ICAST 2019 Coverage - Daiwa Tatula Elite and Elite Pitch and Flip Baitcasters

ICAST 2019 Coverage

Daiwa Expands Popular Tatula Series With New Elite and Elite Pitch and Flip Baitcasters

Date:	7/9/19
Location:	Orlando, FL
Admission:	Buyers & Press Only
Manufacturer:	Daiwa
Reviewer:	Zander

Introduction: The Daiwa Tatula has gotten good, like really good, and as good as some previous generation Zillions. Last ICAST Daiwa introduced the smaller more ergonomic new Tatula profile and the market responded. Today the Tatula Series is a top seller for Daiwa and this ICAST the company further expanded the line with the further refined Tatula Elite and Elite Pitch and Flip models.

Daiwa is launching two new Tatula reels at ICAST this year, meet the Elite Series Reels

Going Elite: The Tatula Elite Series is designed to offer increased refinement and performance to anglers that are fans of the compact footprint and excellent ergonomics that the existing series offers, and mostly in the form of improved casting distance. To achieved this the company is introducing a variety of engineering technologies which combine to make this the best casting Tatula yet. I've personally been fishing prototypes of the new reel for the last two months, and the casting improvements are noticeable.

The Tatula Elite is optimized for long distance casting

To achieve these casting gains Daiwa redesigned the A7075 aluminum spool making it lighter and allowing for increased casting distance with minimal effort. The highly-tuned magnetic based Magforce braking system has also been tweaked, further refining the Magforce system to maximize casting distance.

The combination of the newly designed Tatula Elite spool and the fine tuned braking system allows for a more effortless cast, as the startup inertia of the spool is much lower. The intended result is better distance with less effort.

The spool and Magforce system had to be tweaked to reduce startup inertia

The new Tatula reel is also equipped with Daiwa's popular T-Wing System, which allows the line to cast off the spool with reduced friction, increasing casting distance and accuracy. The Zero Adjustor sets the spool play at the peak resistance for the reel out of the box, only needing adjustments from the Magforce sideplate settings. While this system was a little controversial at first it now has become quite popular among anglers that appreciate the set and forget design.

The new reels match up beautifully with the Tatula Elite Series Rods. I like the new grey matte finish on the reels which looks and feels higher end

The new Elite features the familiar 100 sized aluminum frame and sideplate with a new Daiwa log engraved on top. The finish is a matte grey, and looks and feels higher end than the original. Finally a 90mm Swept Handle is designed to provide stability and leverage during the retrieve. There will be a total of six models available in 6.3:1, 7.1:1, and 8.1:1 retrieve ratios in both right and left handed retrieves, all weighing in at 6.7 ounces. The Tatula Elite Series reels will retail for $239.99 each when they become available over the next few months.

The new reels continue to use the "Zero Adjustor" spool tension design

Next Section: A Tatula Elite just for Pitching and Flipping...