Hey everyone,

    As the subject line says, I am thinking about getting a Tat Type R for awhile now.  Is there anything I need to know about these reels before hand to avoid?  I know about some grooving issues, and curious about the bearing upgrades.  (I am not a big fan of the plastic bushing on the worm gear.)

 

   I would probably get the 8 to 1 for flipping, I have a Quantum EXO 100PT, and Lew's Tournament Lite that will reach the next counties. Those two above mentioned reels can already cast distance wise to my hook setting range.

 

Thanks,

Woody

Not offhand.  I have the 8.1:1 and like it a lot.  Casting distance for me seems to depend on the rod much more than the reel.  I've also got the Limited Edition model, but it has only been out of the box to admire. 

 

Read good things about the EXO 100PT.  How about a review of it?

 

BTW, you should give the Primmus a try.  Mine casts into the next county.  I'd also like to own an Optimus.  Very pleased with my Pinnacle.  Extremely smooth and a great casting reel.  Very light.  Nice looking to boot.

The EXO is a funny reel to use.  It is not as similar to get familiar with as say a Curado.  Meaning, it takes a little longer to get used to and learn.  I bought mine off a Bass Resource user for $125 + $5 shipping.  To be successful you have to cast your lure like a bullet, no big rainbow casts.  Those cermaic bearings in the EXO really let the spool over run (hence, really long casts!).  It is a very smooth reel as well!  The ergonomics are great, nice and light at 5.9 oz and will handle the big fish well!  The biggest I've caught on mine was like 4 and some change.  Plus, the spool holds about 145 yards of line at 12lb.  I like the 13 reels, but those lesser capacity spools at about the same price, nope, not worth it.  Or, I would have to buy another spool at like $35.  So,  that is big for me. Another little thing which I love about the EXOs are the spools, they do not "ride along," the frames.  So, if you need to pull the spool out really quickly, the fishing line is not a pain to get back on the reel.  A little gripe I have with my Curado 200Es.   

 

I did get a hold of RW's Primmus reel back in December to use and like it a lot!  Very nice and solid reel!  I did a review of that if you search for it in this forum.  

 

Wdy

They are good reels. Some have grooving issues, some don't. If you experience any Daiwa will take care of you. The bushing on the worm gear doesn't effect the performance on the reel and it would be beyond silly for that to be a deciding factor on purchasing a reel or not. It can make a reel feel slightly smoother on the retrieve but that is all it does. It's a .50-.60 cent upgrade that you can do yourself /w little effort if you really want it. I do it to all my reels over the winter to pass the time. The reel will flat out bomb lures.

I really like mine, too. Solid reel. I haven't upgraded the levelwind yet, but will over the winter. I use mine for flipping (8.1) and it has all the muscle in drag strength and cranking power that I need. Pitches like a dream, too. I have 2 tats and 2 different t3's and have yet to have any line guide issues. I use various strengths of PP super slick with them.

The EXO is a funny reel to use.  It is not as similar to get familiar with as say a Curado.  Meaning, it takes a little longer to get used to and learn.  I bought mine off a Bass Resource user for $125 + $5 shipping.  To be successful you have to cast your lure like a bullet, no big rainbow casts.  Those cermaic bearings in the EXO really let the spool over run (hence, really long casts!).  It is a very smooth reel as well!  The ergonomics are great, nice and light at 5.9 oz and will handle the big fish well!  The biggest I've caught on mine was like 4 and some change.  Plus, the spool holds about 145 yards of line at 12lb.  I like the 13 reels, but those lesser capacity spools at about the same price, nope, not worth it.  Or, I would have to buy another spool at like $35.  So,  that is big for me. Another little thing which I love about the EXOs are the spools, they do not "ride along," the frames.  So, if you need to pull the spool out really quickly, the fishing line is not a pain to get back on the reel.  A little gripe I have with my Curado 200Es.   

 

I did get a hold of RW's Primmus reel back in December to use and like it a lot!  Very nice and solid reel!  I did a review of that if you search for it in this forum.  

 

Wdy

 

Probably saw it, but don't remember.  Even if I did remember such a thread, I wouldn't recall who posted.  A search for "Primmus"  turned up our 2 posts in this thread.  A search for "Pinnacle" turned up my post in this thread.  Either I don't know how to search, or somebody above doesn't like me.

 

Thanks for the info on the EXO.  Already have more reels than I need, but there are about 3 more that I want to try.  Possibly four.  Guess I will pass on the EXO.

It might interest you that there's one for sale in the flea market.... 

I've had a Tat type R for 2 seasons on a Hvy/Fast flippin stick and its one of my favorite reels.  I also use this rig for big pike and light muskie fishing. It can cast a 2oz crankbait a country mile, seldom back lashes, and is super smooth.  I find it much easier to cast than my Chornarch...

The tat will be heavy compared to your exo and lews. It is smooth and good reel though.

Great reel! You'll dig it.

I have two Tat-R and two Cabelad Arachnids. Very similar reels. I like em all. Arachnid has more bearings and is found at Cabelas. Hence, costs more. But watch for Cabelas sales and use any coupons and the price is then about the same.

I use these with 20 and 25- lb. flouro or 65-lb braid. Even with the heavier line they cast far.

I haven't tried lighter line on them.

I know they weigh more than other reels I use a lot, but I got these for big baits and heavy rods: Flipping, frogs, and lighter Swimbaits. The line capacity is just right for my needs.

My Lews Tournament or Team LITE are my lighter line (15lb) set ups.

The Tats have been flawless for me.

It might interest you that there's one for sale in the flea market....

Plus the 3 I'm selling lol

I've had a Tat type R for 2 seasons on a Hvy/Fast flippin stick and its one of my favorite reels.  I also use this rig for big pike and light muskie fishing. It can cast a 2oz crankbait a country mile, seldom back lashes, and is super smooth.  I find it much easier to cast than my Chornarch...

 

Heresy.  Better watch your back. 

 

I don't find the Type R any easier to cast than my Curado 201E7 or Chronarch 100B or 100A.  Probably the opposite.  All 3 Shimanos are super easy to cast without backlashes.  However, when I go to lighter baits, I prefer my Daiwas over the Curado 51s for ease of casting.

the only time I backlash a tatula is when I do something stupid. Just today I was fishing from the bank and tried to sidearm a t rig between to trees growing along the shore and of course it shot right into the trunk of the one to my right. Gnarly backlash. But I picked it out in 3 minutes or less and was back to fishing. That says a lot about power pro super slick, too.