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Team Daiwa S 103P ( Japan Market/ Import)

Data for Review

Date – N/A
Type of reel – Casting Reel
Manufacturer – Daiwa
Reviewed by – James Ramirez

This, being the first Daiwa reel I have ever purchased, I didn’t know what to expect. Would it be a flashy reel that performs poorly or the Ferrari-type reel that it's cracked up to be? When it arrived in the mail I took a look at this great reel.

Complete testing setup

Reel: Japanese Market Team Daiwa-S 103P
Rod: Galyans GPS HM-30 6'6" Medium Action
Line: P-Line Flouroclear 12lb-test

Testing began with the reel freshly spooled with P-line Flouroclear, and mounted on a Galyans Pro-series HM-30 Rod. For this reel to be on my good list, it would have to perform in the extremes. On the first day of testing, the weather was 7 degrees Fahrenheit, and I was fishing a warm water discharge near the DesPlaines River. (near Chicago's northern suburbs) On this day, I tested its casting ability.

Casting: The casting ability of this reel is amazing. It puts the American market Team Daiwa-S to shame. With the aid of Magforce V and a light-weight spool, I was able to cast a wide variety of lures such as, Mepps in-line spinners; sizes #2 and #3, weightless plastics, Crankbaits, small topwater lures, and 1/8th ounce spinnerbaits in FREEZING weather.



Drag: The drag was unbelievably versatile. It was light enough to pull line in order to fix a backlash (not that I get them with this reel), and was heavy enough to un-snag a lure with heavy line. The “reel” test of the drag came when I hooked into a 3lb Channel Catfish. The only down-side is that I wished the drag was a clicker.




Ergonomics: Ergonomically, I think this reel would meet the TD-Z’s profile, with better components than the American market TD-X. Sporting 5+1 Gold Plated Ball Bearings, this reel is extremely smooth. It has better Features than the American TD-S. These features are a Super Metal frame (aluminum), Gold Plated Bearings, Lighter Spool, and the use of more high Quality Parts. This reel is palm-friendly to small handed folks, like me.


Easy to palm for the fisherfolks with small hands.


Technique: While out on the water, I felt this reel can replace most of my spinning setups. The main use I have for this reel is for finesse baits. I was able to cast weightless plastics on this setup with ease. The 103P reel can handle anything normally used on medium-heavy spinning setups.




Price: As a high-end reel, I think a modest $150 is a small amount of money to spend on a reel with features that are different from its American big-brother. I find this reel to be perfect for the weekend angler, and tournament angler. You can even find this reel for $100 on ebay!!


Ratings - - 0/5

Casting: The casting ability on this reel is simply amazing, enough said! 5

Drag: Like other reels this one is lacking the clicker drag. 3.5

Ergonomics: This reel uses high-quality components, and is light, and comfortably small. 4

Technique: I feel that this is a great finesse reel. 5

Price: At a modest import price, cost of ownership is not high 4.5


OVERALL SCORE - - 4/5


Positives and Negatives

Positive
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Great finesse reel
Excellent components
Low import price

Negative
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No clicker drag


Conclusion: I am very happy with this technique-specific reel. This will be seeing a lot of action in the future, thus allowing me to eliminate my heavy spinning setup.