Daiwa TW80 Ramblings

[PhishLI]

I can understand why some people like or prefer tiny reels. I don't get all gooey over them myself, but I'm a reel addict, so when a super deal came my way for one, I had no choice but to say yes. However, I had one specific concern beforehand due to how I palm a reel and cast. I'm righty and prefer left-handed reels. While my right hand is placed below the reel for bomb casting, for fast-casting short work I keep my right hand in a semi-palmed position. This doesn't work well with my hand size/shape and some reel ergos. The current Chronarch is an example of this. Here, if I don't concentrate, I tend to rub the rim of the spool with my thumb, which doesn't work for care free fishing. I thought the TW80's narrow 19mm spool might be a problem in this regard, but it's not at all. Its frame's shape and my hand worked out just fine. YMMV.

 

Right out of the box I could tell this wasn't a typical Tatula regarding smoothness. While some people put a very high value on pristine gear train smoothness, sometimes seemingly over everything else, it's less important to me personally, especially if there is something I find special about a reel's casting performance. Different priorities here, and especially where price is a factor, I'll let some things slide. Anyway, the TW80's gear train is super smooth. If you've played with or own a new Zillion 1000 G, then you know it's a freak in this regard. A fresh TW80 feels similar, and I'll assume it's because of the new gear cut Daiwa's been touting. Whether this reel remains this smooth is yet to be determined. I suspect that if it does slip a bit after bagging several big fish, wherever it lands will be acceptable to most people, but I won't know until I know.

 

Right now it's mounted on a 13 Omen Black 2 7'1" MF, and spooled with 8lb Sufix Advance copoly. I can sling out ¼oz wakes/cranks and ¼oz transfer weighted jerks nicely and consistently with this setup, Same with light plastics. Distance isn't world beating or anything particularly special with these weights, but quite good. Consistent and predictable is what sticks out for me. It's very Tatula-like in that respect. What surprised me was high-arc casting distance with heavier baits like 6" senkos and ½oz cranks. Once again not world beating, but surprisingly good. Spool diameter is a factor here, and smaller diameter spools are typically a negative in this regard, but this setup got heavier lures out there surprisingly well. The pond where I fished it has clearly defined pad lines and points. I'm very familiar with what's a long cast and what isn't. I was able to send those heavier baits farther than I expected. That said, if max casting distance is your priority, then there are better choices at the price point and below. If you fish from a boat or a kayak, then that doesn't really matter much.

 

I'd like all of my reels to be built with as much metal as possible, and with its metal frame and engine side cover this reel ticks that box. It's also generally tighter, or less clackity, than a Tatula CT. You do get your money's worth. The drag is just fine. Typical Daiwa. Standard Mag-Z braking. When I can drift off into zombie casting mode without constantly monitoring a spool I'm a happy guy. I was able to just relax and fish with the TW80. Typical Daiwa.

 

Personally, I'm more of a Tatula 150 type. I think it's just a fantastic, unheralded, yet larger all-around reel, but I don't regret getting the TW80. For the time being it'll have its place where it seems to belong, on a lighter setup. Eventually I'll try it on a short MH+ stick with 50lb braid for pitching jigs. Perhaps in this guise it'll make me a miniature reel convert after all.

[KP Duty]

The smoothness of the 80 does make an impression.  Daiwa will probably sell a boatload of them.  The new hyperdrive gearing is making me rethink upgrading some reels I have and just buying new reels.

 

[Deleted account]

4 hours ago, PhishLI said:

I can understand why some people like or prefer tiny reels. I don't get all gooey over them myself, but I'm a reel addict, so when a super deal came my way for one, I had no choice but to say yes. However, I had one specific concern beforehand due to how I palm a reel and cast. I'm righty and prefer left-handed reels. While my right hand is placed below the reel for bomb casting, for fast-casting short work I keep my right hand in a semi-palmed position. This doesn't work well with my hand size/shape and some reel ergos. The current Chronarch is an example of this. Here, if I don't concentrate, I tend to rub the rim of the spool with my thumb, which doesn't work for care free fishing. I thought the TW80's narrow 19mm spool might be a problem in this regard, but it's not at all. Its frame shape and my hand worked out just fine. YMMV.

 

Right out of the box I could tell this wasn't a typical Tatula regarding smoothness. While some people put a very high value on pristine gear train smoothness, sometimes seemingly over everything else, it's less important to me personally, especially if there is something I find special about a reel's casting performance. Different priorities here, and especially where price is a factor, I'll let some things slide. Anyway, the TW80's gear train is super smooth. If you've played with or own a new Zillion 1000 G, then you know it's a freak in this regard. A fresh TW80 feels similar, and I'll assume it's because of the new gear cut Daiwa's been touting. Whether this reel remains this smooth is yet to be determined. I suspect that if it does slip a bit after bagging several big fish, wherever it lands will be acceptable to most people, but I won't know until I know.

