Interesting. I bought a SV TW 103HS last week and it still has that section. The instruction have the 103XS listed as well.

I'm guessing you got one of the older ones.

Pics?

You made me curious, I just went to the Diawa website and checked the model numbers. Mine is the newest model and yours is the one right before that, with a different gear ratio. Not sure why that would make a difference.
For what it’s worth, my spool tension knob was set really loose and the 1st cast at the house backlashed even with the brake turned all the way up. So much for the “optimal position at time of shipping”. You could easily move the spool a couple of mm when disengaged.

I just loaded some 30# braid on a new Tatula SV today. Put it on a new Dobyns H Fast 734 rod. The spool tensioner was so loose that when I let the weight drop straight down, the spool wildly overran when the weight hit the ground.

Tightened it until there was no overrun, set the mag brake on 5 and it casts really well. Dropped the mag brake setting to 4, even smoother. Dropped it to 2 and had to really tend to the spool or it would birdnest pretty badly. It would, however, cast a long ways set on 2.

I have this new one and two used ones that I don't know how old they are, but I can't really tell the difference in them. Rods they are on make a huge difference in how they cast.

Wayne

The # at the top of the paper work is different but I don't see that listed anywhere.

I only said that because my packaging said it was recycled.

I looked it up by model #. It wasn’t visible in my original pic. The new model is also a couple of ounces lighter.

I finally got to take the Tatula fishing yesterday and was very impressed. Winds were around 15 mph in the morning and I could throw a 1/4oz underspin dead into the wind with no thumb. I used 3 other reels and the Tatula was the only one that didn’t backlash all day. Impressive. I may have to retire some of my other reels.

interesting

I’ve been using my Diawa Fuego (with 12# Mono) a good bit, and am finally getting decent with accuracy. I won’t say that I get no backlashes, but I do get many fewer than any other baitcaster I have (which isn’t a lot). I’m sure that my technique is most of my problem, but happily there aren’t a lot of problems. I really like the reel and may buy another one. But...should I buy a Tatula instead? Would it be noticeably better than a Fuego as far as bird nests go?

I can not throw a real light bait into the wind without a backlash while using the Fuego. Will the Tatula allow it?

I am considering getting a baitcaster and heavy rod (like Dobyns DC 806HSB) for throwing large swimbaits (2-6 Oz) but am concerned about backlashes since I have only fished spinning gear for decades. Would you guys recommend Shimano Tranx (looking at 201 or 301 size) or Diawa Tatula for someone with no experience using a baitcaster? Besides throwing large swimbaits, I plan to use the baitcaster for regular size baits for largemouth and even sandbass/hybrids on a different rod if I cannot catch at least one large bass (7+ pounds) after 2,000 or 3,000 casts with a large swimbait.
Thanks in advance for your input and advice. Ken

I find it rather hilarious that the manual states the "spool position" (spool tension, possibly? LOL) is preset to the optimal position at the time of shipping, but then proceed to tell you how to set it. I've dealt with some product customization in the past (multi-language guides for different markets) and must say Diawa really needs to get some better translators! English is big enough in Japan that I'm surprised it's that bad.

You'll blow up a Tatula with big swimbaits. (Note I'm not slamming the Tatula. It, like many other reels typically used for bass fishing are relatively light duty and won't hold up over time.) They are NOT make for throwing big lures. They only have a clutch bearing for anti-reverse (no internal pawl) that will blow out sooner rather than later from the pressure imposed by heavy lures. Read my other post where I explained more. You are focusing on the fact that you have mostly spinning gear experience. You aren't going to make one iota difference in how any reel casts based on just the reel. Technique matters WAY more than which reel you have. What results from which reel you get is how soon you blow it up, or don't. I find it interesting you've set how many casts you're going to invest and a mandatory fish size. The real world probably isn't going to pay much attention to your plan. None of that will matter if you don't learn WHERE and WHEN to expend that effort. Bites on big baits don't happen a lot, so it's usually best to learn the technique with smaller swimbaits that get bites more frequently. While the DC 806HSB is a fantastic rod, you can learn on a Dobyn's rod for half the money. Most who try big swimbaits don't stick with it. Do you really want to tie up a lot of money in something you are already saying better produce in X time, or you're calling it quits?

Anything you do to slow down the spool takes away from what the reel (and you) are capable of doing.

Watch Swindle's dock casting videos on the tube. The spool is loose, running wild. I've been casting bait casters since the old knuckle busters and think i'm pretty good. I have years of "excessive practice", but I have to admit I'm no where near that good.

Modern equipment is great and a tool to help us learn, but to get the most out of your tackle, you have to learn to use it. I turn everything in my reels completely loose as soon as I take them out of the box.

I do crank up a little spool help on my A-rig rod, but other than that, it's a 74 year old thumb.

Flipping Out - thanks for your input and advice. I agree that most who try throwing large swimbaits do not stick with it, so tying up a lot of $ into a swimbait specific setup could be a mistake for me. Even more so since I do not have a boat and sold my kayak years ago. So, fishing from shore and getting an expensive swimbait (you can spend over $400 if you want to for a single swimbait like Roman Made) broke off from a snag will get frustrating real quick. My chances of retrieving the lure are much lower without a boat. So I have changed plans and will start with medium size swimbaits and work my way up from there if I enjoy it enough and get some results with larger fish. I am a big Shimano fan and have been reading reviews on the Chronarch MGL and Metanium MGL and watching the Trading Post here on TFF for a good deal. Well I just pulled the trigger in a Metanium MGL on Amazon for only $299. It looks like they may be discontinued soon since I saw one on Bass Pro Shops that was reduced to only $299 from $419 but is out of stock. That is what made me pull the trigger. Now I just need to find a good Baitcasting rod - likely going with a St. Croix - then I need to get a lot of practice in the back yard and get out to the lake to try my new set up. If I really like the baitcaster over my Stradic / Thunnus spinning reels, I may decide to get a Tranx matched with heavy rod and try the large swimbaits with it. Anyway, thanks again for your recommendations. Tight Lines - Ken