Daiwa Tatula LT Spinning Fishing Reel Review

Hey guys, welcome back to Beach and Fishing and my Daiwa Tatula LT spinning fishing reel review. Now, as you are probably aware, fishing is one of those past times that holds two essential truths:

1. There are a great number of variations of every piece of equipment, tackle and accessory that you could be looking for.
2. Everybody has an opinion on which of these variations is best at any given time – which is generally due to the fact that that particular item has helped them catch fish.

So with that in mind, one thing I have tried to do on this site is review the products I use, as well as the ones that are popular at the moment to give you an idea of what may work for you as you head out to the water and chase the big ones.

Hence, for this review, I will run you through:

• What the product is
• How it works
• What I bought if for
• Pros and Cons
• Cost
• My recommendations

Also known as ‘open face’ reels or ‘eggbeaters’, these reel types wind the line onto a front spool which is held on by a ‘bail’. Line is wound in via a handle on the side which is ratioed to bring the line in faster than the handle is turned. In general, spinning reels are made from a corrosion-resistant metal, carbon fiber and/or aluminum body with variations of the following:

• Bearings – As with a car wheel, the mechanisms inside a spinning fishing reel generally incorporate ball bearings for smoother operation. From my experience, most come with between 3 and if the specifications are listed as 10 + 1 for example, this means that there are 10 ball bearings in the main housing and also a roller bearing incorporated into the bail to make line retrieval easier.
• Ratio – One advantage of a spinning fishing reel is the winding ratio. This is usually set anywhere for 3:1 up to 6 or 7:1 (often listed as 6.0:1 etc.) This simply means that for every time the user turns the handle a full rotation, the spool holding the line has actually turned 3, 4, 5, 6 or 7 times meaning less winding for faster line retrieval. Higher ratios are good for fast retrieval fishing such as with a lure or if there are a lot of snags etc. Lower rations assist with the big fish catches.
• Drag – The drag of a fishing reel is its ability to release a little bit of line when a fish strikes or is being pulled in. This is in place to reduce the chances of a bigger fish snapping the line as it fights. As with anything, the more you pay for a reel, the better the drag system should be with the more expensive models containing precision setting capabilities.
• Casing: This is the part of the reel that contains the springs, levers, gear cogs etc. that make much of the stuff above work. I’m my opinion, avoid any reel that doesn’t have this all housed in a sealed, waterproof casing. These are low maintenance and the components will not rust.

Check out my: Daiwa Tatula SV TW Baitcaster Review

As it is with many of the reels I review on this site (unless I can convince my wife that I need to buy another reel of course), my experience with this reel comes from hassling my neighbor to try theirs out for my reviews. In this instance I was fishing on his boat and his son was using a new Tatula 4000.

So we swapped rigs and off we went. And as we started fishing, this is what I noticed:

1. This reel is extremely smooth– like a hot knife in butter smooth.
2. It feels quite light in the hand with a casing that feels quite well put together.
3. The reel itself looks strong and feels sturdy as you wind in under the strain of a fish.

I did catch a couple of fish on this one – nothing too big as we were using it to catch bait for larger species (which is where my Spinfisher VI comes in) – and it did tick one box that I like in that it doesn’t feel ‘weak’ or like it is about to collapse when I was winding in the fish.

Daiwa’s Tatula LT reel is recognized as one of the lightest spinning reels on the market. The modern air rotor designs distribute pressure evenly across the part, making them 15% lighter while also being stronger. It also comes with a digitally machined aluminum alloy Digigear that is perfect and smooth, transferring the force from the handle to the rotor with no play.

There are five different sizes for the Tatula LT. The 1000 and 2000 reels barely weigh 5.8 ounces and have a maximum drag of 11 pounds. The 2500 model is the next level up, giving you a maximum drag of 22 pounds and a reel weight of 6.2 ounces. The 3000 doesn’t add weight or drag, but you can manage a 12 lb monofilament or a 20 lb braid, and the deep spool version has ten more yards of line.

