akmac

Thanks for the reply. That reel is tempting at that price. I kind of wrote it off due to the line capacity since I don't use leaders, don't want to be changing line all the time. The idea of using braid and just swapping out leaders is tempting though- just stuck in my ways. I am finding there is no magic bullet or do it all reel. There are trade-offs with spool weight, capacity, etc... If I want to chuck lighter lures a shallower, lighter spool is probably a must. I am curious to see how the Tatula 80 pans out. It checks a lot of boxes for me, but not sure with the spool design if it will do what I want. Dagblamit, I'm picky...

Interesting. I have heard good things about the Helios XT as well. Nice that we live in a time that the playing field is more level amongst competitors. Gives us more options, but man it is hard to choose! Which model are your throwing?

Do you have a newer model Daiwa SV? If so, how does it perform compared to the older model? Back in the day I used to use nothing but Quantum. Then their quality went to crap for me. I had 3 new reels malfunction. 3 different models, all with the same problem. A brand new, shiny, copper/brown colored Quantum Energy cost me 1st place, big fish, and calcutta when the spool disengaged on a hook set and lost a 6+ lber. I can still see that fish jump in my head...Haven't touched a Quantum since.

Power Pro. It is cheap, readily available, and performs as good or better than the higher priced braids I have tried over the years.

Darn it, I can't do LH. Hell of a deal though.

Thanks for all of the replies. Basically have it narrowed down to the Lews Tournament Pro LFS over the BB1, or the Daiwa Tatula SV. Not sure if I would like the design of the Curado breaking system. I'm sure it works great when dialed in, but looks like it could be a hassle to adjust on the water. Leaning more towards the Lews since it checks more boxes for me. Lightest of the bunch, strongest drag, low profile, external micro adjustments, adequate line capacity, 95mm carbon fiber handle. Appears to be the most bang for buck reel out there at $200.

This is pretty much why I went to the Tatulas as my workhorse reels. Even before the zero adjuster I basically set the spool tension the same as they do now in the factory, then just use the magnetic control to quickly fine tune my casts for different lures and conditions. Had bad experiences with other reels in the past, where the c-break or mag adjustments were more like a hammer than a chisel. The Tatula mag adjustments hit the sweet spot for me. Just want to find something that handles lighter baits better, without compromising too much on spool capacity, distance, or the ability to handle other baits.

Ok, stopped being lazy and put on my glasses. Found the adjustment hiding in the front/bottom area of the left side plate. I thought it was the side plate release button when I was researching these reels. I guess I need to get caught up on the SV technology and how it works.

Thanks for pointing that out. So many new and old models with the same names, I have a hard time keeping up. Looked up the MGL Curado and didn't see any external adjustments except for the break. What am I missing?

Thanks for the response PhishLl. Definitely checks most of the boxes, I will check it out. I wish the Curado had external micro-adjustments. The Chronarch MGL or Tatula Elite would be my choice if I had more money to spend. I could probably get by with it, but after a $300 dollar order for lures, and 800 bucks spent on new carpet/flooring for the boat, my wife might lock me in the kennel.

The sweet spot for me is 40lb power pro. 50lb cuts down on distance too much for my liking. 30lb will fail at times with it having a smaller diameter. It can dig into the spool on snags, and backlashes . Nothing like hearing a snap on a cast, and watching your 10+dollar lure sail into the abys. Never had that happen with 40lb.

Hi all, I have 3 tatula 100's I use for power fishing, and a Type R I use for finesse jigs, and small tubes. Love the 100's for bomb casting, use the Type R when I need more close precision. I am looking for a reel that is a bit more multipurpose, can handle some lighter lures without sacrificing too much distance or line capacity. I have kind of narrowed it down between the Lews BB1 Pro LFS, Tatula SV (newer models). I have some experience with the old SV. Super smooth, controlled cast, comfortable to fish all day, but felt like the distance was lacking a bit compared to my other tats. I have also looked at the Shimano SLX XT, hell of a price point, but not sure if it will do what I want. The Tatula Elite is tempting, but not sure if it is worth the extra cash. Love everything about the Curado K, but it is lacking external micro adjustments. Like the Elite, will have to fork over quite a bit more cash to get what I want in a Shimano. I am looking for a reel that is light and comfortable to fish all day, as I have gotten past mid age, my tendons like to bark more than they used to. I am hoping some of you that have experience with these reels can chime in and help me make an informed decision. Thanks

I appreciate all of the input guys. It really helps me out since I don't have access to a store to put one in my hand.

