Seaguar Tatsu 2 Week Mini Review

[rockchalk06]

I have been wanting to try out Tatsu for some time. The price and the fact that I can't stand line memory, have kept me from doing so. So when Tackle Warehouse put it on sale, I knew I had to give this a shot. I've previously tested out the 3 other Seaguar Fluorocarbon lines and was not impressed. I'm very picky when it comes to line memory and Red Label was the worst. Red Label just about turned me off from Fluoro all together, it had so much memory.

 

Tatsu has the smallest diameter of all 4 of the Seaguar offerings. Its diameter is .015" compared to .016" for the rest. While I could not tell a difference in the lines, its nice knowing that its smaller. Red Label and AbrazX both feel like leader material to me. I prefer a supple line as I mainly use braid for everything. Tatsu, felt very supple as soon as I took it off the main spool. Even for 20#, it felt better than both the 2 above and more than what I was expecting from it. I took 10 plus feet off and I didn't get that stiff coil like I get with other fluoro lines.

 

For my initial test, I went with 20# for my Jig rod. I will be using this for pitching jigs only and used as a main line. The spool was typical of Seaguar line, in that its spooled evenly and flat. I soaked the main spool in KVD line and lure over night before I spooled up. I backed this with Trilene XL in 10 pound. I joined them using the Modified Albright knot. Maybe its using 20# main line, but I could not get the knot to tie like I wanted it to, no matter how much spit I used I could not get 9 up and 9 down on my knot. I had to go 5 up and 5 down and work the knot together slowly. It held with a 25# weight attached, so I think it will hold. I've never used this heavy of a fluoro backed with mono before, so this may be normal. Just my initial observation. I spooled up with 65-70 yards of Tatsu. I ran the line through a KVD soaked rag and soaked the spool every 15 or so turns until I had what I wanted. I soaked the full spool until it was pouring out. I wanted to make this review as fair as I could, so I applied the KVD liberally. The line laid very evenly and flat on my spool. Reel is a Chronarch 200E7 and it spooled up flatter and more evenly than I've ever had a non braided line do before.  

 

Reel was kept in my garage with a reel cover attached. Temps averaged from 70-95 degrees. I left it alone for 7 days. After the 7 days, I tied on a jig and pitched it across the yard appox. 20 yards. I laid down the rod and gave some slack in the line. I can honestly say I had not one twist or coil in the line! I pulled out another 20 yards and same thing. No coils or twists. When I got to about 50 yards I started noticing a few signs of line memory. Nothing like I've had in the past though. Usually the closer you get to the center of the spool, the worse the memory gets. I reeled it back up and again, soaked in in KVD.

 

The next morning, I hit the lake. I spent 9 hours on the water and used this combo close to about 7 of it. I pitched my jig into about every nasty bit of cover I could find. I had some thick heavy grass and tons of timber. As with any line, when I pitch, I make a long cast out every half hour and get the line back flat on the spool.  I made it a point to pitch it over just about every log I could find too. I checked the line about every 5-10 minutes and with a solid 6-7 hours of fishing this, I never found a nick one. No fraying, no nicks, no kinks. I have never had this good of luck before on the first outing, using fluoro. I did not have the chance to run it over some rocks though. Further testing will need to be done for this.

 

I got hung up once about 20 feet from my boat. I wanted to test out the knot strength when pulling on the line. My boat is an 8 foot Pelican with about 450 pounds including me and gear. I pulled as hard as I could on the line until I was over the snag. Line never broke. I was able to free the jig, and didn't see any signs of wear on the line/knot either. I only retied after this snag. Never lost a fish or a jig that trip due to line failure. Keep in mind, I didn't have any backlashes all day, so no kinks in the line from a backlash. I may try backlashing the reel later in the test to see how many kinks I can get. For now, I am more focused on line memory and abrasion resistance with normal pitching conditions.  

 

At the end of the trip, I reeled the line through a wet rag and soaked it again in KVD.

 

I covered the reel, and until this evening before work, its been sitting in my garage. I took it out and pitched the jig again across the yard. I gave the line some slack again and noticed a tiny bit of memory. Nothing like cheap mono or my past experiences with Red Label though. When I got to about 50 yards I started noticing more as in the first test. As I said before, I cant stand any line memory. The small about I've seen with Tatsu so far, has not disappointed me at all. I'm actually looking forward to further testing with it. Now I know 20# is pretty thick line and you will see more memory with the larger diameter lines as compared to smaller, but with what I'm seeing now, I really think this line is going to turn out to be worth the money spent. I am going to grab a spool next week of 12# to test as well. I will follow up with this test in 6 months and then again in 1 year from my initial spool and see how it fairs then.

 

Thanks!

