Daiwa T3 Ballistic

[Bass2124]

THese are going for $109 at Tackle warehouse. I see these marked down over 50% at most places.  I have heard Daiwa products are overpriced. I just bought the pfluegar president for $100 and was going to get another until I saw these.  Are these a better quality reel?  Originally costing $249 I would think but thought I would get peoples opinions.  Some great sales going on now everywhere.  I am looking to get a good flipping and pitching reel to add to the collection in the $100 range.

[5fishlimit]

No question about it! You are getting a nifty little reel for $109 in the T3.

[iabass8]

I really like my t3b. I did change the handle to a lexa handle though. I do not like the rivited stock one that cannot have bearings in it. Its a steal at 109

[new2BC4bass]

 I have heard Daiwa products are overpriced.

 

That would be the Shimano fan club chiming in.    Personally I feel that a lot of reels are overpriced from most vendors.

 

I recently picked up a couple of the T3 variants, but haven't ventured out into the snow to try them.  Now that it is warming up I should be able to get out for a trial run with them shortly.

[bootytrain]

That would be the Shimano fan club chiming in.

No that would be the majority of US anglers. The Z200 was available at TW for over a year and it sold so poorly at the price they were asking that it got discontinued. They had to sell them at half price with an additional 25% off to finally get rid of the remaining stock. Looks like the T3s are viewed the same way, they've been on sale since Xmas and vendors still haven't sold out.

[mjseverson24]

I have a few of the t3-b's, For flipping and pitching light lures i dont think there is a better reel for the job. I just picked up two of the 6:1 ratio reels this week when i saw them at 109.00. I love the ones I have, and am excited to get the new ones i ordered. 

 

Mitch

[papajoe222]

Check out the Tatula by Daiwa.  They're on sale now at BPS stores.

 

"No that would be the majority of US anglers." Not really, Daiwa has a tendency to overproduce a reel before it's introduction and that was/ is the reason the Z200 took forever to sell out the stock.  How many guys are willing to shell out $700 for a unproven reel? 

 

Daiwa, like Shimano, makes quality products within the price range you can afford.  Wether the T3 is for you, only you can decide.

[daiwaguy]

Check out the Tatula by Daiwa.  They're on sale now at BPS stores.

 

"No that would be the majority of US anglers." Not really, Daiwa has a tendency to overproduce a reel before it's introduction and that was/ is the reason the Z200 took forever to sell out the stock.  How many guys are willing to shell out $700 for a unproven reel? 

 

Daiwa, like Shimano, makes quality products within the price range you can afford.  Wether the T3 is for you, only you can decide.

I agree. The Z200 was also much heavier than most anglers prefer. It was a solid reel but at the price and the weight a better value could be found.

[DaveT63]

The T3B is without question one of the better deals you will find at that price.  I loved the one I had, and have been considering another.

[webertime]

THese are going for $109 at Tackle warehouse. I see these marked down over 50% at most places.  I have heard Daiwa products are overpriced. I just bought the pfluegar president for $100 and was going to get another until I saw these.  Are these a better quality reel?  Originally costing $249 I would think but thought I would get peoples opinions.  Some great sales going on now everywhere.  I am looking to get a good flipping and pitching reel to add to the collection in the $100 range.

 

I have several of the T3B's.  For flipping/pitching they are great since you can re-engage them just by pressing down on the hood. No need to hit the handle or deal with "Flipping Switches".  I'd recommend the 7.1:1 as I find the 8:1 a bit strained under larger loads (4lb bass and 100lbs of weeds or a 5lb smallie with a 1.5oz carolina rig in 30 feet).

[new2BC4bass]

I'm sorry, but how many average fishermen that you know are willing to spend $250 on a reel much less $700?  Around my area that $700 reel has a very, very, very small niche to fill.  It could be worth $1400 and still wouldn't sell here for $700.  I feel I have become something of a fanatic, but only one of my 45 reels (since getting back into fishing in '09) cost me that much ($250).  And it wasn't even a new reel.  Had it been new I would have waited for a sale.  Heck, even a Core is more than I can do.  I don't know any Average Joe fisherman willing to spend any more than he feels is absolutely necessary.  You and I are willing to spend more.when possible as are most guys here.  Why?  Because we like to fish with the best we can afford....for the most part.  I know using nice gear increases my enjoyment of the sport.

