2020 Tatula SV TW103 initial thoughts

[cals400ex]

I recently purchased a 2020 tatula sv tw103. I have not hit the water with it yet, but I have a few initial thoughts that others may like to know. I have heard that these sometimes come with a lack of grease/oil. I haven't opened anything up, but the worm gear does have grease on it. The compact feel and size of the reel is comfortable in my hands. When reeling, the reel is fairly "geary." I don't have much to compare it to, but I have two bantam curado's (one is ~20 years old and the other is ~10 years old). Both of my curado's are WAY more smooth when reeling. I don't believe anything is wrong with this Tatula reel, I just feel that it is much less smooth than my other reels (which seems odd to me bc I have not opened/oiled/greased either of my curado's since I have owned them - note, I am easy on my reels and they only get used a handful of times per year). Once again, I have not used this Tatula reel yet so I can't comment how it performs on the water. Does this "geary" feel make anyone concerned? I don't want to use this reel if it would be best to return the Diawa and go with another Shimano, etc. Also, I don't mind a reel that is geary feeling if it's going to be an awesome reel. However, when I can go to the store and feel a reel that is smooth as this one for 1/4 of the price, it makes me wonder. Any suggestions?

[PhishLI]

I'm not sure if this will make you feel any better. I have a '17 Tat SV. It's always been more geary feeling than my Fuego CTs which are very smooth. I put a new set of gears in it and not much of an improvement really, even with swapping out all of the bearings from a Fuego. However, I don't let it bother me. Last night I was out Walleye fishing in a big shallow flat. With the brakes turned down low, between 4-5, I was zinging a Manns Baby 1 minus way out there. Wind didn't matter. No fluffs or nests. Stress free. What it does it does well regardless of it's less than silky smooth retrieve. I didn't notice it once while bagging 14 fish before I switched rigs and baits. Things like this usually bother me, but I tune it out with this reel. If you want this type of performance with silky smooth everything, then jump up to a Zillion SV TW. They perform similarly, but the overall build is in a different class with a fully supported pinion and a free floating spool.

[cals400ex]

I have thought about returning it.  That brings up the next question...Do I try another one or look for another brand?

[PhishLI]

1 hour ago, cals400ex said:

I have thought about returning it.  That brings up the next question...Do I try another one or look for another brand?

Try another one. My friend's is a tad smoother than mine, but not Zillion smooth. Another brand doesn't offer what the SV spool does well, IMO. It's more than just being able to cast into the wind.

[jbrew73]

I have several Daiwa reels and 2 of them( tatula ct) have always had rough gears. I sent them back to an authorized repair shop and the came back still rough. I replaced the gears myself and clean lubed the bearings , still rough.  I did have a few more that had a very slight roughness and they smoothed out nicely with a few trips but those 2 never got better.   No Daiwa of mine has gotten worse with time so I’m happy overall but I’m not paying $200 for a reel that is rough out of the box. Send it back.

[cals400ex]

1 hour ago, BaitFinesse said:

Another one.  If it is also geary feeling then don't buy anymore plastic handle side plate Tatulas.  Stick to aluminum handle side plate reels like your old Curados Tatula Elites, Catalina TW, old 1st gen Tatulas, TD Zillion (awesome) and Bantam MGL.

For what it’s worth, I contacted Daiwa prior to purchasing this reel. I asked for a breakdown and comparison between the Zillion, Elite, and SVTW103. I informed them that this will be an all-around casting reel used mainly on a MH, fast action rod. I use soft plastics with a light weight ~50% of the time. For me, they suggested that I go with the SVTW103, which is what I went with. They said that the Zillion is more bulky and heavier, which can be noticeable when I’m using soft plastics and jigs. And they said the elite has a slight casting distance advantage, but they stressed twice that I need a well trained thumb as it doesn’t offer the same backlash resistance. 
 

I’m just bummed bc I got a great deal on this reel (the sale is now over so if I return it I can’t get a good deal on a replacement reel). However, the bearings don’t feel faulty, but they sound like the bearings on my cheap Abu Garcia $30 reel - Note, I can tell the Daiwa is a better reel, but both reels sound about the same.   ?

[cals400ex]

15 minutes ago, BaitFinesse said:

Then send it in to The Tackle Trap and tell them you are unhappy with how it feels and that you want it butter smooth.   They'll do it for a reasonable price.  they do this kind of thig all the time with guys who buy JDM reels )no US warrenty) and get one that does not live up to expectations in smoothness.  Give them an email or call. 

That's actually who I purchased the reel from.  They were great, and had good pricing too. I will definitely use them again in the future for future purchases.  

[GReb]

Mine is not geary at all. Either send it back or open it up