CaughtMeABiggun

Shimano 2023 SLX DC 70 Shimano Calcutta Conquest 30 SE Abu Garcia Zenon MG LTX Daiwa JDM Alphas SV Kastking MG12 These are good options that hit different price points.

Got a chance to use my Bates EDC reel this weekend. Here are my first impressions. The reel is small. Super palmable and feels good in the hand. The build quality is top notch. Glassy smooth and powerful. I have the 6.3:1 gear ratio model. Handles harder pulling crankbaits with ease. Mudhole tackle is the only place I could find that carried and had in stock the 6.3:1 gear ratio EDCs. Finicky to set up. If you set your spool tension based on the free fall speed of the lure the casting distance is reduced a lot. Best results is to adjust it to minimum or right to the point where there is no side to side play in the spool. The Digital Cast control is very sensitive and easy to over/under adjust. For the price the features and build quality can't be beat. It is not the farthest casting reel in its class. The Tatula X cast much further and so does the Kastking AL Ti. I would recommend it for throwing larger crankbaits, spinnerbaits, and chatterbaits. If you want an affordable DC reel buy a JDM 2023 Shimano SLX 70 DC. If you need a little larger reel than a 70 buy the Bates EDC.

Unless you abuse your equipment I would be surprised if you would ever need parts for either reel. That being said the frame is more sturdy on the Bantam due to the core design. I don't see line capacity being an issue on either reel. The Curado 200M or JDM Scorpion 200 MD would be your Shimano competitor to the Tatula 200. The Bantam is a step up the ladder in the reel hierarchy. The Curado/Scorpion do not have the core frame design but do have Aluminum frames. I only buy Shimano/Daiwa through Digitaka. I don't see getting parts for the Bantam as an issue since that reel is also sold here. You can get parts through Shimano's parts store. You can get JDM parts via JDM vendors. Just be advised there is no warranty on JDM reels here in the states. When you buy a Shimano or Daiwa the expectation is if you treat them right you don't need a warranty or parts. Plus when you are getting the reels at close to half price in some cases you're not out hat much difference if you have to replace a reel vs buying the 1st one at USDM prices.

I was able to get my AL Ti on the water and I have some honest first impressions. I wish everyone could throw this reel for a day. Not becuase its the best reel ever made or the Tatula is over or Shimano has a problem now.. This reel has a major flaw... It's a Kastking. If this reel had Lew's on it, it would be revolutionary. If it was an Abu Garcia it would a sensation. If it was a Shimano or Daiwa it would be a class leader and competition destroyer. It's a Kastking so before a hand gets laid on it, it's junk, won't last, over priced, and worst of all not cool to show to other fisherman in your bass club. If you did put hands on it for a day you would find out that it's light, very easy to set up, easy casting, powerful, and extremely smooth. It belongs in its price point and in some cases punches above it's weight. I'm not a Daiwa/Shimano hater or a Kastking schill. I buy all my reels with my own money. I will always praise good products. One thing I know is that the best products come from manufacturers trying to enter new segments of the market. It has to be as good if not better than the existing offerings by competitors. Even if you don't ever intend to give them a chance, you have to respect the fact that Kastking is taking a big risk. If they get this wrong it could have lasting negative effects on them. Having tried their recent high end options I have no problem saying they are getting it right. I could never be brand loyal for fear of missing out, but I have no problem giving any brand it's due when it is deserved. I'm more than happy to give more details of my recent experience with their reels for those legitimately interested in the brand.

Seriously don't buy a Tatula if it isn't the X. PERIOD. The X is absolutely phenomenal in every way for its price point. The Hyperdrive does eliminate some of the slop the non Hyperdrive reels have. It's not Micro Module good but its way better than it should be at 150 bucks and I would recommend it over the SLX XT every day of the week because it easily outcast my SLX XT. If you can catch it on sale for less than 150 buy 2. I was able to absolute bomb casts with it. It is way smoother than my older non Hyperdrive Tatula 100s. Its so good that I would say the next logical step up from this reel is the JDM Zillion. My thoughts the whole time I used it was Daiwa has just made all other Tatulas irrelevant. It's that good. I would honestly say unless your budget starts at 200 bucks or is less than 150 buy the Tatula X. If you only have 125 wait for when it is on sale. My reason for the title of this thread is that all Tatulas do not feature double support for the pinion gear. You have to go to the Zillion for that. Knowing that, look at the Tatula X specs vs the rest of the Tatula line and try and justify any of the other Tatulas. The X features the LC spool and not the SV but to me that is not a deal breaker at all. Plus the X has the old Tatula 100 or Steez A2 design for the frame. I'm sorry but I can't get past the new Tatula 100 frame. It looks like Marie from Everybody Loves Raymond sculpted it.

