LionHeart

Measure the inside diameter of the guides. 4.5 mm will work just fine with an FG knot on 50 lb braid and 20 lb leader so should be fine for your application. If you are talking true micro, you'd probably still be fine as long as you down size the line. Bigger line would be a broble. I'd give it a whirl and see what happens.

No offense taken. Somehow I completely missed the fact that the OP was looking at spinning gear. I retract my rant completely

Sorry but nothing in my comments were a matter of preference, they are a matter of fact. The weight of a reel will not change rod balance unless I suppose you are in the small minority who hold the rod completely by the handle instead of palming the reel, or you actually hold the rod entirely forward of the reel which would be even stranger still. In which case, would be perfectly fine, but I doubt anyone actually does it. I was just trying to help with facts.

It don't work that way. Your hand is the balance point (when you hold the rod). Adding or subtracting weight (heavy or light reel) to the location from which the weight is already being balanced does nothing but add or take away over all weight.

A reel will not balance a rod. Only adding weight to the butt can do that.

About 3/4ish locked down, maybe a tad more on a jig or trig, so around 10 lb of drag. Looser with lighter treble hook lures. No complaints.

Use the hole. That's what it's there for. Just a couple of granny knots will do. Backing? If you wanna save a few bucks yes. If you are worried about slipping, that's what the whole is for.

I fish Ray Roberts here in north Texas. 4-5 feet is pretty clear. 2-3 is stained and <1 is pretty muddy.

Loosening drag to save hooks from bending is the same as loosening drag when using light fishing line, it works. Not sure how it can be a debate.

Depends on what I'm buying. A $200 reel? Pass

So a 3 power Dobyns? Jigs over 3/8 oz or hook bigger than 3/0. Other than that, go get em'.

Considering the MGL, guessing your budget is over my experience

You can fix it yourself but if it were me, I'd Google the nearest rod repair shop and pay them 15 bucks to do it.

So weird. I noticed that the 7'6" has 10 guides while the models you have use 9. Maybe due to the extra length of the 7'6" and the addition of a tenth guide, they downsized the guide size for the 7'6".

That is so strange because I measured the inner diameter of the guides on my 7'6" MH and they were 3.5 mm. I also compared them side by side to my ALX Zolo Dragger ( size 5 guides / inner diameter of 4.5 mm) and they are visibly smaller. I wonder of Diawa uses different size guides on some of the Tatula models than others. This is interesting because 4.5 mm passes an FG knot no problem. What model did you use for reference?

Are you measuring the inner diameter? I care not about outer duameter. Not sure if the term "micro" has an official criteria, but to me, the guide in the picture would be "nano," and the smaller guides on the new Tatula should safely be considered micro. But what the hay, call em what you like.

The new version certainly does. The inner ring diameter is about 3.5 millimeters. Safe to call micro at that point

Would not be my choice. Moderate for lighter cranks, moderate or moderate fast for the big boys. But rod power counts for something. A medium power fast action? Okay, you could crank with it. A med heavy? Ummm, maybe if it's a dobyns, or even some of the Bucoo rods from Falcon. They tend to run a tad light on power also. The Falcon Bucoo Trapcaster would be a nice all around rod, but might be a tad light for the bigger hook baits. Definitely shouldn't throw a 1/2 oz jig on it.

Lol! I have talked with many of the guys from their pro shop, sales, and tech support but pretty sure none of them were Lew. Every time I have called, I have received prompt, courteous and knowledgeable service. They have also sent me replacement parts for out of warranty reels free of charge. Tough to ask for more than that. Who owns Lew's these days, I have no idea.

Gotta disagree about Lews customer service. Have called them numerous times about rods and reels. Always had a good experience

If you use an FG knot properly tied, the Zolo rods pass the knot no problem. I use up to 50 lb braid and 20 lb mono on the Zolo Dragger. The Zolo uses a 'mid-micro' guide train ( inner diameter of about 4.5 mm)which was chosen to accommodate leader knots. As far as flouro, be careful picking out a birdnest. If you try to yank it out (which often seems to magically work with braid), you will likely kink the flouro. If this happens, the line strength will be diminished considerably. One of the valid reasons I'm not a fan of flouro line. Also: Gobs of line memory Finicky knot strength Yes, it stretches (which reduces its strength) Tons of people swear by it, so give it a whirl, but if it ain't your thing, just know the Deputy will pass an FG knot no problem.

Just that they don't play well with leader knots. The guides on the new Tatula will clear an FG knot, but just a little too close for comfort. The OG Tatula had perfect guides IMO

The new Tatula has different reel seat, and the trigger seems to tilt slightly further forward, which to me makes it more comfortable. Why micro guides?!? Why?!?

The older 'OG' Tatula is black and gold and has split grips with black foam (getting tough to find them). The new version has full cork handle.