[skeletor6]

Great review...thanks

[skeletor6]

I think 9 up and 9 down is overkill and not surprised it didn't cinch well. I use what I call Wejebe knot, about the same as an alberto with only a slight variation, 8 up and and 2 down, holds like a weld.

I use the same modified Albright knot. 5 up and 4 down is plenty for 12 or 8lb tatsu for me. Higher diameter I could see even going down to 4 and 3. Agree 9 and 9 is a bit much. However, I've never had the need for 20lb tatsu.

Interesting analogy. I easily tugged a pontoon around with 8lb tatsu when hung up. Not something I would recommend, but the line is very strong. I would like to see its rated vs actual breaking strength. And also its diameter vs breaking strength compared to other lines. I find it reasonable to hypothesize that tatsu is the strongest FC per line diameter.

[aavery2]

Good review, my experience is that if you backlash and get a very tight kink in the line, it will serve you well to pull enough line out and cut it off.  I have had 12lb Tatsu break off at the spool twice on me when failing to do so. 

 

I do not see this a problem with the line, and more of a failure on my part to properly service the line after the backlash.

[roadwarrior]

Great review!

[new2BC4bass]

Nice review.  In addition, I have to take my hat off to you for being so patient with the line conditioner.  No way could I go to all that trouble.  I don't think any of us like line memory....we just live with it.  I don't see a little line memory being that big of a deal.  Excess...yes. 

[The Young Gun]

Thanks for the Info! Sounds a lot betterthan the berkley vanish I've used haha

[Hi Salenity]

The only downside I've found is fishing it in a lake with zebra mussels it nicks up fairly easy, especially fishing lighter line for smallies. The Abrazex works better for that obviously...

[SPEEDBEAD.]

Nice review.

 

I will tell you that the manufacturer/distributor of the L&L recommends that you not run the line through a KVD soaked rag.

[J Francho]

 

No way could I go to all that trouble.

 

Trouble?  Haw hard is it to put two spritz on your spool at the end of the day?  Takes more time to slip your bait in the hook holder, lol.

[kickerfish1]

Just a personal preference, but I find 20# just to stiff and large in diameter for casting purposes. The heaviest I would use is 15# but I much prefer 12#. It sounds like a fair amount of pitching was done and the 20# line would certainly be a better choice where you will be fishing heavier cover and not needing any distance.

Good review! Did you feel the line was more sensitive than other floro lines you have used? I didn't see this in the review and wondered if you had drawn any conclusions good or bad.

I would put this line up there as the best I have used and especially good for slackline sensitivity for weightless plastics.

Shooter is my favorite heavier jig line, sniper is my favorite value based floro line, while tatsu is my go to for some of my primary setups.

[new2BC4bass]

Trouble?  Haw hard is it to put two spritz on your spool at the end of the day?  Takes more time to slip your bait in the hook holder, lol.

A spritz or two is one thing.  Did you read the OP's whole post?

 

He soaked the whole spool in KVD line conditioner overnight.  I assume the spool was put in a jar with enough conditioner to cover the spool.  He "ran the line through a KVD soaked rag and soaked the spool every 15 or so turns".  He then "soaked the full spool until it was pouring out".  The reel was allowed to sit for 7 days.  Lure was cast out to check for memory.  The spool was again soaked with KVD.  This was done before taking the reel out to fish.

 

Quote: "At the end of the trip, I reeled the line through a wet rag and soaked it again in KVD."

 

In my book this amounts to more than a spritz or two at the end of the day. 

[J Francho]

As was mentioned, he DID NOT follow the instructions.  A couple of spritz on the spool of line after every trip will yield BETTER results. 

[Arv]

Excelent review. Thanks!

[rockchalk06]

Nice review.

I will tell you that the manufacturer/distributor of the L&L recommends that you not run the line through a KVD soaked rag.

I did this because it states on the website, that they recommend this for a new spool up.

[rockchalk06]

As was mentioned, he DID NOT follow the instructions.  A couple of spritz on the spool of line after every trip will yield BETTER results.

I didn't break any rules. I went above and beyond for the purpose of this test. The extra was not going to hurt anything and I wanted to eliminate anyone saying I didn't use enough should the line not get the best reviews after the test.

[rockchalk06]

Good review, my experience is that if you backlash and get a very tight kink in the line, it will serve you well to pull enough line out and cut it off.  I have had 12lb Tatsu break off at the spool twice on me when failing to do so. 

 

I do not see this a problem with the line, and more of a failure on my part to properly service the line after the backlash.

I've heard the same too. I'm sure I would have had a couple if I wasn't pitching, but I got lucky! Lol

[rockchalk06]

Just a personal preference, but I find 20# just to stiff and large in diameter for casting purposes. The heaviest I would use is 15# but I much prefer 12#. It sounds like a fair amount of pitching was done and the 20# line would certainly be a better choice where you will be fishing heavier cover and not needing any distance.

