In this review of the Daiwa Tatula CT which was first brought to market in 2016, we will look at this excellent entry-level baitcasting reel from Daiwa.
The Daiwa Tatula CT is the entry-level reel from Daiwa that includes the excellent T-Wing line management system along with a host of other features found in their more expensive reels.
The Daiwa Tatula CT is available in 4 gear ratios to suit different types of fishing including a 5.5:1 High Power for landing those lunkers.
The next step up from the Tatula CT would be the Tatula CT Type R which has been upgraded to include a few cosmetic things like its racing red paint job as well as upgraded “CRBB” Corrosion Resistant Ball Bearings, a spool made of A705 Aircraft Grade Aluminum, and an overall reduction in weight of 0.2 oz.
The Bottom Line
- Another great baitcasting reel from Daiwa in the sub $125 range for inshore and freshwater fishing.
- Very smooth 7-ball bearing reel with a good 13.2 lb drag.
- Solid, lightweight aluminum frame and side plate.
The Daiwa Tatula CT is an excellent choice in a low profile baitcasting reel that does not break the bank.
There are a lot of things to really like about the Daiwa Tatula CT, such as the compact body that fits ever so nicely in the palm of your hand.
The size of the body is only slightly smaller than that of previous models, but it is enough to give you a better grip and to make you feel as though you have a better connection to the reel. This, in turn makes it easier to fish than larger reels especially when it comes to pitching and flipping.
The Daiwa Tatula CT is part of the T-Wing family of reels. It uses Daiwa’s T-Wing system for line control which we have found to be one of the better systems on the market for assuring that you have even line lay as well as excellent castability.
Features
T-Wing System (TWS – Long cast with minimal backlash)
Daiwa’s T- Wing System solves a couple of common and annoying issues with baitcasting level-wind reels, Friction and Backlashing.
The innovative design of the “T” opening allows the line to flow freely through the wider top section when casting thus eliminating most of the friction and increasing the distance of your cast.
When you go to retrieve your line, the T portion of the guide drips down into the reel and the line is now in the narrower section of the T- Wing for an even line lay across the spool.
This design also means that you will have a smaller chance of getting a backlash when you cast.
Lightweight aluminum frame
The Tatula CT boasts a lightweight aluminum frame smaller than the original Tatula and reduces the overall weight by 0.2 oz. While this reel is not designed specifically for saltwater, the aluminum frame will withstand saltwater conditions fairly well if rinsed after each use.
Magforce Z Cast Control
Daiwas answer to combating the issue of backlash is the Magforce Z system. With Magforce Z the line comes off the spool very quickly at the beginning of your cast and then slows down due to the magnets as you near the end. What this means is that you can achieve a longer and smoother cast with the same amount of effort.
The way that this works is that there is an inductor cup between the magnets to apply slow, “magnetic braking,” which keeps the spool from overrunning at the end of a cast and creating a mess.
As the spool begins to slow down less and less braking power is applied to the magnets as the inductor cup moves away from the magnets. The amount of braking is controlled by a dial located on the side-plate and allows you to fine-tune the brakes to suit the weight and type of bait or lure you are casting.
Air rotation
Daiwa’s Air Rotation System facilitates a smoother feel with the handle’s effortless winding and free spinning rotation. The air rotor weighs 15% less than a standard rotor and is designed to evenly distribute stress across the entire reel.
Zaion Star Drag
The star drag is made of a Daiwas proprietary Zaion material developed by DAIWA. The big advantage of the Zaion material is its superior weight-to-strength ratio. Zaion is a type of very “High Density” carbon material, which is engineered to give you the highest level of performance and provide you with extremely good durabiltiy from impacts.
7BB+1RB
The Tatula CT uses an 8-bearing system (7+1) The main bearings are standard ball bearings from Daiwa which are of excellent quality and provide an extremely smooth feel. Additionally, there is one roller bearing. If you are planning on fishing saltwater, then you might want to take a look at the Daiwa Tatula CT Type-R, as it has corrosion-resistant ball bearings.
