Lews KVD 7' Power Med Fast paired with the KVD 1 6:2-1 reel filled with 12# Kast King copolymer hybrid

The St Croix BX 6'8" Med XFast paired with the Diawa Tatula CT 100 filled with 8# Trilene XL

 

Again I'm not disappointed with the Lews.  Immediately turned off 2 of the 4 internal brakes and was able to cast anything I tied on.  Very smooth with a good feel.  I will admit that the rod does feel a little fat in palm, but then again it's not some sissy stick either.  I believe it will haul in anything you hook on to.

 

On the other hand the St Croix has a very comfortable fit, light and I can see a place in my arsenal for this rod...   Which brings me to the Diawa Tatula 100.  I became curious about the reel because of the talk about how great the "T" wing casting system was.  Now it worked fine with a 3/8" practice plug, but in practical application I found the reel a little stubborn dialing in on the water. I mean once I attached a 1/2oz spoon on, yea I was able to get a good cast on, but with the mag set almost all on.    Compared to the Lews, I'm disappointed...  The Lews is so much more forgiving, easy with minimal attention needed .

 

So my question is to the guys that are Diawa fans...  What application do you use your Diawa's for, cause I just don't see it as a general all round reel.

That's not a zero-adjust on the Tatula CT 100, so the bearing tension will be adjusted as they have for many years (it's not the 'set-it-and-forget-it' system like the Tatula 100 is), and you may have to adjust it slightly for different baits. The Tatulas are generally very good casting reels, so I expect that you'll be able to adjust it to cast a 1/2 ounce spoon a long ways on a setting closer to 4 or 6 without too much trouble.