Casting: Daiwa went all-in with their T-Wing design, and for better or worse the system is now found on just about all of the company’s higher-end and even mainstream reels. The system is instantly recognizable and helps set Daiwa's reels apart from the sea of competition but they are not universally adored.

While some anglers, myself included, were initially skeptical of the system at first it is hard to dispute that the T-Wing design does have a number of benefits, the greatest of which is the unrestricted casting performance, as line flows more freely through the wide TWS aperture.

Daiwa’s T-Wing reels deliver a unique casting feel, and a lack of detectable friction as the line peels off the spool and flies through the oversized T-Wing, all of which enables anglers to cast further and with less effort.

Casting with the new reel is exceptional

The Tatula SV TW also ups the ante with the company’s SV Concept design which features an SV shallow spool that is made of “Duralumin” which offers an excellent strength to weight ratio. The SV spool’s induct rotor moves out during the cast, and as the spool slows the rotor moved back towards the magnetic field which applies braking pressure according to your settings and the weight of your lure.

The secret to the casting distance and accuracy is the combination of TWS and the SV Spool Design

This cast control system is all externally adjustable, which is still one of the great things about Daiwa reels, and on this particular example provides an excellent range of settings. I found the SV TW to be an excellent long distance caster as well as an unexpectedly good precision caster, with even lightweight lures 1/4oz. and below.  

The inductor pops out and retracts depending on casting rotation to keep the line in check

There is something oddly satisfying about engaging the T-Wing System on the SV TW as well. As you rotate the handle the click as the line guide flips down is solid and reassuring. When power fishing with plastics I found I was able to transition from cast to retrieve quickly and effortlessly with this reel.

With each iteration of the T-Wing introductions Daiwa has improved the tolerances in each reel and we are now at a point with the Tatula SV TW that the system can be truly called refined.

 
The spool uses Duralumin to provide both low weight and high strength

Retrieve: Engage the reel and the Tatula SV TW is an absolute pleasure to retrieve. It delivers an immediate transfer of power from the handle to the main gearing, and is the smoothest Tatula that I have fished to date.

With my eyes closed it was hard to discern the difference between this reel and the Zillion SV TW, which is saying a lot since that reel retails for a hundred dollars more!

Though fast I was surprised how powerful this reel still was under load

The SV TW makes use of a rigid aluminum frame and there is a relatively high bearing count of 7+1 bearings driving this reel. What makes this reel even more robust that 2 of these are higher quality CRBB class bearings which are designed to deliver both smooth performance and excellent resistance from the elements.

A massive brass gear handles the load

I was blessed with some fantastic big fish days when field testing the SV TW and when it comes to winding power I was also amazed with just how strong this reel felt under load. Even though our test reels had an 8.1:1 gear ratio capable of pulling in 32.8 inches of line per handle turn when there was pressure on the line the reel never felt overloaded.

The sideplate may not be aluminum but it is heavily reinforced

This was a surprise as many other competing high speed reels feel great when there is just a lure on the line but once a bigger fish is hooked that fast gearing can suddenly feel quite taxed. Daiwa’s oversized gearing works well with the drag system to keep the reel feeling both powerful and always in control, even when fighting 7+ lb. largemouth bass.

A bearing under the knob

Next Section: An Ultimate Drag?