new2BC4bass

I have only tried an Exsence DC. It has the i-DC+ braking system. Not had an opportunity to use it much, but haven't had a backlash with it yet as long as I keep it on SP, BB, F or MAX. If I go below MAX, then I can backlash it fairly easily....especially since the spool tension is quite loose. I really like the reel and would have no problem owning more of them.

Plenty of choices. One of mine is 60# Fins Original PRT in Hi-Vis yellow. Some people use heavier. This is what I use on the reel I take to Florida. Another I tried locally last year is 45# Fins 40G in blue. I'm sure others have tried lighter. I don't see color or brand making a difference. I've only just started tossing a frog so I don't know if one type carrier is better than another. Pick a line/color/#test that interests you.

Enjoy!

No. I had an original Tatula that I basically gave away to a young college student looking to get into baitcasters. I still have an original Tatula Type R. A fine reel. There are lots of people here with Tatula CT experience. Pretty much all with good experiences. The SV will have more control in the wind and when skipping. Learn to use your thumb and do well with any reel. Well....shoot. I didn't go to the Asian Portal website. Only saw the price when I did a search. Seems right now quantities are low on a lot of fishing items. Therefore we aren't getting sale prices like normally happen at this time of year.

The reel is excellent, but I don't pay full price for rods or reels if at all possible to avoid. You can get the reel for about $25 less at Asian Portal ($174.30). I've never handled a Tatula XT, but have several of the original Tatula models. Excellent at full price (in my book) and great buys at the prices I paid. I really like my Fenwick HMGs at $99.99 (list). Falcon BuCoo is another excellent choice at the same price, but step up to a Heavy as Falcon rods fish a bit light. The Ark Invoker got a Best Value Award from TackleTour. TW has them at 37% off ($95). I don't have an Invoker, but do have a couple other Ark models. Nice rods. EDIT: At a $55 savings I am sorely tempted to pick up an Invoker even tho I am trying not to buy any more rods or reels.

I often take the unbeaten path.

It better be good for that kind of money. Looks like you are going to be the first to review the rod.

I try to avoid places needing such a rod, but now that you mention it I do have a 6'3" Elite Tech Smallmouth.

Exactly what I used for years until finally getting a crankbait rod.

I'd be more than happy with that selection.

Which can add up pretty fast.

I second this. Always interesting. As an aside, Scheels has the Patriarch XT on sale for $120...a $250 reel. I've got a couple of the older blue ones and really like them. Dual brakes. If the guy fishes junk, then he would be blown away by many of today's $150 offerings. As I said before, the Tatula line are great rods for the money. The 6'10' MHF Tatula is another fine all around rod. Dobyns Sierra has 6'8" Fast action rods in Medium, Medium Heavy and Heavy. There aren't a lot of 6'6" rods being offered as it seems most people have migrated to 7' or longer.

Is he going to be fishing from shore? Short rods can come in handy then. Personally I like longer when I can use them. Especially for bottom contact. Exprides are beyond my budget, but get excellent reviews. Maybe the 7'2" MHF for bottom contact. $270 $100 Falcon BuCoo SR 6'10" MH Mod-Fast. Falcon rods fish a bit light. $140 St. Croix Mojo Bass 6'8" M-EF. St. Croix rods fish a bit heavy. And you are just under $1000. I have several of the original Tatula casting rods, and feel they are excellent for the price. Retail $150, but can be found around $110 at times. Another thought. If she would like to stick to one brand for her husband, look at ALX rods. Zolo 7' MF Dream and Zolo 7'2" MHF Toadface...not just a frog rod. Very versatile as is the Dream. Slip an Ikos Promise 7' MHF in there. Close to $1160 with tax. ALX just had a 3-rod bundle sale. Think it is over. Or look at Phenix Feather and M1 rods. TT gave the new M1 rods an Editor's Choice Award. Just remember to go up one power. Pick a Heavy instead of MH, a MH instead of Medium. Man, so many options.

Rusty gave the same answer I was going to give. If you are looking for an all around reel, I would personally skip a reel with the MGL spool. 85 yards of 12# mono/copolymer/fluorocarbon/hybrid is enough line for bass fishing, but I don't like being that close to the end. IPT has to suck. Now if you plan on using braided line in the 20/30 lb. range, then okay. EDIT: This is the best reel you can get for less than $125. Patriarch XT. Do a search. Scheels. $250 reel for $120. Dual brakes. Ugly white. I like the looks of the blue one much better.

Thanks go to both of you. Sounds like the best of both worlds. Kind of like a dual brake reel. I know some disagree, but I happen to like the ones I have.

First I have heard of this. What does the "SV boost" do?

