The 26 Kohga TW 80 (2026 model) is a small Daiwa baitcasting reel for tai rubber, released in Japan in July 2026. List price JPY 45,400 (excl. tax), 195g. A buy if you often fish tai rubber in shallow water or straight down.
The Gear Nerd's Pick
The heart of the 26 Kohga TW is an aluminum frame and precision gears packed into a small 80-size body. The frame resists flex and the gears stay smooth for a long time, so the steady retrieve tai rubber needs is less likely to falter. So for shallow-water tai rubber, I choose one 80.
Key points
- Released Jul 2026. All 4 models JPY 45,400 (excl. tax)
- 195g; the 80 retrieves 62cm per crank, the 80P 54cm
- 40g lighter and JPY 3,900 cheaper than the 26 Kohga IC 150
When is the 26 Kohga TW 80 released? How much?
Released in Japan in Jul 2026. All 4 models have a list price of JPY 45,400 (excl. tax). There is the 80 with gear ratio 6.3 and the 80P with 5.5, each also in a left-hand (L) version.
The target is clear: shallow water, and vertical tai rubber dropped straight under the boat. It is the strong, small reel you need there.
Swipe the table sideways →
| Model | Gear ratio | Per crank | Weight | PE capacity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 80 / 80L | 6.3 | 62cm | 195g | PE #0.8, 300m |
| 80P / 80PL | 5.5 | 54cm | 195g | PE #0.8, 300m |
How I judged it
With the eye of someone with 30 years of fishing who also jigs from boats, the first thing I check is the frame material. On the 26 Kohga TW, the frame and the gear-side plate are aluminum alloy. Even at the small 80 size, Daiwa didn't cut corners on the base of the retrieve. I like that.
I hesitated between it and the 26 Kohga IC 150 with a line counter. The IC shows depth as a number. Handy. Still, for shallow and straight-down fishing, a light retrieve and a small reel in the hand count for more than depth readouts.
Decided. My pick is the 80. As a reel for winding shallow-water tai rubber lightly, all day, this is the one I choose.
Image: Rakuten Ichiba
Daiwa 26 Kohga TW 80 (right-hand)
Lowest price on Rakuten: JPY 30,952 (as of Oct 18). Some stores go up to JPY 36,021. Prices change daily.
RecommendedSee it on Rakuten Ichiba80 vs 80P: what's the difference? Which to choose?
Only the gear ratio. The 80 retrieves 62cm per crank, the 80P 54cm. Weight, line capacity and price are the same.
With its shorter retrieve per crank, the 80P winds lighter and makes it easier to hold a slow, steady retrieve. If you often fish fast currents with heavy heads, take the 80P. If you want to search by changing retrieve speed, take the 80. If unsure, I think starting with the 80 is the natural choice.
Image: Rakuten Ichiba
Daiwa 26 Kohga TW 80P (right-hand)
Lowest price on Rakuten: JPY 30,952 (as of Oct 18). Some stores go up to JPY 36,616. Prices change daily.
RecommendedSee it on Rakuten IchibaSee it on NaturumWhat does TWS change?
TWS is a system that greatly cuts resistance at the line path just in front of the spool (the level wind). That is where the spool spins fastest, so when it is light there, line comes off freely.
In tai rubber this matters for one thing: fall speed. Even with a light head the fall stays quick, and the moment it touches bottom is easier to feel. The lighter the heads you use in shallow water, the more you gain.
The brake is Magforce. On days with no wind or current, you can also make light underhand casts to search a wider area.
The drag is UTD. It is designed to remove the sticky start and pay out line evenly, and it gets stronger the more you tighten it. You can trust it from hookup to landing. A welcome build for tai rubber, where you fight red sea bream on thin PE.
vs 26 Kohga IC 150 and Kohga RX IC?
Swipe the table sideways →
| Model | Weight | Gear ratio / per crank | Counter | List price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 26 Kohga TW 80 | 195g | 6.3 / 62cm | No | JPY 45,400 |
| 26 Kohga IC 150 | 235g | 6.3 / 70cm | Yes | JPY 49,300 |
| 25 Kohga RX IC 150P | 235g | 5.5 / 62cm | Yes | JPY 25,900 |
vs the 26 Kohga IC 150: The TW is 40g lighter and JPY 3,900 cheaper. The IC has a larger spool that retrieves 70cm per crank and holds 400m of PE #1. To cover deep and open water with one reel, the IC; to focus on shallow and straight-down fishing, the TW.
vs the Kohga RX IC: The RX IC is JPY 19,500 cheaper and has a counter. But it has 5 ball bearings, fewer than the TW's 7. If you are investing in a smooth retrieve, the TW.
Image: Rakuten Ichiba
Daiwa 26 Kohga IC 150 (right-hand)
Lowest price on Rakuten: JPY 33,893 (as of Oct 18). Some stores go up to JPY 39,496. Prices change daily.
RecommendedSee it on Rakuten IchibaHow many cranks to retrieve 100m?
100m is 10,000cm. The 80 takes 10,000 ÷ 62 = about 161 cranks; the 80P takes 10,000 ÷ 54 = about 185. A 24-crank gap. Not small. But in shallow water the retrieve distance is short, so in most cases you can put a light retrieve ahead of that gap.
The clutch is worth a look too. The Hyper Tough Clutch has an insulated structure, and Daiwa claims it cut repairs for seizing at sea by 99% (in-house comparison).
Things to watch
This part is so-so: there is no counter. On boats where the captain calls depths precisely, or on days spent searching deep water, the Kohga IC with its readout is easier.
Line capacity is 300m of PE #0.8. If you want to spool long lengths of thicker PE, a 150 size is another way to go.
Who is the 26 Kohga TW 80 for?
- Anglers who often fish tai rubber in shallow water or straight down
- Anglers who want a reel that finds the bottom easily even with light heads
- Anglers who want to wind a small, light reel all day
To keep the price down without a counter, compare the Light Game X review; for a counter reel, the 26 Tierra IC 150H review.
Image: Rakuten Ichiba
Daiwa 26 Kohga TW 80 (right-hand)
Lowest price on Rakuten: JPY 30,952 (as of Oct 18). Some stores go up to JPY 36,021. Prices change daily.
RecommendedSee it on Rakuten IchibaHow to read the per-crank difference between gear ratios 6.3 and 5.5 is in How to choose a reel gear ratio.
FAQ
When is the 26 Kohga TW released?
Jul 2026. The 80, 80L, 80P and 80PL all have a list price of JPY 45,400 (excl. tax).
What is the difference between the 26 Kohga TW 80 and 80P?
Gear ratio and retrieve per crank. The 80 is 6.3 with 62cm; the 80P is 5.5 with 54cm. Weight (195g) and line capacity are the same.
Does the 26 Kohga TW have a line counter?
No. If you want to see depth as a number, the Kohga IC 150 or RX IC suits you better.
