Smallmouth Hunter

The tatula bearings have non-reusable shields (i think that's what they are called) meaning that you pretty much have to break the shield to get it out. You have to remove these shields to get the full benefit of flushing the bearings as some of the gunk will get stuck in the bearing. I can't remember exactly how I got the shields off, but I do remember that I had to sort of pry it off with a needle. Another way to remove these is to take a very small drill bit and drill a hole in the shield, then you can stick something in a pull it off. You only have to take off one side's shield. You can flush the bearings in acetone, rubbing alcohol, and some other things. Then let them dry out on a paper towel, and finally, reoil with 1 drop of oil on the larger bearing, and less than that on the smaller bearing.

If you haven't flushed the bearings in the tatula, you aren't going to get the full distance.. Before I flushed the bearings in mine, I wasn't getting superb distance either. Flush and then reoil. The factory grease restricts the bearings and spool spinning, and it is very possible that the workers loaded your reel up with grease. My sideplate spool bearing was not too bad, but the handle sideplate spool bearing was absolutely loaded with grease. I would stay away from the gen 3 revo's completely. Too many horror stories about them. If you want to try something new, go with a gen. 2 revo premier or stx. Both can be had for under $150.

Use a 6' or 7' leader. I like my leader to be in between the last and the second to last guides (when in use, so when there is a foot or so hanging of the rod tip). If it is past (reel side of) the last guide (guide closest to reel), I find that the leader knot hits the guide and that takes away from the distance a bit.

Sorry, I am a stickler.. I am going to have to give this stuff a try. I have heard great things 'bout it.

I wish abu would give up on this whole "lightweight" trend they have been aiming for and just built solid reels like the gen 1 and 2 revo's. The MGX and MGXtreme feel fragile in hand IMO, and the tackletour review shows one basically breaking apart after fishing big lures. I personally think the gen 3 revo's turned out all wrong. The larger gear is just uncomfortable, and the problems with the "button sticking" are outrageous. I have seen/read of so many cases of the button sticking on the gen 3's, it is just scary. The carbon sideplates feel fragile too. Go back to the aluminum gear sideplate, and have the non handle sideplate be made of carbon. Sorry for the short rant on the gen 3's.

I would love to see that. Assuming the new curado will use x-ship, I wonder if the micro gears from the Metanium or Antares will fit it...? That would be a sweet upgrade.

I personally want to see something new this time around. x-ship would be a nice feature to see though..

Many already say that tatula casts better than the zillion.. Performance wise, the tatula (if I remember correctly) has a stronger drag than the zillion, and with air rotation, I have heard some people say it is just as smooth as the zillion.

Going to have to disagree with you on that on.. The CUe5 is very slow in LPT. I don't think it would be practical for an all-round use, or for that matter anything other than deep cranks. The tatula is very similar to the zillion, but has air rotation and the TWS. The only minus of getting the tatula compared to the zillion is a bit more plastic (level wind drive gears, lever that shifts the level wind/ T-wing, star drag), and no free floating spool (not a big deal since both weigh the same, unless of course you plan to switch out the spool). Out of the two I would go with the tatula and spend the money I saved on a metal star drag, zillion tension knob, OS7, CF handle, knobs, 4 bearings to upgrade the handle knobs and levelwind (bushing -> bearing).

According to the same guy who leaked the other stuff, it will use a completely new frame and all new parts. I don't think it will be all too similar to the chrony e. I hope it has ci4+ sideplates or some other cool feature from a higher end reel (like daiwa has done with the tatula).

I have been using leaders for a while now, and I have had no problems with break-offs. If you tie your leader knot correctly, you will bend a hook before you break off. One problem I see a lot of people do is not using a strong enough leader. If you are using 15lb braid, don't use a 6lb leader or 8lb even. This just weakens it. I stick to 12-15 lb leaders, which don't cast as well, but don't break off. I have actually had less break-offs when using a leader. 1. Better abrasion resistance for when you get wrapped by a fish or something like that. 2. Shock-absorption of the fluoro leader. Braid tends to snap when sudden, high pressure is applied so this fluoro leader tames this problem. Also, fluoro leader is a confidence thing. If I feel it is helping me, then I will stick with it.

The new stella is supposed to look very similar to the current SW stella, at least the machining on the spool.

First off, if you are going to get the tatula, I would go for the regular, unless fishing saltwater/brackish. The type-r has a lighter spool (by 2-3 grams, not very noticeable), 2 CRBB's (corrosion resistant), a zaion star drag, and red accents. The CRBB's are only necessary if you are fishing saltwater. The spool is not much lighter so casting distance is basically the same. The zaion star drag feels similar to plastic (which the regular has) so that isn't a big deal either IMO. With the $50 you can save from buying the standard, you can buy 4 bearings to upgrade the levelwind bushings to bearings + to add to knobs. You could also buy some OS7's. If you manage to save a few left over $$ after all this, then you can buy either a metal star drag off a zillion or another daiwa, or a larger silver spool tension knob off a zillion which looks very nice on the tatula. I have not used the CI4+ so I cannot comment on that.. I personally don't like the feel of a composite or graphite or carbon fiber frame so I personally would stay away from that.

I don't like deep spools, but I like wide spools. Deep spools = wasted line, extra weight That is why I love JDM shallow spools. Less line, but it is on the outside of the spool. It is like having backing already on the spool.

I am 90% sure that the curado will have a replacement.. I just have a good feeling about it.

Tackletour is publishing their review of the rod sometime soon. Not sure exactly when but they said they were in the publishing process about 2 weeks ago so it should be very soon. I am extremely excited to see what they say about it with all their experience with high end rods. I think it will get a great review.

Do you know what it stands for? I am guessing it is something in japanese..

Daiwa tatula 7'1" MH X-fast Held one in stores and it is the lightest rod I have ever held under 150. Also, it has many features of the steez rods. The reels seat was probably my favorite feature. It was very comfortable to hold (I put a reel on it in store), and the trigger grip is different than most rods.

Tatula

What does AOI stand for? Also, how many AOI were made? From what I have heard, that is a very rare reel.

Daiwa tatula 7'1 MH x-fast Held it in-store and it is sweeeet.

+1 Sufix 832 camo is on sale at academy right now for 7.30 per 150 yards ($12 off).

Getting rid of a proven reel.. hmmm that sounds familiar. They got rid of the curado b series which was probably the most popular series out of all of them. They got rid of the Calcutta TE which was considered by many to be one of the best round reels.

Go to tt "new curado?" thread. Look at the post on page 3. A member named "john puckett" says that there is supposedly a new curado coming out at this next classic show in 2014. He then goes on to say on the next page that it will not re-use any parts and that it will be completely new. Then look at Bantam1's post a bit farther down on page 4. He says "You need to tell me who your source is...". Why would he say this if the info had not been true or somewhat accurate. Out of all of the speculating that goes on over at TT and on that thread, WHY would he comment on that specific comment? It is obvious that is somewhat accurate. I am guessing that there will be a new reel coming out this spring classic show, but I don't know if it will be a curado or new chronarch or what. I don't think it will be a high end reel because Shimano USA has just released the Antares and Metanium. It will probably be lower end than the CI4+ because that was just released as well and leads me to think that they would start to concentrate a bit more on the lower end stuff. The curado g is very unpopular compared to the b, d, and e series, so I think that their best move would be to revamp that. It sounds to me like that's what they are thinking about doing too.

The new curado's are supposed to be priced at around 190.. They aren't going to have 2 reel priced within $10 of eachother.