Daiwa T3/t3 Ballistic A Good First Baitcaster? 2025
joetucker reply :
Been considering learning how to use a baitcaster and ran across these reels on TW. They seem like a great value - especially with the 4th of July sale.
I've also been reading great reviews on the BPS Qualifier but it seems like the T3 or T3B at the TW prices may represent a better deal.
What do you guys think?
Is there anything about these reels that would make them good or bad specifically as a first baitcaster?
I'm not super worried about the price - just looking for most bang for my buck and something I will continue to enjoy in the years to come even after getting the hang of things.
bootytrain reply :
Id say yes, its something you can grow into because of the braking systems level of adjustment. I have the 8:0 ratio and the retrieve is lacking in power, maybe the lower ratios would be better.
Cgrinder reply :
Yeah, I found the Magforce 3D braking system to be very user-friendly. I think it's very hard to beat the Ballistic at 15% off of $109. The only negative is that you will need to replace the stock handle, but our friendly neighborhood Hawgtech handles are also on sale for the 4th.
iabass8 reply :
The t3 1016 is a steal at 198$
Cgrinder reply :
On 7/5/2014 at 10:34 AM, iabass8 said:The t3 1016 is a steal at 198$
Oh yeah, that too.
BadBassWV reply :
I bought one of the T3 Ballistic's from TW, for the price its a great reel. Also found the Tatula 100HS at the same price and I lke it better than the Ballistic. IMO either reel is alot of Reel for the price. I just like the Tatula 100 better for all around fishing.
new2BC4bass reply :
On 7/5/2014 at 10:34 AM, iabass8 said:The t3 1016 is a steal at 198$
Just picked up another used one....my third. No experience with the T3 B or Tatula. I do think the 1016 is not only a great deal, but a reel that would be easy to learn on. Start with the lower switch on MAXBRAKE ant the dial around 7. That should be enough braking if your cast is reasonably smooth and still give you plenty of fishing distance on the cast.
bass1980 reply :
I had a T3B, and now three T3 1016 and IMO just spend the extra money to get the 1016. The spool, handle, weight, and refinement makes the T3 1016 a better buy. However IMO your first baitcaster should be a Shimano. Their braking system is less finicky, even less than the 3d braking on the T3 and I love the 3D braking. The Curado I is a very easy reel to cast and it performs really well. I only wish it was under 7 oz. Another reason is if you decided to sell the reel in the future Shimano will have a higher resale value than other reels and it'll be easier to sell.
new2BC4bass reply :
Guess I am an oddball. I can backlash my Curado 51E just as easily as a mag only reels. 
Tywithay reply :
I think that the T3 are one of the best beginner baitcasters, rivaled only by the Shimano DC reels. They're extremely user-friendly and offer so many braking variations, it's very easy to dial them in. You can use the max brake setting, or even all-around, until you get the hang of it; then eventually work your way into the long cast setting. They're also very small profile, and easy to palm. The 1016 is only $169 right now. There's not a better reel for anywhere near that price. That's nearly $300 off retail.
TorqueConverter reply :
I view the T3 as more of a finesse reel and that finesse reels are a specialty product one goes to when wanting to cast very light weight baits on baitcaster. I think you'd be better off starting with a Curado I or Tatula than a T3. Scratch the T3B (Ballistic) off the list. There is no reason to go T3B when the Tatula exists.
Raul reply :
I don´t see how saving $140 ( in the case of the Ballistic ) or saving $230 ( in the case of the T3 ) will make your first baitcaster bad.
No matter how you look at it, you have a $250 + reel you got for peanuts.
Fishwhittler reply :
On 7/6/2014 at 3:39 AM, Raul said:I don´t see how saving $140 ( in the case of the Ballistic ) or saving $230 ( in the case of the T3 ) will make your first baitcaster bad.
No matter how you look at it, you have a $250 + reel you got for peanuts.
Well said. As far as being a good learner's reel, either the T3 or the T3B will be very easy to learn on, thanks to an extremely capable braking system. Never used Magforce Z, so I don't know how they compare, but Magforce 3d is outstanding.
On 7/6/2014 at 3:33 AM, TorqueConverter said:I view the T3 as more of a finesse reel and that finesse reels are a specialty product one goes to when wanting to cast very light weight baits on baitcaster. I think you'd be better off starting with a Curado I or Tatula than a T3. Scratch the T3B (Ballistic) off the list. There is no reason to go T3B when the Tatula exists.
There's a reason when the T3B is currently on sale for $40 less than a new Tatula. 
TorqueConverter reply :
On 7/6/2014 at 5:53 AM, Fishwhittler said:
There's a reason when the T3B is currently on sale for $40 less than a new Tatula.
Yes, there is a reason why the T3 reels are on clearance
Cgrinder reply :
I don't feel that the Tatula is strictly superior to the T3 platform. The T3 beats the Tatula from an ergonomic standpoint and Magforce 3D is a very good braking system, not even adding the 1016 spool into the equation.
