Eric 26

So I’m done opening my first week and to be honest I’m pleasantly surprised by the selections, I will add the hooks seem to be about the same quality as my Ozark Trail lures which as I’ve said I have zero issues with them. The only downside is I received 3 spoons in the first week which I feel they could have spaced a little better but I’m super happy with the square bill and the top water plug so far and hey for the $23.00 it was normally which my wife had a 1/2 off coupon for I’m happy enough and I’m enjoying looking forward to the next days surprise.

First off my apologies for asking the same questions in more than one thread. So after looking at the Daiwa site @Tackleholic the rods you’re referencing are the Tatula Bass rods which at $179.99 retail are a bit pricier than I’m looking to pay, @ghost you’re referencing the exact rod from Daiwa the Tatula XT at $99.99 retail is more in line with my budget and then of course I read about the Major Craft Volkey that I know @MiceNReets has just purchased on the used market, so much information to absorb. For reference I’m looking for one rod that will be able to cast a 1/16th ounce underspin head and say a 1-1/2”-2-1/2” plastic body to say a Strike King 1.0 square bill. I have a relatively cheap reel with a bfs spool currently and was using a old 6’-0” rod with a generous rating from 1/8 ounce to 1 ounce, I would really like a rod no shorter than 6’-8”-7’-2” able to throw both single hook baits and treble hook baits and I feel confident I can control both by setting my drag appropriately especially considering I generally fish a small set of ponds with not very large fish. Another rod I came across is a Cashion Element Z2 bfs rod that’s marked as a med-light and at $129.99 it’s perfectly priced but nobody near me carries Cashion rods currently but I’m hoping my local upcoming fishing and outdoor show will have a good selection of rods to handle. I’m really enjoying reading about this style of fishing and have learned a ton from the likes of @bulldog1935 in both posts and pm’s along with @redmeansdistortion who both adopted this “trend” quite early and then @Bigbox99 who always brings a different perspective regarding “alternative” brands to completely keep me searching for the perfect rod reel combination and then there’s @WRB-2.0 who has recently adopted the bfs style and has caught some of the largest bass swimming so he definitely knows a thing or 2 when it comes to handling them. So much information to absorb. My apologies for the long winded post.

@ghost I was wondering if you wouldn’t mind me asking about your Tatula XT bfs rod, I’m thinking about picking one up but nobody around me carries them so any information would be appreciated such as what you’re using with it.

@FishTank This is exactly why I’m glad to be a member here, reading real reviews from people who have real world experience with high, low and everything in between gear vs trying to distinguish between fan bias or hate for that matter against any brand. I for one am looking forward to reading your thoughts after using the reel for a season.

Ok so I know this is far from sexy let alone high class but dang it after an almost 9 hour drive taking my son back to college in on and off snow/ice I needed something 😜

@gim Had you mentioned the green bean casserole ahead of time I not only would have showed up but I would have brought some Spotted Cow beer for you to boot😋 In all seriousness it sounds like your mom pulled through like a champ which is awesome to read.

Sorry for the late response but yes.

I remember drooling over those in the BPS catalog back in the day. Both of those are absolutely amazing looking!

Has anyone ever received one of these? My wife bought me one I’m assuming off of Amazon and gave it to me yesterday, I’m sure the lures will be on the cheaper end and she even alluded to this but hey I’m the guy that loves Ozark Trail lures as well as the name brands. I’ll update after I get the first week opened if anyone shows interest.

@Kev-mo I’m not sure on your phone but on my I-phone after I hit the Add Files button located on the bottom of your response page you can select the size small, medium or large sizing option located in the lower right corner of your screen.

Yes. The SLX 70 is the right hand model and the 71 is the left handed model.

I also say fish it but will agree with keeping it covered along with just general taking care of it. Although my Daiwa Tatula Type R is nowhere near as rare when I found one for sale unused old stock from an actual shop I knew I would be using it and have zero regrets doing so. Also would love to see a picture or two. Here’s mine next to it’s cousin the Cabelas Arachnid that I also own.

And a 7th round pick at that!

@Mike L BEAR DOWN Chicago Bears!!!!!! I know that wasn’t the sexiest win but I’m going to relish in every victory they achieve. It’s wonderful seeing a team that on paper should not be doing as well as they are but Ben Johnson has this team believing in themselves as a whole unit and I for one am enjoying the ride.

🤔Where are the pictures? I for one really want to see them.

I second this recommendation ⬆️

I just saw the BPS flyer and noticed they’re offering Daiwa Tatula CT’s for $99.99 in store or online.

@FloridaFishinFool I for one hope you post some photos or at least an update on how your son enjoys the above Stradic along with the rest of the reels you talked about in this thread.

I personally think you’re trying to have everyone on here talk you into what is currently a problem that by your own admission you don’t have time to fix. With that said as someone who also doesn’t have the amount of time I would like to dedicate to fishing I think you’ve already received the best advice available in that the fish could care less and honestly won’t know what gear you presented the lure or bait that made them take a bite in the first place so with your limited time currently sell the casting gear invest in some higher end spinning reels that many on here can suggest and enjoy 😉 I mean absolutely zero disrespect in my post.

Is it just me or does anyone else have the 10CC song “The things we do for love” running through their head after reading this post 😋

I’m not sure I can say the name of the company but Polish Pete does a whole series on rods for strolling/minnow shaking and again although I don’t have a need for the rod/rods I really enjoyed watching the series. If anyone knows if the name of the company is safe to use on here feel free to insert it and if it’s not and you want to know send me a PM and I’ll let you know that way. Also I stopped at Cabelas yesterday and although out of my budget I handled the St Croix PHYSYX series rods along with the more budget minded Black Bass series spinning rods and dang they both felt nice in the 6’-10” med light extra fast and 7’-3” med light extra fast rods respectively.

@Anfrobodine I don’t own a boat or any kind of water craft for that matter so zero experience with the technique but 13 fishing is offering rods specific to the technique in both the Oath rods at $99.99 and the Myth rods at $199.99 respectively. Also a you tube search will bring you to a few different rod manufacturers that are offering technique specific rods or at least options that you might consider.

Not trying to be argumentative but it happens quite often, I’ve seen it firsthand in the construction business when a company folds up files bankruptcy and reopens under a new name sometimes putting the business in their wife’s name which then becomes a minority owned company and still has the same crew and many times the same equipment. All completely legal at least here in Illinois.

@Bigbox99 Thank you for such a quick reply, I will agree with you in that at $70.00 I’m not “that” interested especially as it’s a clearly mass produced reel with I’m sure a few different names. I will say I remember a video from a handful of years ago showing Cadence carrying a version of the “Red” Daiwa C? Moniker it carried version for quite a bit cheaper than then the Daiwa at I believe $60.00 maybe $70.00 vs what was at the time a $99.00 version from Daiwa. Please feel free to correct me if you have more information than I’m currently remembering. Also I for one really appreciate you doing the deep dives in the CDM and I’ll still say I’m glad I grabbed my Piscifun Saex Elite so many years ago.