 

My brother-in-law lives in Florida, and spends a fair amount of time on the water.  He might be willing to spend some money, but can't afford $100 for a reel.  He catches plenty of bass.  I think his last combo cost a little over $70.  Although retired, he and his wife still put out money helping their children who btw all work.  Some more than one job.

 

I got my $200 Curado 51E for $98 so apparently Daiwa isn't the only one willing to sell closeout reels at 50% off.

 

[bootytrain]

I'm sorry, but how many average fishermen that you know are willing to spend $250 on a reel much less $700?  Around my area that $700 reel has a very, very, very small niche to fill.  It could be worth $1400 and still wouldn't sell here for $700.  I feel I have become something of a fanatic, but only one of my 45 reels (since getting back into fishing in '09) cost me that much ($250).  And it wasn't even a new reel.  Had it been new I would have waited for a sale.  Heck, even a Core is more than I can do.  I don't know any Average Joe fisherman willing to spend any more than he feels is absolutely necessary.  You and I are willing to spend more.when possible as are most guys here.  Why?  Because we like to fish with the best we can afford....for the most part.  I know using nice gear increases my enjoyment of the sport.

 

My brother-in-law lives in Florida, and spends a fair amount of time on the water.  He might be willing to spend some money, but can't afford $100 for a reel.  He catches plenty of bass.  I think his last combo cost a little over $70.  Although retired, he and his wife still put out money helping their children who btw all work.  Some more than one job.

 

I got my $200 Curado 51E for $98 so apparently Daiwa isn't the only one willing to sell closeout reels at 50% off.

The curado 50 was at the end of its cycle making way for the chronarch 50. The T3 isn't at the end of its life cycle, that's the difference. And you shouldn't assume that just because you have a certain price point you won't go over that everybody thinks the same way. Back on topic my T3 ballistic should be here tomorrow and I look forward to seeing what it can do:-)

[masterbass]

I picked up a t-3b as well.  I got the 8.1 lefty.  My regret is I didn't get another one because tw is sold out of 8.1 lefties.  I'm thinking about picking up a 7.1.  What is the difference?  I read something about the handle.

[daiwaguy]

A few inches per handle turn and the Handle. The Knobs are also different I believe. The 8.1 has the classic tire tread Daiwa knobs while the others have the smooth knobs.

[mjseverson24]

for 109 these are a crazy good deal, and actually the regular t3 under 200 is pretty darn good as well. as far as 7:1 as compared to 8:1 it is just a few i think 3-4 inches per turn different. awesome reel though i wouldn't hesitate at all...

 

Mitch 

[new2BC4bass]

The curado 50 was at the end of its cycle making way for the chronarch 50. The T3 isn't at the end of its life cycle, that's the difference. And you shouldn't assume that just because you have a certain price point you won't go over that everybody thinks the same way. Back on topic my T3 ballistic should be here tomorrow and I look forward to seeing what it can do:-)

I am assuming nothing.  I KNOW lots of people that I meet at my local lakes and rivers won't spend a lot on fishing gear.  If they do, then I can almost guarantee they read fishing forums.  I am well aware of the fact that there are plenty of people ON FORUMS who spend a lot more on gear than I do.  It isn't that I wouldn't, it is that I can't afford the high end gear.  In fact I spend way more than I should on fishing gear.

 

I also realize there are a few fishermen who spend a lot on gear and don't read fishing forums.  I can guarantee they aren't making $15-$18 an hour, but have enough money to invest in whatever their little hearts desire, and always buy quality no matter what they are buying.

 

As far as the T3 being at the end of its life cycle...I have no idea.  A person wouldn't think so since the T-Wing system isn't that old yet.

 

If you think the Shimano fan club on this site doesn't knock other gear (even tho it is sometimes in fun), then you aren't reading close enough.