 

Right now it's mounted on a 13 Omen Black 2 7'1" MF, and spooled with 8lb Sufix Advance copoly. I can sling out ¼oz wakes/cranks and ¼oz transfer weighted jerks nicely and consistently with this setup, Same with light plastics. Distance isn't world beating or anything particularly special with these weights, but quite good. Consistent and predictable is what sticks out for me. It's very Tatula-like in that respect. What surprised me was high-arc casting distance with heavier baits like 6' senkos and ½oz cranks. Once again not world beating, but surprisingly good. Spool diameter is a factor here, and smaller diameter spools are typically a negative in this regard, but this setup got heavier lures out there surprisingly well. The pond where I fished it has clearly defined pad lines and points. I'm very familiar with what's a long cast and what isn't. I was able to send those heavier baits father than I expected. That said, if max casting distance is your priority, then there are better choices at the price point and below. If you fish from a boat or a kayak, then that doesn't really matter much.

 

I'd like all of my reels to be built with as much metal as possible, and with its metal frame and engine side cover this reel ticks that box. It's also generally tighter, or less clackity, than a Tatula CT. You do get your money's worth. The drag is just fine. Typical Daiwa. Standard Mag-Z braking. When I can drift off into zombie casting mode without constantly monitoring a spool I'm a happy guy. I was able to just relax and fish with the TW80. Typical Daiwa.

 

Personally, I'm more of a Tatula 150 type. I think it's just a fantastic, unheralded, yet larger all-around reel, but I don't regret getting the TW80. For the time being it'll have its place where it seems to belong, on a lighter setup. Eventually I'll try it on a short MH+ stick with 50lb braid for pitching jigs. Perhaps in this guise it'll make me a miniature reel convert after all.

While I don't agree with the whole left handed reels for right handed anglers thing, I absolutely agree with the ergonomics of a reel being much more important than most folks are aware of, and that most reels that don't come out of a blister or clam pack from Walmart or Big Box store are more than sufficiently smooth enough and functional to catch some bass. Ultimately it's a preference thing. 

[Tatulatard]

Good to hear.  Sounds like an awesome little reel for shooting jigs and plastics to targets.  Basically a balck alphas tw with a 90 handle minus the double pinon support and SV spool.  How does it skip?  

[Bass Rutten]

Mine’s been amazing… right up until last week when that geary feeling that I’ve only ever felt in shimanos started creeping in. Hopefully a few drops of oil and a greasing will bring it right back.

[PhishLI]

3 hours ago, Tatulatard said:

How does it skip?  

Typical Mag Z skipping. If you lean heavily on SV braking for this, then skip this one.?

[PhishLI]

On 5/29/2022 at 7:50 AM, Deleted account said:

While I don't agree with the whole left handed reels for right handed anglers thing

Well, good thing for me that I don't share the same philosophical predilection. I took the troglodyte challenge anyway, just for the fun of it, and won, so handedness is an either-or thing for me. However, as of recently there's no chance I'll be setting a hook holding a rod in my left hand. Hard to say in the long term either. If I can't, what on god's green earth will I do with all these goofy right handed reels? Such troubles...

On 5/29/2022 at 7:50 AM, Deleted account said:

I absolutely agree with the ergonomics of a reel being much more important than most folks are aware of, and that most reels that don't come out of a blister or clam pack from Walmart or Big Box store are more than sufficiently smooth enough and functional to catch some bass. Ultimately it's a preference thing. 

Truth?

[Eric 26]

Finally got to use mine this morning. Although I didn’t catch anything I will say it is super comfortable and easy to dial in. Also used my new to me Revo ALF which is by far the smallest/lightest reel I own, again didn’t catch anything but happy to have them both and looking forward to using them.

[Deleted account]

37 minutes ago, PhishLI said:

Well, good thing for me that I don't share the same philosophical predilection. I took the troglodyte challenge anyway, just for the fun of it, and won, so handedness is an either-or thing for me. However, as of recently there's no chance I'll be setting a hook holding a rod in my left hand. Hard to say in the long term either. If I can't, what on god's green earth will I do with all these goofy right handed reels? Such troubles...

If you could book mark this, I'd be happy to show you the error of your ways in January...  

I refuse to take some intermediate tennis students, cause undoing the hitches would be next to impossible.

[ErieCan]

Great review! 

 

The North American prices on the Tatula 80 don't make sense. I see Tackle warehouse has them for $199.  But you can get them from Japan for about $150.  Heck for $195 you could get an Alphas SV TW from the JDM stores. 

[Tatulatard]

52 minutes ago, ErieCan said:

Great review! 

