Daiwa Tatula Elite Long Cast: The FD Buyer’s Guide

The Daiwa Tatula Elite is a slick extension to the well-known Tatula range. This article covers the Distance Casting model (the Elite is also available in a P/F or Pitching/Flipping optimised model too). 

Buyer links in this post include both AliExpress and Amazon Associates affiliate links (where qualifying purchases earn a small percentage commission - with my thanks if you decide to buy)

What's the Daiwa Tatula Elite all about?

The Daiwa Tatula Elite is designed specifically to easily bomb lures out over a long casting distance - using several deliberately-chosen features. First of all, the light 7075 aircraft grade aluminum spool both reduces the resistance of the spool to start rotating (AKA lower Startup Inertia) and requires less braking force to control. 

To complement the lightweight spool, Daiwa's MagForce-Z braking system applies dynamic braking throughout the cast. When spool rotation speed increases, the inductor "cup" is pushed outwards closer to the bank of magnets in the (aluminum) sideplate of the reel. This is very similar to the "Air" braking system - the only major difference is the inductor cup twists up to a quarter turn on the Air brakes as it moves outwards - whereas the Magforce Z extends directly out with zero twist.

In combination with the spool weight and dynamic braking system, Daiwa's T-Wing system (TWS) line-guide; above is an ingenous method for reducing the angle of the line as it leaves the spool to pass through the line guide. The shallower that angle, the less friction is experienced by the line rubbing against the inside edges of the TWS guide (as shown below):

Taken together, this variety of engineering technologies allow the angler to obtain maximum distance with minimum effort - and as well as simply reaching fish that are further from the boat or bank; that distance can be a vital way of getting diving crank baits down to their maximum running depth. Excellent casting distance also lets you run those baits at their full fishing depth over a longer retrieve - meaning you are fishing effectively for a bigger proportion of your day. Over time, that can add up to significantly more hits and fish landed.

Here are some of the Daiwa pros talking about their experience of the reel:

Tatula Elite Gear Ratios & Retrieve Characteristics

The Tatula Elite, 100 size baitcasting reel is offered in gear ratios as follows:

• 100H = 6.3:1 giving 26.3" (67cm) of line per crank
• 100HS = 7.1:1 giving 29.8" (75cm) of line per crank
• 100XS = 8.1:1 giving 33.9" (86cm) of line per crank

For left-hand wind reels, each of the model numbers above have an "L" added to the end and, obviously choosing the line-recovery per crank (handle-turn) to suit the baits you intend to fish is the key to satisfaction. Lower gear ratios will have more torque, and are suitable for big baits with a lot of resistance (e.g. deep-diving crankbaits or Alabama/umbrella rigs) and ratios around 6.3:1 can help create nice cadence retrieves for e.g. spinnerbaits, swim jigs, lipless crankbaits and swimbaits.

Faster retrieve rates can give another dimension to lipless crankbait fishing too - though it's the fishing styles that tend to create slack line that really call out for high line recovery rates. Topwater fishing, suspending jerkbaits and jig fishing are obvious candidates there.

In terms of the styles of fishing the Daiwa Tatula Elite is best for, the compact design and sleek shape makes it ideal for reaction baits because it is so comfortable in hand. That comfort and the ability to palm it easily means you don't have the discomfort experienced with some long-casting reels when holding it firmly while continually cranking over a full day's fishing. Coupled with its focus on long-casting, that ability to grip the reel makes it great for fishing diving hard baits at range. TackleJunkie81 reported that he found a big benefit from the in-hand comfort of the Tatula Elite compared to the Curado DC (another long-casting reel).  In short the Tatula Elite should be an awesome reel for any of your crankbait rods.

To achieve the comfortable palming and crankbait reel performance, a precisely engineered, light (yet rigid) aluminum body has been created by combining a 100 sized aluminum frame with an aluminum side plate - rather than a softer, plastic side plate option.

Check Prices and Availability

Note: The lowest price will be available on AliExpress, but delivery may take around two weeks (occasionally longer)

Daiwa Tatula Elite Long Cast Spool Design Details

One of the main factors in making this a serious casting tool is the small details of the spool design. The 7075 aluminium alloy achieves a full 3-g weight saving compared to the regular Tatula 100 Aluminium spool (17.1g versus 14.1g). Daiwa could probably have saved even more weight if they opted for a ported spool, but instead they went with a smooth non-ported design as part of a durable reel.

The deep spool is necessary on a long casting performance reel simply to hold enough line to make those casts and have enough in reserve for when you hook that huge fish.

One of the confusing things about Daiwa spools is all the different names for what look like the same braking system inductors. However, the reason they give different names to each is to flag up the small variations that allow each reel to be more finely tuned to its job. 

I've already mentioned that the inductor "cup" doesn't twist as it extends. Also, thanks to the detailed videos made by The Reel Test, you can also see that the inductor is a bit taller than the Tatula 100. Another difference is the spring controlling how easily the inductor moves out to engage with the braking system magnets is quite a lot stiffer in the Elite.

Taken together with the spool material and weight, those little differences have been carefully combined by Daiwa to get smooth, long casts with minimal effort. It is a design that is easy to set up and so be forgiving of beginner anglers - while allowing skilled anglers to make long, effortless casts.

You can see how this all comes together (along with a crazy display of skip-casting) on Andrea's South African Giant Bass Adventure below:

Additional Practical Product Description Details

To round out a few more practical details, the Daiwa Tatula Elite Baitcast reel has a 90-mm swept handle, seven ball bearings plus a cylindrical anti-reverse bearing. It weighs 6.7oz (190g) and takes 140 yards of Daiwa's 30-lb J-Braid (or 110 yards of 40lb J-Braid). The drag generates a maximum of 7kg (15lb 7oz) force and the spool tension comes pre-set at the factory for optimum casting performance. Daiwa call this their Zero Adjuster system - and it is designed to create absolutely minimal side-to-side play. This allows the MagForce braking system to be the only thing that controls the spool during the cast. If you prefer a different setup, you are still free to adjust spool tension to exactly what you need.

Availability & Pricing: