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Predator tackle · Baitcasting reels · Our take
Daiwa 23 Tatula 100 Baitcasting Reel
23 Tatula 100
Compact, punchy and properly tuneable, the Daiwa 23 Tatula 100 brings serious casting manners to predator fishing without turning every session into a faff-fest.
- Available as 100L, 100HL and 100XHL variants.
- 195 g aluminium-body reel with a 34 mm A7075 aluminium spool.
- Seven ball bearings, Magforce-Z braking, T-Wing System and Zero Adjuster.
- 5 kg maximum drag with a 90 mm aluminium handle and I-shape knobs.
Make sure it’s the right one. This review covers the Daiwa 23 Tatula 100 baitcasting reel family, including the 100L, 100HL and 100XHL variants. The main differences are retrieve speed and whether you choose left- or right-hand wind.
Tackle Index Score
Tackle Index score
A refined, versatile baitcaster with strong casting features and sensible all-round predator credentials.
- Product Quality9.4/10
- Performance9.2/10
- Impact on Fish Catching8.8/10
- Ease of Use8.6/10
- Value for Money8.7/10
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Who it suits
Is it right for you?
Great for
- Predator anglers fishing medium lure outfits. The compact body, 34 mm spool and adjustable braking suit regular casting with hard and soft lures.
- Anglers who like to fine-tune retrieve speed. The 6.3:1, 7.1:1 and 8.1:1 options let you match the reel to your lure style and preferred pace.
Maybe skip if
- Anyone chasing very large fish in savage snags. The 5 kg maximum drag leaves less headroom than some heavier-duty baitcasters.
- Complete baitcasting beginners using very light lures. Even with Magforce-Z, a baitcaster needs proper setup and thumb control to keep the spool behaving.
The lowdown
Introducing the Daiwa 23 Tatula 100 Baitcasting Reel
Compact, punchy and properly tuneable, the Daiwa 23 Tatula 100 brings serious casting manners to predator fishing without turning every session into a faff-fest.
- Available as 100L, 100HL and 100XHL variants.
- 195 g aluminium-body reel with a 34 mm A7075 aluminium spool.
- Seven ball bearings, Magforce-Z braking, T-Wing System and Zero Adjuster.
- 5 kg maximum drag with a 90 mm aluminium handle and I-shape knobs.
Quick verdict
The verdict
The 23 Tatula 100 looks like a very tidy bit of kit for lure anglers who want a compact reel with proper control over casting, braking and retrieve speed. Its 195 g body, Magforce-Z braking and T-Wing System make a lot of sense for everything from chucking hard baits to working soft lures around snags and weed.
It’s not the cheapest-looking option in the shed, and the 5 kg maximum drag won’t be everyone’s idea of a big-pike setup. But for general predator work, bass-style lure fishing and perch or zander tackle, it’s a very capable, nicely balanced choice.
A refined, versatile baitcaster with strong casting features and sensible all-round predator credentials.
- Product Quality
- 9.4/10
- Performance
- 9.2/10
- Impact on Fish Catching
- 8.8/10
- Ease of Use
- 8.6/10
- Value for Money
- 8.7/10
Aluminium construction, an A7075 spool and machined brass main gear give it a properly solid feel on paper.
Magforce-Z, the T-Wing System and three retrieve speeds make it highly adaptable for lure work.
Good casting control and useful line recovery can help you present lures accurately and stay in touch during the retrieve.
The controls are useful and tuneable, though baitcasters still need sensible setup and thumb control.
It offers a strong feature set for its class, provided you choose the correct ratio and don’t need a heavy-duty locked-drag reel.
Head to head
How it stacks up
Side by side with the closest kit we've reviewed. This updates as we add more reviews.
Daiwa
Daiwa 23 Tatula 100 Baitcasting Reel (this one)
Shimano
Shimano Stradic FM
Top scorer
Top scorer
Scores are our own, out of 10. Best in each row is in green. Prices change, so check the latest before you buy.
The full rundown
Everything you'll want to know about the Daiwa 23 Tatula 100 Baitcasting Reel
There’s something properly satisfying about a tidy baitcaster. It sits low on the rod, feels direct in the hand and makes a lure outfit look ready for a scrap. The Daiwa 23 Tatula 100 is very much cut from that cloth. It’s compact, purposeful and aimed squarely at predator anglers who like being in charge of the cast.
This isn’t a dainty little finesse reel. Nor is it some giant winch for hauling a river monster out of a snag. The 100 sits in that useful middle ground: light enough for a day walking the bank, but built around an aluminium body, a machined brass main gear and a 34 mm spool that can handle proper lure work.