I hate yellow rods. Don't like white rods or reels. (I like my Chronarch 101A despite its color. ) Wouldn't even consider the older Lightning Shocks due to whatever color you want to call it on those rods. I am sure I can find a comparable rod in a color I can live with. I like red, but really dislike the red Tatula CT Type Rs. Much, much prefer the original Type R. I will matchy-matchy if it makes sense (not going to put a 5.8:1 reel on a frog rod), but otherwise I am not too concerned about coordinating colors. OP, I have some blue Fins. Not as visible as the yellow Fins. Have some of their pink, but haven't tried it yet. I like Siege Neon Tangerine. I think it is highly visible. I want to try Sufix Performance Neon Fire.

The Pro Ti is a beautiful reel. TT gave it an Editor's Choice Award. I wanted one bad, but even when it was on sale about a year ago for $100 off, I couldn't force myself to pay that much. Too bad the Helios Air in one of roadwarrior's links is no longer made. I believe I set my brakes at 3.5 when I set up mine out of the box. Haven't changed it since. First cast with it and I said to myself, "Man, this thing can cast!" Gets excellent distance and does it without a fuss. My Helios is the earlier model with green trim. Took a bit longer to dial in, but is another fine reel. The new Bantam gets praise from everyone that tries one. Mine is still in the box. Whether or not the Pro Ti is worth it is totally up to you. I am wishing now that I had gotten one when they were on sale. Who has the reel at that price?

There is a LH 'Alphas' for sale on another forum for $115 in pretty good condition with 7.2 gears installed (5.8s come with it). It is called a TD Sol. Never tried below 1/4 oz. with any of my Alphas reels. You da man! I'm close, but won't be catching up. May get one more Daiwa...a Tatula Elite. Currently I have 10 Shimano and 47 Daiwa casting reels. Two Shimano and 10 Daiwa spinning reels. I know many love the Curado 50E for lighter baits. I've got 2...one tuned by DVT. Not used my Scorpion 70 enough to know what it will do in the light lure category. Nor have I used my Scorpion 1001 4x4 SVS enough. Needs cleaning as drag is sticking. Personally I usually reach for a Daiwa when planning on casting light lures. Pixy or TD-Z 105H and sometimes a Carbonlite (the gold one).

Daiwa makes several models below that price. I've never handled one, but several on here have mentioned the Aird X ($55) fishes above its price point. For $25 more the Procyon is a very nice rod. The 7'2" ML-EF is rated for 1/8-1/2 oz. I have several of the original Tatula casting rods. Excellent rods, but normal price for any over 7' is $10 above your budget. I have several Falcon rods, but no BuCoos. Some on here consider them one of the best in their price range. Falcons fish a bit light. Meaning a Medium power would fish like a ML plus. They have nice tips. A Moderate Fast would work well with live bait. The Fenwick Eagle is another decent option. Towards your high limit is a Phenix Feather. Very light rods that also fish light. Buy one power up from what you think you need. Only house rod I am familiar with is Cabela's Prodigy. Have a couple casting rods and think they are worth the money. Especially since I buy on sale. Sportsman's Academy H2O Xpress Ethos rods get good reviews. You could get 20 more replies, and get 20 more options.

If you have the cash (over $500)...and you can find one...look at the Steez AGS 7'6" MML. Also called the 'Unicorn'. Very nice video out on the rod. According to the poster it takes the place of 2 NRX rods. Sorry. Just bustin' your chops. There are a ton of good rod possibilities, but not knowing your budget and what type (and weight) lures...or live bait...you will be using makes it a crap shoot for anyone to make a suggestion. Way too many variables. Darren is one of the guys that could make a good suggestion with more information. He mainly uses spinning gear. Since I got back into fishing almost 12 years ago I have gone to almost 100% casting gear. I do have more spinning gear than I did when that was all I used, but it just sits in the basement hardly ever being used.

to the forum. Be sure to click on the 'MENU' icon in the upper left corner. Lots of good articles on fishing and tackle. Also add "give a price range" to Finessegenics above post. If you are going to be fishing live bait, then you need a rod that loads pretty easily. Otherwise it is very easy to loose your bait on the cast. All else being equal a longer rod will cast further. Only problem with that is fishing from shore you don't always have the room for a 7'6" rod.

Given what our basement looks like I couldn't con my wife into any kind of fishing gear. Even so I would like to have a Tatula Elite casting reel.

to the forum. Nothing wrong with wanting a higher quality rod...even if it doesn't catch more fish. I know from personal experience that doing so brings me more pleasure. That alone makes it worthwhile to me since fishing in my area sucks big time. I've wanted a Dobyns Champion 736CB Glass every since reading reviews on it.

That is why I guessed it is a spinning reel. Line sure can 'loop'...jump....off the spool if spooled on wrong or has a lot of line twist. Or too much line spooled on.