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Full Moon Rising: Mangetsu Brings Classic Daiwa Style to
Modern Performance (continued)
  Though
different in platform we have to compare the Mangetsu with the current Tatula
Elite TW100 reels that retail for the exact same price. Both of these reels have
a 34mm A7075 spools but the new reels feature Mag-Z Boost design versus the
older Magforce Z system. While the spools are similar the Mag-Z system is an
upgraded two-stage system designed to help maximize distance versus the
single-stage speed sensitive magnetic brake in Magforce Z.
T-Wing (TWS) is now common among
Daiwa's baitcasters and is designed to reduce line friction and sharp line
angles during the cast to aid in better lure control and max distance
The Mag-Z Boost
two-stage system’s rotor pops out further for initial backlash control and then
retracts to a middle position to reduce braking for longer distance, utilizing a
spring that is 400% stronger than the first stage. I find that when fishing
lighter lures the actual performance differences are harder to distinguish, but
with larger and heavier baits tied on the control and max casting distance are
both better with the newer system.
I found the Mangetsu to also be a
very accurate short distance caster, basically it performs like a modern day
Daiwa reel in this regard
Improved bait handling and
accuracy made it possible to position jigs and bladed jigs tight to the
shoreline and structure. Better lure control equates to more confidence for
strategic presentations
Retrieve: Over the years that I have been writing
about Daiwa reels I have found that they have become smoother and quieter over
time. A common theme among many classic Daiwa reels was that they felt very
“connected” from handle to gear but were not as silky smooth or quiet as
competing reels from Shimano. These days some of Daiwa’s reels, like the Zillion
and TD-Z, are among the smoothest and most refined on the market.
Under the inner sideplate we see
the raw unfinished aluminum. Look familiar? It looks just like the exterior
finish of the Certate Vintage. We also can see the oversized gearing
One of the
things that Daiwa did to beef up the Mangetsu versus the original Tatula was
change the frame material from composite to aluminum, as well as upgrade the
main gearing to what looks like a brass alloy. The result is a reel that feels
smoother than traditional Tatulas of the past, and even some of the present.
This includes feeling smoother, and even a bit quieter, than the popular Tatula
Type R that this reel shares much of it’s design with.
The main gear looks to be
constructed from brass, or a brass alloy, as is the pinion gear it matches up
with
The Mangetsu is
offered in a single 7.3:1 gear ratio, a versatile choice capable of covering a
wide range of techniques. It would be nice to see other gear ratios available
but it is understandable in a limited-edition reel that only a single version is
available. The 7.3:1 gear ratio is a good “do it all” option which covers the
widest range of applications, enabling anglers to slow down and speed up
presentations depending on the bait and conditions they are fishing.
The Mangetsu at work alongside
weedy areas on the California Delta. Plenty of power under load to pull fish
away from snaggy areas quickly
On the water,
the Mangetsu felt comparable to the classic Tatula Type R when fishing lighter
presentations. The difference became more apparent with higher-resistance baits
like deep diving crankbaits, oversized bladed jigs, or anything that generated
significant torque. Under load, the Mangetsu maintained a noticeably smoother,
more composed feel.
These days a 100mm handle doesn't
seem that large on baitcasters and is beneficial for winding leverage. The only
downside is extra bulk and weight
That added
refinement likely stems from the aluminum frame and upgraded gearing, but the
100mm handle and oversized cork knobs also contribute, providing increased
leverage and a more powerful, connected feel with each turn. The cumulative
effect is a reel that feels smoother than other Tatula variants, particularly
when grinding larger lures or leaning into a fish.
The Mangetsu is a fun reel to
fish, and handles like a more expensive Daiwa offering than even most of the
current generation Tatulas
Drag:
The Mangetsu’s drag system has been updated with company’s latest Ultimate
Tournament Drag (UTD). This setup pairs carbon and alloy washers with aluminum
drag plates and a specially formulated grease to produce a smooth, controlled
drag with a wider adjustment range and confident stopping power.
The main gear houses multiple drag
washers sandwiched between brass and aluminum pads and finished with some
proprietary grease
Maximum drag is
rated at 13 pounds, and in our lab testing the Mangetsu produced 13.7 pounds of
pressure, aligning closely with Daiwa’s current Tatula 150 and 200 models that
use the same system. On the water, the drag proved easy to fine-tune and
consistently reliable. As with many Daiwa, and Shimano, drag systems, the
emphasis here is on smooth, controlled delivery and refinement rather than
sheer, brute stopping power.
At 7.8 ounces the Mangetsu isn't
light but I found it balanced well with almost every rod I used it on
Ergonomics: The Mangetsu is available in both right-
and left-hand retrieve configurations. With line capacities of 14/150 and 16/130
and a weight of 7.8 ounces, which closely mirrors the size and overall
specifications of Daiwa’s current Tatula 150-class reels. While this is not a
light reel by today’s standards it does feel very solid overall.
The Mangetsu looks a little bigger
in pictures then it feels, mostly due to the reel's classic squared profile
When fishing,
the Mangetsu often feels better suited for power-fishing applications, or even
as a dedicated swimbait reel, rather than finesse work. It palms comfortably,
but it never feels small in the hand. With reels today trending smaller,
lighter, and sitting lower on the rod, the Mangetsu has a more substantial
presence, giving it a solid, connected feel when palmed.
Like most other Daiwa reels the
cast control is able to be fine tuned externally. This system is still one of
the most precise on the market
Though the
Mangetsu feels larger than today’s Tatula and Zillion reels it doesn’t feel
uncomfortable, and for those that fished Daiwa’s reels a decade ago they
immediately feel familiar. I found the cork knobs to be more comfortable than
they look, and for whatever reason I like them a lot better than the similarly
shaped EVA versions found on some of Daiwa’s JDM reels. They just look more
exclusive, and like cork rod handles, will age with character over time, though
they will also likely harden with exposure to the elements and oils from our
hands.
Though wider than some Daiwa reels
the Mangetsu still sits very low when mounted on most reel seats
I think the one
ergonomic element that there is no getting around is that the Mangetsu never
felt particularly light to me. The OG frame design paired with that larger
handle and oversized knobs all add up. What anglers get in return is a reel that
feels very solid, and I mean that in a positive way. While some of today’s
baitcasters feel cheap and plasticky the Mangetsu always reminds you that it is
born from metal, and the components both inside and out are solid.
I dusted off the Certate Vintage
Custom and paired it with a Steez AGS rod as a refresher during this review
Next Section: Resonating with enthusiasts?
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