greywalls

8lb Wally World Stren mono.... Have fished the same line for 25yrs, and the same spool for 10yrs... Don't overthink these things.

Have you tried re-spooling with a different line on this particular reel?

I had a chance to handle one of the rods you mentioned, and it really struck me as a well-constructed rod... Surprisingly so, given its price... The Fenwick Elite Tech. I was blown away by it, honestly... Purely subjective, but I'll pick one up.

It's more of a hybrid between the Tat and Tat-R, not that there's much difference between the two, aside from aesthetics. http://www.tackletour.com/reviewdaiwatattyper.html

Not to hijack, but what's going on with that St. Croix cork? Is that how their cork ages?

True, but 90% of everything else they sell, excepting RedHead and BassPro house brands, are also available for the same online discounts... Not unique to Daiwa. In any event, I'd actually pay MSRP for a Tatula from BPS, simply owing to the experience that my wife and kiddos would enjoy while visiting our local store.

Funny this should come up... Yesterday, I called both 1-800-BPS as well as my local Richmond store to inquire why I couldn't find any Tatulas online... Both reps said simply that they weren't stocking them... There was one left handed Tatula and a T3 Ballistic at the store, leftover.... Weird. By and large, the BPS offerings "seem" to be migrating to more house-branded reels and rods (to my eye)... I wonder if perhaps Daiwa is making any of the BPS reels, maybe justifying the disappearance of the Daiwa brand? Curious...

I like the extra handle length. I don't like the absence of at least a tiny Daiwa emblem (something to say it's not just a random black reel). The only other thing, which I've only heard but haven't confirmed: the matte black finish might be prone to showing smudges/lint (kinda like a rubberized cell phone case, I guess)... Nice looking setup, though -- I'd likely buy it over the regular Tatula if it would actually ever be in stock prior to March. Then again, the new Fuego line, which offers the same Tat guts but better (IMO) aesthetics, would be tough to pass for a few dollars cheaper (unless one needed the TWS)...

Well, to the OP's defense, I'll admit that the sheer volume of info available to us is so immense as to be intimidating sometimes... Coupling this with the fact that quite a few questions usually seem to be answered by a flurry of input from "brand X" prostaffers, and it becomes rather tough to truly figure out a consensus from the legions of unbiased average-Joe bass enthusiasts... Ergo, it's not so easy to search any forums' Search app and hear from unbiased folks willing to share first-hand experience. Not to stir the pot at all, but I'd point out as an example a few threads on Denali rods and *** rods I recently stumbled upon... In both cases, it's becoming too customary to see a barrage of input from prostaffers with these companies -- and while I personally feel that these two particular companies offer excellent products, all of the "prostaffer" / fanboy advice really doesn't assist anyone in their decisions -- on the contrary, the biased replies really hurt all folks involved. I'm glad that there are new folks interested in our sport, and I'm also glad there are enough unbiased folks on this particular forum who are willing to toss out some general recommendations on these subjects... And once an unbiased guy tosses out some options, then I agree that the onus is on the poster to do as much homework as possible via the Search function to learn about the items and make an educated decision. I'm not sure I added much to this discussion; however, just wanted to chime in with my thoughts.

Honestly, I'd look at the Quantum Kevin Van Dam Baitcast Combo from Walmart @ ~$115. Use it often, and figure out what you like and don't like about it... Then, a year from now, use your new experience to spring for a new setup that is "higher end."

Megabass Levante is AWESOME. It's a bit outside my price-range; otherwise, I'd go with it!

Thanks, guys! It's nice to hear that I didn't goof up too badly on narrowing down my choices! I'm really impressed by all of these rods, and, as someone else mentioned, the options available at the ~$150 price point are simply amazing. Mind you, I haven't purchased a new rod in 15+ years -- currently running three old Daiwas, two AllStars and one of the original Powell offerings... Can't believe how far technology has advanced -- it's literally shocking for someone like myself, refreshing 20yr-old gear! Over the next year, I'll be trading up (and gifting to a neighborhood kiddo who is nuts about all things fishing) all rods and reels; so, I'll probably end up with a new 2 or 3-rod basic setup (my "go to" 7' M/MH F and my crankbait 7' M "parabolic/moderate", and maybe something on the heavier end)... In any event, while I probably will go with one of the more popular (i.e., tested) options, I'll have to say: as far as fit & finish and general "feel" is concerned, the Denali Kovert rod is my top choice... Interestingly, no one has chimed in on Denali, and, honestly, until I picked up the rod, I'd never even heard of the company... It seems to be a sweet, sweet rod, although I'm reluctant to purchase something that doesn't have somewhat of a loyal following. Ha, I guess it'll be a coin flip at this point!

Maybe Falcon? Tough to find a USA rod that's not going to be significantly more $ than the reel...

