Hi all. Previous lurker for a few months but new here as a member. I have a 20+ year old Gloomis crank bait rod. It’s a 6-6 ML 1/8-1/2 oz. Honestly it feels more light than medium. Looking for a new reel that not only throws light baits well but is also on the smaller side to balance with the rod. I’m partial to Daiwa and was looking at some Alphas on eBay. Is the Tatula 100 smaller than the other Tatula versions ? Any suggestions? I would consider other brands also. Thanks in advance

I don't have any experience with the Alphas, but I'm pretty sure the Tatula 100 shares its frame with the Tatula Elite series. Those are pretty small and comfortable. I use a Tatula SV TW103 on my small/light crankbait rod without much fuss. I haven't tried casting something as light as a 1/8oz like a Shad Rap on it though.

The Alphas Air would be my Daiwa choice.  If you want reliable casting on the 1/8 oz, a shallow spool reel aimed at 1/16th oz is just going to improve your cast reliability with 10-lb fluoro or 20-lb braid.  

The Tatula 100 has about 3 times the spool depth, and the SV TW 103 JDM looks nice, but still has a deeper spool that doubles the line capacity.  

I filled my 1/8 oz (inshore) niche on a similar light-in-hand and light-tip ML rod with the Lew's SP to get their new shallow spool, and was delighted with the result last trip, throwing 1/8 oz.  

I’ve had the daiwa tw sv103, 13 fishing concept c and chronarch mgl on my squarebill and smaller crank rod. I found the 13 would cast them the farthest between the 3 but was the most finicky. Wind change, weight change and the thing would almost try and birds nest lol. The daiwa had the most control over the widest weight range I found but shortest casting distance. The chronarch has been a perfect happy medium in my mind. Easy to stay in tune, and cast almost as far as the 13. 

PX68 SPR.  Last page of review.  http://www.tackletour.com/reviewdaiwapixysprpg2.html

 

I use a Tatula Elite, one on a Levante Flatside Special, the other on an OrochiXX Swingfire......

The reel does what it's supposed to and is quite balanced with those rods. 

 

I think you will like the Alpha and might find a great deal used.

The alpha ctsv 70 is my smaller crank and squarebill reel. It’s mounted on a kistler feel n reel 6’9” medium rod. The soft tip makes for excellent casting and fish holding abilities, yet has back bone to pull them away from cover. For the true tiny bfs cranks, I have the alphas air on a triza aello. 

Your 20 year old Loomis 783 crank bait rod weighs over 5 oz designed for reels 8 + oz. 

Reel weight shouldn’t be an issue because nearly all 100 size reels today weigh less then 4 oz or 1/2 the weight 20 year old reels were. Your rod will feel tip heavy with today’s light weight reels.

The rod is more important then reel for casting light weight 1/8-1/4 oz lures. IMO any Daiwa Tatula 100 size reel will work good, several models to choose from.

Tom

Thanks everyone for the suggestions 

They are about to release a new Curado that in engineered to throw really light lures. 

And they are going to call it something like...oh, I don't know....Curado BFS? 

I've just bought Alphas CT 70 from BR member. Light not deep G1 spool. I was using Steez 103 for small cranks. It can handle 1/4 and up pretty well. Will see how Alphas will work with smaller ones.

Adam

8 minutes ago, casterus60 said:

I've just bought Alphas CT 70 from BR member. Light not deep G1 spool. I was using Steez 103 for small cranks. It can handle 1/4 and up pretty well. Will see how Alphas will work with smaller ones.

Adam

You can buy a shallow spool for the Steez if you'd like to cast lighter with it.  I got one from Walmart Online at a very good price.  Would you believe less than $30?  No chance to use it yet.

I have seen them. For me they look super shallow for finesse fishing. No specifications on line capacity.  

So many choices now

Use aldebaran and fish relax and happy

19 hours ago, casterus60 said:

I've just bought Alphas CT 70 from BR member. Light not deep G1 spool. I was using Steez 103 for small cranks. It can handle 1/4 and up pretty well. Will see how Alphas will work with smaller ones.

Adam

I have the SLP Works 700S shallow spool on my Alphas CT, I cast 1.5g (just under 1/16) Euro Tackle Z-Vibers for panfish with ease.  It's a great spool, comes in a little over 8g.

 

19 hours ago, casterus60 said:

I have seen them. For me they look super shallow for finesse fishing. No specifications on line capacity.  

I didn't realize you should only use light braid on them until I bought one.  As thin as 8# braid is the spool should hold more than enough line.  Actually I have some 5# that I probably will try on the UL tip which is rated down to .5g (.018 oz.).  I will consider it a success if I can cast 1/16 oz.

 

RMD, is that the right number?  All I can find is CT SV700.

something to keep in mind, in PE#1 diameter (0.006" = 0.165 mm, which is recommended by Jun as smallest diameter for baitcaster), Sufix 832 is 10-lb test, and YGK X-braids are 22-lb test. 

 

Also, here's the best online calculator for calculating spool capacity with different braid diameters: