So I'm Thinking Of Buying A New Baitcaster

[cddan]

So you are thinking of buying a new baitcaster?

 

About time!

 

Go with any brand you like, as long as it is a strong name brand.

 

Bring the rod with you to the tackle store and put the reels you are considering on the rod to see how it feels with each rod.

 

Then make up your mind and start to save for the next baitcaster.

 

The Bait Monkey will be proud of you.

Great advice!(Bait Monkey?)

[cddan]

So have u decided what to buy yet..lol

I'm pretty set on the Tatula.or maybe Shimano lol. Never owned a Shimano .Think I'll get the Tatula first.

[Brent1981]

Im thinkin about tryin a quantum exo next..may as well try them all...lol

[cddan]

Quantum has always been sketchy to me I have used several and they start out ok but they don't work well for me.I have used the Accurrist(older but good),Pt tour (older not so good),kvd($300)(ok but something not right.(friends reel),The smoke pretty good again its a friends a little fussy.May have been how it was taken care of.They build a strong reel but I'm gun shy now .

[new2BC4bass]

There is a 29 minute video on you tube that explains the magforce z breaking..pretty interesting if u have time to watch it

 

Do you have a link?  I'd like to watch it as over half of my reels are Daiwas.

[Jrob78]

I'm pretty set on the Tatula.or maybe Shimano lol. Never owned a Shimano .Think I'll get the Tatula first.

I finally got a chance to check out the Tatula at BPS tonight.  I came away very impressed.  The reel felt solid and the crank was very smooth.  I also like the new knobs on the Tatula.  There's only so much you can judge in the store but the reel seemed like a great bargain at $150.

[new2BC4bass]

I know you're not asking me, but I just picked up a new Diawa Tatula 6.3:1 reel and a new *** *** 7'1" MHF road. Can't wait to set it up and try my first BC cast! Stupid work always getting in the way...

 

Congratulations.  I have the 7'3" MF ***.  It is hard for me to cast with one hand with this rod.  Others have no problem.  Luckily almost every cast I make is 2-handed, so it isn't a problem for me.  Got a good price on the rod as it was a problem for the original owner as he makes almost all one-handed casts, and didn't like the rod for that style of casting.  It is a nice rod otherwise.  Matter of fact, one of my best reels currently resides on this rod.

 

I think you will be very pleased with your new outfit.  I have no experience with the Tatula, but do own quite a few different models of Daiwa reels.  I am very pleased with all of them.

 

cddan, thanks for the link while I was typing.  Too late tonight to watch it, but I will for sure watch it this weekend.

[cddan]

I finally got a chance to check out the Tatula at BPS tonight.  I came away very impressed.  The reel felt solid and the crank was very smooth.  I also like the new knobs on the Tatula.  There's only so much you can judge in the store but the reel seemed like a great bargain at $150

Liking what I hearing!

[Brent1981]

Cddan..that is the youtube video I was talking about..very informative..im with you on the quantums..I have had bad experiences too but after holding the exo at academy a few days ago..it is soooo light but yet feels durable. I want to try one out but im a little scare of wasting almost $300 when I could just buy another lews or tatula

[Brent1981]

For that matter I could almost buy 2 tatulas for the same price and I am very confident in the tatulas now after using it about 6 times now

[cddan]

how about the tatula type r they are 200 bucks and a little lighter 7.6oz.should be out soon

[Jrob78]

how about the tatula type r they are 200 bucks and a little lighter 7.6oz.should be out soon

I'm waiting for the Type R to be released before I buy one.  It has a lighter spool, which should help it cast lighter baits better.  

[Brent1981]

Oh Im definately getting a type r when they hit the shelf cause I can only imagine how nice it is going to be.

[cddan]

anyone know the release date?

[Brent1981]

Not sure exactly but it jas to be soon

[Brent1981]

Looking like next month

[michang5]

I would like to know how it performs for you. Lotta positive things so far.Any negatives?

I made it out to the bank twice the last two days and got some practice in. I'm starting to adjust for the differences: (1) left vs. right retrieve, (2) casting process and angle, (3) worrying about backlashes.

Aside from the inherent differences, I'm loving the Tatula reel and *** rod. It's extremely smooth both to cast and retrieve. The T-wing system seems to make a ton of sense. The only criticism I would have is that the reel seems a bit large for my smaller hands.

Please take my review with a large grain of salt though. This is my first BC setup. I'll refer to a quote I use when I eat Thai food: "I don't really know good Thai food from bad Thai food, but I like it."

Congratulations. I have the 7'3" MF ***. It is hard for me to cast with one hand with this rod. Others have no problem. Luckily almost every cast I make is 2-handed, so it isn't a problem for me. Got a good price on the rod as it was a problem for the original owner as he makes almost all one-handed casts, and didn't like the rod for that style of casting. It is a nice rod otherwise. Matter of fact, one of my best reels currently resides on this rod.

I think you will be very pleased with your new outfit. I have no experience with the Tatula, but do own quite a few different models of Daiwa reels. I am very pleased with all of them.

cddan, thanks for the link while I was typing. Too late tonight to watch it, but I will for sure watch it this weekend.

One of the major "a-ha" moments I had yesterday was casting with two hands. When I started with one, the trajectory of the lure had no lift. You could draw a straight line from my rod tip to the splash. No amount of adjustment seemed to help get the lure up until I started holding/guiding the rod butt with my left hand. I'm sure it was just one adjustment among a bunch of others, but it worked. My casts have more distance with less splash.

[new2BC4bass]

I know J Franco on here has mentioned that he always uses 2 hands to cast except for certain techniques requiring only one...such as flipping or pitching.  My distance seems to be the same for sidearm or overhand, but accuracy is best overhand...the most accurate being when I turn the reel sideplate towards the front.  I have mentioned before that most of my casts are underhand (roll) casts except for when trying for ultimate accuracy.  This gives me a smoother cast as there is no sudden stop and rod reversal...which also has the side benefit of resulting in less backlashes or overruns.

 

Using a baitcast reel well takes time.  The only way to get there is practice.  Definitely do not try for distance at first.  Also use weights from the middle of the rod's rating and up, although I wouldn't use the highest lure rating either as that can require a little more finesse so as not to overpower the rod.

 

My casts always went way left (I cast right handed) when I first started with a b/c reel.  I grew up on spinning gear.  You have to learn to release sooner than what you are use to on a spinning reel.  This year I have practiced left hand casting, and can pretty much throw equal distances with either hand.

 

Best of luck to you.  Be prepared to spend a lot more on gear if you are anything like me when it comes to reels.  I now have about 30, and would have at least 30 more if I had the money.  I've actually spent a lot more than I should have as it was.  Dang Bait Monkey! 

[wrightwrjr]

I am a Lew's man myself.  As far as I'm concerned you can't beat them.