Good review! Did you feel the line was more sensitive than other floro lines you have used? I didn't see this in the review and wondered if you had drawn any conclusions good or bad.

I would put this line up there as the best I have used and especially good for slackline sensitivity for weightless plastics.

Shooter is my favorite heavier jig line, sniper is my favorite value based floro line, while tatsu is my go to for some of my primary setups.

For normal casting purposes, ya it's kinda big. If I decide to switch over my swim jig rod later, I'll go lighter. I just wanted some heavy duty line so I can hopefully get my jigs back lol

At this point I really can't tell if its more sensitive. I am replacing my jig rod with a DX 745 next week. I never felt like I got the best with my Loomis GL2. With the new rod, I'm anxious to try it again. Also I only had 2 strikes on the Tatsu the whole trip. It wasn't the best day out on the lake. That's another reason why I will make the test out to a year, so I can get some better days this fall.

[QUAKEnSHAKE]

I didn't break any rules. I went above and beyond for the purpose of this test. The extra was not going to hurt anything and I wanted to eliminate anyone saying I didn't use enough should the line not get the best reviews after the test.

 

I would have liked to know your results without the use of conditioner, would be a truer representation of the line for me. Sort of like a before/after cause the way tatsu gets hyped it seems like it wouldnt need any in the 1st place but maybe that size test does.

What knot are you using with it?

[new2BC4bass]

As was mentioned, he DID NOT follow the instructions.  A couple of spritz on the spool of line after every trip will yield BETTER results. 

 

I wasn't aware of this although I do have a couple bottles of KVD Line Conditioner.  I normally don't think to use either except occasionally when spooling on new line.  A 20 year veteran of baitcast reels told me he didn't like to spray anything on the line once it was spooled.  Said it could work its way into the internals.  I can see where that might happen especially if a person got carried away with their spraying.  Probably wouldn't help the bearings any.

 

To the OP.  I feel you were not only giving the line a fair chance, but bending over backwards to ensure you got the best performance (for your guidelines) that was possible.  I don't blame you considering its price....even when on sale.  I have to ask.....did you give all the other fluorocarbons lines you tried an equal chance?

[rockchalk06]

I would have liked to know your results without the use of conditioner, would be a truer representation of the line for me. Sort of like a before/after cause the way tatsu gets hyped it seems like it wouldnt need any in the 1st place but maybe that size test does.

What knot are you using with it?

That would be a good test to do if I had the extra money, but I've had some bad issues with fluoro in the past, so I wanted to keep the KVD on it. My review is based on how I would use the line if it were to be the only line I used.

I'm using the Shaw Grigsby knot.

[rockchalk06]

I wasn't aware of this although I do have a couple bottles of KVD Line Conditioner.  I normally don't think to use either except occasionally when spooling on new line.  A 20 year veteran of baitcast reels told me he didn't like to spray anything on the line once it was spooled.  Said it could work its way into the internals.  I can see where that might happen especially if a person got carried away with their spraying.  Probably wouldn't help the bearings any.

 

To the OP.  I feel you were not only giving the line a fair chance, but bending over backwards to ensure you got the best performance (for your guidelines) that was possible.  I don't blame you considering its price....even when on sale.  I have to ask.....did you give all the other fluorocarbons lines you tried an equal chance?

Yes. Of the lines I've tested, all were tested exactly like the above. Within a couple of weeks, I had so much memory, I became frustrated and removed the line.

[QUAKEnSHAKE]

That would be a good test to do if I had the extra money, but I've had some bad issues with fluoro in the past, so I wanted to keep the KVD on it. My review is based on how I would use the line if it were to be the only line I used.

I'm using the Shaw Grigsby knot.

 

Thanks

I just received my 10#Sunline Sniper from Gander only other fluoro I tried was Trilene 100% wasnt that good so hopefully this will perform on a shimano 50 reel. I have L&L but will try the line bare cause its low test but if it needs it it will get soaked. I'll try that Shaw knot as well.

[rockchalk06]

Thanks

I just received my 10#Sunline Sniper from Gander only other fluoro I tried was Trilene 100% wasnt that good so hopefully this will perform on a shimano 50 reel. I have L&L but will try the line bare cause its low test but if it needs it it will get soaked. I'll try that Shaw knot as well.

Grigsby mentioned this knot on his FB page last year. He didn't know what it was called so I just call it the Grigsby knot. It's one of the strongest fluoro knots I've ever tried. I use it for braid too. My 40# braid breaks long before this knot does.

I'd be interested in hearing about the Sniper. I've never used it.

[roadwarrior]

No issues with the Duncan knot, also known as a 16/20 or Pitzen Knot.

My modification is to wrap the knot from the hook/lure up so that there

is no overlapping line. The knot is basically a noose, with no stress points.