I got a Tatula 300 that at first I couldn’t say enough good things about. After not even one full season I experienced the button sticking, to where it would not fully compress releasing the line and when I cast it would pop back out and bring my bait to a screeching halt.

I had it cleaned once, at this point I’m considering switching back to my Curado.

I have not had it on my Tatula 300 yet but I have experienced it on a Steez AII, Coastal,  and Tatula BF70. Daiwa fixed the Coastal and the Tatula BF70 so not 100% sure if its the same issue but on Steez AII there is small sleeve that fits inside the bearing below what would be the cast control knob. If it is out of position or broken like mine is, when you press the thumb bar the pinion gear gets stuck and doesn't allow the clutch to disengage. I have been in contact with Daiwa,  they acknowledged the issue and will not have parts for the Steez AII until November.  

 

 

Also, I could see this happening if the spool tension knob is backed out completely.

 

 

No and i have many reels from many brands and have never experienced this semi common reel issue.  I've been hearing about it for years and never once had it happen.  Because of this I suspect it stems from something the user is doing.

 

You might have cracked the plastic pinion yoke on your reel.  This can happen from partially pushing down on the thumb bar when reeling.  If you palm with only two fingers in front of the trigger this can happen when the thumb base/palm push down on the edge of the thumb bar.  Many, but not all, Shimanos use an asymmetric thumb bar shape to minimize the chances of your palm partially activating the clutch when palming the reel although the 200k does not.  It does have a rather high mounted thumb bar that sits very flush compared to the Daiwa long thumb bar.  Are you using a left handed reel palming and palming while casting with two fingers in front of the trigger? 

2 hours ago, ohioguy25 said:

I had it cleaned once, at this point I’m considering switching back to my Curado.

Who "cleaned" it? It's not everyone's habit to remove the clutch mech and grease all associated friction surfaces/points of which there are many. Typically, this will solve the issue.

 

Personally, I've never had a "sticky" thumb bar on any of my Daiwas. I serviced a Curado K with this issue several years ago and haven't heard a peep since. The clutch-cam/frame concentric mating surfaces were dry out of the factory and properly greasing them fixed it.

2 hours ago, FishTank said:

I have not had it on my Tatula 300 yet but I have experienced it on a Steez AII, Coastal,  and Tatula BF70. Daiwa fixed the Coastal and the Tatula BF70 so not 100% sure if its the same issue but on Steez AII there is small sleeve that fits inside the bearing below what would be the cast control knob. If it is out of position or broken like mine is, when you press the thumb bar the pinion gear gets stuck and doesn't allow the clutch to disengage. I have been in contact with Daiwa,  they acknowledged the issue and will not have parts for the Steez AII until November.  

 

 

Also, I could see this happening if the spool tension knob is backed out completely.

 

 

Is your steez a JDM version? Daiwa USA is still willing to take care of it?

38 minutes ago, woolleyfooley said:

Is your steez a JDM version? Daiwa USA is still willing to take care of it?

JDM. Daiwa USA won't work on it. 

Three years on my Tat 300 and no problems. 

If you had someone else to clean it, you can send it to be fixed as well. If you want to do it yourself, that pinion bearing sleeve could be the culprit. Also check the pinion yoke and springs - part 40 and 41 in that schematics. 

1 hour ago, FishTank said:

JDM. Daiwa USA won't work on it. 

I know this is true but I don’t get it. They’re not that different. Unless it’s CYA not taking responsibility for something not yours. 

2 hours ago, PhishLI said:

Who "cleaned" it? It's not everyone's habit to remove the clutch mech and grease all associated friction surfaces/points of which there are many. Typically, this will solve the issue.

 

Personally, I've never had a "sticky" thumb bar on any of my Daiwas. I serviced a Curado K with this issue several years ago and haven't heard a peep since. The clutch-cam/frame concentric mating surfaces were dry out of the factory and properly greasing them fixed it.

Unfortunately there are too many “techs” that do half-fast jobs like that. 

15 minutes ago, Delaware Valley Tackle said:

I know this is true but I don’t get it. They’re not that different. Unless it’s CYA not taking responsibility for something not yours. 

