ABrugs

I noticed one of your comments on another topic around the Shimano SLX MGL regarding how it compares to the Tatula 100. I had the chance to pick one up at Cabela’s yesterday and was really intrigued. Now I’m doing some research on both the SLX MGL and the Curado MGL 70 K to see if those could be better options than the Daiwa Tatula 100/Elite combination. ^ Does anyone have any experience or perspective on this? All I’m reading are awesome reviews on both of these MGL models.

Welcome from a fellow Michigander and also new BR member, @Hawks4465!

^ This is exactly what I was hoping to see. I appreciate you! It’s actually my birthday today and I just opened up my two new beautiful rods, the 6th Sense ESP 7’2 MH/MF and Lux 6’9 M/MF. I think these reels are going to feel and look amazing on them.

I appreciate you commenting, Glenn! I was a sponge last year searching for topics and learning as much as I could about bass fishing. Bass Resource was always my top pick and it’s already been incredible learning from the members over the past week or so since I’ve been posting. I love this site.

^ I’ve followed a lot of your comments on Daiwa reels and appreciate the perspective. Now, I don’t know anything about reel maintenance as I’m just getting into bass fishing and this will be my first nicer reel. I know there are a lot of YouTube videos that explain how to do reel maintenance, but would you also recommend just sending reels in to someone like DVT for an annual check-up? @WRB - That is awesome data. Thanks! If I’m throwing tube jigs out there for distance, would you agree that an 8.1:1 in the Tatula 100 is the right move based on this for hook-setting ability?

I think I made my decision. I’m going to go w/ the Tatula 100 in 8.1:1 on my tube jig setup and the Tatula Elite in the 7.1:1 on my jerkbait setup. I was at Bass Pro Shops earlier and picked up the 100 they had on display. Every time I pick that reel up, I love it. ^ I appreciate all of the advice and comments! This forum/site is awesome.

Alright, so I would say I’m 90% decided on some combination of the Tatula 100 and the Elite. However, the one thing holding me back is my intrigue of the Shimano Curado/SLX DC reels. I’ve done a lot of research on these as well and the reason I’ve been heavily leaning towards the Daiwa Tatula line is because of how compact they are w/ the 100 frame, the simple Magforce braking system, the aesthetics, and the fact that they are lighter than the DC models listed. ^ The hype that comes w/ DC reels in addition to that unique ‘whine’ it makes and the simplicity of the I-DC4 system continues to intrigue me. Although, I’m not sure yet if I love or hate that ‘whine’ and if it would get annoying after some time. I should also mention that I’m a brand guy and I would either like to go all Daiwa or Shimano here for consistency w/ the feel and braking profile. I realize this is a different angle compared to the conversation about different Tatula models, but would love some objective perspectives here. Thanks!

Regarding the SVs, what weight lures do they start to shine w/ versus something like an Elite or 100? Is it under 3/8 oz for example? ^ I’m planning on mostly throwing 1/4 oz tube jigs + the tube for a total weight of about a 1/2 oz. I would think any casting reel should throw that pretty well. However, if a SV would provide some real advantages, I might take a closer look.

I appreciate all of the advice. I'll mainly be throwing 1/4 oz tube jigs, w/ the occasional 3/8 oz if it's windy. I'm also going to be trying the Xtreme Bass Tackle 4" tubes this season and I'm excited about them. It sounds like I'll be good either way w/ 12# or 14# Sniper.

14# was what I was originally thinking. I’ll probably start there as I can always downsize. @iabass8 - That’s good to know and interesting because I’ve only read about Shooter being used in higher lb tests.

Alright, that’s good to know. Thanks! The good news is I have about 3 months to figure it out up here in Michigan.

@fishwizzard - That breakdown is really helpful. Thanks! For additional context, I used 12 lb Sniper on my lipless crankbait setup last year and really liked it. It was very low memory and seemed strong. Now, that was for moving baits and not dragging across the bottom. LSC is pretty rocky and I'm wondering how well 12 lb Sniper would hold up to that style of fishing? The other thing I'm curious about is on the hookset. In open water w/ basically no cover, should I be concerned about 12 lb holding up to smallies? I'm not referring to a jaw-breaking hookset by the way. I appreciate that suggestion and will look into that line, @WRB! I've learned a ton from your posts on BR over the past year and appreciate your willingness to share knowledge.

I'm building a dedicated baitcasting tube jig setup for Lake St. Clair this year and would love to hear advice on if I should go w/ 12 or 14 lb Sunline FC Sniper? For context, I used 16 lb Sniper last year and thought it was too much. It also had a good amount of memory as well. I fish from shore in about 4 - 6 feet if that helps at all.

- 160 Total SMB + LMB - 4+ SMB PB - 3+ LMB PB - 5:00 AM Alarm > Saturday Morning Fishing - Fletcher Pond Fall Family Fishing Trip - Bass Resource Membership (Completed) ^ With a traveling job, a wife + two boys (6/4) and another one on the way in July, I’ll be more than blessed to get out by myself early every Saturday of the season, in addition to when we go up north in Michigan. Last year was my first year bass fishing and I caught 80 total, which I was pretty happy w/. I want to double that in 2021. I’ve learned so much on this site and others over the past year that I’m confident 2021 is going to be a great second season. I appreciate you all for sharing your knowledge w/ those of us who are trying to learn!

My biggest of 2020 and overall PB was a 3.92 pound smallmouth bass out of LSC. I caught it on a 5” Yamamoto Senko in Green Pumpkin rigged weightless on a 3/0 Gamakatsu EWG. My biggest largemouth bass in 2020 and PB was 2.69 pounds also out of LSC. I caught it on a Strike King 3/4 Red Eyed Shad in Chartreuse Baitfish. ^ Last year was my first year bass fishing so I’m hoping to share some bigger numbers at the end of 2021!

