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.
13 Fishing and Abu Garcia are two other brands I've fished as well.
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
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:
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.
This non-Daiwa reel was lightweight and fast, but it did not hold up to the rigors of inshore fishing.
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.
This Shimano Core doesn't even house the bearing in the sideplate, but in a bearing housing that screws securely into the reel frame. This was one of the smoothest and highest performing reels I've ever owned. Sadly, it is no longer in production. The only reel to match it has been the Daiwa Tatula SV.
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?
Applications It's Not Best Suited For
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.
In the end, it's my goal to help you catch fish, and part of that goal is helping you save your hard-earned dollars with a good investment.
This Daiwa Tatula SV review makes it plain that this is one of those investments you should make if you're looking for a high quality reel that will stand the test of time.
Tight lines, y'all!
Yeah, that’s a great reel! Thanks for commenting, Jerome!
I have several Tatula baitcaster reels and the tatula CT is my fav.
Thanks for a great review, I picked up an SV 8.1 and must say I wish I had not waited for so long. I have been a Curado fan for years but wow this thing is sweet.
I spent hours in the wind trying to find some fault and came up with just perfect cast and no mess tossing P line 10#.
Great reel, thanks for your great utubes.
There are many versions of the Daiwa Tatula and the Tatula SV (the reel featured in this article) is one of them.
It does come in several gear ratios. You can learn more about gear ratios and what’s best for you in this guide:
https://www.lafishblog.com/how-to-select-a-great-inshore-baitcaster/
Everyone wants to save money but sometimes you get what you pay for and that’s exactly the case with Daiwa’s Tatula SV.
However, I do have buying guides available to members of LAFB Elite, as well as discounts on tackle to pay for the cost of membership (and then some):
https://www.lafbelite.com/join/
Tight lines!
I was thinking about getting one but there is so many different versions. Is there other ones you recommend? Im also looking for it to be a little cheaper.
Yes, it is. It’s a great reel many inshore anglers have enjoyed. I think you’ll like it.
Is the Diawa Coastal SV as reliable as the Tatula SV? i like the extra spool capacity.
Not so sure about that, gary!…i have a bantam 100 from 1980 and it doesn’t work at all anymore !.and i swear its hardly been used!..my shimano e series 300 is okay. and my 200e7 is good but doesn’t cast as far as this SV!…curado 200b! same thing!…shimano takes a backseat to Tatula!
Hank, it depends on your needs.
A higher gear ratio is better for jigging.
A lower gear ratio is for spinnerbaits.
What do you recommend as far as the gear ratio?
The SV is good, especially for light baits and skipping. I’m fishing Lake Chickamauga this week with my uncle and he’s been loving the SV for skipping jigs under docks. Glad you enjoyed them, too!
I’m a bass guy and mostly fish fresh water. I have revo’s, Shimano’s, Lew’s and bought a few Tatula sv’s after your video. I gotta say the sv’s have become my favorite reel by far. I can cast any baitcaster in pretty much any conditions but these sv’s in the wind are fantastic, especially with lighter baits. You are correct in saying reels are not built like they used to be built. I’m impressed and have a couple more on order.
This is a very good question, I like it!
For starters, I don’t use a Tatula SV for jigging, instead I use a Tatula 100 because of its lower profile.
I like either of these rods to pair with that:
Avid X AXC64MXF (6′ 4″ Medium X-Fast)
Tatula TTU661 (6’6″ Medium Fast)
Devin, What manuf., length & class rod do you like matching up with the Daiwa Tatula SV reel, lets say when you are throwing 1/4, 3/8 & 1/2 oz. jigs fishing for trout?
Awesome choice, glad to hear it! Thanks for commenting.
Sure, but what year are they? Shimano has taken a nosedive in quality and don’t make ’em like they used to.
That may be I have never tried any of those but been using my Shimano Curado’s for years without fail.
I bought one a few weeks ago with the 6.3:1 gear ratio. Used it last weekend to put 1/2 a limit of trout in the boat jigging shallow water (other 1/2 came on a cork) I have also caught several reds to 25″ so far. Easy to set up for casting and it has a smooth drag. It is mounted on a St. Croix 6-10 ML dropshot rod. I also bought a Tatula 150 last week to pair with a MH rods for reds