Brand	Daiwa
Model	Tatula LT
Price	See price at Amazon.
Color	Black
Dimensions	‎‎8.46 x 7.4 x 4.21 inches
Other features:	Waterproof drag system Innovative air rotor Machined aluminum alloy digigear 7-bearing system Swept aluminum handle Wide options for reel sizes (1000 series to 4000 series) ZAION LT carbon-fiber housing Flexible gear ratio of 6.2:1

Model Specifications

Model no.	Bearings	Gear ratio	Line per crank (In/Crank)	Weight (Oz)	Mono capacity	J Braid capacity	Drag max
TALT100D-XH	6 +1 (1CRBB+5BB)	6.2:1	30.5	5.8	4/250, 6/160, 8/110	6/320, 8/200	11
TALT200D-XH	6 +1 (1CRBB+5BB)	6.2:1	32	5.8	4/340, 6/220, 8/160	8/280, 10/215	11
TALT2500D-XH	6 +1 (1CRBB+5BB)	6.2:1	34.5	6.2	8/240, 10/210, 12/160	10/250, 15/185	22
TALT3000-CXH	6 +1 (1CRBB+5BB)	6.2:1	36.8	6.3	8/160, 10/130, 12/110	8/220, 10/185	22
TALT3000D-CXH	6 +1 (1CRBB+5BB)	6.2:1	36.8	6.2	10/280, 12/220, 16/160	15/250, 20/220	22
TALT4000-CXH	6 +1 (1CRBB+5BB)	6.2:1	39.1	7.4	10/210, 12/160, 14/140	10/220, 15/185	26.4

The main features of the Daiwa Tatula LT spinning reel include:

1. Zaion Body: The Tatula LT features a Zaion body – a high-density carbon composite that is both lightweight and strong. This material provides durability and resistance against corrosion ensuring the reel performs at its best even under harsh conditions.
2. Air Rotor and Air Bail: The Air Rotor and Air Bail designs significantly reduce the reel’s overall weight while enhancing sensitivity and balance. These features contribute to the reel’s smooth operation, making it a pleasure to use.
3. Magsealed: Daiwa’s Magsealed technology utilizes a magnetic oil barrier to protect the main shaft and line roller from water and debris intrusion. This feature ensures the reel’s longevity and smooth operation over time.
4. T-Wing System (TWS): Daiwa’s unique T-Wing System (TWS) reduces line friction during the cast allowing for longer, more accurate casts. It also helps prevent line digging on the spool during the retrieve, ensuring smooth line management.
5. Digigear Technology: The Tatula LT incorporates Digigear technology, which provides improved gear meshing and increased gear durability. This technology contributes to the reel’s powerful performance and smooth operation.
6. Multiple Gear Ratios: The Tatula LT is available in various gear ratios, enabling anglers to choose the reel that best matches their fishing style and target species.

Check out my: Daiwa Tierra LT Spinning Fishing Reel Review

1. Lightweight design
2. Strong and durable
3. Smooth operation
4. Powerful performance
5. Versatile
6. Multiple gear ratios

1. Relatively higher price compared to others in the same ‘class’
2. Suitable for light saltwater fishing only
3. Issues with drag knob cracking in some instances

I have seen these priced online at anywhere between $159 to $209 for the 4000 model.

So, as above I do not own one of these but to be honest, after using this one if I do choose to go back to the store for another spinning reel for general use (I mean, you can always use another reel right?), based on use of this one and my experience with my Tierra LT 6000D, I would definitely consider picking up one of these.

It is smooth and easy to use and on the smaller fish I did catch on it, the drag was definitely adequate. My neighbor who owns the reel did mention how much he likes it and to be honest, I was not disappointed.

All in all, for general use chasing fresh and saltwater species alike, you could definitely do a lot worse than this one – especially if you are new to fishing or working in a number of different areas.

So there you have it, my honest review and appraisal of the Daiwa Tatula LT spinning reel. I hope it has been of assistance but as usual, if you have any questions please do not hesitate to reach out by commenting below. I would also love to hear of your own experience with these reels.

Are there any other products you have been looking at but want to know more about? If so, please comment below and I will do my best to get some details for you.

Until next time

Have fun

Paul