 

Back on topic....had I known the T3-1016H was going to go down as low as it did, I wouldn't have bought a used RH model about 3 weeks ago.  I would waited for the price to come down and bought a new LH model for about $9 more.  My mistake. 

 

If you know anyone willing to buy a used T3-1016H for $190, please let me know. I will sell it and get the LH model I really wanted.

[bootytrain]

I am assuming nothing.  I KNOW lots of people that I meet at my local lakes and rivers won't spend a lot on fishing gear.  If they do, then I can almost guarantee they read fishing forums.  I am well aware of the fact that there are plenty of people ON FORUMS who spend a lot more on gear than I do.  It isn't that I wouldn't, it is that I can't afford the high end gear.  In fact I spend way more than I should on fishing gear.

 

I also realize there are a few fishermen who spend a lot on gear and don't read fishing forums.  I can guarantee they aren't making $15-$18 an hour, but have enough money to invest in whatever their little hearts desire, and always buy quality no matter what they are buying.

 

As far as the T3 being at the end of its life cycle...I have no idea.  A person wouldn't think so since the T-Wing system isn't that old yet.

 

If you think the Shimano fan club on this site doesn't knock other gear (even tho it is sometimes in fun), then you aren't reading close enough.

 

Back on topic....had I known the T3-1016H was going to go down as low as it did, I wouldn't have bought a used RH model about 3 weeks ago.  I would waited for the price to come down and bought a new LH model for about $9 more.  My mistake. 

 

If you know anyone willing to buy a used T3-1016H for $190, please let me know. I will sell it and get the LH model I really wanted.

You proved my point. You can only speak of people in your area, its a big world out there and not everyone has the same view on how much they are willing to spend on tackle. And shimano guys aren't the only ones talking trash about other brands on this forum. Back on topic.. Got the T3B today, feels very nice so far. Definitely a steal at 110$. I'll find out this weekend if I think its $250 nice.

[bass1980]

I don't think you should base your decision on the $250 msrp. IMO they aren't worth that much but were being priced there because of innovation and name. Still a killer reel at $109 but I've always said the T3B should have been priced at $180.

[mjseverson24]

at 109 there is plenty of room to upgrade if you want, I was looking into the carbon fiber lews handle at tw, or a hawgtech... my new ones should be here tomorrow, cant wait...

 

Mitch

[NEjitterbugger]

I got mine when it was $125, the first time I fished with it was on my vacation with Captain Shane on Okeechobee. Spooled with 65# PowerPro... It did the job, I love it...

 

[bassmaster_mattyice]

For the price its an absolute steal. Casting distance on the t3 is unmatched for the price. Only bad thing is the handle which i plan on replacing soon enough.

[new2BC4bass]

You proved my point. You can only speak of people in your area,

 

Absolutely true and I thought understood.  How could I possibly express the views of people I have never met?   Apparently the Average Joes in your area are big spenders.

 

...ts a big world out there and not everyone has the same view on how much they are willing to spend on tackle.

 

 

I thought we had already agreed on this!

 

 

 And shimano guys aren't the only ones talking trash about other brands on this forum.

 

 

Also true. but Shimano has the biggest fan base here and therefore the most "Buy Shimano....everything else sucks." comments...especially when it comes to reels.  My original comment was half serious, half jest.  Naturally I picked on the largest fan base.  No fun picking on the 3 or 4 Abu guys. 

 

 

The T3 1016H is one sweet deal, but I haven't had a chance to try either of mine.  What if I don't like that system?  I'd be stuck with another reel I didn't like or forced to try and sell it.  I have to admit I haven't met a reel yet I didn't like well enough to keep.  There are a couple other reels on another forum that I know I like extremely well from past experience.  Considering buying both of them, but that would mean trying to sell at least 3 of my current reels.  Something I have avoided to date.    BTW, the one reel would be my second most expensive reel (my cost) at $250....which is a lot more than I like to spend, but the heart wants what the heart wants.    

 

EDIT:  One thing you should know about me is that I would never deliberately trash anyones choice of gear.  However, I'm not above teasing.