Seaguar Tatsu Mini-Review

[deep]

Been fishing this line since February, and thought I'd share some observations.

 

It's pricey, as we all know. However, I believe that unless you need to respool every other week, it's not "that" expensive (edit: by "you, I really mean myself. I shouldn't go about telling others how much they should spend, and on what.). The same reason I fish Daiwa Samurai. BTW, I spent ~$30 per spool; so deals can definitely be had here and there if you look around.

 

I fished 12# Tatsu on my Curado 201G7; baits fished were 1/4 to 3/8 oz jigs (primary) and suspending/ slow-floating jerkbaits (secondary). Techniques varied from open water casting, to pitching in shallow cover.

 

The first thing I noticed about the line is that it felt hard and a little slick, not soft like Carbon Pro/ Invizx. However, spooling is easy, and the line stays on the spool, not jump off it. Also, it doesn't seem to develop a lot of memory over time (I use line conditioners though). Casting and retrieving is a pleasure.

 

Knot strength is very good. San diego jam is the only knot I tried. I tested the knot strength with my handheld Berkley digital, and I believe the first time the knot broke at close to 12 lb, and the second time slightly over 12#. Maybe I need to put new batteries into my scale, but suffice to say, knot strength was very good.

 

I found the abrasion resistance to be slightly above average (compared to Invizx). It does get scratched by rocks and I do retie frequently. One reason for that would be I fish some pretty nasty rocks, and also I fish what many would consider a low pound test. I haven't lost a fish due to the line breaking (so far), so I'm happy.

 

Longevity of the line is very good actually. As I indicated, it doesn't seem to develop a lot of memory, and the longevity in my case was determined by how long I could keep from backlashing the reel. The first half spool (I spool half the reel with good line, with the rest being cheap backing) lasted  for almost three months, and finally I got a backlash bad enough to kink up the line in several places. So I threw away the rest of the line- it was getting low anyway- and respooled.

 

The line does have some (controlled) stretch. Coming from braid, it took a little getting used to.

 

Which brings me to my last point; sensitivity. When I first bought the spool, I had my roommate (apartment-mate) stand about 30 feet away from me, and tap the line lightly at random times, while I held the semi-taut line between my fingers, closed my eyes and tried to feel the taps. Tatsu was the clear winner (over Trilene 100%, Carbon Pro and Invizx).

 

On the water (which is what really counts right?) sensitivity is unreal. Infact, I'd claim on taut line, the sensitivity is close to that offered by braid. Semi-slack line sensitivity is the reason I invested in the line, and it hasn't let me down.

 

P.S. Rods I fished with were 7' MH Shimano Compre, 7'5" Powell Max 753 and the 7'5" Loomis NRX JWR.

[Darren.]

Nice review

[roadwarrior]

Outstanding!

 

My experience is identical and I would emphasize that memory is not an issue.

Manageability is better than any other fluorocarbon. I consider Tatsu the best

line I have ever fished.

 

I am also experimenting with Kanzen as a main line and Tatsu as the leader. The

cost savings is significant which makes the line affordable to everyone. So far this

is, in my opinion, the best option.

 

 

 

[kickerfish1]

You probably wont convince many on here that purchasing Tatsu and Kanzen together would lead to cost savings. Sure many on here have fished both lines together or independently but most would struggle to find these "affordable to everyone". There are plenty on here that struggle to justify a rod much more than a lightning rod or reel more costly than a black max or shimano sedano. To expect these folks to be able to fork over $70 +/- to get both lines together is very unlikely. Doing so would be spending more on line than the reel or rod, even though they can multiple seasons out of the line. I just can't see this line as "affordable" in the eyes of most anglers.

FWIW... I have both lines and think quite highly of each. The reason I purchased these was I was looking for the best line or one of the best lines out there. I had to throw the "price card" out the window, as when buying tatsu as a main line or to be used combined with braid, the words "value" and "affordable" shouldn't be associated with one of the most expensive lines of the market.

[down4ttown]

Outstanding!

 

My experience is identical and I would emphasize that memory is not an issue.

Manageability is better than any other fluorocarbon. I consider Tatsu the best

line I have ever fished.

 

I am also experimenting with Kanzen as a main line and Tatsu as the leader. The

cost savings is significant which makes the line affordable to everyone. So far this

is, in my opinion, the best option.

 

 

 

 

 

I want to second this. The Kanzen line is great. I run 50lb with a 17lb Pline Flourocarbon leader and the stuff is unstoppable. I can only imagine how it would handle with a better leader. I run the alberto knot from line to leader and a palomar to my jig, and I have never lost a jig on this set up. 

[PABASS]

Good review, I Might try this stuff next year with a new reel.  Currently I use Fireline and NanoFIll with Seaguar blue label leader material and its working out well..

[Felix77]

Great review. I was looking for info on Tatsu for my finesse rod. I currently use InviZX and love it. When I run out its going to be Tatsu I try.

Thanks again!