At 195 g, it shouldn’t make a balanced rod feel top-heavy. That matters when you’re covering a stretch of canal, hopping shads down a drop-off or peppering the margins for a lurking perch. A reel that disappears in your hand lets you concentrate on lure control, line watching and that cheeky tap that says a fish is having a look.
Daiwa gives you three retrieve ratios across the range. The 6.3:1 model brings back 67 cm per crank, the 7.1:1 version retrieves 75 cm, and the speedy 8.1:1 reaches 86 cm. So, rather than settling for whatever ratio happens to be on the shelf, you can match the reel to the way you actually fish.
For a general-purpose predator setup, the middle 7.1:1 option looks like the bob-on choice. It gives you enough speed to take up slack after a long cast, without making every lure come back like it’s late for the bus. The 6.3:1 suits a more measured retrieve, while the 8.1:1 is handy for burning lures, pitching and quickly clearing line around cover.
Casting control is a big part of the Tatula story. The reel uses Magforce-Z braking, alongside Daiwa’s Zero Adjuster. That means you’ve got sensible ways to calm the spool down as you get dialled in. Start with a touch more braking when the wind’s being a pain, then back it off once your thumb and timing are behaving themselves.
The T-Wing System is another useful bit of design. During the cast, the line guide opens up to give the line a straighter route through the reel. It’s not magic and it won’t rescue a daft spool setting, but reduced restriction is exactly what you want when you’re trying to get a lure sailing rather than plopping short.
The 34 mm spool is made from A7075 aluminium and weighs 14 g including its bearings. That’s a nicely purposeful platform for regular predator lure work, while the stated capacity gives you room for 100 m of 0.33 mm line or 110 m of 0.24 mm braid. For most canal, lake and river jobs, that’s plenty of fishing line.
The 90 mm aluminium handle and I-shaped knobs keep the contact points simple and practical. You get a useful amount of leverage without the reel feeling clumsy. Just remember the 5 kg maximum drag: perfectly sensible for many lure applications, but not the figure to build a brutal, locked-up snag-fishing outfit around.
Overall, the 23 Tatula 100 looks like a cracking option for anglers who want a refined baitcaster rather than a bare-bones starter reel. Choose the ratio carefully, set the braking for the lure in front of you and it should be a very handy tool when the predators switch on.
Specifications
The nuts and bolts
- Variants
- 100L, 100HL and 100XHL
- Weight
- 195 g
- Bearings
- Seven ball bearings
- Maximum drag
- 5 kg
- Line capacity
- 0.33 mm / 100 m; braid 0.24 mm / 110 m
- Retrieve options
- 6.3:1 / 67 cm, 7.1:1 / 75 cm, or 8.1:1 / 86 cm per crank
Specs checked with Daiwa, Oct 2026.
Spot a model or spec change?
Our take
Why this reel matters
The big appeal here is control. You get a 34 mm A7075 aluminium spool, adjustable Magforce-Z braking and Daiwa’s T-Wing System, all wrapped into a compact aluminium frame. That combination should appeal to anyone who wants smooth lure flight without constantly picking out birdies.
Pick your gear ratio around the way you fish. The 6.3:1 version retrieves 67 cm per turn, the 7.1:1 model brings back 75 cm, while the 8.1:1 version shifts 86 cm. That gives you a slower, more deliberate option for cranks and spinnerbaits, or a faster model for burning lures and quickly taking up slack.
A compact predator workhorse
What you’re buying
The 23 Tatula 100 uses an aluminium body and a 34 mm A7075 aluminium spool. At 195 g, it’s a nicely compact package for repeated casting, whether you’re walking the towpath or covering a big reservoir swim. The machined brass main gear adds a purposeful touch, while seven ball bearings support the reel’s smooth-running hardware.
The headline features are Daiwa’s T-Wing System, Zero Adjuster and Magforce-Z braking. Together, they give you a proper spread of casting control. The T-Wing System helps the line leave the reel with less restriction, while Magforce-Z lets you manage spool speed as lure weight, wind and casting style change.
Line capacity is 0.33 mm / 100 m, or 0.24 mm / 110 m with braid. That’s a useful amount for normal predator fishing. The 90 mm aluminium handle and I-shape knobs should also give you a firm, uncomplicated grip when a fish follows right to the net and suddenly decides it fancied a scrap.
Worth knowing. The three ratios are not just cosmetic choices. The 6.3:1 retrieves 67 cm per turn, the 7.1:1 retrieves 75 cm, and the 8.1:1 retrieves 86 cm. Think slower control for steady lures, all-round pace for the middle option, and fast line pick-up for the XHL.
