in hand. It is a strong, quiet, very capable tool for fishing.
We’ve been using the Type-R for about 9 months now with no problems or issues of any kind and fished it pretty hard under all kinds of situations. It continues to perform on a high level as expected.
| Daiwa Tatula Type-R Casting Reel | |
|---|---|
| Overall Rating |   |
| A solid, dependable performer | |
See ya’ on the water …
