So I have a somewhat eclectic stock of fishing rods but a lot of them are on the high end of the scale. I own and use 7 of the Daiwa Steez AGS rods and ive got 5 or 6 Megabass Destroyer P5 rods. I love each one and dont regret the purchase of any of them. The problem i have now is I still want more of each of these brands and in the lines of rods but tarrifs just increased the price of the Steez AGS rods in some cases almost $200. I have been interested in the Tatula Elite AGS rods but im really spoiled to the Steez and P5 rods. I still have and use much cheaper rods but they are very specific modles that I found to work really well and use outside of my bass boat fishing for the most part. Like pond fishing from banks in overgrown areas or small paddleboat type boats. Has anyone here used with plenty of time the Tateula Elite AGS rods and the Steez rods and can give me your feedback on what you felt about the Tatulas after using the Steez. Are the Tatulas really good for the money or not. Should I stay in the Steez or P5 or are the Tatulas not that far off for a much cheaper price. I prefer cork handles but still use some foam and im aware of the new Steez line but as they are foam I just think I'd rather spend a little less plus they don't make what im looking for in the new 2025 Steez line.

Thanks.

I have several Steeze AGS,  only one Tatula  AGS and a bunch of the standard tatula elites.

For moving baits I don’t think the AGS is worth the cost increase . The Elites have some great actions .

 

If you don't break rods including the AGS guides and really want an AGS rod then I would just get the Steez Racing Design or Real Control and save some money.  You won't get a US warranty so be aware of that.

 

Most people use rod warranties as replacement programs to cover their bad rod handling behavior.  If you don't break rods then not having a warranty is a non issue.  If the tip breaks off the rod when bringing in a fish or pulling them out of weeds then those were from high sticking and are rod handling breakages caused by operator error.  If you have experienced this with yourself then it would be wise to buy a rod with a replacement program or warranty.

3 hours ago, rangerjockey said:

I have several Steeze AGS,  only one Tatula  AGS and a bunch of the standard tatula elites.

For moving baits I don’t think the AGS is worth the cost increase . The Elites have some great actions .

 

The models of Tatula AGS that im most interested in are the Ish Monroe 8' punching rod in and the 7'9" long cast frog model. These would be instead of getting the Steez 7'11" punching or the Destroyer P5 Jungle Seven for punching rods. Im pretty much stocked in all other areas except for a higher end jerkbait rod and that's between 2 different Megabass rods.

30 minutes ago, Bigbox99 said:

If you don't break rods including the AGS guides and really want an AGS rod then I would just get the Steez Racing Design or Real Control and save some money.  You won't get a US warranty so be aware of that.

 

Most people use rod warranties as replacement programs to cover their bad rod handling behavior.  If you don't break rods then not having a warranty is a non issue.  If the tip breaks off the rod when bringing in a fish or pulling them out of weeds then those were from high sticking and are rod handling breakages caused by operator error.  If you have experienced this with yourself then it would be wise to buy a rod with a replacement program or warranty.

I can get the Reel Control rods with a warrenty but are you saying the "Racing" rods are the Reel Control rods? Im not familiar with those. Plus I see higher pricing for the Reel Ctrol rods than the Steez but I have not looked since the pricing increase. Also I don't recall them offering the types of rods I wanted in that line of rods. Im looking specifically at the long Punching rods in 7'10" to 8' range. Im also interested in the Tatula Elite Ish Monroe 7'9" long cast frog. Other Tatula elite models may interest me later but that's not now. Im not into breaking rods but I did have e a freak accident the first day using my Bottom Contact 2 rod. That was handled by a warrenty claim in less than a week.

34 minutes ago, Str8nsty said:

The models of Tatula AGS that im most interested in are the Ish Monroe 8' punching rod in and the 7'9" long cast frog model. These would be instead of getting the Steez 7'11" punching or the Destroyer P5 Jungle Seven for punching rods. Im pretty much stocked in all other areas except for a higher end jerkbait rod and that's between 2 different Megabass rods.

I believe ALF has a used Ish Monroe AGS.

I have the Ehler all around.

34 minutes ago, Str8nsty said:

I can get the Reel Control rods with a warrenty but are you saying the "Racing" rods are the Reel Control rods? Im not familiar with those. Plus I see higher pricing for the Reel Ctrol rods than the Steez but I have not looked since the pricing increase. Also I don't recall them offering the types of rods I wanted in that line of rods. Im looking specifically at the long Punching rods in 7'10" to 8' range. Im also interested in the Tatula Elite Ish Monroe 7'9" long cast frog. Other Tatula elite models may interest me later but that's not now. Im not into breaking rods but I did have e a freak accident the first day using my Bottom Contact 2 rod. That was handled by a warrenty claim in less than a week.

The Racing Design was the JDM Steez AGS.  Being JDM you don't get a Daiwa US warranty but they are significantly cheaper than the Steez AGS because of the advantageous exchange rate and competitive better pricing, a practice Daiwa US apparently does not believe in.  

 

https://jdmfishing.com/vault/daiwa-19-steez-racing-design-rd-6101mlfb/

https://jdmtackleheaven.com/collections/daiwa-steez-real-control

Thank you for your reply. I looked at both links you provided and thank you for introducing me the Racing line. Unfortunately I don't see what im looking for right now but im going to dive deeper into the racing line to learn more. The 21' Steez just does not have length im looking for.

3 hours ago, rangerjockey said:

I believe ALF has a used Ish Monroe AGS.

I have the Ehler all around.

Thanks, who are you referring to ALF? 

4 hours ago, Str8nsty said:

Thanks, who are you referring to ALF? 

American Legacy fishing

3 hours ago, rangerjockey said:

American Legacy fishing

Thanks.

Not the direct comparison you were looking for, but perhaps some things to consider:

1) if you are punching there's no added sensitivity benefit - you're on braid

2) if you are punching or frogging you are going to be hammering hard on that rod, maybe in this case having a US warranty is worth more than it usually is

On 9/21/2025 at 10:50 PM, txchaser said:

Not the direct comparison you were looking for, but perhaps some things to consider:

1) if you are punching there's no added sensitivity benefit - you're on braid

2) if you are punching or frogging you are going to be hammering hard on that rod, maybe in this case having a US warranty is worth more than it usually is

The warrenty is a good piece of mind. I know the sensitivity should be great but what about the weight and balance on these rods. I know the Megabass P5 Jungle Seven is very light, and the Steez is just a tad heavier, but I don't know about the weight and balance on the Tatula. This is something that I've really gotten into if im going to be working these techniques for long periods of time.