Tatula 300 is here

[PhishLI]

Just came in. Solid, smooth, and impressive in hand. Just about an hour at a pond casting 3-4 oz baits. It'll go on a Champ 867 and get a full workout this weekend with some nice bigger baits. The line guide section of the T-wing is definitely wider than the 200's shown in the pic below. I'm not a leader guy, so I really don't care, but this may satisfy the leader-knot-thru-the-T-wing issue for those that are.

 

Its curious that Daiwa didn't flog the fact that this reel has a dual bearing supported pinion. While it doesn't use a classic free floating spool, there is a bearing on the spool's shaft. The shaft extends through the pinion into a bushing that looks to be set in the far pinion bearing. I'll know more for sure after I've cracked it open. Regardless, its an interesting twist. Whatever it is that they've done here, there seems to be little issue with friction on the cast. Baits sling way out there with the 43mm spool. Big rat wakes crank effortlessly. The 110 mm handle with big knobs adds to the overall beastly-ness. I'm diggin it.

 

[Bass Rutten]

How much bigger does it feel in hand compared a 100 or 200 size?

[A-Jay]

I've been eye-balling this one since it came out.

A-Jay

[PhishLI]

1 hour ago, Bassjam2000 said:

How much bigger does it feel in hand compared a 100 or 200 size?

The 200 is on the right.  The 300 looks much bigger because its not seated on the rod. Its taller for sure when seated, but it isn't huge. Not small either though. I have mitts, so I'm not bothered by larger reels. YMMV.

 

 

 

[PhishLI]

30 minutes ago, A-Jay said:

I've been eye-balling this one since it came out.

I've been a bit spoiled since I got my JDM Catalina, which is for the most part a USDM Zillion HD. The metal gear side sideplate with a fully supported beefy gear train feels quite a bit different in use when compared to the Tatula variants down the line. The 300 is more in line feel-wise and build-wise with the Catalina and Zillion HD. Not knowing this ahead of time didn't keep me from ordering one, but I'm happy that it turns out that this reel is built in the old school Daiwa way. The hard core Daiwa guys will probably still cry about the T-wing, even with it's improvement, but the gear train is legit. Just what you want to see if you look at schematics for fun. No tears on that note.

[MassYak85]

Nice they have a low profile for those bigger baits now. I have a Tat 200 for like 1 to 3 ounce baits but feel it wouldn't be adequate for much bigger. 

[PhishLI]

5 minutes ago, MassYak85 said:

Nice they have a low profile for those bigger baits now. I have a Tat 200 for like 1 to 3 ounce baits but feel it wouldn't be adequate for much bigger. 

The 200's perfect for those baits. I'll have to see what the bottom limit of the 300 is with it's big spool filled with 25 lb or 30 lb BG. Could be sketchy chucking a 1 oz bait.

[MassYak85]

13 minutes ago, PhishLI said:

The 200's perfect for those baits. I'll have to see what the bottom limit of the 300 is with it's big spool filled with 25 lb or 30 lb BG. Could be sketchy chucking a 1 oz bait.

Yea I got 20lb copoly on my Tatula 200 on a 795 rod. For those 4+ ounce baits I bit the bullet and got a Tranx 300 witrh 25lb copoly and threw it on an 867. I gotta be honest I think I prefer the Tranx after fishing both but they each have their strengths I think. Tranx I feel is smoother reeling but I like the magforce brakes better on the Tatula. 

[PhishLI]

2 minutes ago, MassYak85 said:

Yea I got 20lb copoly on my Tatula 200 on a 795 rod. For those 4+ ounce baits I bit the bullet and got a Tranx 300 witrh 25lb copoly and threw it on an 867. I gotta be honest I think I prefer the Tranx after fishing both but they each have their strengths I think. Tranx I feel is smoother reeling but I like the magforce brakes better on the Tatula. 

Post pics of the Tat 300 when you get one☺️

[MassYak85]

1 hour ago, PhishLI said:

Post pics of the Tat 300 when you get one☺️

That would mean a new rod haha. Not this time bait monkey.

[Hook2Jaw]

I'd like to compare this reel to my Lexa 300-WN.  I'm a huge fan of my reel and wonder if it's an improvement.

[PhishLI]

Just an update: 6 weeks in.

 

Daiwa wasn't fooling around here. If you like the feel of super solid reels then this one's a very nice option. There's nothing wrong with a Lexa-WN, but the Tat 300 is some next level stuff. A true beast. The T-wing is shown in it's best light here when using heavy line. Going further, it's the most solid feeling reel of the bunch across manufactures, IMO, and we have a pretty broad selection between my brother and myself. 

 

All of that said, it's my opinion that it's tough to go wrong today in a low profile 300 size reel above $200. The 13 Z3 is a surprisingly fantastic caster, and the Super Duty 300 has been great grinding in big bass baits. The Tranx is a slam dunk, and the new Curado 300 feels great too. Not everyone palms when they're swimbaiting, but if you do, then just choose what feels best in your hand, forget about picking nits, and enjoy yourself.

[PhishLI]

Update:

 

So now there are 3 of these reels in my immediate orbit. Each person is very happy with their choice after about 6 months in. No weird sticking thumbar issues that were common with some earlier Lexa models. The gear train has remained smooth after primarily throwing larger billed resistance baits like crank down wakes which snag up on bottom nastys. So far, so good.

[Jason.Domingo]

Loving mines too..I have mines on my smaller swimbait setup (1-5oz). Casts effortly, smooth. No issues here. Swapped the 110 handle with a 117. Cranks even effortlessly lol

 

 

[Bluebasser86]

Mine should be here in the next day or two. It's been lost in that horrible "Your package is in transit to the next facility, but will be arriving late", land for the last week until it finally turned up at the local hub yesterday. Just hope it's still in one piece when it gets here. 

[Hammer 4]

11 minutes ago, Bluebasser86 said:

Mine should be here in the next day or two. It's been lost in that horrible "Your package is in transit to the next facility, but will be arriving late", land for the last week until it finally turned up at the local hub yesterday. Just hope it's still in one piece when it gets here. 

When you do get your 300 Tatula, and have fished with it, how about doing a comparo vs your Shimano 300 E. I'd be Very interested in how they compare.