 

The North American prices on the Tatula 80 don't make sense. I see Tackle warehouse has them for $199.  But you can get them from Japan for about $150.  Heck for $195 you could get an Alphas SV TW from the JDM stores. 

Yeah but the JDM has a shorty handle and no us warranty.  When you're saving a hundred or more its a no brainer.  $50 savings or maybe only $30 depending on shipping?  Some of that is going to be eaten up by getting a 90 mil handle.  I agree on the alphas but it has the same issue.  No warranty and an 84 mil handle.  It does get double pinion support, an SV spool and that sexy silver paint.  

[PhishLI]

11 minutes ago, Tatulatard said:

Yeah but the JDM has a shorty handle.

This is worthy of mention, and perhaps I should've brought the subject up earlier as my 80 is a JDM model. The thing is this isn't an issue that has any real significance during use, IMO. From the centerline of the handle to either knob there's less than 1/8" difference between a 84mm and 90mm handle. This isn't something that jumped out and smacked me beforehand, and nothing that struck me as a negative when I fished with it again earlier today. I'm not getting a longer handle for this one as I don't feel it'll enhance my experience even a skosh, and I fish with more than one reel that has a 100mm handle. I understand the "idea" here, but personally I don't see this as an automatic hair-on-fire must-do thing with this small reel.

1 hour ago, ErieCan said:

Great review! 

Thanks!

1 hour ago, ErieCan said:

The North American prices on the Tatula 80 don't make sense. I see Tackle warehouse has them for $199.  But you can get them from Japan for about $150.  Heck for $195 you could get an Alphas SV TW from the JDM stores. 

True, but I don't think the JDM buys are widely known about beyond enthusiasts, and most people aren't motivated to buy outside of the domestic market.

[TNBankFishing]

8 minutes ago, PhishLI said:

This is worthy of mention, and perhaps I should've brought the subject up earlier as my 80 is a JDM model. The thing is this isn't an issue that has any real significance during use, IMO. From the centerline of the handle to either knob there's less than 1/8" difference between a 84mm and 90mm handle. This isn't something that jumped out and smacked me beforehand, and nothing that struck me as a negative when I fished with it again earlier today. I'm not getting a longer handle for this one as I don't feel it'll enhance my experience even a skosh, and I fish with more than one reel that has a 100mm handle. I understand the "idea" here, but personally I don't see this as an automatic hair-on-fire must-do thing with this small reel.

I’ve used JDM Mets and they all have smaller handles other than the XG. Never bothered me in the slightest. For punching or deep cranking I prefer 100 size but everything else is fine between 80-90mm. 

[JustJames]

FYI if Tatula JDM uses same handle as alphas, it is 85mm not 84mm, a whole one millimeters different.???

If Tatula USA uses same knob as Zillion G then the knob is bigger, that might worth consider if you don’t like small knob.

 

btw for those of tatula tw80 fan, you might be able to do this too.

 

 

[newapti5]

I personally have to have longer handles and larger knobs, especially the latter. There had been many occasions that my hand slipped off small knobs during the excitement of fighting a fish or catching up with it.  

[Bandersnatch]

On 5/30/2022 at 11:35 PM, Tatulatard said:

Yeah but the JDM has a shorty handle and no us warranty.  When you're saving a hundred or more its a no brainer.  $50 savings or maybe only $30 depending on shipping?  Some of that is going to be eaten up by getting a 90 mil handle.  I agree on the alphas but it has the same issue.  No warranty and an 84 mil handle.  It does get double pinion support, an SV spool and that sexy silver paint.  

I just upgraded my alphas to the 100mm zillion paddle handle. You have to factor in another $30 when buying the alphas because the 84mm handle and knobs are ridiculously tiny 

[Tatulatard]

51 minutes ago, newapti5 said:

I personally have to have longer handles and larger knobs, especially the latter. I used to have many occasions that my hand slipped off small knobs during the excitement of fighting a fish and catching up with it.  

I jammed my finger tip between the drag star and handle anf then reeled my finger I between the two on a hookset.  The misfortune of short knobs.

[newapti5]

15 minutes ago, Tatulatard said:

I jammed my finger tip between the drag star and handle anf then reeled my finger I between the two on a hookset.  The misfortune of short knobs.

 

Ouch! Similar things happened to me; far less severe though. But yeah, short handles/knobs is the culprit. 

[Kelvin]

I have this reel for a few months now since I ordered from Japan.  Light, compact and very good.  The Zillion SV TW 21 outperforms it so does a tatula SV Tw 20.  I opened up the reel the minute it arrived and supertuned the main and pinion gear with fabaluster and lubed it with TSI and krytox.   Casts like a champion and for the cost (132 USD) it was a bargain.  Very good at its pricepoint but missing the refinement a 300+ class of baitcaster in all fairness I do whatever it takes mechanically to fine tune my reels to perform at its pinnacle.  Performance so far exceeded my expectations even though its a bit too early since I've yet to put the reel through its paces.  

