Baitcaster Suggestions?

So I have a Cabela’s gift card and I have decided to use it as a discount for a new reel.

I’m usually a brand loyal guy, but I’m a little disappointed with my Quantum Smoke reel. I need to have it repaired at some point, because it sounds like bearing is bad. That and there doesn’t seem to be a lot of range with tensioner. Etc. I am still very happy with the lower end Accurist. That thing is solid, but noticeably heavier. But I digress.

I remembered the Daiwa Tatula thread and thought about getting one of those models. I also don’t keep up on the latest and greatest, because I’m not one of those guys buying reels every year.

I like many of the features of the Daiwa reels, especially the T wing. Anyone have issues with the T wing?

So before purchasing I thought I’d ask you guys. I’m looking for a reel up to around the $200 mark. You like the Tatulas? Anything better?

I see in my fish and game magazine there is also the Cabela’s Arachnid which is made by Daiwa and has some of the same totula features including the T wing.

Im partial to Shimano and the new Curado is a SWEET reel. I have heard some good and some not really bad about the t-wing, but that it didnt; really make any difference. My concern is that it would fail eventually, but have never heard of that happening.No experience with Daiwa, but they and Shimano seem to have control of the bait casting market, especially near $100 and over.

Would definitely second the vote for Shimano. Been running Curados and Chronarchs for years and they are awesome reels. A little clean and lube each winter keeps em running like new.

I bought a Diawa Tatula T Wing reel last spring and I really like it. No issues at all.

I too have the Daiwa Tatula that I bought last winter. I put it on my St. Croix and it would flawlessly. I love the T-wing system on it too.

I just bought the Tatula after waiting a year to see how the reviews were and I have to say it is as good as advertised. I have always loved the smoothness of Daiwa baitcasters but the T wing system is pretty innovative. I’ve had both Shimano and Daiwa on my rods the last few years and while I love my Shimano reels the T wing system on the Tatula is a game changer.

Which tatula models do you guys own?

I’m trying to determine which model to choose. I guess since I have a gift card I could just go with the top end. Then again, I’m a cheap monkeybutt. I mean frugal.

Nothing against Shimano, I’ve just been eyeing the Tatulas for a while.

Update: I’m going with the TATULA SV TW. After reading and watching videos, I decided its probably the best choice for me now. What swayed me is that the SV system will allow me to throw lighter lures. Being shore bound for now, that’s important. It means if I want I can just bring one rod and be able to switch to a lighter lure if I need to.

Thanks for all the input.

Lew’s, hands down. I’d go Mach II, Custom Speed Spool, or the Pro BB1 Speed Spool. Best reels on the market.

If not, go for a 13 Fishing Concept A or Inception.

Pug You want at the very least the low end CT model, pick your retrieve ratio. Why CT? Compact, It is way more comfortable to hold/palm than The original non-CT model. The original front end was larger to accommodate the T wing system. It has a funny oversized feel in your hand as a result.

Next you can go to the CT R series. Hopped up bearings, slightly longer casting a a tiny bit lighter. In my mind #1 but a majority of fishermen will not notice the differences over the standard CT.

Tatula SV, This is a really cool reel. Almost impossible to backlash. It does really well acting lightweight lures, dock skipping and just ove3r all if you cannot cast a bait caster. The spool floats, no axle so to speak. Similar body as the CT and CT R series

To me the CT or CT R are the best value but also performing reals manufactured today. I was a Shimano guy with Casting reels until I tried these. I sold all my Shimano and have not had a single issue or regret.

By the way just an FYI, if you don’t want the T Wing, not sure why a person wold not, the Fuego is a Tatula less the T Wing system. This reel is a huge steal if you don’t want T wing.

The T wing was actually the #1 reason I wanted a Tatula. The SV is worth an extra $30 to go to the CT R to the SV.

Being shore bound a majority of the time, the 2 most important features are casting distance and the ability to throw light and heavy lure with one setup. That means I can leave my spinning reel behind.

Thank for the detailed differences in the models.

mplspug wrote:

So I have a Cabela’s gift card and I have decided to use it as a discount for a new reel.

I’m usually a brand loyal guy, but I’m a little disappointed with my Quantum Smoke reel. I need to have it repaired at some point, because it sounds like bearing is bad. That and there doesn’t seem to be a lot of range with tensioner. Etc. I am still very happy with the lower end Accurist. That thing is solid, but noticeably heavier. But I digress.

I remembered the Daiwa Tatula thread and thought about getting one of those models. I also don’t keep up on the latest and greatest, because I’m not one of those guys buying reels every year.

I like many of the features of the Daiwa reels, especially the T wing. Anyone have issues with the T wing?

So before purchasing I thought I’d ask you guys. I’m looking for a reel up to around the $200 mark. You like the Tatulas? Anything better?