That’s really good to know. Do you think a 7.1:1 for the tube jig setup would be fast enough from long distances? @Boomstick - You’re making this more complicated for me, LOL. I’m just kidding. I appreciate that advice and do think that would be a smart move to make. Maybe I just need to stop looking at photos of the Elite. It’s such a great looking reel!

Thanks, @Boomstick. I’m leaning towards the 100 in 8.1:1 ratio for my tube jig setup and the Elite in 7.1:1 for my jerkbait setup. I’m not worried about the smoothness as much when I’m slowly dragging a tube across the bottom as I’ll just be reeling in the slack, lifting the rod, etc. I know you’re not using the reel as much for a jerkbait either, but I would think it’s a little more than when dragging a tube. This would also give me the opportunity to own both. ^ This will be my first time using the Daiwa Magforce braking system. I’ve heard great things and based on some research I’ve done, I would think it should be safe to start around 10 w/ 1/4 + 3/8 oz tube jigs and 1/2 oz jerkbaits. Any thoughts or advice here?

@Russ E - I appreciate that breakdown! That’s exactly what I was thinking. I am definitely going to get some SV TW 103s when I build my wacky rig and swim jig setups. I still have time to decide as I won’t be fishing until April. I’ll check back in to update what I went w/. I appreciate all of the help!

I just moved from Macomb Township to Sterling Heights! It’s nice to meet you.

I appreciate all of the responses. Thanks! @kayaking_kev + @waymont - I’ve done a lot of research into the Tatula SV as well and it sounds awesome. My thinking was to put those on setups like Texas rigs, wacky rigs, swim jigs, etc. Basically, techniques that are more about target casting and pitching/skipping. ^ Should I be considering those for longer casting as well? I could use some clarity on the SV applications because it sounds like an awesome reel. I was originally leaning towards two Tatula 100s, but that Elite is just so beautiful. Plus, I know it’s built specifically for long casting.

I’m putting together two new setups for this year and have narrowed the reels down to the Daiwa Tatula 100 and the Daiwa Tatula Elite. The first setup is going to be exclusively for tube jigs and the second setup is going to be exclusively for jerkbaits. I’m thinking an 8.1:1 gear ratio for the tube jig setup as I fish Lake St. Clair and need a fast reel to take up line to set the hook on smallies from long distances. I’m leaning towards a 7.1:1 for my jerkbait setup. In addition, I’ve read several topics about spending more on rod > reel for bottom contact techniques and reel > rod for moving baits. I’ll be putting the tube jig reel on a new 6th Sense ESP 7’2 MH/MF. I used a MH/F last season and honestly wanted something w/ a little more give in the tip. I’ll be throwing jerkbaits on a 6th Sense Lux 6’9 M/MF. ^ Will I be missing out if I get two Tatula 100s instead of the Elites? Should I get a Tatula 100 for the tube jig setup and an Elite for the jerkbait setup? I’d love to hear from you Daiwa guys who have knowledge of both as these will be my first nice reel purchases and I plan on riding w/ Daiwa!

This was a fantastic read. Thanks, @A-Jay! 2020 was my first year bass fishing. I’m 32 now and while I’ve always loved fishing, I was never serious about it. In 2019, we took a summer family vacation in northern Michigan and it was that trip that really lit the fire for me. I brought my rod to do some fishing w/ my boys (6 & 4), but honestly didn’t have any expectations and was planning on fishing off the dock when we weren’t doing anything else. When that first largemouth bass hit, it was nothing but pure adrenaline and excitement. I went on to catch several more that vacation and combined w/ my boys having a blast catching bluegills off the dock, there was nowhere else I wanted to be. This fueled my decision to invest myself into bass fishing going into 2020. Stage 1 for me was trying to catch my first smallmouth bass last year. I was able to accomplish that last May on Lake St. Clair and it immediately moved me into Stage 2. With a pretty demanding job and a young family, my personal fishing time is pretty much limited to waking up early on Saturday mornings throughout the Michigan fishing season and getting a solid 4 hours in. I wouldn’t trade that for anything though because I’ll never put bass fishing ahead of my family. I think I’m still in Stage 2 heading into my second year bass fishing and the 2021 season because as much as I’d like to hit my goals of a 4+ bronzeback and a 3+ largemouth, I’d ideally just like to catch bass every time out this year.

@MIbassyaker 100%. I knew catching bass was going to be addicting. I didn’t realize how addicting rods, reels, and lures were going to be though. ^ I have 2 new rods coming in a couple of weeks as birthday presents, which will bring me up to 4 setups. I’m going to be throwing a lot of tube jigs and jerkbaits this year on LSC!

It’s nice to meet you all! @A-Jay We travel up to the Otsego area pretty frequently. I know it’s a little NE of Otsego County, but we took a weekend trip to Fletcher Pond this past fall and it was awesome. I’ve read a lot of your contributions on the site and have learned a ton.

Happy 2021, Bass Resource! I decided to join this forum for 2021 after learning so much the past year browsing through different topics. I was very interested to get into bass fishing in 2020 and I’m beyond happy that I did. Needless to say, I’m officially ‘hooked’. I’m blessed to live close to Lake St. Clair up here and was able to land my first ever smallmouth last May, followed by my current PB (3.92) in September. I cannot wait for my second season chasing LSC bronzebacks. I’m excited to be a new member on the forum!