I was able to get out on the water with my new Abu Garcia Zenon MG LTX. I wanted to share a couple of take aways and my initial impressions. 1st thing, DO NOT BUY THIS REEL AT MSRP. This reel is currently on sale from multiple vendors. I took advantage of the sale and if I would have paid full price it would be going back. With that out of the way, tbis reel is my designated shad rap reel. It absolutely will bomb a shad rap even into the wind. I was able to catch a few fish on it and it performed flawlessly. My gripe is that it is not that smooth. My Dad's first impression with it was it reels like hay baler. Part of that feel comes from the ceramic bearings. I have a SearSir M1 with ceramic bearings that cost 50 bucks and is smoother. I would be gracious enough to say it's 100 dollar reel smooth and not 500 dollar reel smooth. It also uses cheap plastic for the thumb bar and the side plate does not stay attached when you need to remove the spool. Compared to my Steez and Antares it looks and feels like a Piscifun Alloy M. The Alloy M is a great reel for 60 bucks but would be called trash at 500. For what is lacks in smoothness it makes up in casting ability. I would say that the sale price is more in line with the performance this reel offers. Only because it casts that good. It really casts that good..

The Calcutta BFS uses FTP brakes while the 30 uses the same brakes as the 100. The 30 and 100 use the same gear set , but the 30 allows you to throw lighter lures due to the much shallower spool. I bought mine to serve like the old Calcutta 50b reels used too. If you want to be able to throw pretty much everything but really light BFS stuff I would recommend the 30. Also the 100 spool works in the 30 so you can literally run two different spools in the same reel. You could technically have one reel that will throw everything that most anglers will ever throw. You can go from throwing small shad raps and other small treble hook lures to throwing larger Jigs and 5 inch Magadrafts with the same reel. Plus the color of the reel is beautiful.

I haven't checked out the new Certate. Most of the brands now have manufacturing in China. It is disappointing to see that such high priced reel is not being made in Japan. Not because Chinese factories can't make great products, but because there is just something an little extra about the Japanese made reels. I have always felt like the Japanese made Shimano's and Daiwa's have a little more love baked into them. I think there is a a sense of national pride by the people in a country making their own product. That goes for the CDM reels and at one-time the Sweedish ones too.

From what I have heard the BPS Spinning reels mentioned are Daiwas. I totally agree to look that these reels before buying the Fuego or the Nasci.

JDM Zillion all the way. Still made in Japan. Enough said.

You might want to consider the JDM Calcutta 30 SE. Kinda threads the needle between finesse and bigger baits.

100 percent spot on. Kastking took the budget route to get into the market and are now working on becoming a legit brand known for making budget options along with higher end models to compete with the biggest names in the sport. You have to respect that. You see this with all kinds of companies. Samsung and Kia/Hyundai quickly come to mind when thinking about companies that took the same approach. I feel like if you want to bash any product you need to put your money where your mouth is. Or at least be honest and state that you don't own the product, but just giving your opinion based on whatever got you to that point. I've never owned a Cadence reel. It might be ok. I'm not going to call it trash because its not expensive. Honestly I would love to hear peoples experience with them.

@treble hook if you haven't purchased a reel yet, let me give you some truly unbiased options. The JDM Zillion is a great reel. It is made Japan while the Tatulas and USDM Zillion are made in Thailand. If you don't think it makes a difference, pick a Tatula up and shake it. The JDM Shimano SLX DC XT is a great option in the same price range. Also if you want to order a reel and it not be coming from overseas look at the Bates EDC. The Kastking AL Ti is getting a lot of love from people who are willing to try it. Unfortunately too much Kastking hate out there. The Curado MGL 150 is also a great choice. If I were you the list would go as follows. JDM Zillion Curado MGL 150 Bates EDC Kastking AL Ti And one honorable mention that is stupid good for the price especially If you can find one for 100 bucks now is the Okuma Hakai. Started as a 180 dollar reel. But is slowly being put on sale and clearance now. Been out for a couple of years. I have no problem saying for the money the Hakai is the best casting, lightest, easiest to setup, smoothest baitcaster on the market. I have 4 of them and My 12 year old son throws one. Only reel that I have that will bomb cast and I don't have to touch the spool.