I have a Daiwa Zillion SV. love it. after you tune it, You cannot make it backlash!! perfect cast every time.. but might not hurt to have a couple gift cards. $250 is the cheapest i have seen them.
Al linder had a segment on the Daiwa Zillion SV a couple years ago, casting a heavy bait into a brick wall… not a single backlash.. sold me..

Been looking for a baitcaster and reading this thread with great interest. Pulled the trigger on Tatuka CT R today. Looking forward to putting it through a Nipigon pike brawl!

trytoofish wrote:

I have a Daiwa Zillion SV. love it. after you tune it, You cannot make it backlash!! perfect cast every time.. but might not hurt to have a couple gift cards. $250 is the cheapest i have seen them.

I’ve always been a bit of a midrange guy. I am frugal, not cheap.

Yep, perfect timing for this thread….I am looking to pick one up too.

You know what is really sad about my frugalness is that my wife is going to hound me every day now until I place the order.

I’ve been a Daiwa guy since I got my first TD-S103 back around 2000. What I really like about the Tatula’s is the reel handles that are shaped like a ping pong paddle ala Lew’s. I love the way they feel on my fingers.

wormdunker wrote:

Pug You want at the very least the low end CT model, pick your retrieve ratio. Why CT? Compact, It is way more comfortable to hold/palm than The original non-CT model. The original front end was larger to accommodate the T wing system. It has a funny oversized feel in your hand as a result.

Next you can go to the CT R series. Hopped up bearings, slightly longer casting a a tiny bit lighter. In my mind #1 but a majority of fishermen will not notice the differences over the standard CT.

Tatula SV, This is a really cool reel. Almost impossible to backlash. It does really well acting lightweight lures, dock skipping and just ove3r all if you cannot cast a bait caster. The spool floats, no axle so to speak. Similar body as the CT and CT R series

To me the CT or CT R are the best value but also performing reals manufactured today. I was a Shimano guy with Casting reels until I tried these. I sold all my Shimano and have not had a single issue or regret.

By the way just an FYI, if you don’t want the T Wing, not sure why a person wold not, the Fuego is a Tatula less the T Wing system. This reel is a huge steal if you don’t want T wing.

I agree with this. I have the CT100XS which is the 8.1.1. Superfast 34.5 inches per turn. Retails for $129 but you can find them on sale for around $110 if you keep your eyes peeled. I’ll be using it for jigging and pitching and flipping so I wanted that fast retrieve. The nice thing with the Tatulas is you pick which model you want and then each one has all the speeds one could need.

What is the lightest lure you guys are casting with these reels? With my good old Shimano bantam ci200 green reel, I am able to do 3/16 oz lures when there is no wind all day long without a backlash (1/4 oz works better). I would love to find something like that reel made today.

I love the Tatula, the Aracnid is the exact same one of the tatulas. I have a few each and love them, very difficult to backlash

Have kind of bought the new and improved baitcasting technology every 2-3 years. Not every year, but often enough to take advantage of the best/newest upgrades. Had all different brands…

Over time there has been a lot of little upgrades here and there and TW is one of those. However, if you are looking for a true game changing upgrade – no question: SV

Makes an average hack like me skip a plastic lure like Greg Hackney. With virtually no Backlash.

Tatulas are all I buy now. Pitching is awesome with the T-wing system, makes it easier for line to come off the spool.

Another vote for the Tatula reels and rods. eBay has damn good deals on them just about all the time. I wanna pick a couple more up soon.

Made a test run this morning and I like the reel, it’s very smooth. I used a light bullet sinker and one of those thicker culprit worms to test a light lure. I also was casting into the wind.

I backlashed a couple times when I got aggressive with the settings. A few casts it over spun and the line went loose, but tightened up before hitting the water without back lash. I was able to make a few casts too without thumbing with conservative settings.

I was also able to make backlash free long casts setting the brakes at 0 when I got aggressive with the tensioner. I am sure there will be a learning curve.

It’s a little unfair to test it now because I just spooled it this morning. I have it sitting with line butter on it now to take out the memory.

I haven’t had great results with line butter. I love KVD Line Conditioner though. Give it a try if you ever want to try something different. It’s water based and actually chemically bonds to the line so it doesn’t come off in the water. It doesn’t gunk up your reel either. Just another option.

What issues have you had with line butter? I’ve never had a problem?

Just seems like it get’s kind of messy and oily. Maybe I’ve used too much in the past. That KVD stuff doesn’t even feel like there’s anything on it but I’ve never had fluoro be so manageable after using it.

Whatever you do, done use Reel Magic. Reel Magic = Soylent Green

It is oily, but I don’t spray much on the line. Just a light coat on each side does it for me and I let capillary action take care of the rest. I notice the oil on the water the first few casts, but after one trip it is gone and there is usually no residue left on the reel.

Save your gift certificate for a good 7 ft. medium rod. Buy a used Curado c-200(old green machine) in 6/1. You can find them all day for $60-$80. Buy one in great shape, these reels will limit backlash and can be abused and the reel still looks like new. If you need one email me and I will sell you one for $75 shipped.