I'm starting to specialize my combos and have a nice 13 *** 7'3" h flipping rod that needs a reel. What Daiwa reel past and present that can be had for less than $200 offers the best performance or super tuning path to be an effortless pitcher?

My cheap first option is a 8 to 1 type r tatula. However weight is a factor and I haven't read much on its pitching ability.

Other options are pixy, alphas, zillions, and tdz. Most of them that are affordable have lower ratios in the low 20s for inches per turn. I believe pixy and alpha can be bumped to 6.8 but what of zillions? Tdz are slower but very refined, would all I need is bearings and a shallow spool?

Thanks for the help.

Favorite reel I have is  Team Daiwa Advantage. It is a sweet reel.  I wish I would have gotten a few when I got mine.

If you decide to go the tdz route just pm me, I have a 103h I might let go.

TD-Z can be set up to do anything!  

Type r

For me it's the Fuego, you can find them in like new condition for $100-$120 and then put a 100 Z spool on it for $75. There is a world of other upgrades you can do and they look great. I can't comment on the Z's as I've never owned one. A Zillion would cost you to much to upgrade to make it a good pitching reel, and the type R is way to expensive. The TD-X HSDF or HSDL(if your ok with a lefty reel are both great pitching reels but getting harder to find in good shape. The HSDF with a spool change can be a crazy good pitching reel.

If you decide to go the tdz route just pm me, I have a 103h I might let go.

Is that the one you had problems with the clutch spring?  How'd you fix it?

The advantage htsl I have is great to. It gets good reviews in everything but weight. The alphas and pixy don't have enough drag IMO. The zillion is a workhorse reel that anything can be done to. The tdz has a lot of options as well. If your looking for a new style the ss sv might be perfect

Any low profile Daiwa 103 series reel will pitch well. An Alphas can be had for under/around $200. The Steeze 103 series reels would be about $50-$100 more but would really need no spool upgrades. The TDZ 103s are good but I would track down a Steeze or Alphas first plus they are very comfortable and easy to plam and really light weight. An alphas will accept the 6:8.1 gear set.

I sent it to dvt, he replaced the clutch spring on it and fabricated something to hold the spring. the part that originally held the spring was not available from daiwa as one piece, I would have had to buy the whole handle sideplate. I have fished it quite a bit since I got it back from dvt and his work has not failed yet.

Anyone with experience with an alpha ito ai? I've read alphas have durability issues

The alphas ito has a lexan (plastic) side plate and front plate along with bare aluminum body.  If durability was your concern it wouldn't be my first choice.  I'd look at a tdz 103H or 105 which can be found for well under your price range.  The steez are going usually run above your price range. 

With that heavy rod I assume you're not pitching finesse baits. Any quality casting reel in the $100> price range should perform just fine with proper setup. Pick one that looks and feels good to you and I'll help you get the max out it.  

The Tatula is a fantastic pitching reel. The Zillion TWS or the T3-1016 are even better. The T-Wing allows line to flow much more freely than a conventional levelwind, and it makes pitching light weights much easier than most other reels. You can upgrade the bearings and make them even faster, though it's not necessary. I've used a lot of reels, from $100 up to $600+ and the TWS reels are easily among the best casting and pitching reels I have used.

 

The added heft of the Tatula will be necessary to balance a heavy rod of that length. A little 6oz reel isn't going to do it.

Rod is only 5.3 oz and zillion tws is too expensive

Rod is only 5.3 oz and zillion tws is too expensive

A rods overall weight has very little to do with balance. The *** rods have fairly small split grips and just short handles overall. The best pitching Daiwa for right at $200 would be the T3-1016.

 

I still think the Zillion TWS is the best and it can be found for around $230 on the auction site if you wait for a deal. I paid $229 for mine NIB.

