I found a Cabelas Arachnid (rebadged Type R) cheap on Ebay and bought it and love it. Compared to the reels I've owned in the past it's just so much smoother casting and retrieving. I'm not saying it's better than Shimanos because I've never owned or even fished with a Shimano, but I loved it so much that I bought a Type R on Ebay to go on my other rod so I could have that smooth feeling on both my setups. Haven't had a chance to use the Type R yet but the Arachnid is so easy to pitch. Can't wait to really get in some fishing with them. The Arachnid is 8.1:1 and my Type R is 6.3:1.

 

I can speak for both as I own both Shimanos and Daiwas. I've said before in a similar post that both put a smile on my face when I make a cast. Curados, Citicas, Metanium, Chronarchs, Tatulas...all I own and love them all. Shimano and Daiwa are different but I'm never unhappy when I put one down and pick up the other. Not sure I can say it any other way. Both awesome. Those Tatulas are great reels, period. For the price you can get them for, unreal performance and feel in my opinion.

I have a standard and type r and love them both. Like others, I don't know if it casts any farther, but it definitely requires less effort and the line lay is perfect, and it is definitely harder to backlash. The drag and retrieve are both smooth. I can cast down to 3/16 no problem, especially pitching. Great, great reels. They are a bit bulky, I guess, but I hold it with my right hand, so it's comfortable to me. Almost as good as my T3!

the bait monkey is screaming for an alphas sv105 and a 7' M zillion jig rod, though...

well those are some darn good reviews! thanks guys...you talked me into it, i just ordered one in the 7:3.1 for my froggin rod. cant wait to try it out! 

Lew's new LFS (at TW for $99 vs. $149 for Tatula) ... the Lew's has two ~ three more ball bearings and is approx. 1 oz. lighter than the Tatula .

I bought the LFS in 7.5:1 ratio before I got the Arachnid. I quite possibly just got a dud, but after I sent it back I listened about the Tatulas and to me there's no comparison. The Tatula is so much smoother and casts better. I got my Type R for $123 on Ebay and also got an extra $9+ back in Ebay bucks for it so about $112-113ish. The weight of it doesn't really bother me.

I love my Tatulas!!!

Lew's new LFS (at TW for $99 vs. $149 for Tatula) ... the Lew's has two ~ three more ball bearings and is approx. 1 oz. lighter than the Tatula .

 i do love the lews reels, i have 4 of them and they are my favorite out of all i have tried, however i did not like the LFS series and much prefer the series before the LFS , it took my 2 LFS ones back to cabelas, they did not feel as solid to me as my SS1H reels. i have been a bit of a reel junky lately, i bought the tatula because i want to try ALL reels....lol 

got my new tatula in the mail today, it feels great, so.... i just ordered another one, but a type R in 6.3:1 for my spinnerbait rod.

Type R vs regular

Cutouts in frame,7.6 vs 7.9oz,black paint with red accents,lighter spool,Zion drag star, and higher gear ratios.

Personally I couldn't tell a difference between the two. I bought the R for the 8:1:1 ratio.

 

me too

I've been fishing the type r for a few months and it was worth every penny. It is so smooth on the cast and reeling in that I don't even like to use my old baitcaster. I got the 8:1 but wish I had another in lower gear. You won't be dissapointed.

I bought a Tatula Type "R" when they first came out, fished it for a year and it casts much further than my ABU Revo Premier Gen 1. I liked it so much, that I bought 2 more a couple of weeks ago. You will be very happy with your purchase.

I am also curious about how the tatula comapres to the lfs speed spool.

I have Tatula R and Cabelas Arachnid. Like them both for 20-25# flouro.

Where are you guys getting them for $100?!?!?!

I am also curious about how the tatula comapres to the lfs speed spool.

i have the LFS speed spool - honestly i don't dislike it but it also doesn't stand out in my arsenal. The one thing i hate is the play between the handle and the reel - the little side the side action of the reel handle. I hate that! My Daiwa Zillion TWS is awesome - looking to get some tatulas and compare them together. EVeryone is correct when you have to get used to the size, it's a little bulkier but definitely a great reel. 

I've seen a few of the regular Tatulas go for $88 on eBay in the last week.

Where are you guys getting them for $100?!?!?!

 

 

I got both of mine for $92 each on the big auction site last spring.  It's a good place to look for reel bargains... I just bought another new Lew's Tournament Pro (left hand retrieve, 7.1:1) for $139, shipped.

 

Tight lines,

Bob

My Daiwa Zillion TWS is awesome - looking to get some tatulas and compare them together.

Both reels are made on the same frame. The sideplates are interchangeable. Some small differences internally, but not enough to pay $300 for a Zillion TWS over a Tatula. Save that money and buy a rod for the Tatula.

I love my Type-R really solid reel.

Man, I have to talk to you guys more about where you're getting your deals on reels. I looked at a Tatula today while restocking at a tackle shop and I didn't find the body that big or awkward. I may pick up a Tatula for one of my next casting reels. Much like Chronarchs and Curados, it's rare to read anything really negative about their performance.

Where are you guys getting them for $100?!?!?!

 

Amazon.com

 

Steer clear of ABCD sales, though.

I love my r. I'm looking at getting a regular soon

Amazon.com

 

Steer clear of ABCD sales, though.

 

I got my first Type "R" from Amazon which came from ABCD Sales, and had no problem . What issues did you have? I also bought 2 more from Amazon 2 weeks ago, no problem with those reels either.

I got my first Type "R" from Amazon which came from ABCD Sales, and had no problem . What issues did you have? I also bought 2 more from Amazon 2 weeks ago, no problem with those reels either.

 

You're just lucky you didn't have an issue with anything they sent you. If you have to deal with them, well you can't, because they won't answer you. I had a problem with a reel (a preference issue), let them know, sent it back, ordered another one which was actually more expensive, like an exchange, and they still charged a 20% restocking fee. I complained, but to no avail. I got to reading through their customer feedback and some of it is pretty dismal.