 

Here is one thing that is worse......

 

When I called them in June I understood that they won't warranty or work on JDM reels. I just wanted to order what would be the US part for my JDM reel. I know they don't always match but I was able to verify that it did through Plat. I knew the part number but they said it wouldn't be in stock until November. I understand this is a new reel and parts usually come a little later. So I asked what are they doing for US Steez AII's that are coming in for warranty. Daiwa told me that the techs have parts but the call centers don't even have the schematics for it let alone part numbers. Crazy stuff. 

 

 

3 hours ago, Bigbox99 said:

No and i have many reels from many brands and have never experienced this semi common reel issue.  I've been hearing about it for years and never once had it happen.  Because of this I suspect it stems from something the user is doing.

 

You might have cracked the plastic pinion yoke on your reel.  This can happen from partially pushing down on the thumb bar when reeling.  If you palm with only two fingers in front of the trigger this can happen when the thumb base/palm push down on the edge of the thumb bar.  Many, but not all, Shimanos use an asymmetric thumb bar shape to minimize the chances of your palm partially activating the clutch when palming the reel although the 200k does not.  It does have a rather high mounted thumb bar that sits very flush compared to the Daiwa long thumb bar.  Are you using a left handed reel palming and palming while casting with two fingers in front of the trigger? 

I am using a left handed reel matter of fact. How exactly are you suggesting this could result in me damaging the pinion yoke? I believe when I had it cleaned something with the clutch needed to be fixed, perhaps this was what it was and I did it again.

21 hours ago, FishTank said:

JDM. Daiwa USA won't work on it. 

Crap. Is this a known issue with the steez a2? Is that what you meant by “Daiwa acknowledges the issue”? How much is the part to fix it? How hard is it to fix?

This plastic collar has been on daiwa reels since at least the og Ryoga (the earliest model i've seen it on), and i have never ever had an issue with it, and the thumb bar sticking has only happened to me on a Pixy, but that was because i was missing a shim after re-assembly, so this is not a issue i've really experienced.

2 hours ago, woolleyfooley said:

Crap. Is this a known issue with the steez a2? Is that what you meant by “Daiwa acknowledges the issue”? How much is the part to fix it? How hard is it to fix?

 

They didn't say it was a known issue. They just acknowledged that I needed the part and the guy on the phone sounded like he had heard of it but no real confirmation.  

 

It's easy to fix but each time I have searched for the part, I've only gotten that it is unavailable to order.

 

All you have to do is remove the zero adjuster knob, take out the pinion shaft,  remove the bearing and replace the collar.  I was able to force the pieces together and get it to work temporarily but is not a permanent fix. 

 

 

My other Steez A II doesn't have this issue but the brakes work inconsistently. Its fine one minute and backlashing the next.  Both these reels were awesome for months. I hope I can get them sorted out. 

 

 

21 hours ago, FishTank said:

 

They didn't say it was a known issue. They just acknowledged that I needed the part and the guy on the phone sounded like he had heard of it but no real confirmation.  

 

It's easy to fix but each time I have searched for the part, I've only gotten that it is unavailable to order.

 

All you have to do is remove the zero adjuster knob, take out the pinion shaft,  remove the bearing and replace the collar.  I was able to force the pieces together and get it to work temporarily but is not a permanent fix. 

 

 

My other Steez A II doesn't have this issue but the brakes work inconsistently. Its fine one minute and backlashing the next.  Both these reels were awesome for months. I hope I can get them sorted out. 

 

 

Thanks. That’s weird about the brakes. Have you had the reel cleaned or cleaned it yourself? Or did the brakes just become inconsistent over time?

1 hour ago, woolleyfooley said:

Thanks. That’s weird about the brakes. Have you had the reel cleaned or cleaned it yourself? Or did the brakes just become inconsistent over time?

 

I have cleaned it myself. Also, I have had a few other Daiwas do this. Most recently, the Steez A II in question, Millionaire CT and a Silver Wolf, also a Tatula (not sure which rendition but older) and the OG Zillion all had the same issues. None of my other 6 Daiwas do this.

