Daiwa Tatula

[1099gl]

Hi again earler i asked about the duckett ghost now I am asking about the tatula. I have heard good things about this reel but cabelas has the daiwa exceler on sale for $50.00 so which should I get?

[GaterB]

I'd go with the Tatula. Solid reels that perform well above their price range. The exceler for 50 is a good deal but I'd still go with the Tat.

[rippin-lips]

That's a tough call. The tatula is an excellent reel and feels very smooth. It also is a great caster. At $110 it's hard to beat. It is a larger frame then the exceller though. That might be something to take into account. The exceller isn't bad either. I have 2 of each of those models. Mount one to a rod and see which one feels better to you.

[Hattrick7]

I just got a Tatula and I think it's a very nice reel. Casts great, very smooth retrieve. My only complaint is that I start to feel the weight after a while and the fatigue from it. 

[Jeff H]

I just got a Tatula and I think it's a very nice reel. Casts great, very smooth retrieve. My only complaint is that I start to feel the weight after a while and the fatigue from it. 

Seriously?  8 oz reel is gonna put you down by the end of a day of fishing? 

[Hattrick7]

Seriously?  8 oz reel is gonna put you down by the end of a day of fishing?

When I'm casting over and over again one handed with a spinnerbait for a solid two hours vs my Revo SX yeah I can tell a difference. Is my arm gonna fall off? No but there's that fatigue for sure compared to my Revo.

[JDUB]

I have a tatula r and I really like it. It cast well and is smooth as hell. I will say if you have small hands you might not care for it.

[mjseverson24]

When I'm casting over and over again one handed with a spinnerbait for a solid two hours vs my Revo SX yeah I can tell a difference. Is my arm gonna fall off? No but there's that fatigue for sure compared to my Revo.

use two hands... i like the tatula, casts nice, good solid build, and affordable (which is odd from daiwa)...

 

Mitch

[Hattrick7]

use two hands... i like the tatula, casts nice, good solid build, and affordable (which is odd from daiwa)...

 

Mitch

 

I normally do use two hands but when i'm 20 feet from the bank trolling I don't need two hands for that. 

[Jeff H]

use two hands... i like the tatula, casts nice, good solid build, and affordable (which is odd from daiwa)...

 

Mitch

parentheses just kind of cracked me up.  While I am a Daiwa supporter, I acknowledge that Daiwa has it's eccentric moments.

[Jeff H]

Anyway.....Last week I was at Cabela's and they had those particular Exceler piled up on sale.  I pulled a few from the box and gave them a spin.  They all felt loose and bone dry inside.   A good deal at $50 I suppose but when I (or anyone else) can get the Tatula for $110 or less it is just a better bargain to me.  

[FrankW]

I am 5'7" and have small hands.  My wife is 5'3" and my hand is just slightly larger than hers and she weighs 112lbs.  I fish a Tat R and have no problems at all with the reel size.  I don't engulf my reel holding the line and reel at the same time as some people do.  But I do use a forward style grip and my thumb is on the forward edge of the reel.  Having small hands is just not a problem with the Tatula with any reasonable grip. 

 

Frank

[Montanaro]

I love it. I want more.

Not too big but not small. Not really that heavy. Casts amazingly. Smooth.

[bassackwards12]

Def the tat

[gripnrip]

I normally do use two hands but when i'm 20 feet from the bank trolling I don't need two hands for that. 

If you're trolling, why are you casting? 20 feet from the bank isn't much of a cast if that's what you are doing.

[jbsoonerfan]

If you're trolling, why are you casting? 20 feet from the bank isn't much of a cast if that's what you are doing.

 

 

That's what I was thinking. At 20 ft you are tossing, not throwing. 

[Hattrick7]

Roll casting gents. Roll casting. No need to throw out a bomb. Accurate casts to targets. 

[Crankinstein]

I love my Tatula, caught 14 fish tonight and 13 of them were on it. You can bomb cast a 1/2 oz crankbait like a spro little john md into another area code. I don't know if that's a result of the T wing or not but it sure is handy when your covering water. It makes a good flipping reel too, I'm thinking of snagging the high speed version here soon and setting it up to flip. Overall its a great reel and they offer it in a gear ratio for every technique. Check the most recent MLF and you'll see Brent Ehrler has his deck loaded with Tatula and Tatula type R set ups.

[The Guy]

I've had a tatula for a week, so far I'm impressed. I don't have any issue with the size.

[Big Texan]

Definitely get the TAT it is a great reel. The Exceller was redesigned completely for 2014 and retails around $100.

What color was the $50 Exceller? If it was silver that is a 2013 model. If Balck with large cranking knobs it is a 2014. The 2014 is a better reel than 2013.

[Shockwave]

I picked up an Exceler from Cabelas too.  I had a couple gift cards laying around too so I ended up paying about $14 out of pocket.  Couldn't pass that one up. 

[new2BC4bass]

Roll casting gents. Roll casting. No need to throw out a bomb. Accurate casts to targets. 

 I roll cast 2-handed at least 95 percent of the time regardless of the distance, but I never throw 20 feet.  Even on overhead casts I will usually "roll" the cast (and use 2 hands).  I think pitching might be better at that distance.  Probably will get a quieter entry.  Accuracy will be superb also.

 

Hauling a 1/2 oz. spinnerbait (sometimes through weeds) for a couple hours can be very tiring on the rod arm regardless of the reel's weight.  It doesn't help that I am 66 and haven't exercised in years. 

 

I switch lures to give my arm a break.  Or switch to a reel with the handle on the other side if I have one with me....which is often the case.