Daiwa Alphas SV TW

[LCG]

Thanks to the recommendation from fellow member @Bass_Fishing_SoCal I have a Daiwa Alphas SV TW coming from Digitaka.

 

Unfortunately got hit with Duty/Tax of $58.50 Canadian, reel was $241.50 Canadian, so $299 total. Not bad compared to local prices, not that I can get this particular reel locally, but the price compares well to similar type reels here.

 

The reel is supposed to be here in a few days via fed ex. Would be nice to have a solid starting point when the reel arrives.

 

How do you set up your SV spool tension?

 

Where do you set the magnetic brake 1-20 for various casting styles such as pitching, skipping, long cast? 

 

Any tips would be appreciated as this is my first SV reel. Had a original Tatula and Fuego a few years ago, but neither had an SV spool. I will be spooling up with 10lb YZH on a MH-R rod as a all purpose set up. 

 

 

 

 

[desmobob]

Congratulations, Luke!   It's a sweet reel and I love mine.  I believe Diawa recommends setting up the SV type reels with just enough spool tension to eliminate side-to-side play, then back off a click.  I watched a Diawa YouTube video of a demonstration of the SV principle... I'll see if I can find it.  

 

Then you'll have to set up the magnetic brake to your preference.  If you want to play it safe, start out with it maxed and work down from there...

 

Diawa's video on how it works and how to set it up...

[casts_by_fly]

I just got my zillion recently, but I set it up the same as my other reels. Take out the play in spool tension and then give it just a little more. Set the brakes about halfway to start (that’s a ten on the zillion). That’s a bit loose on most reels so I pay attention to a first few casts and adjust from there. If I’m fishing heavy stuff and using my thumb a lot then I’ll add some spool tension just to take the work away from my thumb. Pitching I will take out some spool tension. I’m only just starting to pitch but when I am working on it I have the brakes around 18 out of 20 and the tension is enough that a free falling lure hitting the ground doesn’t overrun more than a half turn. 

 

[Cbump]

If It has the zero adjust (and I don’t know if there alpha does or not) then I don’t mess spool tension at all. Start at about 10 on the brakes and go from there. 
If It doesn’t have zero adjust, I click the button, use my thumb on the spool and adjust tension until the spool just barely starts to click back and forth.

Then do the same with the brakes. 
 

Has always worked for me. 

[LCG]

1 minute ago, Cbump said:

If It has the zero adjust (and I don’t know if there alpha does or not) then I don’t mess spool tension at all. Start at about 10 on the brakes and go from there. 
If It doesn’t have zero adjust, I click the button, use my thumb on the spool and adjust tension until the spool just barely starts to click back and forth.

Then do the same with the brakes. 
 

Has always worked for me. 

It does have the zero adjust spool tension, but I have my doubts that every reel is set up perfectly from the factory. I assume there is a fair amount of human assembly involved, but I may be wrong. But sounds like the common theme so far is a bit of side to side play in the spool. Thanks for the tips, much appreciated. 

[JustJames]

So I might have obligations to tell you my rigs. First of all, Canada got Amazon? You might be able to order those direct from Amazon. In US Amazon or even Walmart started to let oversea vendors sell stuffs thru their site. Amazon as prime member I always get free shipping but get hit with high percent California tax rate.

My 3 alphas, I have 10lb FC, 8lb Copolymer, 10lb braid. All my reels got at least 1/4 braid backing. Alphas SV TW with narrow but deep arbor not gonna do you any good when line get that low. I use these reels normally for medium task. Spool tension little to no side to side play, brake dial around 4-6 for normal condition, a little more when windy. When compare with Magforce I think I set it a little less since SV have stronger profile brake.

