If you couldn’t tell by the title, the Daiwa Tatula 100 is a small baitcaster that weighs in at around 6.9 ounces. This reel packs a punch in a lightweight and compact design, making it a great choice for newbie baitcasters looking for something easy to handle without compromising performance.
Despite its small size, the reel implements Daiwas latest technology. In this guide, I’ll take you on a deep dive into some of this tech and how it impacts the overall performance, power, and fishability of this high-tech baitcaster.
The Bottom Line: Daiwa Tatula 100
The Daiwa Tatula 100 reel emerges as a compelling choice for anglers seeking a lightweight, compact, and budget-friendly option that still delivers formidable performance on the water.
One of the main things you’ll notice about this daily driver is its weight. I like to compare this bad boy to the Daiwa Tatula LT, which is a comparable spinning reel. While the LT is made using carbon fiber, the Daiwa Tatula 100 is made withaluminum,m which provides it with an exceptionally light weight for a baitcaster.
This reel also features a long list of upgrades like the T-wing system, thumb bar, and new Magforce Z cast control, making it a favorable choice amongst anglers looking to dip their toes in the baitcasting water.
Daiwa Tatula 100 Specs
Gear Ratio: 6.3:1, 7.1:1, 8.1:1
Mono Capacity: 12/150 – 14/125
Braid Capacity: 30/140 – 40/110
Weight: 6.9 ounces
Max Drag: 11lbs
Check out the Daiwa Tatula 100 here!
Features: Daiwa Tatula 100
Now let’s take a more in-depth look at some of the features that I enjoy most about the Daiwa Tatula 100 baitcasting reel.
Compact Size
The Daiwa Tatula 100 reel stands out for its impressively compact size, a feature that offers numerous advantages to anglers. This compact design not only reduces the overall weight of the reel but also enhances its maneuverability and handling, making it an excellent choice for a long day of fishing.
At 6.9 ounces and only 38 millimeters in size, this reel is very small but still packs enough power and rigidity to hold up in a big fight.
Where you may find yourself sacrificing a little is in max drag and line capacity. Because of the size, the reel can’t handle a lot of line, and 11 pounds of max drag isn’t a lot for a baitcaster of this quality.
Magforce Z-cast Control
One of the premium features behind the Daiwa Tatula 100 is the Magforce cast control system, which enhances casting distance and accuracy.
The Magforce Z-Cast Control system functions by using a set of powerful magnets within the reel’s spool, which interact with a conductive metal ring.
As you cast, these magnets are strategically adjusted to exert varying levels of braking force on the spool. The result is a highly customizable and responsive casting control mechanism.
Zero Adjuster
Within a baitcaster are a series of control dials, and the zero adjuster is just one of them. What makes this a dynamite feature is the attention to detail. With the zero adjuster, you can make very minute adjustments to the braking system to prevent backlashing and maximize your casting distance.
T-Wing System
The T-Wing System is something a lot of us have seen before from Daiwa, and it’s one of their proprietary features. You’ll find it on all the Tatulas.
This innovative technology is a T-shaped aperture on the levelwind guide, which helps the line flow on and off of the spool more fluently. As a result, the line exits the reel with less friction, which increases casting distance and reduces wear and tear on the line.
Aluminum Frame
The Daiwa Tatula 100 reel boasts a rugged and reliable aluminum frame, a core component that underpins its durability, longevity, and lightweight design.
Aluminum is known for its strength-to-weight ratio, which is a big part of what makes it such an ideal material. It’s also corrosion-resistant, so you don’t have to worry about metal elements getting rusty or corroded if they’re left wet for a period of time.
Daiwa Tatula 100: Field Test
I decided to put the Tatula 100 to the test and really see if this pipsqueak of a reel could handle a legitimate fight. I’m a backwater angler, so I typically prefer fishing for bass and panfish in small ponds throughout the Northeast, but I had to expand my horizons a little on this trip.
Lake Henry was my destination, and this is a big lake known for its walleye and pike. With each cast, the line flew off the spool, and I got plenty of use out of the zero adjuster knob as I figured out how to manage my line.
It took about an hour, but I ended up hooking what felt like an almost 10-pound walleye. Thankfully, I was rolling with a 14lb test, hitting some of the docks around the backend of the lake.
After about a five-minute battle, he gave in, and I pulled in a 9-inch perch.
I was a little disappointed because the size and lack of power on this reel really transferred to me, and I can imagine this being the case for a lot of anglers. Don’t expect this small reel to take the brunt for you; if you hook something big, you’re going to feel it.
Model Breakdown
| Model
Number |
Bearings | Gear Ratio | Wt.
(oz.) |
Mono / Braid Capacity | Drag
Max |
| TTU100H | 7+1 | 6.3:1 | 6.9 | MONO: 12/150 – 14/125
BRAID: 30/140, 40/110 |
11 |
| TTU100HS | 7+1 | 7.1:1 | 6.9 | MONO: 12/150 – 14/125
BRAID: 30/140, 40/110 |
11 |
| TTU100XS | 7+1 | 8.1:1 | 6.9 | MONO: 12/150 – 14/125
BRAID: 30/140, 40/110 |
11 |
| TTU100HL | 7+1 | 6.3:1 | 6.9 | MONO: 12/150 – 14/125
BRAID: 30/140, 40/110 |
11 |
| TTU100HSL | 7+1 | 7.1:1 | 6.9 | MONO: 12/150 – 14/125
BRAID: 30/140, 40/110 |
11 |
Pros
Lightweight Magic: At 6.9 ounces, this is one of the lightest baitcasters to ever hit the market.
Aluminum Frame: The aluminum frame boasts a series of positives between weight, handling, corrosion resistance, and more.
Simplistic and Beginner-Friendly: This daily driver is a great choice for beginners looking for a lightweight baitcaster for bass and panfish.
Cons
Lacking Backbone: As I noticed in my field test, I think I expected a little too much. For the price and the size, this reel can’t handle a lot of pressure and will bend and cause damage if you hook anything over five pounds.
Final Thoughts
The Daiwa Tatula 100 is one of my favorite reels because I love finesse fishing, and I think this is one of the best baitcasters for working soft plastics and hitting texas rigs in the weeds. If you need a lightweight baitcaster for your involved presentations or you’re simply looking to try baitcasting for the first time, this is a great reel for you. Good luck!
Check out the Daiwa Tatula 100 here!
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