 

Took the reel to the saltwater inshore and it handled everything just fine that said no 5 to 10 lb fish were caught yet.  Rinsed and wiped down to prevent salt intrusion.  Making my eq punch above its weight class and putting it into harsher environments tells me what its made of.  

 

[JustJames]

I used to have right hand steez ex100 with stock 105mm. The handle get in the way when casting a lot of time. My old Daiwa pixy and alphas come with 80mm handle and I don’t have slice problem with that. 
For some, no matter what Daiwa they got cheap or expensive, they will upgrade or customize the reels in some way, because it is a Daiwa thing. 

[newapti5]

5 hours ago, Kelvin said:

I have this reel for a few months now since I ordered from Japan.  Light, compact and very good.  The Zillion SV TW 21 outperforms it so does a tatula SV Tw 20.  I opened up the reel the minute it arrived and supertuned the main and pinion gear with fabaluster and lubed it with TSI and krytox.   Casts like a champion and for the cost (132 USD) it was a bargain.  Very good at its pricepoint but missing the refinement a 300+ class of baitcaster in all fairness I do whatever it takes mechanically to fine tune my reels to perform at its pinnacle.  Performance so far exceeded my expectations even though its a bit too early since I've yet to put the reel through its paces.  

 

Took the reel to the saltwater inshore and it handled everything just fine that said no 5 to 10 lb fish were caught yet.  Rinsed and wiped down to prevent salt intrusion.  Making my eq punch above its weight class and putting it into harsher environments tells me what its made of.  

 

 

Speaking of bargain, I'd digress a bit and argue this Shimano Engetsu is a real bargain right now on Amazon Japan, if you use left-handed reels.  For $129 tyd,  it uses the last gen Curado 70 frame, and reinforces it with metal sideplate, micromodule, and a beautiful 102mm power handle. Although it doesn't have MGL, the shallow spool makes up for the total spool weight - although labeled as 100 size, it's actually less than 70 size, so the total spool weight, with 70 yards of 0.30mm fluoro, is just 22 gram, quite good at casting light lures.  And it has a clicking drag, a nice feature not so common for Shimano reels.  And it is a saltwater reel, with better spool bearings. 

 

 

[Kelvin]

1 hour ago, newapti5 said:

 

Speaking of bargain, I'd digress a bit and argue this Shimano Engetsu is a real bargain right now on Amazon Japan, if you use left-handed reels.  For $129 tyd,  it uses the last gen Curado 70 frame, and reinforces it with metal sideplate, micromodule, and a beautiful 102mm power handle. Although it doesn't have MGL, the shallow spool makes up for the total spool weight - although labeled as 100 size, it's actually less than 70 size, so the total spool weight, with 70 yards of 0.30mm fluoro, is just 22 gram, quite good at casting light lures.  And it has a clicking drag, a nice feature not so common for Shimano reels.  And it is a saltwater reel, with better spool bearings. 

 

 

 

I already have this reel and its very good.   Saltwater safe and I'd say it for value its close to the Daiwa TW80.   An all purpose performer.  Can't really finesse but proven to handle bigger inshore saltwater fish bc I've used it many times inshore without problems.  Snapper, snook, bonefish, black drum, sheepshead and jacks.  Saltwater fish fight 1.5x to 2x harder pound for pound than large mouth bass no doubt.  I've personally pulled 20 fish out on this w/o any issue.   

[JustJames]

How is your tw80 so far? Just sold one of Curado 70 and going to sell the last one. Thinking should I just get TW 80 before the 800S come out.

[PhishLI]

2 hours ago, Bass_Fishing_SoCal said:

How is your tw80 so far?

Normally I'd have way more time on it by now, but I've been kept off the water over the past 2 months but for a handful of trips. I can't say I know everything about the TW80 yet, but I believe I know enough.

 

It's a standard Tatula, just small. Other than its out of the box smoothness, it's a Tatula, not a FFS Daiwa. Regardless of what some people claimed at the time, the '16 Zillion SV TW was a better reel than a '17 Tatula SV, and not just on paper, or going by price point. The Zillion did everything better.

 

I imagine the same will be true of the Alphas. Even if none of the bells and whistles of the Alphas added up to much more than the TW80, its lighter spool will be better. The TW80's spool weighs 15 grams without line. I'd bet the spool of the 800S will come in between 10-12 grams, and you like to fish with lighter lures sometimes. 

 

So start practicing your Alphas 800S speech to your wife. She's heard it all before. She'll understand.?

[JustJames]

Never mind I saw some sites started listing for 800S