Grantman83

Repost

I must have got one of the last ones!

My god....impulse buy

Unfortunately the graphite frame scares me when you can get aluminum frames reels for $100. Unless they have come up with a cheaper variance of the their ci4 which is stronger and more rigid than normal graphite

I rarely bash products but vicious was the worst line I have ever used (and this from a guy who didn't mind berkley vanish). Unmanageable at higher tests (12 and above) to the point of me laying down the reel and not even using it that day.

Probably a 4 bearing handle as well

Must...stay....calm....

Invizx 15lb. Has some forgiving stretch, sensitivity and has a thinner diameter so I can get away with heavier line.

Dobyns and lews

I scored 2 of the 100b curados and they are tanks so far...friend cleaned and greased them and the only thing they may need is a slightly better handle...otherwise they look and feel bulletproof

I have the apex and Grande cause I got smoking deals.. Pros are they are lightweight, have sweet carbon handles and are smooth. Their Eva knobs are the most comfortable of any I have used. I usually hate Eva knobs because they are too thick but these are contoured to your fingers ala shimano so they feel great. Cons are quality control seems to still be an issue. My grande reel showed up without any centrifugal braking pins on the spool. They sent me a new spool no problem but how does a reel get out of the factory missing half its braking system. Also, the magnetic braking system is 270 degrees but the "max" designation on the side plate is at 360. You can't turn the brakes up to the labeled max setting as it is past the 270 degrees. If you tried, you would break the dial. It's almost like they copied the labeling off another reel but didn't institute the same braking system so it simply doesn't line up. Doesn't cause issues with braking but just seems like a rushed oversight.

Siege is awesome line. I run 12 and 14 on my cranking rods...it's awesome

I concur. The lite is above the mb by a good amount in IMO. However, between the 2, the mb is worth extra over the regular speed spool. Smoother, extra casting ranges, more power and smoother drag.

The 735 is rated a medium heavy in relation to their flipping and pitching sticks...in those terms, it is a medium heavy pitching stick. Just like how a cranking medium heavy is different Than a jig and worm medium heavy.

I thought carrot stix were under a Chinese conglomerate now? Did they sell to Jimmy D?

The diversification is getting pretty crazy. I have yet to meet a braid that I had issues with. I assume they are trying to go the way of rods ala technique specific. It would be their wet dream if every angler had a specific line for a specific combo. Gotta have my flipping, cranking, top water, drop shot, spinnerbait specific lines etc...

Seeing how quickly they blew out of TW even with the sale should show you how popular they are... Making a great Rod even better

Obviously people look at this issue in two ways. Either you consider assembled in America as made here or you want all parts which are assembled to also be manufactured here as well. It is a true rarity to find anything which all components are also manufactured here as not all countries have the necessary raw materials such as cork etc. Each option creates jobs here in some way which is a positive and this is the point for most. To argue their quality and sensitivity is another issue IMO.

Honestly when I was just getting into fishing I had a few and had NO issues with them. When they were $99 bucks back in 2011, they were good reels. However, little things began to dissapear from them when they went down to $79...the grip on the thumb bar, the handle knobs changed, the finish changed to a matte black etc etc.... If they are the original version, they will be fine. They have an aluminum frame which is a big plus...

I have the jig rod and have heard the frog rod is under rated for it's intended purpose. From what I have read, the frog rod actually makes a great jig rod and might be slightly too wimpy for heavy slop. In open water you should be fine however...

Yea, you can't really go by what they say at ICAST...I remember when the second generation Shimano Crucial came out (EVA) the rep said they were the same blank as the 1st generation Cumara. Turns out that was not the case at all and combined with lesser components you have a pretty unpopular series which was recently revamped to look and feel like the original line. Even if the blank is the same, components can make a huge difference in terms of balance, comfort and ease of use. I would gladly pay an extra $40 for these slight improvements. Several slight improvements when combined together can have a major effect. As I mentioned before, these rods seem very similar to the Lexa line of rods which didn't sell so hot. I think they merely did some slight changes and added the Tatula name so as to capitalize on a very popular line of rods and reels. That way they still have a line of $100 rods which aren't named after a discontinued reel series in the Lexa...

Are these just the old lexa rods renamed tatula?

Most comfortable grip I've used by far. I like Eva and cork about the same but man Winn grips rule... I wrap lost of my rod with tactile tennis grip tape to get the closest to Winn I can without having to buy the whole grip.

Yea I don't find it to be that bad...guess fluoro has given me some perspective lololol

I'm slowly going the Winn grip route!