There is one thing that is guaranteed about brand loyalty. If any company has enough of it they will make lesser product knowing their main customer base won't look elsewhere. Doesn't mean bad product, but it means it doesn't have to be as good as the competition.

🤣 it wasn't until I got my Antares. I immediately realized that there is not another reel that I could buy that could beat that reel in any way. If you have one you know what I mean. If you don't have one I hope you someday do. There is a jewel quality to that reel that is really indescribable. It's the only reel that my jaw dropped on the first cast and stayed dropped through the retireve. The best way I can describe it is that my Steez is a Seiko, my Zillion is a Citizen, and my Antares is a Rolex. And that is no exaggeration. If I do buy a reel now it is more about a curiosity but it has to be something really worth checking out. That's a lot photos, but here is a taste.

What can I say... Im a Tackle Junkie. In all seriousness with the exception of a Kestrel SE. I'm done buying reels for a long time. Maybe ever.

Unless you have to have that Drag Star save the money and buy the AL Ti over the MG Ti. The weight difference is so small its negligible as a deciding factor. Other than the frame material, handle material, and star drag they are the same reel. You could take the 80 to 100 bucks you save and apply it towards a rod upgrade. I hope so becuase he's got a lot of reels collecting dust if he doesn't. I would imagine he does, but his channel is about 1st impressions so we don't get to see what happens afterwards. He's definitely the unbox therapy of fishing.

I thought about getting the Mg Ti but I already had the MG12. I like the drag star better in the AL Ti and that lower price. From what I understand there is Kastking before they got their own factory and Kastking after they got their own factory. They are still made in China but from what I understand they have their own facility now. I think the big separation in quality started with the Bassinator. Then the MG12 solidified that direction. The speed demon was before the MG12 and Bassinator. You are not the 1st person that I have heard was not impressed. I think that you would be really impressed with one of these higher end new releases. I had two of the original mega jaws and they were OK but the elite they make now is a much different reel in terms of materials and build quality.

This whole thing makes me laugh becuase he TheReelTest is getting the last laugh on this. Ya'll labeled him a troll and Daiwa hater and he is just playing into it. It's obviously working because you all watch his videos and run out and share them with everyone all upset about it 🤣. I should message him to make a video telling everyone sell their Daiwas for scrap metal and buy Sougayilang reels..

First things first, I think the "Temu Brand" thing needs to be more specific and is also a blanket term for inexpensive reel brands from a company you haven't heard from. Its also an uninformed term becuase there is a difference between Billings/Proberos and Seasir/DMK. For example Seasir is CDM brand that is sold on Temu and Amazon. I forgot to list them but I bought 2 Seasir M1s based off of his review and they are great. Honestly they are 70 percent of a Zillion for an 1/8th of the price. Also there are some legitimate CDM reel manufacturers. DMK is a large manufacturer of reels and make a lot of good stuff as an OEM that gets rebadged as other CDM brands. Bates is made by Loongze and Ark partners with Haibo. Right now there are some legitimate CDM reel manufacturers offering some good stuff at great prices. You can choose to buy it or don't, but to call it trash or label it Temu Brand is unfair and again keeps people from getting the best possible tackle for their budget. As far as the TheReelTest goes saying that something is not as good or pointing out a flaw in something is not bashing it. I have watched a lot of his videos and I dont ever recall him referring to Daiwa as garbage or anything approaching that. If anything I have felt that he uses the Tatula as a measuring stick. I have never heard of a product being the standard that others are judged on being a bad thing. Daiwas are the Toyota Land Criusers of reels. I think that's a great thing. They are dependable and don't do anything great, but do everything really well.

TheReelTest does videos about everything. He just doesn't glaze Daiwa. I also haven't heard him bash them either. I think he just tells it like it is. I don't think anyone can say that Daiwa is bad. The Zillion is one of the best reels made. People get upset because he is not high and mighty on the Tatulas but its because they are a good reel but not a stand out in their price point. They work and will work for a long time but when you compare all the reels in that price point they are not going to lead the stats in any category with the exception of the Tatula X. For 150 bucks its a game changer. I agree with this 100 percent. Its ok to be brand loyal and still acknowledge there are good products made by other brands. Speaking of Abu Garcia, I miss the Gen4 frames. Not big on this Asymmetrical frame design. For me personally it limits comfortability for me using the Gen 5 reels on certain rods. I put the trigger of the rod between my pinky and ring finger. I bought a gen 5 Revo and sold it because of this. The reel itself was great and I hate it wasnt comfortable for me.