 

Only the Millionaire CT works correctly now. I pretty much replaced all the bearings (except the AR) as a last resort. Now it works fine but I don't think the bearing replacement had anything to do with it. Not really sure what it was.  My guess is that it had something to do with how the side plate loosens up occasionally based on how I hold the reel. The Silver Wolf is the biggest let down. I really haven't figured it out other than it won't backlash with baits above 3/8oz. Below that, it's a nightmare. The Tatula and OG Zillion I gave up on and sold a long time ago.  Also, this occurred over time with the exception of the Silver Wolf that did it right out the box. 

 

I also have a Tatula 300 that will get squirrely. I am hoping it won't be like the others. It will cast fine all day, backlash out of nowhere like it has no brakes at all and then go back to being fine a few cast later. 

Had a gen 1 Lexa 300 swimbait reel that had all sorts of problems and got to the point I could only trust it to troll for trout. Took me quite a few years to even look at a Daiwa reel again, but to their credit the 4-5 I've purchased the past few years have been flawless.

4 hours ago, NorcalBassin said:

Had a gen 1 Lexa 300 swimbait reel that had all sorts of problems and got to the point I could only trust it to troll for trout. Took me quite a few years to even look at a Daiwa reel again, but to their credit the 4-5 I've purchased the past few years have been flawless.

Unfortunate. What issues?

23 hours ago, FishTank said:

 

I have cleaned it myself. Also, I have had a few other Daiwas do this. Most recently, the Steez A II in question, Millionaire CT and a Silver Wolf, also a Tatula (not sure which rendition but older) and the OG Zillion all had the same issues. None of my other 6 Daiwas do this.

 

Only the Millionaire CT works correctly now. I pretty much replaced all the bearings (except the AR) as a last resort. Now it works fine but I don't think the bearing replacement had anything to do with it. Not really sure what it was.  My guess is that it had something to do with how the side plate loosens up occasionally based on how I hold the reel. The Silver Wolf is the biggest let down. I really haven't figured it out other than it won't backlash with baits above 3/8oz. Below that, it's a nightmare. The Tatula and OG Zillion I gave up on and sold a long time ago.  Also, this occurred over time with the exception of the Silver Wolf that did it right out the box. 

 

I also have a Tatula 300 that will get squirrely. I am hoping it won't be like the others. It will cast fine all day, backlash out of nowhere like it has no brakes at all and then go back to being fine a few cast later. 

Sounds like a lot of issues. I would expect better from Daiwa. Definitely not comforting to hear as someone who recently got into Daiwa. 
 

Is this common with Daiwa? I thought they were pretty bulletproof. Especially the higher end models.

12 minutes ago, woolleyfooley said:

Sounds like a lot of issues. I would expect better from Daiwa. Definitely not comforting to hear as someone who recently got into Daiwa. 
 

Is this common with Daiwa? I thought they were pretty bulletproof. Especially the higher end models.

Ya, it's not been a good year for me and Daiwa but in general, I think they are good reels and that my situation is an isolated one. Like I said my other Daiwa reels have been great. 

 

 

17 hours ago, ohioguy25 said:

Unfortunate. What issues?

Thumb bar would randomly re-engage mid-cast. Lost a Deps 250 and had some hard stops mid-cast before I realized it was the reel malfunctioning and not something I had accidentally engaged. 

9 hours ago, NorcalBassin said:

Thumb bar would randomly re-engage mid-cast. Lost a Deps 250 and had some hard stops mid-cast before I realized it was the reel malfunctioning and not something I had accidentally engaged. 

Yup exactly what’s happening w me. So apparently a known issue w Daiwa?

2 hours ago, ohioguy25 said:

Yup exactly what’s happening w me. So apparently a known issue w Daiwa?

Are you using the stock handle on the reel or one of those single knob handles?

I have 26 left hand Daiwa baitcasters and have never "noticed" a problem with the clutch.  However, this discussion has stirred my OCD;  going forward I will suspiciously be looking for a reason to blame the clutch each time I backlash.

3 hours ago, Bigbox99 said:

Are you using the stock handle on the reel or one of those single knob handles?

Stock