The Tatula is a fantastic pitching reel. The Zillion TWS or the T3-1016 are even better. The T-Wing allows line to flow much more freely than a conventional levelwind, and it makes pitching light weights much easier than most other reels. You can upgrade the bearings and make them even faster, though it's not necessary. I've used a lot of reels, from $100 up to $600+ and the TWS reels are easily among the best casting and pitching reels I have used.

 

The added heft of the Tatula will be necessary to balance a heavy rod of that length. A little 6oz reel isn't going to do it.

I agree.  I have a bunch of different Daiwa reels and my Tatula R pitches as well or better than any of them.  That's probably what I would get.

I agree. I have a bunch of different Daiwa reels and my Tatula R pitches as well or better than any of them. That's probably what I would get.

People see that you can buy them for $130 and they seem to forget that it's still a $199 reel, regardless of what you pay. It still performs at, or above, that $199 price point; whether you pay full price or 50% off.

I have experienced fatigue with my 7 to 1 tatula on the *** rod and it doesn't palm great which I noticed when I got my first tdz. I would use my tdz but I love it on my 671 steez. It's a light combo that I can cast reaction baits all day.

Starting to lean back towards tatula 100xs. The drag is great and the speed would be excellent if I wanted to toss cavitrons. I just have this notion of a reel that would glide the bait effortlessly. Is the spool on the type r tatula that much better than regular tatula for pitching? I saw on japan tackle that the type r spool weighed less than the tatula jdm shallow spool.

I have experienced fatigue with my 7 to 1 tatula on the *** rod and it doesn't palm great which I noticed when I got my first tdz. I would use my tdz but I love it on my 671 steez. It's a light combo that I can cast reaction baits all day.

Starting to lean back towards tatula 100xs. The drag is great and the speed would be excellent if I wanted to toss cavitrons. I just have this notion of a reel that would glide the bait effortlessly. Is the spool on the type r tatula that much better than regular tatula for pitching? I saw on japan tackle that the type r spool weighed less than the tatula jdm shallow spool.

I wouldn't say it's a great deal better, but it's lighter and comes with better bearings, both of which improve pitching. I have used both a lot and prefer the R, even for the extra money. I know some people don't feel it's worth it, but it has performed better in my hands.

I have a few TD-X 103/105 HSDL that are perfect for this.

Anyone with experience with an alpha ito ai? I've read alphas have durability issues

 

I own this reel, and have had no issues with mine in terms of durability.  I've heard that some people have over-tightened the lexan sideplate and caused it to crack, but that is a user error issue IMHO.

 

In terms of using this reel for the purpose you are asking I would say it's perhaps not the best option for you as it does have a 5.8:1 gear ratio.

Since I have 2 of the exact 7'3 H *** rods I'll give my personal opinion. I assume you'll be using it like me, pitching around cover. I think the lowest weight that will balance that rod respectably is at 7oz.I have a chronarch 51e on one I use for jigs. Reel is 7.2 oz. The other I have a Curado I for punching. I've tried reels at 6.5oz and felt the balance was off a bit with my ci4+ and T3 1016. If you are pitching into cover you'll want at least 10lbs of drag. I think the fuego was mentioned but I don't think their drag is suffecient for pitching around cover.

I own this reel, and have had no issues with mine in terms of durability. I've heard that some people have over-tightened the lexan sideplate and caused it to crack, but that is a user error issue IMHO.

In terms of using this reel for the purpose you are asking I would say it's perhaps not the best option for you as it does have a 5.8:1 gear ratio.

It can be upgraded with 6.8 px gear set though for less than 80 bucks...not quite the speed of the tatula type r though.

It can be upgraded with 6.8 px gear set though for less than 80 bucks...not quite the speed of the tatula type r though.

 

I understand, but you would also probably need to make some other upgrades to get it to perform the way you would need.  Off the top of my head I'm thinking a longer handle, definitely upgrade the drag, perhaps the drag star, and maybe the spool bearings.

 

As mentioned by some others the Fuego might be your best option.  Just my $0.02.