I lock mine down and back off a click or 2. Once I have the fish cleared I will back off the drag if needed. In an emergency you can click the thumb bar and thumb the spool. I have lost too many good fish due to the drag slipping and not allowing for a good hook set.

I am looking for a 7'ish MH rod that will handle medium to large cranks and spinnerbaits. Basically a rod that fishes in-between F and ModF. If you have experience with these rods could you please elaborate on how they fish? Are they true to their action, stiffer, softer, balance, weight, etc?

Thanks for the replies guys. Found the stock handle at The Tackle Trap online store for $29. It is the same one used on the Zillion (handle assembly J14-2801). I really like the custom wood spider knobs. They are BA. Unfortunately on a budget and my wife would kill me lol.

When I first started throwing a CB I had the same problem using a moderate action rod and copolymer. I just figured a CB should fish like a spinnerbait, but it doesn't. I went to a MH fast action, with straight 40lb braid, and I rarely have one come off now. Make sure the brand you are using has a sharp, long, wide-gap hook. I have fooled around with several brands and discovered I always lost fish on shorter shanked hooks smaller than 4/0. I have also found weed guards tend to reduce hook-ups, particularly when the fish are short striking.

Hi all, I accidently stepped on my Type R Tatula CT and ruined the stock handle:( I actually liked the stock handle but couldn't find them online. So many chinese knockoffs on ebay that look cheaply made, I couldn't figure out what to get. I don't really want to spend more than 40-50 bucks on a real I paid 139 for. Any suggestions? Thanks

I love the Daiwa Tatulas. I currently own 4 of them and plan plan on purchasing more. I was using Lews and Quantum reels until I found a deal too good to pass up on the Daiwa Tatulas. I'll never go back. Smooth drag, easy to dial in, durable, cast a mile. I just add one drop of oil to the bearings once a week and never have problems with them.

Thanks for the replies guys. I appreciate all of the information. I went out for an hr with my MH Veritos bait casting rig this evening and hooked 5 of 6 light bites. Apparently my Med moderate action spinning rod does not have enough backbone. After looking at what you guys throw I think I will pick up a medium extra fast spinning rod, spool up with 15lb braid and a 10lb floro leader. I'll use my other rod for what it was intended (drop shot). I was actually surprised at how well my bait caster handled the 3/16oz shakey head with 15lb yozuri hybrid. I may have to designate one for 1/4oz+ applications around heavy cover. The spinning outfit will allow me to go down to 1/8 oz and be more effective in clear water. I am currently looking at the Damiki Dark Angel on sale at tackle warehouse, a Cadence CR7, or a Powell Inferno. Do you guys have any experience with these rods?

I am fairly new to shakes head fishing and have been extremely frustrated with fish coming unbuttoned on my current medium (moderate fast) spinning rod spooled with 10 lb floro. I don't think I am getting enough umph with my hook sets. I have been thinking about purchasing a shorter 6'6"-6'10" medium (extra fast) spinning rod and spooling it with 10-15 lb braid or going with a MH (fast action) bait casting rig spooled with 12 lb floro. My question for you experienced shakey headsters is do you think either of these combinations would work, which would work best, or if you think I am way off please give me some recommendations for maximizing hook sets? I mainly fish shallow stained lakes that have a variety of pea gravel to chunk sized rock, flooded timber, and cedar tree brush piles. I like to use shakey heads on the rocks and timber and go with heavier jig/trig setups in the brush.