Match the reel to your fishing
A good fit for active lure anglers
This reel makes most sense for predator anglers who cast often and want a baitcaster that stays compact on the rod. It should suit hard baits, spinnerbaits, medium-sized soft lures and general pike, perch or zander work, provided the rest of the outfit matches the lure weight and fish being targeted.
The 7.1:1 version is the easy all-round recommendation. It gives you enough pace for working lures and taking up slack, without forcing you into a frantic retrieve. Choose the 6.3:1 if you favour slower presentations. Go 8.1:1 when fast line recovery and quick lure work are top of the list.
If you’re new to baitcasting, spend a few minutes setting the Zero Adjuster and braking before launching a lure into the breeze. Start cautiously, use your thumb lightly and make small changes. That little bit of setup can be the difference between a smooth session and a spool full of curly misery.
Worth knowing. The 5 kg maximum drag is the main boundary. It’s fine for a broad spread of lure fishing, but anglers who lock up the drag around thick weed, timber or serious snags may want a reel with more heavy-duty headroom.
Quick answers
The bits you’ll want to know
Is the 23 Tatula 100 left- or right-hand wind? Both options are covered in the range. The 100L is the left-hand version, while the 100HL and 100XHL are the faster left-hand? Actually, choose carefully from the exact listing: the checked range includes 100L, 100HL and 100XHL variants, so confirm the retailer’s handedness description before you click buy.
What line should you use? Braid is a natural match for lure work, and the stated braid capacity is 0.24 mm / 110 m. Add a suitable leader for the species and venue. For pike, that means proper bite protection rather than relying on a thin fluorocarbon leader and crossing your fingers.
Can it handle light lures? The 34 mm spool and adjustable braking make it versatile, but baitcasters still have limits. If you’re throwing tiny perch lures, a dedicated finesse setup will be less of a faff. Match the Tatula to lures with enough weight to load the rod and keep the spool turning properly.
Worth knowing. Treat braking as a starting point, not a set-and-forget switch. Wind, lure shape, leader length and casting angle all change how the spool behaves. A quick adjustment on the bank can save a proper bird’s nest.
On paper
Pros & cons
What we like
- Light, compact 195 g format that should sit nicely on a modern predator rod.
- Magforce-Z, the Zero Adjuster and T-Wing System give you useful casting control.
- Three retrieve speeds cover a wide spread of lure styles.
- Machined brass main gear and aluminium construction feel suitably purposeful.
Worth knowing
- A 5 kg maximum drag is less reassuring for anglers targeting genuinely huge fish near brutal cover.
- The three gear-ratio choices mean you need to pick carefully before buying.
- Baitcasting reels still demand sensible spool tension and braking adjustment, especially with lighter lures.
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Your questions answered
What anglers want to know
The stuff you’d ask your mate on the next peg. Straight answers, no waffle.
01Which Daiwa 23 Tatula 100 ratio should I choose?
Which Daiwa 23 Tatula 100 ratio should I choose?
The 6.3:1 version is the slower, more controlled choice for crankbaits and steady retrieves. The 7.1:1 is the useful all-rounder, while the 8.1:1 is better when you want to pick up line quickly or work faster lures.
02Is the Daiwa 23 Tatula 100 suitable for braid?
Is the Daiwa 23 Tatula 100 suitable for braid?
Yes. The stated braided-line capacity is 0.24 mm / 110 m. Fill it neatly, keep the spool tension sensible and use the braking dial to match lure weight and casting conditions.
03What does the T-Wing System do?
What does the T-Wing System do?
The T-Wing System opens the line guide during the cast, reducing the angle the line has to pass through. In practical terms, that’s designed to help line flow more freely and make casting feel less restricted.
What anglers say
The word from the bank
Our read: the verdict. The strongest reasons to choose it are light, compact 195 g format that should sit nicely on a modern predator rod. and magforce-z, the zero adjuster and t-wing system give you useful casting control.; the main trade-off is a 5 kg maximum drag is less reassuring for anglers targeting genuinely huge fish near brutal cover..
Our take on the feedback
Why it appeals
Checked Sept '26 — “Light, compact 195 g format that should sit nicely on a modern predator rod.”
Best fit
Checked Sept '26 — “Predator anglers fishing medium lure outfits: The compact body, 34 mm spool and adjustable braking suit regular casting with hard and soft lures.”
Worth knowing
Checked Sept '26 — “A 5 kg maximum drag is less reassuring for anglers targeting genuinely huge fish near brutal cover.”
Tackle Index’s take from the product details and fishing fit we checked. We haven’t found enough independent public feedback to call this an angler consensus yet.
Angler score
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