FishTank

I held the new Elite, Tatula SV and the CT today. I am pretty sure that the Elite is built on the same platform as the Steez. It feels exactly the same in hand. If it wasn't just slightly heavier, I couldn't tell the difference. It was just as smooth and when I palmed it, it had that sort of magical feel to it. I would not compare it to the CT though.

I remember them. I would go through a bag or two every time I was out. I did hate how they smelled like plastic and oil (sort of) when they got warm. The fished seemed to like it though. I am glad to see that this worm is back though. I actually like it better than the trick worm. I wish they would make the lizard with old material. I always had good luck with them.

If they are half as good as Uncle Josh's baits, this guy is going to make a killing. I hope he is prepared for the demand. In this internet world, it won't take long.

I went to the Indy Boat, Sport and Travel Show today and came home with this thing. At a couple of booths they had any NRX rod for $350 and the Conquest was $425. I could have gone crazy but one is enough (for now). They also had the Tatula Elite for $180. I have to say, it feels exactly like the Steez. I think it's going to be the next "it" reel. I did see a guy there that bought 3 NRX's and 2 Conquests. He said he would add them to the rest of his Loomis NRX and GLX collection> Must be nice. Also, the guy that talked me into this rod was Ish Monroe. I didn't recognize him without the Daiwa hat and shirt. Great guy by the way.

I like both. When I first tried a DC reel out years ago, it was the Calcutta and I thought it was just sort of a novelty. But when I bought the Curado DC and used it regularly, it found it's place as another tool to increase my fishing fun. Also, it seems smoother than K, not sure why.

I have tried a couple of their lures and the smaller swimbaits and not luck on any of them. I can't say why but they just have not produced at all.

I am a big Shimano fan but out of the ones you picked I would go with the Tatula SV. You really can't go wrong with any of them though.

Nice. Those look awesome. I have not seen them before. You will have to report back with how well they did. Dang, I hear the bait monkey calling me again.

So picked up this guy used. Feels pretty good. I took it apart today and lubed it. It was bone dry and it was quite the challenge Also and I should have taken a picture when I had it apart, the main gear and the pinion looked almost burnt. I have never seen a reel that looks this spotless and perfect on the outside and look this odd on the inside. I may have to invest in a new set. We will see.

So the Bait Monkey delivered today......

So the monkey got me on swimbaits finally. I have been avoiding it until I threw a buddies Savage Gear 8in or maybe 10in swimbait and had a 5 pounder destroy it in open water. I knew then that the bait monkey had won. I got hit for a St. Croix Mojo Musky and 13 Fishing Muse Black Swimbait rod> for reels, I got a Abu Garcia Revo Toro Beast and a used Shimano Calcutta> baits, 3 Spro's, 6 Savage Gears, 2 Lucky Craft Pointer 180's and 3 Huddlestons> Line, 2 spools of Sunline Defier Armilo 22lb and 25lb.

I too have been using the same Stradics (2) for about 15 years and have had zero issues and I have also been thinking of getting a new spinning reel since one of mine is finally showing rust and ware. If I was to branch outside of Shimano, the Daiwa Tatula LT has caught my eye a few times. When I have played around with one at Cabelas, I keep looking for flaw or a reason not to buy it and so far I have yet to find one. I just can't seem to let go of the reels I have even though it's probably time.

I can't confirm this is true but I get the sense that it's sort learning how I cast. It just seemed to get better over time.

I have the 803C GLX and I use it for T-Rigged soft plastic and jigs (around 1/2oz). The 783 GLX is kind of an all purpose rod and also the most sensitive of the batch. I use it mainly for jerkbaits but I also use it for senkos. The 844 IMX is used for topwater and frogs but works great for heavy spinnerbaits as well. The 844 GLX is used for heavier T-rigged soft plastic and pitching jigs (but there are better rods for pitching though). This rod is also super sensitive.

You can skip the first 5 minutes of this guy though. The video shows clearly how the DC should function in his first cast. The line will start to draw away from the spool and then the spool magically slows down to keep the line in check without backlashing.

I have 3 of the MBR rods, 783 GLX, 844 GLX and the 844 IMX. The GLX rods seem a little softer but not much. The 783 GLX is probably my most favorite rod. It can pretty much do just about anything. Personal opinion, the MBR's are less fast (softer) than the JWR rods. To me, it's not even a close comparison.

Not big on their reels but this looks like a pretty good idea. I have rod rock in my garage and that is always the issue..... You can't store two rods next to each other, therefore a rod holder with 12 spots only holds 6.

Costas and Smiths for me. Both have served me well.

Heading to the Boat, Sport and Travel show this weekend here in Indy. Hopefully they will have some good deals.

Could be a Montague.

I tried Gamma and didn't care for it. Tatsu on the hand, is the best line I have ever used. Up to this year, I had a reel that had 10lb Tatsu on it for 4 years. The line was still good but the spool was getting low. I am re-spooling that reel for the first time this year with the same 10lb Tatsu.

I have the DC and K and the DC, for me, has been an awesome reel (the K is great as well). It casts a mile in the wind, I have to really do something stupid to get to backlash at any setting, and it's smooth as butter. The only thing I have found to be an issue is braid. It's just seemed as the line got wetter/heavier the DC breaking would tend to get fooled at the start of the cast. I switched to 12lb FC and no issues. Also, I would ignore the instructions on the reel as far as the number system goes. I set it as follows. 1. Wind to my back and I want to cast it a mile 2. The pretty much you can set it here and forget it setting 3. Throwing into the wind - any bait that could helicopter (spinnerbaits, big cranks, etc) 4. Skipping under docks and pitching Most lures I use are between 3/8 and 3/4 of an ounce. So I set the spool tension knob with a 1/2 oz bait to the point where it falls to ground at a slow but steady pace. That's it.

I have the 783C GLX as well. It is one of my favorite rods. I use for just about anything but I like it for jerkbaits. The 803C is a great rod but the version I have came just after the one with the Recoil guides (which was a better rod in my opinion). The new version is supposed to capture what the orginal one felt like. I use the 803C for small jigs and t-rigged soft plastic.

That's my thought.... I am going to Indy Boat Sport and Travel Show next weekend. The last time I went, several years ago, I scored a G.Loomis GLX 803C for half price from a Loomis vendor. Luckily it was not a demo or a second. It was close to the last day and they wanted to move some stock. If I had the cash, I would have bought everything I could put my hands on. I am not sure what I will get just yet. I want to get the reel in my hands first.

It's on the way. We will see what it's like when it gets here.