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Enthusiast Tackle: Reel
Preview |
The Extreme Collectibles for the Supreme Enthusiast - Team Daiwa
Limited Edition Reels
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Date: |
10/27/04 |
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Tackle type: |
Reels |
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Manufacturer: |
Daiwa Japan |
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Reviewer: |
Cal |
Introduction:
Enthusiasts and other
aficionados revel in the rare, exotic, hard to get, and often times obscure
pieces of tackle. These rare commodities are often attributed to era’s long gone
while contemporary pieces with this potential are often overlooked as either
fads or unpractical acquisitions. Daiwa Japan has, within the last couple of
years, brought the hobby of collecting fishing tackle to an entirely new level
of obsession with limited edition, supremely engineered, and elegantly crafted
offerings. This article gives an overview of two such offerings, the 2004 TD-Z
Custom and 2003 Ito Reels.
Impressions: During
the Spring of 2004, Daiwa Japan, poised to release their limited edition, souped
up TD-Z Type R Plus reels, created an opportunity for tackle enthusiasts around
the globe to custom specify certain features of the TD-Z 103H Type R Plus reel
and receive, several months later, their very own custom fishing reel complete
with an owner’s certificate and souvenir pin. Enthusiasts were given the
opportunity to choose from left and right hand models, 5.7:1 or 6.3:1 retrieves,
and one of up to nine different custom colors show here.
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Chart of
available colors for the 2004 TD-Z Custom 103/103ML |
Depending on the source, the
retail cost of these reels ranged from $430 to over $550. A second opportunity
to custom order one of these reels opened in the Fall of 2004 but will no doubt
have expired by the time this article reaches press. Delivery of this second
order of TD-Z Custom reels is expected around December of 2004 and it is not out
of the question to believe some retailers may have placed mass orders with the
intent of later selling the reels once they are actually in inventory. Below are
some detail shots of our TackleTour Team TD-Z Custom reels.
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Detail shots
of our 2004 TD-Z Custom reels in TackleTour team colors |
Team Daiwa Ito
Reels: In 2003,
Daiwa Japan offered a different custom reel of sorts. The specification and
design of the reels were actually set, but the number of reels made was based on
pre-orders. This release consisted of four (4) reels total that were developed
through a collaboration between Daiwa Japan and Yuki Ito, founder of Megabass
fishing tackle. First of the four reels was the M-Ito 103/103L, a round
baitcasting reel based on Daiwa’s Millionaire series but with a machined frame
and handle to reduce weight, Oakwood Knobs, Abex 7 Gears, a 5.8:1 retrieve
ratio, 50% increased drag strength, MagForce V, 10 ball bearings, and the
ability to hold 100 yards of 14lb test. It was a pink and gold reel and sold for
anywhere between $400 - $450.
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It’s a known fact that Yuki Ito enjoys
beautiful and functional fishing tackle, the M-Ito 103 is no exception to
this rule. Note the oak wood knobs on the handle crafted from whiskey
barrels. Photographs courtesy of Jun Sonoda, JapanTackle.com |
Second of these fabulous
reels was the TD-Ito 2506C, a shallow spool spinning reel based on the original
limited edition Type R (not to be confused with the 2004 Type R Plus) platform
reel which in turn was based on the TD-Ignis 2506C. Specifications on this reel
include a 4.9:1 gear ration, estimated 7.1 ounces in weight, a 5mm longer handle
for added cranking power, and 9 + 1 ball bearings. Line capacity was rated at
110 yards of 4lb test line (0.215mm). This impeccable work of art sold for
approximately $600 to $700 retail and is truly a site to behold.
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Detail shots
of the TD-Ito 2506C
Photographs courtesy of Mark Janeck Custom Fishing Rods |
The remaining two reels were
also based on Daiwa Japan’s original Type R reels, and they were the TDZ Ito
105H and 103H models - available in both right and left hand retrieve.
Highlights of these reel included a further lightened magnesium body and gears
when compared to the standard TD-Z, and a super tuned MagForce V cast control
system that reportedly enables the spool to spin at initial speeds in excess of
30,000 rpm (the same as that of the Calcutta DC but without the electronics).
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Detail shots
of the TD-Z Ito 103HL |
Like the other two Ito
reels, attention to detail was unprecedented down to the Japanese characters on
the spool, that reportedly represent the hands of devil, heart of Buddha.
Actual cost of these reels ranged from $450 to over $550 depending, again, on
the source and time frame of purchase. Specifications for these reels are pretty
much identical to their standard TD-Z counterparts but with super tuned casting
control to enable Pixy-like casting performance while maintaining a full five to
six pounds of maximum drag pressure (lab tested) and the ability to use standard
size fishing line.
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The TD-Z Ito
103HL shown here, mounted on a matching Megabass F7-711X flipping stick |
Conclusions:
The reels presented here,
though difficult to locate, are still available from time to time at online
auction houses or other used fishing tackle resources. Due to their limited
availability, this article’s intent is simply to bring the information on these
reels to light. Should you run across the opportunity to possess one of these
rare gems, do not take the opportunity lightly for not only are these reels
aesthetically pleasing and unique, their performance alone is more than worthy
the investment. Trouble is, after acquiring such a prize, how many of us
enthusiasts could actually fish these works of art? How far would you go to be
faced with such a dilemma?
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