 

If you plan to add clicking drag, now tackle trap carry Zillion gear set but you will need some more parts like metal washer(3 parts) and main shaft sleeve.

https://tackletrap.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=898_660_656&products_id=18792

[LCG]

On 8/31/2022 at 8:57 PM, Bass_Fishing_SoCal said:

So I might have obligations to tell you my rigs. First of all, Canada got Amazon? You might be able to order those direct from Amazon. In US Amazon or even Walmart started to let oversea vendors sell stuffs thru their site. Amazon as prime member I always get free shipping but get hit with high percent California tax rate.

My 3 alphas, I have 10lb FC, 8lb Copolymer, 10lb braid. All my reels got at least 1/4 braid backing. Alphas SV TW with narrow but deep arbor not gonna do you any good when line get that low. I use these reels normally for medium task. Spool tension little to no side to side play, brake dial around 4-6 for normal condition, a little more when windy. When compare with Magforce I think I set it a little less since SV have stronger profile brake.

 

If you plan to add clicking drag, now tackle trap carry Zillion gear set but you will need some more parts like metal washer(3 parts) and main shaft sleeve.

https://tackletrap.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=898_660_656&products_id=18792

Yes we have Amazon here and I am also a prime member, but mostly for streaming services with some shopping here and there. But here in Canada they have items listed for drastically more than it should be with exchange rates.

 

But it is, what it is. I don't mind paying for quality equipment that performs how I want it to, and I think the Alphas will be it from what I have researched. Time will tell. My Curado 71HG MGL is my current favourite baitcasting reel, but I can't skip well and I throw small spinnerbaits around often with wind as well as target casting with plastics. From what I have read, the SV spools fits that versatile role. Anixous to find out though

[Cbump]

1 hour ago, LCG said:

It does have the zero adjust spool tension, but I have my doubts that every reel is set up perfectly from the factory. I assume there is a fair amount of human assembly involved, but I may be wrong. But sounds like the common theme so far is a bit of side to side play in the spool. Thanks for the tips, much appreciated. 

Maybe, maybe not, but my 5 reels with It have never needed adjusting. I’m not sure why that would be a thing if they came needing to be adjusted. Surely Daiwa has its manufacturing tolerances down to a science. 

[Bandersnatch]

Throw on a 90 or 100mm paddle handle from the tackle trap. It really makes it nice.

[JustJames]

1 hour ago, LCG said:

Yes we have Amazon here and I am also a prime member, but mostly for streaming services with some shopping here and there. But here in Canada they have items listed for drastically more than it should be with exchange rates.

 

But it is, what it is. I don't mind paying for quality equipment that performs how I want it to, and I think the Alphas will be it from what I have researched. Time will tell. My Curado 71HG MGL is my current favourite baitcasting reel, but I can't skip well and I throw small spinnerbaits around often with wind as well as target casting with plastics. From what I have read, the SV spoils fits that versatile role. Anixous to find out though

There is a guy skipping with alphas SV thumb free. Let me check for you. I think if you set spool tension just like and adjust brake dial high enough you can skip very well with this reel. I want more but want to see if Daiwa gonna come up with new color scheme with this reel. I might just order Tatula TW 80 for a change lol.

I’m going to Thailand next year and I plan to bring with me only one alphas SV TW plus 4 spools with different line on it. Already ordered Daiwa bbb 6’6” ML. Gonna fish a lot like these guys for some snakes head and barramundi.

[Togue]

I have the Alphas SV and use it for jerkbaits and small jigs. It's a sweet little reel.

 

Like others have said, I adjusted spool tension one time out of the box. I like it a little looser than others to make the brakes do more of the work. I generally leave the mag brake dial at around 6-8. Sometimes adjusting in the wind or for lighter lures.

 

I also got a Roro BFS spool and have had a ton of fun with it. 

[iabass8]

20 hours ago, Cbump said:

Maybe, maybe not, but my 5 reels with It have never needed adjusting. I’m not sure why that would be a thing if they came needing to be adjusted. Surely Daiwa has its manufacturing tolerances down to a science. 

They don’t. Been using reels with “zero adjust” since 2016. Steezs, morethans, zillions are rarely correct. 