Nothing wrong with brand loyalty, but bashing a brand because its not the cool brand or a "Name Brand" is not good for the sport. I have posted in the past about my disdain for Ark because of my customer service experience with them, but after I took care of the issue myself I have no problem saying that my G8 reel is fantastic. To me that's where we need to communicate with each other about products. Not just tear the whole thing down for just because.... we can all make better purchasing choices if we honestly praise good product and experiences and inform each other of bad experiences and products.

Not sure who in this thread would be a Daiwa rep.

I'm not sure why TheReelTest is thought of as a troll. I haven't found him to be wrong on a reel and I have bought several from watching his videos. I don't ever recall him calling out Daiwa as junk. When they put SV Boost on one of the Tatulas he was very complementary of that. I agree that Daiwas typically don't cast as far but are easier to use. If you are partial to Daiwa and don't throw anything else I could see where the thought that he's a hater comes from, but if you watch enough of his videos he shows a lot of Daiwa reels he owns. He can't be too much of a hater to spend his own money on them. But we do need to be honest about the Tatula line of reels. They are great reels and with proper maintenance they will last a long time. They are built to be dependable but not precision instruments. They are clunky when you shake them. Thats what makes them great. You buy them because they work. Daiwa fans would like to compare them to Curados but they are different sides of the same coin. The accomplish the same goal but from opposite sides of design.

I don't really understand what is so special about the Tatulas. To me they don't come close to my Curado MGL 150s and I think the Curado MGL 150 isn't all that great. They do cast well and have that Shimano feel but I have 4 of them and every one of them had noisy spool bearings and no grease out of the box. I had to service them right out of the box. In Shimano's infinite wisdom they put blue loctite on the screws for the handle side plate. One screw on one of the reels was so tight it rounded off. I had to drill it out and replace the handle side plate and screws on a brand new Curado. They definitely are not the quality of the old greenies and up through the E series. Thats what happens when you move the manufacturing to a facility that makes your low end reels. You get an expensive low end reel. Daiwa makes the Tatulas in Thailand and the USDM Zillion is made there.. You can pay 450 for a USDM Thailand made Zillion or buy a JDM one still made in Japan for under 300 from Digitaka. I think the Zillion is better than the Steez A2. So my argument for the new high end Kastking stuff is that right now you can get the AL Ti for 180. There are plenty of promotional 10 percent off codes to get it down from 199 to 180. I think its at least 90 percent the reel the Zillion is. The Tatula 100 doesnt come close for the same price range. You can buy 2 AL Tis for less than the price of 1 USDM Zillion and you can by 4 for the price of 1 USDM Steez A2. The MG12 is now 250 and that gets you into a magnesium frame and the AMB braking system. I believe the MG12 is as good as the Zillion and the AMB braking system is very very good. So you can get 2 MG12s for not much more than a USDM Zillion and 3 MG12s for the price of one USDM Steez A2. I think what everyone is missing here is that most people either can't or won't pay 400 dollars plus for a reel, but Kastking is now giving you 90 to 100 percent of that experience for a fraction of the cost. When someone trashes Kastking because its the cool thing to do they keep someone with a 200 dollar budget from getting the most for their money. I just don't see how that helps the sport of fishing. Right now the prices of tackle and boats are going through the roof and we all need to be open minded and embrace any tackle manufacture willing to give a lot of bang for the buck. One last thing, there was a time when any of these reel manufactures were not the top dog in the industry. Just like in the automotive industry a Genesis sedan is a long ways away from a Kia Sephia but every company has to start somewhere. Not everyone can be like Bates and come in swinging with 300 plus dollar reels. I think we are seeing Kastking develop as a reel company the same way that Shimano and Daiwa did through the 90s. You could say that the Megajaws Elite, AL Ti, MG12, and MG Ti are equal to the Coriolis, Citica, Curado, Chronarch lineup of the 90s. Nobody were calling those reels trash.