hey,

 

I know the slx model reels have been around for a long time now, and I have never bothered with it because I already have quite a few reels. but the price seems reasonable for the technology they put into it so I gave in and purchased. for those who own the reel what are your impressions? do you regret it or think it's a solid reel? interested to know your thoughts thanks 

I have one.  The first thing I noticed was how well it casts.  I get great distance and spool control.  The size is comfortable and easy to palm.   The handle length and knobs are to my liking.  I’ve only fished it loaded with 12 lb Floro for mid size paddle tail Swimbaits. It feels connected during the retrieve.  Now,  compared to the Tatula TW80 at 105.00,  it feels a bit “hollow.”  Not a bad thing but different.  A very good reel overall all.

Can I ask where you found the Tatula 80 for $105.00?

The new Tat80s and Tat100s are far superior to any SLX or Curados, but with the tariffs in the US, i don't know for how much you can get them these days.

You used to be able to buy the Daiwa China Tatula 80 for $95 free shipping but now they are $120 plus $15 shipping.  Buying reels from Daiwa China on Aliexpress was like a cheat code but that is over for now with the price increases.

5 hours ago, Flyfish-mt said:

Can I ask where you found the Tatula 80 for $105.00?

I bought several 80s and 100s for around $100 shipped from Japan in 2024. There is a seller on eBay that has 80s in 6:1 for $119.99.

The 80 is an absolute gem of a reel. Solid, tiny, huge spool capacity for such a small reel, and it launches light baits a country mile. 
The SLX and Curados are good reels, but feel plasticky and cheap to me. There are better more solid options for the price.

6 minutes ago, Kasrkin said:

The SLX and Curados are good reels, but feel plasticky and cheap to me.

I mean the models with the hagane frame should not feel cheap or plastic-like, not in my experience anyway 

30 minutes ago, BassSteve said:

I mean the models with the hagane frame should not feel cheap or plastic-like, not in my experience anyway 

Yeah, maybe I am weird. It’s a “feel” thing.

the Bantam on the other hand, feels like a Brock Lesnar handshake.

Prices jumped up due to tariffs....

48 minutes ago, Kasrkin said:

Yeah, maybe I am weird. It’s a “feel” thing.

the Bantam on the other hand, feels like a Brock Lesnar handshake.

Yes bantam is nice and solid 

7 hours ago, Flyfish-mt said:

Can I ask where you found the Tatula 80 for $105.00?

@Flyfish-mt The website is Shelton’s Clothing. It was posted on the sale page on here awhile back but I just looked and it seems the deal is still available. They have both left and right hand versions in 6.3:1 only. 

7 hours ago, Micro Module Police said:

The new Tat80s and Tat100s are far superior to any SLX or Curados, but with the tariffs in the US, i don't know for how much you can get them these days.

Too bad I don't need any more reels.  Would like to try both Tatulas.  However, I did buy the Salamandura SV70 a year or two ago.  Does anyone know how it stacks up against the Tatulas?

22 minutes ago, new2BC4bass said:

Too bad I don't need any more reels.  Would like to try both Tatulas.  However, I did buy the Salamandura SV70 a year or two ago.  Does anyone know how it stacks up against the Tatulas?

Never tried it, but i assume its like a Tat80. I do prefer the Tat100 over the 80, though. Feels a bit smoother under load, and the frame is a bit comfier to me. And this thing was like $105 on aliexpress before the tariffs, which is an insane deal considering how smooth (very high quality gears in such a cheap reel) and comfy they are.

I got a couple nice promotional Daiwa/Simms LS fishing shirts last year when I bought a couple Tatula 100 reels.  The 100’s have since been sold and now I own 1 Tatula 80 with another on its way here.  The 100 is a very nice reel but the 80 seems to be a better casting reel for lighter lures.  Also, the 80 feels a bit better in my hand….

I guess my post about the slx xt a has been taken over...lol 😶

I've had a couple SLX XT DC's and a SLX DC for a year or so now.  They've been solid performers and see regular rotation in my arsenal. 

