I'm trying to figure out what my next rod purchase is going to be, and after attempting to use my more budget minded sticks with guides that do not perform well with braid to fluoro as bottom contact rods with straight fluoro, I've been left wanting more sensitivity.

 

Daiwa is my favorite brand, by far, and I own multiple Fuego CTs and LTs.  The only rod I've tried from their offering is the Aird-X 7' MHF, and I love it for casting lipless cranks.  It has plenty of backbone and slings them a mile.

 

So I decided to look at more expensive offerings from Daiwa, namely the Daiwa Tatula XT at 99 dollars and the Daiwa Tatula at 150.

 

I'll be putting a Daiwa Fuego or Tatula CT on either the 7'3" MHF XT or 7'6" MHF Tatula and throwing jigs, Carolina rigs, and Texas rigs with 30# braid to 15# fluoro.

 

Am I making a good decision with either rod for bottom contact?  Tatula-XT or Tatula, bassresouce?

i have the 7'6 medium heavy tatula rod and it is great. Super sensitive and very versatile. I use 50lb braid to a 15lb leader for dragging jigs and Texas rigs as well as throwing Carolina rigs. It handles up to 3/4 ounce jigs well. 

Look at sportsmans outfitters for a cheaper price on that tatula btw. I got mine for 109

I would go Tatula.  Both are good rods, if you shop you can get a Tatula for around $100.  Check out Reeds for example, I just purchased a 6'10" MH Tatula for $95 shipped!

I've never owned a Tatula XT, but I've read they feel dead in the hands. The Tatula has two versions, OG Black and Gold, and the new cork full grip. I've own/ed two of the OG versions (6'10 MH/F, and 7' MLRB) and they're really light, at about 4oz. But they're definitely not as sensitive as some other rods in the $150 range that I've fished. They are also sold for about $100-$120 at Amazon, Sportsman Outfitters, various other reputable stores. I've never fished the new full cork versions, but I suspect the blanks are similar in sensitivity, and they use Fazlite guides instead of alconite.

 

Also consider the Tatula Elite rods, MSRP for $179 but can be found for $130ish on Amazon as well. I have two of the AGS versions that have the nanoplus SVF material and I like them a lot, right up there with a GLX and Orochi XX.

Lord, thanks for the information already guys!  I think I'm going to shop around for a Tatula with all the recommendations, but sportsmanoutfitters is sold out of the models I would want for the purpose I need.

 

I'm scared to death of Amazon shipping after receiving two broken rods already.

 

How's the Tatula Bass?  Is that just the replacement for the OG Tatula that @Junger mentioned?

 

God I'm excited for a more sensitive stick.  I am shaking with adrenaline.

11 minutes ago, Hook2Jaw said:

Lord, thanks for the information already guys!  I think I'm going to shop around for a Tatula with all the recommendations, but sportsmanoutfitters is sold out of the models I would want for the purpose I need.

 

I'm scared to death of Amazon shipping after receiving two broken rods already.

 

How's the Tatula Bass?  Is that just the replacement for the OG Tatula that @Junger mentioned?

 

God I'm excited for a more sensitive stick.  I am shaking with adrenaline.

Yes, the Tatula Bass is the full cork new model. I understand the trepidation of ordering from Amazon, and I consider myself lucky to have ordered several rods and not have them broken. But Amazon's return process is about as simple as possible, so I never hesitate and sometimes their pricing algorithm discounts are just too hard to pass up.

@Junger, think the 7'3" MHF Tatula Bass for 119 is a good move?  It's rated up to 1oz.  Think it would make an okay stick for dragging jigs and worms up to 3/4?

 

I'm so close to pulling the trigger.

Believe it or not, sometimes Walmart has great prices on Tatula rods.  The 7'1" MH was $96 the other day.

My Wal-Mart carries a big pile of poop when it comes to decent gear.

46 minutes ago, Hook2Jaw said:

@Junger, think the 7'3" MHF Tatula Bass for 119 is a good move?  It's rated up to 1oz.  Think it would make an okay stick for dragging jigs and worms up to 3/4?

 

I'm so close to pulling the trigger.

I have the Zillion G2 version of it and I use it for chatterbaits and it can handle jigs in your range easily.

 

34 minutes ago, Hook2Jaw said:

My Wal-Mart carries a big pile of poop when it comes to decent gear.

Walmart online I think he means. Similar to Amazon, third parties can sell on Walmart and sometimes they heavily discount their stuff to move the inventory.

I'm thinking of waiting on a Daiwa Tatula Bass 7'6" MHF to be on sale somewhere, rather than jumping the gun and grabbing a 7'3" when I truly need it for probing deep water with Texas, Carolina, and jigs weighing 1/2oz and up.  It'll be nice to step up the weight rating.

 

Thanks again, everyone.  If anyone knows where to find the 7'6" MHF anywhere, let me know, please!

26 minutes ago, Hook2Jaw said:

I'm thinking of waiting on a Daiwa Tatula Bass 7'6" MHF to be on sale somewhere, rather than jumping the gun and grabbing a 7'3" when I truly need it for probing deep water with Texas, Carolina, and jigs weighing 1/2oz and up.  It'll be nice to step up the weight rating.

 

Thanks again, everyone.  If anyone knows where to find the 7'6" MHF anywhere, let me know, please!

I think that's a good choice, especially if you're going to use it for deep C-rigging. Kittery Trading Post has it in stock, and you can get 20% off subscribing your email to their newsletter and your first order.

29 minutes ago, Junger said:

I think that's a good choice, especially if you're going to use it for deep C-rigging. Kittery Trading Post has it in stock, and you can get 20% off subscribing your email to their newsletter and your first order.

The coupon code excludes Daiwa products.  It looks like I'll have to wait.

The OG Tatulas are tough to find nowadays but the 7'2" was one of my favorite bottom contact rods.  Very light and sensitive.

 

The new Tatula rods are quite good also.  Sensitivity seemed on par with the older version.  Guides are a skosh small for most braid to leader knots but still excellent rods.

I own 3 tatula XT rods, all baitcasters. Having owned shimano Camura's and curado's in the past, I can say that the XT's do not feel dead in my hands, in fact just the opposite. They are light well balanced and have good action..In their price range I also have a shimano slx rod which is the same length and power as 1 of my xt's, imho, the xt is much better.

I'd say for the $$$, the xt's are a good buy, even vs the dobyn's fury.

7 hours ago, Hammer 4 said:

I own 3 tatula XT rods, all baitcasters. Having owned shimano Camura's and curado's in the past, I can say that the XT's do not feel dead in my hands, in fact just the opposite. They are light well balanced and have good action..In their price range I also have a shimano slx rod which is the same length and power as 1 of my xt's, imho, the xt is much better.

I'd say for the $$$, the xt's are a good buy, even vs the dobyn's fury.

That's good to hear, Hammer!  I might be tempted to try an XT if they had a longer stick.