Daiwa Tatula CT Review: The Baitcaster that Got Us Saying “Wow!”
The design and performance of Daiwa’s Tatula series have been the talk of the town in recent years, and for a good reason. A shining star of the series is the Daiwa Tatula CT, a lightweight reel with a finely tuned user-friendly T-Wing system that allows for longer casts and an amazing fishing experience.
So, if you’re looking for a low profile baitcaster with industry-leading features at an unbelievably fair price, the Daiwa Tatula CT is your reel.
Contents
Daiwa Tatula CT Review: Reinventing the Wheel
Daiwa Tatula CT Baitcasting Reel
- Rugged, lightweight aluminum…
- Ultimate Tournament carbon…
- Corrosion resistant clutch…
- Ultimate Tournament carbon…
- MagForce-z cast Control
Among Diawa’s new products that debuted at the 2011 ICAST expo were several new low profile bait casters. So what, you may say, there’s nothing out of the ordinary about that?
Well, those bait casters featured a revolutionary new technology. A system that was, in our minds at least, one of the most significant advancements in reel technology to date. Enter Daiwa’s T Wing level wind system.
Check out the video below:
The level wind dilemma
Level winds have been around almost as long as the casting reels they grace. And if there ever was a necessary evil in the realm of fishing reel technology, the level wind was. And we use the word “was” purposely because those new baitcasting faces in 2011 changed that status quo forever.
Let’s face it, level wind reels are great. You can crank away all day and never have to bother about laying line evenly on your spool. However, that convenience comes at a high price.
As cool as they are, conventional level winds are thieves. They rob you of casting distance no matter how they are configured. And right there is where Daiwa’s T Wing system turned the level wind dilemma on its head.
T Wing to the rescue
Daiwa’s unique stirrup shaped level wind guide ensures that when in the free-spool position, it’s essentially not there at all.
Watch:
During a cast, the wide “T” shaped upper profile offers almost no resistance to your line as it peels off the spool.
Re-engage the spool to retrieve line and the “wing” flips down to trap the line in a narrow, conventional level wind style guide.
See for yourself:
The Daiwa Tatula CT 100XS: All the Bells and Whistles
OK, so the T Wing system is awesome. Is that all the Tatula CT is about though? Absolutely not!
Obviously, there is much more to the Tatula CT 100XS than the ground-breaking T Wing system. In fact, the Tatula CT 100XS is loaded with several of Daiwa’s game-winning technologies making it a truly well-rounded package.
So, let’s see what makes this reel so special.
- Rugged, lightweight aluminum…
- Ultimate Tournament carbon…
- Corrosion resistant clutch…
- Ultimate Tournament carbon…
- MagForce-z cast Control
U.T Drag System
The UT Drag, or Ultimate Tournament Carbon Drag, sports oversized drag washers that allow for higher maximum ratings in a smaller frame package. The proprietary carbon fiber washer composition delivers smooth and predictable performance throughout the entire drag range.
Magforce Z cast control system
The Magforce Z system offers progressive cast control that eliminates infuriating backlash over winds without robbing you of cast distance.
Essentially, the Magforce Z is a hybrid system that uses centrifugal force to increase or decrease magnetic braking action. In other words, the system increases the magnetic braking at peak spool speed and decreases it as the spool slows down.
Swept handle design
The Tatula CT 100XS’s handle is a traditional dual grip design with a performance-enhancing twist. If you view the reel from above, the handle grips are swept back towards the reel body.
This places the rotational input force closer to the rod’s centerline which reduces wobbling and instability when cranking the reel.
Air rotation
Daiwa has gone to great lengths to ensure their reels are butter smooth when casting and retrieving. And that applies to all their reels across the board.
The reason for this philosophy is simple. The smoother the operation of the reel, the less stress and wear it is subjected to. Not to mention the enhancement of the angler’s experience. In the case of the Tatula CT 100XS, this is particularly evident in Diawa’s Air Rotation spool drive system.
Gearing configurations
The Tatula CT family of reels features four gear ratio options. The reels are available in standard, high and ultra-speed gearing configurations as well as one low ratio, high power model.
Specifications
Here are the Daiwa Tatula CT 100XS’s credentials
- Monofilament line capacity: 14/120, 16/100
- earing count: seven ball bearings, one roller bearing
- Gear ratio: 8.1:1
- Maximum drag — all models: 13.2 pounds
- Handle orientation: right hand only
- Retrieve rate (inches per handle turn): 34.5
- Weight: 7.4 ounces
Pros and cons
Let’s look at a summary of all the Tatula CT 100XS’s good and not so good points:
Pros
- Excellent cast distance and control
- Powerful and smooth drag
- Wide range of gear ratio options
- Exceptionally smooth operation
- High build quality
- Good line capacity
- Smaller overall size compared to its predecessors
Cons
- The bearings used throughout the reel are not corrosion resistant
Our Review Process
In an environment where high-quality bait casters abound, we always try to structure product reviews to be as honest and valuable as possible. We’ll consider two competitor products of similar specifications which would be applicable to the same angling environments. So, here are the other runners in this Daiwa Tatula CT review.
Abu Garcia Revo4 SX-HS
Abu Garcia Revo4 SX-HS
- 9 stainless steel ball…
- C6 carbon sideplates provide…
- Duragear brass gear for…
Little fanfare is needed to introduce Abu Garcia as a supplier of high-quality fishing tackle. Abu reels have been a standard in a great many anglers tackle arsenals for decades. And that legacy of trust lives on in current offerings such as the Revo 4 family of reels.