1 minute ago, DogBone_384 said:

I've had a couple SLX XT DC's and a SLX DC for a year or so now.  They've been solid performers and see regular rotation in my arsenal. 

Im not sure about dc model. The only dc I own is the exsence but apparently the xt A is the latest slx model im not sure when it was released It could have been 3 years ago for all I know lol. So you dont regret buying it that's good to hear. 

5 minutes ago, BassSteve said:

So you dont regret buying it that's good to hear.

 

No, I don't regret buying them.  I got the XT DC's on sale and the SLX DC feels really good to me so now sits on my jig rod most of the time.  

1 minute ago, DogBone_384 said:

 

No, I don't regret buying them.  I got the XT DC's on sale and the SLX DC feels really good to me so now sits on my jig rod most of the time.  

I sort of ignored the slx model for a long time because you tend to do that when you already have the higher end models. But when i was reading the technology they added it peaked my interest. It has the nice hagane frame body too

I have the SLX 151HG model with 6 brakes, and I wish I had the model you started this thread about- the XT with the better variable brakes more like my curados have.

 

I really prefer the brakes my curados have over this SLX HG. But I bet the XT is worlds different and better than the HG model.

 

I'll get an XT and compare eventually. And maybe one day a DC.

 

Maybe these prices will come back once the tariff situation settles down. I already have an 80 but would like to grab a $100 100.  At one point the 80 was $89 but I don't have a pic.  

5 hours ago, BassSteve said:

I guess my post about the slx xt a has been taken over...lol 😶

Daiwa fanboys are an insecure bunch.🤐

2 hours ago, QUAKEnSHAKE said:

Daiwa fanboys are an insecure bunch.🤐

Although I own more Daiwas than other brands, I'm a fan of many brands.  I must be very, very insecure.  

7 hours ago, BassSteve said:

I guess my post about the slx xt a has been taken over...lol 😶

Sheet happens like this all the time.  Does no good to get upset about it.  I do understand you, tho.  People suggest $300 rods when the poster states his budget limit is $150.  What can one do?  Salt is everywhere.  Use a grain of it.  

16 minutes ago, new2BC4bass said:

Although I own more Daiwas than other brands, I'm a fan of many brands.  I must be very, very insecure.  

Sheet happens like this all the time.  Does no good to get upset about it.  I do understand you, tho.  People suggest $300 rods when the poster states his budget limit is $150.  What can one do?  Salt is everywhere.  Use a grain of it.  

Not upset just surprised, I have posted many things over the years and I dont think it has happened until now lol first time for everyone i guess 

I have owned a handful of the standard SLX, an SLX XT, a couple of SLX MGL, an SLX DC, and the newer SLX 70A. I haven't fished any of the other A models, but as far as I'm aware the only addition is SilentTune, so my experience should be somewhat comparable.

 

I see no real advantage to the XT over the standard, personally. The SVS brakes are nice, but with 4 pin vs 6, I don't really find them any better or worse than the 6 pin VBS in the normal SLX, whereas I do see a noticeable difference in the 6 pin SVS in the Curado 150 MGL. The big wheel on the side looks better and breaks up that giant garish SLX logo on the base model, though. I haven't noticed any difference in distance or cast control, but it's possible I'm not good enough to unlock the fullest potential of either reel.

 

The DC is neat, but unless you have issues chucking into the wind or you skip a lot and have issues with it, I don't find it to be worth the extra cost. At its core it is just a base SLX but with IDC4.

 

The real star of the line is the SLX MGL/SLX 70 A. Cross carbon drag and the MGL/MGL III spool make the reel punch above its pricepoint (maybe less so with the recent price increase) and are big upgrades over the other SLX models in my opinion. I can cast lighter lures with ease and get way more distance out of them.

 

I think if they threw a 150 sized MGL spool into the SLX XT A, it would be a no brainer over the normal one, but 4 pin SVS isn't enough of a selling point in my opinion, and even less appealing with the price increase....