Op, adjust it with minimal spool side to side play and use brake dial from there.

[Cbump]

Cool. Been using since 2018. Tat Elite, Tat SV limited x2, two zillions. Never messed with any of them. 

[Tatulatard]

On 8/31/2022 at 7:37 PM, LCG said:

How do you set up your SV spool tension?

Zero.  Same as any other reel.  All my reels are zero adjust.  

[JustJames]

Zero Adjust, yes after your first initial adjustment. All my 5 zero adjuster came with different setting, some a little loose some perfect. It doesn’t really matter much though unless it is too tight. Don’t be afraid to set it where you are comfortable with and you will find that you don’t need to touch it again. In my case, I have different spools for my reels so I check it every time I switch.

For me, SV reel is perfect for hard whip cast. I  need to adjust the brake higher when lob cast short 20-30 yds to target. 
That skipping video the guy set spool tension just no side to side play and brake dial at 11-12 try to whip it away don’t be afraid of backlash, the harder you whip the SV brake activated faster, IMHO.

[FrnkNsteen]

^^Same"" Only time I touch mine is when I pull everything apart to clean, otherwise I tighten just until side to side motion stops and leave it alone.

[Jrob78]

I loosen the spool tension on all my Daiwa zero adjust reels, and any other reels for that matter. I like some side to side to play in my spools and they normally come tighter than I prefer.

 

Using the brakes to control spool speed works best for me, even if that means cranking them up pretty high. Use the brakes, that's what they were designed for.

[LCG]

Reel should be here in the next two hours. Thanks for all of the helpful tips. Anxious to get her on the water and see what she can do. 

 

Update: how is that fed ex can ship a package from Japan to Canada in less than two days, yet my package sits in my own city for more than two days? Delivery postponed until September 6th ?

[Tatulatard]

On 8/31/2022 at 10:20 PM, Bass_Fishing_SoCal said:

There is a guy skipping with alphas SV thumb free. Let me check for you. I think if you set spool tension just like and adjust brake dial high enough you can skip very well with this reel. I want more but want to see if Daiwa gonna come up with new color scheme with this reel. I might just order Tatula TW 80 for a change lol.

I’m going to Thailand next year and I plan to bring with me only one alphas SV TW plus 4 spools with different line on it. Already ordered Daiwa bbb 6’6” ML. Gonna fish a lot like these guys for some snakes head and barramundi.

What a skipping machine.

[ErieCan]

I have this reel spooled with 12lb YZ-H on a St. Croix Victory 72MHMF for shallow cranks.  As mentioned above, don't touch the tension knob. It's factory set. But obviously you're going to clean and lube the reel at some point (and remove the knob). So for reference, you should have it just tight enough so the spool can just barely (I mean almost not at all) move side to side. 

 

As for breaks, I'm usually chucking a 3/8oz KVD shallow squarebill and I have mine set at 10 or so depending on wind. 

[A kid from Canada]

Just used mine yesterday for some river grayling. Spooled with 8lb big game chucking 1/4 finese swimbaits, brakes set to 6 only thumb when it hits the water. Incredibly happy with it, big improvement over the 100 size Tatulas. 

[LCG]

Recieved the reel and spooled it up with 10lb yo Zuri hybrid and mounted on a 6'10" MH-R Daiwa Rebellion. Took it out for a couple hours today and I am happy to report the reel is everything I was hoping for.

 

Spool came pretty loose, so tighted the spool tension a bit as mentioned by other users. Put the brakes at 10 and started getting familiar with the reel. Within 30 mins I was casting spinnerbaits at 6. Then I tried skipping first at 20 and made it down to 10 with amazing control. Distance wise it's about equal to my Curado 70 MGL when brakes set between 6-8, but the control offered by the SV spool and braking is amazing. Loving this little reel. 

 

Thanks @Bass_Fishing_SoCal for the recommendation. She's a keeper