The Tatula has some strong points, like the excellent 90mm stock handle and knobs, but it's certainly not a "better reel".
Greeneye8181 reply :
IMO Shimano's are the most finicky when it comes to their braking systems. Probably my favorite reels overall though.
The Daiwa T3 1016 is a great reel and I want to emphasize that at under 200$ it is a STEAL. I use mine for weightless applications. Works great. Bought one for my dad and he uses it on a NRX for senkos.
bass1980 reply :
Wow I am surprise people see Shimanos braking system as finicky. They E series is so easy to cast. Just set it and forget it. Then just play with the tension knob. The T3's 3D braking system is very nice though.
Fishwhittler reply :
On 7/6/2014 at 8:16 AM, TorqueConverter said:Yes, there is a reason why the T3 reels are on clearance
True, though I doubt if it's the reason you hint at. They're being discontinued in the US because they didn't sell well enough here. While they remain in production under various guises for the JDM.
There is absolutely nothing wrong with the T3 platform except for the fact that Daiwa introduced a whole lot of new technology in one reel series, and the US market didn't know how to handle it. Flaws were reported shortly after it came out, such as people reporting grooving in the front of the reel from line digging in, but frankly after seeing the T3 in person I've absolutely no idea how that happened except due to user error, from holding the line and forcing it down against the face of the reel while battling a fish. Otherwise, you'd have to be fishing the reel on a noodle in order for the rod to flex enough to let the line dig into the front plate.
However, the biggest issue with the T3 was the price tag; $250-$430 for a single reel doesn't sit well for a lot of people, especially one with a "plastic" frame. The T3 line was the first to sport a carbon frame, and many people viewed it as nothing more than glorified graphite. Which it may or may not be, but in light of the fact that the reel feels just fine to me so far, and that there are hundreds (if not thousands) of other satisfied users of the T3/T3B, and that the Shimano Chronarch Ci4+ has been such a raging success, I think carbon frames are here to stay.
Exactly what issues have you encountered with the T3/T3B line?
bass1980 reply :
Having both the T3 and the Ci4+, Zion feels very different. Ci4+ material feels sort of close to magnesium but that Zion on the T3 platform just feels very hollow. I'm not married to aluminum as traditionalist users but I can see why a lot of people just couldn't stand the Zion feel. IMO the T3 1016 should have been priced at 250-275 and the T3B should have been priced at $150 max. This would have given them a shot at success but the price was just ridiculous. The T3 1016 is no where near the refinement of the previous Steez at $450.
bootytrain reply :
What is telling is that the T3's have been on sale for over half a year now at TW and still haven't sold out. But the Curado Gs went on sale and were gone in a day or 2.
TNBassin' reply :
Wow lol.On 7/6/2014 at 2:36 AM, new2BC4bass said:Guess I am an oddball. I can backlash my Curado 51E just as easily as a mag only reels.
TNBassin' reply :
Shimanos VBS on my Chronarchs are pretty much set it and forget it. Super easy to use IMO. Love those reels.On 7/6/2014 at 9:02 AM, bass1980 said:Wow I am surprise people see Shimanos braking system as finicky. They E series is so easy to cast. Just set it and forget it. Then just play with the tension knob. The T3's 3D braking system is very nice though.
bass1980 reply :
That's what I'm saying.
TorqueConverter reply :
On 7/6/2014 at 11:51 AM, Fishwhittler said:True, though I doubt if it's the reason you hint at. They're being discontinued in the US because they didn't sell well enough here. While they remain in production under various guises for the JDM.
There is absolutely nothing wrong with the T3 platform except for the fact that Daiwa introduced a whole lot of new technology in one reel series, and the US market didn't know how to handle it. Flaws were reported shortly after it came out, such as people reporting grooving in the front of the reel from line digging in, but frankly after seeing the T3 in person I've absolutely no idea how that happened except due to user error, from holding the line and forcing it down against the face of the reel while battling a fish. Otherwise, you'd have to be fishing the reel on a noodle in order for the rod to flex enough to let the line dig into the front plate.
However, the biggest issue with the T3 was the price tag; $250-$430 for a single reel doesn't sit well for a lot of people, especially one with a "plastic" frame. The T3 line was the first to sport a carbon frame, and many people viewed it as nothing more than glorified graphite. Which it may or may not be, but in light of the fact that the reel feels just fine to me so far, and that there are hundreds (if not thousands) of other satisfied users of the T3/T3B, and that the Shimano Chronarch Ci4+ has been such a raging success, I think carbon frames are here to stay.
Exactly what issues have you encountered with the T3/T3B line?