Ultimate Tournament Drag (UTD) with up to 13.2 lbs. max
The UTD or Ultimate Tournament Drag uses oversized carbon fiber drag washers placed on either side of the spool, making for a very uniform drag. This is especially noticeable when fighting larger fish and it allows for even distribution of the drag force on the spool.
This design results in an extremely smooth and even drag at all settings. With a maximum setting of 13.2 lbs, the drag is strong enough to bring in all type of larger fish from bass to snook, gator trout and bull reds.
Cut-away 90mm swept
We are big fans of the large cut-away swept handle design which allows you to have a large handle that at the same time feels compact and the knobs closer to the main body of the reel.
By getting the handle in close to the body of the reel you eliminate any feeling of wobble that you can typically experience when cranking on large fish. This is due to the fact that your hand is closer to the centerline of the reel and rod.
Features at a Glance
- T-Wing System (TWS – Long cast, minimal backlash)
- Aluminum Frame
- Air rotation
- 7BB+1RB
- Ultimate Tournament Drag (UTD) up to 13.2 lbs.
- Magforce Z Cast Control
- Cut-away 90mm swept
- Custom I-shaped soft touch handle knob
- Right-Left Hand Models
- P: Black, H: Gold, HS: Red, XS: Purple
If you are familiar with the Tatula 100, you will notice that the spool is smaller at first glance. While it is true that the spool appears smaller in width, it is actually deeper and allows you to have precisely the same line capacity.
As we said earlier, the Tatula CT has very good ball bearings. However, they are not corrosion-resistant like you will find in the Tatula CT Type-R which is important for us saltwater fishermen and women.
Daiwa Tatula CT Field Test
When testing the reel on the water I was able to cast very accurately and the reel felt almost the same as my older Tatula 100 with the exception of how it felt in the palm of my hand. I have a slightly smaller hand and the Tatula CT fits better. I would have to describe this as the same feeling I had when I first picked up a Glock 43/48 which has a slightly smaller grip, it just feels better in my hand.
I found the cast control system to be very easy to adjust as well as the fine-tuning I was able to achieve using the Mag Force system to match the changing conditions. I appreciate the adjustment dial on the side plate allowing me to fine-tune the reel very quickly and in small increments without having to open up the sideplate.
I find that the open design of the T-Wing System makes a big difference over conventional line control systems especially when pitching heavier baits. In all of my testing, I did not get one backlash and I must admit that I use a spinning reel much more than a baitcasting reel.
I can attribute the lack of backlashes to the awesome Magforce Z cast control system.
With the 4 gearing ratios available on the Tatula CT, you can find just the right one for your preferred fishing style. With this being an entry-level priced reel you can even afford to get one low speed and one fast speed to ensure that you are covered for whatever situation you find yourself in.
Pros
- Lightweight at just 7.4 0z.
- Small Frame that fits comfortably in the palm of your hand
- Great Casting Distance
- Solid Drag at 13.2 lbs.
Cons
- Bearings are not corrosion-resistant
Alternatives
The first obvious choice would be the Daiwa Tatula CT Type-R which is the souped-up version of the Tatula CT. This reel is going to add about 25% in cost. So what do you get? For your 25% increase in cost, you will get the slightly smaller and lighter weight body and the corrosion-resistant bearings.
Another good reel in this price range is the 13 Fishing Inception which is their entry-level baitcasting reel. The Inception is slightly lighter weight at just 6.9 oz due to the graphite sideplate and aluminum frame. The Inception offers slightly more drag at 18 lbs., has a similar braking system and 2 of the 8 bearings are corrosion-resistant.
I would also have to recommend that you take a look at the Shimano SLX series of reels with the SLX XT probably being the closest in terms of the braking system. The SLX will be slightly lighter weight at 6.9 oz but only offers a total of 5 bearings.
In Conclusion
We find that the Daiwa Tatula CT is a nice update to the Daiwa Tatula 100 mainly due to the smaller frame, however this is a personal preference as the reviewer has smaller hands.
Other than that this appears to be a new spin on an already excellent reel. We would purchase the Tatula CT over the Tatula 100 as it is a newer model and has a smaller frame. With that said, we would not run out and replace a Tatula 100, and we expect to see no major difference in performance.
This is an excellent choice for an entry-level reel and is sure not to disappoint.
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