Thank you. I've heard many great things re: the Zodias line. ...Just haven't been able to find one to hold, in person.

Yikes... I hope you're wrong, but I'll report back...

Thanks, Smitty. This little Revo S is growing on me, although I'm still leaning towards the Tatula.

So, I'm in need of a premium (as much as I can afford) baitcasting rod to serve as a general purpose "go to" rod... All of these are available in an ~7ft Medium/MH Fast action profile, which will suit my needs as a generalist setup for spinnerbaits, crankbaits and plastics... I've narrowed down my choices to the Dobyns Saavy series, the Denali Kovert series, and the Loomis E6X series. My basic questions are: which is the most reputable company? which of these series utilizes the best components (sensitive blank, quality guides, quality reel seat)? I'm looking for something that will be lightweight yet durable, and a brand that would be respectable enough to use in regional tournaments... All of these rods feel great to me, and are identically priced... So, which series would you choose, and why? THANK YOU!!!! Aside: Other runners-up include the Daiwa Tatula series and the St. Croiz Mojo Bass series rods...

Yikes! That's a SWEET deal. Very nice reel. If you don't mind me asking, what did you end up picking it up for ($)?

Thanks, guys! I appreciate everyone's advice. For sure, the Revo S is a wonderful Christmas gift -- I'm extremely appreciative. Per my wife, my reel came from Dick's @ $130. I'm planning to exchange it, though, for a reel with external adjustments... I'll tack on a few extra bucks. Currently, deciding between the Revo STX, the Daiwa Tatula-R, and the Lews TP. All are pretty much WAY nicer than my old (albeit beloved) Daiwas, and I don't think I could go wrong with any of these three for a workhorse, general-purpose baitcaster. I plan to pair the reel to a Cabelas Tournament ZX, St. Croix Mojo Bass or Premier series, Duckett Ghost, or Dobyns Saavy rod... Something in the 7' MHF range for an all-purpose bass outfit.

I grew up on Daiwa SP1000 baitcasters (circa 80s), and I still exclusively use the same two baitcasters now as I did as a teen, believe it or not -- they're not at all sexy, but they flat out work and have never required even an ounce of maintenance other than seasonal oiling.

Long time lurker, first time poster... I'm 39yrs old and have bass fished religiously at least once per week, without fail, since age 10. I grew up on Daiwa SP1000 baitcasters (circa 80s), and although my rods, trucks, boats and other toys have improved immensely over the years, I still exclusively use the same two baitcasters now as I did as a teen, believe it or not -- they're not at all sexy, but they flat out work and have never required even an ounce of maintenance other than seasonal oiling. Probably mostly owing to the basic proficiency that comes with running a single piece of gear for 25 years, I feel like I can usually put most any lure within a 10" circle out to 40yds.... I depend on my thumb alot for managing casts; but, the Daiwa Magforce coupled with the spool adjustment allows me to continually dial in each cast depending on lure, wind and distance. Although these are extremes, my old Daiwas would allow me both to push a tiny Mister Twister 25yds into the wind just as easily as slinging a heavy spinnerbait 60yds (not that I regularly do either). I find that I'm constantly adjusting the Magforce settings -- for example, I might be trolling up a bank around a wind-breaking point, and will tick up Magforce two clicks for ten casts, and then click it back down as I go around the point and continue and the wind or my distance has changed a bit... I might fish 5 different lures in an hour, and I'll intuitively always be tweaking the reel's dial in for each lure and my real-time conditions. Maybe my way is crazy -- but I feel like I'm highly proficient with it (and I rarely get a backlash... and I usually catch fish)... Yesterday, my father-in-law presented me with a new Abu Revo S as a Christmas gift. It was an extremely generous gesture, as he knows how much I love to fish. I don't want to look a "gift horse in the mouth" too much; however, I'm a little concerned about the pitch centrifugal brake system that the Revo S utilizes. If I had planned to upgrade a reel, I, personally, would have purchased either the Revo STX or the Daiwa Tatula Type-R (R100XS) (and, honestly, probably the Daiwa).... This Revo looks and feels like a fantastic reel; however, I'm utterly befuddled by the centrifugal brakes... That is, how in the world do you keep this reel perfectly dialed in??? Has technology changed so much that a single brake setting could be 100% sufficient for every lure and condition? I'm not at all a "set it and forget it" kind of guy (and I certainly would never envision taking apart the reel every 20minutes in order to change brake settings)... I'd always believed that the fixed plate centrifugal offerings were more or less tailored to novice baitcaster anglers; but, I could be wrong... I guess, in light of everything I've shared, do you think this is a reel that is appropriate for me, or should I try to cagily figure out where it was purchased and exchange it for a more-adjustable reel? I really appreciate the advice. Merry Christmas, all.