You and I see eye to eye on the T3 reels, well, for the most part. While I love the T3 design and how Daiwa integrated the TWS, my issue with the T3 is that it was $400 reel that, on the inside, was indistinguishable from a $100 reel and despite being technicality amazing, the Zaion frame makes the reel feel cheap when held in hand. The reel uses Magforce z 3D,has a Zaion frame and non handle side plate, leaving one to question where the money went with the T3. Those features alone cannot explain the $400 price of the reel. The T3B is even worse and strikes me as a T3 family reel built out of the T3/Daiwa parts bin. Why would anyone make a 40% carbon fiber plastic reel for the sake of weight reduction and then stick brass gearing into it? Why is only half of it painted? Why do the painted parts look so terrible? The T3B makes absolutely no sense and is only justifiable at the $100 clearance pricing TW is offering. I get the T3 existing as sort of a finesse reel and the $200 is very attractive, but $400? Not. Even. Once.
Tywithay reply :
On 7/7/2014 at 11:25 AM, TorqueConverter said:You and I see eye to eye on the T3 reels, well, for the most part. While I love the T3 design and how Daiwa integrated the TWS, my issue with the T3 is that it was $400 reel that, on the inside, was indistinguishable from a $100 reel and despite being technicality amazing, the Zaion frame makes the reel feel cheap when held in hand. The reel uses Magforce z 3D,has a Zaion frame and non handle side plate, leaving one to question where the money went with the T3. Those features alone cannot explain the $400 price of the reel. The T3B is even worse and strikes me as a T3 family reel built out of the T3/Daiwa parts bin. Why would anyone make a 40% carbon fiber plastic reel for the sake of weight reduction and then stick brass gearing into it? Why is only half of it painted? Why do the painted parts look so terrible? The T3B makes absolutely no sense and is only justifiable at the $100 clearance pricing TW is offering. I get the T3 existing as sort of a finesse reel and the $200 is very attractive, but $400? Not. Even. Once.
A lot of the price for the 1016 was due to the Japanese manufacturing of all the internal gearing and the RCS spool. I don't see the reel as a finesse caster at all, personally. It can handle light baits fairly well, but it has far too much line capacity to be a finesse reel. I've used mine fishing fairly big baits for stripers and it hasn't skipped a beat. I can throw a 3/4oz lipless crankbait into orbit with one on the long cast setting.
TorqueConverter reply :
I don't see what is so expensive about the Japanese internals on the T3. One could probably develop an American reel from the ground up built in the USA by Americans that would run circles around the T3 for $400. I still have to scratch my head at the $400 price tag of the T3. Yes, the T3 RCS 1016 is not a true finesse reel but it is close enough IMO in that it throws unweighted plastics well and is also $200 at TW pricing. That's dirt cheap for any baitcaster that is even remotely finesse orientated.
joetucker reply :
For what it's worth, I ended up going to my local BPS and looking at the T3 and came away unimpressed. Just didn't like the feel of the reel for whatever reason. I do realize that without actually using the reel this isn't giving it a fair shake.
That said, I decided to go with the new Shimano Curado I. I just liked the way it feels in my hand and based on everything I've read here, it looks like I can't go wrong with it.
Thanks to everyone who took the time to chime in. I appreciate it.
new2BC4bass reply :
On 7/8/2014 at 11:12 PM, joetucker said:For what it's worth, I ended up going to my local BPS and looking at the T3 and came away unimpressed. Just didn't like the feel of the reel for whatever reason. I do realize that without actually using the reel this isn't giving it a fair shake.
That said, I decided to go with the new Shimano Curado I. I just liked the way it feels in my hand and based on everything I've read here, it looks like I can't go wrong with it.
Thanks to everyone who took the time to chime in. I appreciate it.
Probably wasn't a wrong choice. Just a personal one. You got a good reel.
Greeneye8181 reply :
On 7/8/2014 at 11:12 PM, joetucker said:For what it's worth, I ended up going to my local BPS and looking at the T3 and came away unimpressed. Just didn't like the feel of the reel for whatever reason. I do realize that without actually using the reel this isn't giving it a fair shake.
That said, I decided to go with the new Shimano Curado I. I just liked the way it feels in my hand and based on everything I've read here, it looks like I can't go wrong with it.
Thanks to everyone who took the time to chime in. I appreciate it.
If the Curado was the cheaper option than the T3 than I see where you're coming from but in no way is the Curado the superior reel.
With that being said, I have only used the 1016 for weightless applications but its just as good as my Shimano Core when used for weightless. I do think the Core is the better reel overall but weightless application it's equal.
Alonerankin2 reply :
On 7/8/2014 at 11:12 PM, joetucker said:For what it's worth, I ended up going to my local BPS and looking at the T3 and came away unimpressed. Just didn't like the feel of the reel for whatever reason. I do realize that without actually using the reel this isn't giving it a fair shake.
That said, I decided to go with the new Shimano Curado I. I just liked the way it feels in my hand and based on everything I've read here, it looks like I can't go wrong with it.
Thanks to everyone who took the time to chime in. I appreciate it.
You did the exact right thing, you played with it enought to Not be impressed, I did too the day bass pro got them a couple years ago! That's a smart move IMO !
Alonerankin2 reply :
Plus you're going to love that Curado I lol!!!
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