The Abu Garcia Revo4 SX-HS is one of four offerings in the Revo 4 SX stable. This lineup consists of two gear ratio options each available in left or right-handed handle configurations. In addition, all of the family members sport a similarly impressive set of features that we’ll examine in detail now.
DuraClutch and Infini brake systems
Abu’s trademarked DuraClutch and Infini brake cast control technologies deliver exceptionally smooth and effortless casting and positive spool engagement.
Duragear and D2 main gear systems
The Revo4’s gear train features Abu’s proprietary D2 gear technology and a solid brass main gear. Consequently, this arrangement results in smooth, effortlessly power retrieves and enhanced reel service life.
Power Stack carbon matrix drag system
Here are the core specifications of the Abu Garcia Revo4 SX-HS
- Monofilament line capacity — all models (pounds test/yards): 10/175, 12/145, 15/100
- Bearing count — all models: 10
- Gear ratio: standard speed — 6.6:1, high speed — 7.3:1
- Maximum drag — all models: 24 pounds
- Handle orientation: right and left-handed in each gearing option
- Retrieve rate (inches per handle turn): standard speed — 27 inches, high speed — 30 inches
- Weight — all models: 7.83 ounces
Pros and cons
These are the best and worst features of the Revo4 SX bait caster.
Pros
- Excellent gear strength
- Smooth and reliable retrieve action
- A consistent and powerful drag system
- Stable, wobble-free retrieve
- Outstanding cast control
- Excellent maximum drag rating
Cons
- The side plate release lever is not well placed
- High price point by comparison
Where to buy
Shimano Curado K
- Built tournament tough; this…
- Featuring shimano’s latest…
- Employs svs infinity braking…
- Utilizes x-ship technology to…
- Max drag: 11 lbs. / gear…
Our second and final competitor reel in this Daiwa Tatula CT review is the Shimano Curado K. Much like Abu Garcia, Shimano needs no introduction as they have a stellar reputation as an angling gear manufacturer. The Curado baitcaster is a great example of this legacy of quality and innovation and sports an impressive list of features.
The Curado K series of reels are available in three gear ratio options in either left or right-handed configuration. Each of the six offerings features a host of industry-leading technologies that we’ll look at in detail here.
X-Ship pinion system
The Micro Module gear system features an increased number of smaller gear teeth. This increases the contact area between the drive and pinion gears making for a smoother and more efficient gear train.
X-Ship pinion system
Shimano’s X-Ship system supports the pinion assembly on either end with precision bearings. The result is enhanced casting distance with light lures and a more stable cranking mechanism overall.
Hagane body
The Hagane body is a high rigidity reel body technology that lends the reel advanced strength and eliminates flexing.
SVS Infinity braking system
Shimano’s proprietary SVS Infinity braking system delivers one of the most consistent and predictable braking actions of any reel. As a result, this enhanced control makes casting a breeze even with very light lures.
A-RB bearings
The A-RB bearings used in the Curado baitcaster are specially treated to give at least 10 times as much corrosion resistance as conventional bearings.
Cross Carbon drag
The Curado K features Shimano’s well known and respected Cross Carbon drag system. This specially formulated drag material produces a wider range of drag settings and is exceptionally smooth and heat resistant.
Specifications
These are the technical specifications of the Curado K baitcaster.
- Monofilament line capacity — all models (pounds test/yards): 8/180, 10/155, 14/100
- Bearing count — all models: six plus one
- Gear ratio: standard speed — 6.2:1, high speed — 7.4:1, extra high speed — 8.5:1
- Maximum drag — all models: 11 pounds
- Handle orientation: right and left-handed in each gearing option
- Retrieve rate (inches per handle turn): standard speed — 26 inches, high speed — 31
- nches, extra high speed — 36 inches
- Weight — all models: 7.6 ounces
Pros and cons
Let’s look at the good and bad points of the Curado K baitcaster.
Pros
- Excellent build quality
- Very smooth and strong spool and gear train
- Outstanding frame rigidity
- Excellent corrosion resistance on all gears
- Improved casting controlImproved casting control
- Smooth drag system
Cons
- A relatively high price pointA relatively high price point
- The smallest maximum drag of the reels on review
Where to buy
The Daiwa Tatula CT: To Wrap It Up
It might not be fair to say that the outcome of the Daiwa Tatula CT review was predictable. However, it wouldn’t be a lie either. The Tatula simply has too much going for it in terms of features and bang for your buck to be ousted.
The Abu and Shimano reels are very good products with outstanding characteristics. However, they just don’t quite have what it takes to unseat the Tatula 100XS. And, as expected this Daiwa Tatula CT review was a blast!
Tight lines!
Please use the comments section below to share any thoughts or experiences that could enhance this Daiwa Tatula CT review.
Featured Image Source: Amazon.com
Fishing Reel Icon: Icon made by Eucalyp from www.flaticon.com
This post was first published on Nov. 29th, 2019 and was last updated in July 2020.
Paul Grove has been passionate about hunting for as long as he can remember. He recalls hunting squirrels with his dad’s trusty Winchester Model 63 as early as age 9. As he grew older, his hunting interests, tactics, and gear have refined. He was also fortunate enough to be born in Wisconsin, thus having unhindered access to some of the nation’s best whitetail deer hunting spots. When he’s not chasing deer or other large to massive game on public lands, he is field-testing various fishing gear in a never-ending quest to find that perfect fishing setup. Is his passion for hunting and fishing innate or acquired? Paul believes that it is more about passing down a family tradition.
