This Daiwa Tatula SV review reveals how this fishing reel has stood the test of time. Keep reading to discover why you want one for your next fishing trip!

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How many times have you seen someone with a couple dozen rods and reels? Maybe you look at them and think, "Man, that guy must be loaded." Well, that's hardly ever the case and this meme nails it.

Fact of the matter is that our beloved fishing hobby can become our wallet's worst enemy. That's why it is good to have a reel that not only performs but will stand the test of time. Sure, that sounds easy enough, but you never really know how a reel will do until after you've put it through its paces.

Experience has shown that many reels are great out of the box, but don't hold up to the rigors of inshore fishing, even the higher priced reels.



What about those that have?



Well, they're not quite so available because years later they're not in production anymore.



That's why I've always tried new reels that are still in production, biting the bullet in the name of experience.



But after years of trying one model after another, the SV has proven to be a winner and that's why I did this Daiwa Tatula SV review. Read on to understand exactly why this reel is a great option for inshore anglers, as well as its best applications for catching speckled trout, redfish and more.

Daiwa Tatula SV Review

We have to look at the SV's specifications in order to get to know it better, so let's go over that.

Specifications

100 Size Reel

Weighs 7.2oz

6.3:1, 7.3:1and 8.1:1 Gear Ratios

13.2lb Maximum Drag

Holds 100 yards of 14lb monofilament (or 115 yards of 30lb J-braid)

Knowledge Bomb Choosing a good fishing reel is like choosing a good car: it needs to have the specifications and features that fit your needs. For example, you'd never use a Porsche 911 to transport your wife and two kids. Something with four doors and good safety ratings would probably be better for that. Sure, you could transport your family in such a car, but it'd be awkward and tough to do. This doesn't mean a Porsche 911 is a bad car, it means that it doesn't suit your family's needs. This train-of-thought applies to fishing reels and the Daiwa Tatula SV perfectly.

Features

Specs are easy, but what really makes this reel stand out are its features:

T-Wing System

Air Brake System



SV Spool

Sturdy Design

The above features are what make this Daiwa Tatula SV review awesome, so let's dive into each one:

T-Wing System

This is an advanced line guide sporting not one, but two, apertures that better serve you on the retrieve and, most important, on the cast. This feature (and why it's so badass) is described in detail in this blog post about Daiwa's T Wing System.

Air Brake System

This is an advanced feature not found in other name brands. This blog post breaks down why Daiwa's Air Brake System is one really want in your hands.

SV Spool

Honestly, the SV Spool deserves a review in and of itself, because it borrows a design from specialized casting reels used in Japan for extreme finesse fishing. This makes the Daiwa Tatula SV great for: casting light baits

skipping lures

casting in heavy wind

any situation where backlash is most likely to occur If you're new to casting tackle and fear backlashing your reel, then this is a great reel to get started with.

Will the Daiwa Tatula SV stand the test of time?

I've owned mine for a year now, and it's still going as if it just came out of the box. It's been left in the rain, endured freezing temperature, and caught fish from Lake Chickamauga in Tennessee, to the marsh here in Louisiana and all the way down in Florida.

This is great because I've had other reels not last under these same conditions, eventually feeling as if a gremlin put toothpaste inside them or something. I should also add that there are "time tested" reels the Tatula SV can be compared to such as Shimano's E-series and Core reels, both of which I've owned.

But those reels are no longer in production and cost more used than their original MSRP! Good luck with that!



So, the Daiwa Tatula SV is a reel I'll still be using five years from now, and that's why I've invested in them.

Why will it stand the test of time?

As mentioned before, I've invested a lot of time and dollars into fishing with different brands and models of reels (like what you see in Episode 2 of LAFB TV) While I haven't fished every single reel out there, I've fished (and serviced) enough to learn why some hold up and others don't. Let's go over those:

Tight Tolerances

All the "time tested" reels I've fished with all had one thing in common: they weren't built loosely. The side plate didn't flex, nothing jiggled free or became loose over time. A good test is to see if you can easily fit your thumbnail between the body and sideplate.

If the two separate to make space for your nail then you've most likely have a bad apple virtually guaranteed to lose performance and break long before my Daiwa Tatula SV gives up the ghost.

Tight tolerances ensure everything stays put and the elements stay out.

Secure Sideplate

Being here five years from now isn't enough! A reel that's truly good will still be performing five years from now. The best reels that have done exactly that have always sported an immovable sideplate.

Some reels have a weak-sauce pin or snap that holds the sideplate in whereas others are locked firmly in place. This is important because the sideplate houses one of two bearings that the spool spins on.

If the sideplate were to shift at all between casts, even a hair , it will change how the spool spins during your fishing trip.

This makes for an inconsistent reel, casting great one minute and awful the next. You won't find some wimpy pin or snap to hold the sideplate in place on the Daiwa Tatula SV.

No, they use a straight machine screw to tighten that thing shut. Which is fine, because you really shouldn't be opening your reel on the water.

The One Thing I Don't Like

I'm not crazy about the reel's weight. This Daiwa Tatula SV review shows the reel coming in at 7.2 ounces. That's a tad chunky compared to the six and sub-six ounce reels I've fished, but it's certainly not a dealbreaker.

Research revealed that Daiwa didn't get sucked into the "lighter is better" race to the bottom, as virtually every other company did and, in my own personal experience, those reels haven't lasted.

It's safe to say that weight's the tradeoff when you want a high quality reel, but I certainly wouldn't recommend this reel for techniques like the Pontchartrain Pop. Daiwa's Tatula 100 is a far better choice. Otherwise, I've used the reel for everything else from skipping docks to sight fishing redfish and it has performed to expectations.

What Are The Best Applications for The Daiwa Tatula SV?

strong wind conditions

skipping lures

throwing light baits



beginners with casting tackle

Applications It's Not Best Suited For

popping corks

deepwater jigging

anything requiring a deep spool

Would I buy another one?

Absolutely! In fact, I already have, as well as other Daiwa rods and reels that share the same qualities and features as the Tatula SV.