Tywithay

I've found that the higher priced rods have more accurate tapers. I can pinpoint the action I am looking for and know I have the proper rod. A lot of cheaper "reaction" rods are just flimsy, and they call it a crankbait rod. It hasn't actually been engineered for those particular baits. I also like the better components and build quality.

Abrazx is more abrasion resistant and has much less stretch than Invisx. What you gain with those attributes, you give up handling, memory, limpness, etc. Invisx handles very similarly to mono, Abrazx is a much stiffer line. I definitely wouldn't recommend Abrazx for spinning reels, because it doesn't handle well enough, but for baitcasters it's a good line if you need abrasion resistance (around rocks, timber, docks, etc.).

I bought my Type R off Rakuten.com for $133 shipped. They typically have the regular Tatulas for $105ish.

I think the fact he was throwing a spinnerbait might have had something to do with the casting as well. They aren't exactly the most aerodynamic baits out there. I have a few Tatula's and they hold their own against just about anything I've used (they're no Calais/Calcutta DC, or Z2020, but they cost a LOT less). I've upgraded to OS7's in my Type R and one of my regulars as well and it made a little difference, but not a whole lot. They cast pretty dang good right out of the box.

I wouldn't call them overly light, sensitive, or anything like that. However, for the money, they're solid fish catching machines. I have a couple that I use when I am catfishing, or wading rivers; that way I don't mess up my good stuff. I really like them a lot. I've caught numerous 20lb+ catfish on a 7' medium rod and never had a single issue with it. I'd highly recommend them. Look for sales too, I bought a couple from Dicks for less than $50.

I use a higher viscosity oil. Not too thick, like grease, but definitely thicker than spool bearing oil. I prefer hot sauce for that particular piece because you can just look at it and see whether or not it needs oil because of the bright red color.

Agreed. I have a friend that has a knife collection. He has custom knives with ivory handles and all kind of nonsense, some of which cost $4-5K a piece. He's never used them, never will. They only sit in a shelf. I figure if you spend $900 on a rod and actually use it for the next 10 years, you got your money out of it. Most people spend a lot more on stuff that doesn't last them nearly as long and don't even realize it. I know people that spend $300 a month or more on beer, for no particular reason.

The rotor should be turning clockwise on a spinning reel, so you want the spool sitting so that the line comes off clockwise as well. I know some people say to set the spool of line into a bath of hot water to soften it up some. Otherwise, it just comes down to it being cheap line with too much memory, or one of the stiffer fluorocarbons (shooter, for instance) that aren't really formulated for spinning reels.

Sounds like a fun time. People really retie that often? I've gone weeks without and can't remember the last time I snapped a line. Guess I'm doing it wrong.

Hype or not, it's a $149 reel. Seems a lot of people think it was going to replace the Zillion or blow everything out of the water, but it's still just a $149 reel. Compared to any other reel at that price, give me a Tatula. I even like it as much, or maybe more, than the new Curado, and it costs a little more.

My Type R weighs .2oz less than my "miniscule" Curado I. People that think it's heavy might need a couple curls.

I also found it odd that the Tatula was "heavy," but the much larger, much heavier, reel wasn't?

That's a good apples-to-apples comparison.

Abu doesn't have cork knobs though.

The handles are cork. There's an aluminum sleeve on the split grip to aid in aesthetics and balance, but it's no different than any other split grip otherwise. There's not many reviews because it's a $400 rod from Powell. They don't have built in credibility like some other manufacturers to charge that much. I'm sure they're great rods though. I may try one eventually, just hope they don't raise the price like they did all their other models.

There's very few moving parts, it's not much different than the clutch on any other baitcaster. They've been out about 7 months and I've yet to hear about any of them failing. I haven't had a single problem with mine yet. They've been flawless.

Have several Tatula's that I got when they came out, haven't had a single issue. I've only used the Curado a few times, but it has been great too. Curado feels smoother, more comfortable to palm, and a little tighter tolerances. Daiwa Tatula is the better caster, for me. Distance isn't much different, but the Tatula is easier to cast. I'd buy another Tatula before a Curado, considering the price.

I have an Avid Inshore, 8' MH. It's perfect for what you're describing. Did you try a heavy Teremar instead of the MH? Same low end rating, but can handle higher.

In my experience, squealing usually means you need oil on the brakes. That usually pertains to centrifugal systems though.

Which model? Obviously, an NRX is better than a Savvy. I prefer loomis, even though they're overpriced for the performance you get. Look for a GLX or NRX rep sample and you get a better rod for a great price.

Big game is great because you can use it for weed whackers too. Other than having too much memory and not handling worth a crap, it's great.

There may not be better lines at the same price, but there's MUCH better lines out there.

Both. I typically use spinning when it's windy, because it's less fussy.

Shimano Chronarch CI4+, Edge Mag Bass rod, 10lb Sunline Shooter, 1/16oz jighead with a chartreuse/pearl 2" tube with a cork about 30" above it. Was trying to catch crappie, but hooked a bass instead.

Wait a few weeks and buy the Curado I at 15% off. It's a far better reel. Either will last as long as you take care of them.