cookieman8 Posted June 28, 2014 Posted June 28, 2014 New to the forum guys so bare with me lol Anyways, looking to buy a new baitcaster and need some advice. The two I'm really debating on are, Daiwa Tatula and Abu G. Revo SX. They're in my price range and they both look great. I cant decide tho!! Looking at the specs Abu seems to be the winner, but also I LOVE how the tatula comes in 3 different gear ratios! It helps so much because i can have the same feeling reel but just a different ratio, considering the style fishing I attempt, but hearing other fisherman's perspective is very helpful. Revo SX Weight: 6.7 oz Gear Ratio: 6:4:1 and 7:1:1 Drag: 20 lbs Bearings: 9+1 (10) Price: $159.99 Tatula Weight: 7.9 oz Gear Ratio: 5:4:1 / 6:3:1 / 7:3:1 Drag: 13.2 lbs Bearings: 7+1 (8) Price: $149.99 Another note, the TWS on the Daiwa seems to be an amazing breakthrough lol Is it as good as its hyped up to be? And I will be running 30 lb and 15 lb spiderwire braid on my set up! Any comments, or opinions are greatly appreciated.. Thanks in advance!! Quote
Shanes7614 Posted June 28, 2014 Posted June 28, 2014 Why purpose do you need the slowest tatula for? My choice is the Revo!!! And do your self a favor ad stay away from the spider wire. Complete garbage. Spend the extra couple bucks for power pro or suffix 832. Quote
ABW Posted June 28, 2014 Posted June 28, 2014 Just to throw this out there, you can get the Tatula Type R for $130 if you look around, but I love how the Revo SX looks. Also for the gear ratios, you can't switch them out. If you buy a 6.4:1 gear ratio that's what you get. Another reason to buy more reels lol. For the line, get yourself some Power Pro, it only costs like 13 bucks at our Wally World 1 Quote
Shanes7614 Posted June 28, 2014 Posted June 28, 2014 You CAN change gear ratios after purchase just an FYI. Although not easy nor cheap but can be done with quite a few of the higher quality reels being made. Revo's cast like a dream. One of my best casting reels owned with some of the heaviest braid I fish with. Quote
cookieman8 Posted June 28, 2014 Author Posted June 28, 2014 I plan on using 3 different reels lol 3 different ratios guys and ill check out the power pro and suffix. Also i like a slow gear ratio because i use deep diving cranks a lot.. Thats why i was leaning towards the Tatula, i can get 3 reels and have a different ratio in each.. that way im used to it lol Quote
wpwarhawk Posted June 28, 2014 Posted June 28, 2014 I love the Tatula reels, I now have three of them. Cast one and see for yourself. Quote
travis23 Posted June 28, 2014 Posted June 28, 2014 I own 4 Revo Sx's. for me and my income they are beyond great. I wouldn't get the slowest gear ratio. You get a big one hooked and starts swimming towards you, you are gonna have to reel like a mad man to catch up. There's better reels made for that slower ratio. Quote
Jolly Green Posted June 28, 2014 Posted June 28, 2014 And I will be running 30 lb and 15 lb spiderwire braid on my set up! Have you used 15 lb. braid on a baitcaster before? Seems a little skinny and dig-prone, similar diameter to 6 lb. mono. I've not used either of those reels, but I think it's always worth considering finding a way to actually use or at least cast them. Might save you the shock of using a Revo one day for the first time ever and saying to yourself, "Man, the three Tatulas I bought are worthless crap compared to this." Quote
Super User Raul Posted June 28, 2014 Super User Posted June 28, 2014 Dang, I now discover that for the better part of my 10+ lbers ( which are a "few" ) I was fishing with the wrong gear ratio, I knew I should have purchased a faster reel than those old XLT Plus 4.9:1 Abus. Quote
Fish Murderer 71 Posted June 28, 2014 Posted June 28, 2014 I have 5 of the STX's and now have 4 of the Lews tournament pro- of the two I prefer the Lews. I have one STX that gives me problems with the centrifuge brakes coming out on its own during a long cast with an 6XD. I haven't used any of the Tatulas, so I can't give you an opinion on those. The STX reel IMO, feels like all plastic and cheap compared to the Lews and does not cast near as well as the Lews. I can also tell you that I tried using 20# braid in my Baitcaster and had nothing but a headache with it( power pro )! I only use 50# (Seaguar Kanzen) now and very seldom have any issue with it. I had bought some of the spiderwire 65# for my umbrella rig set up and never had any issues with it- bent a couple hooks out straight on hang ups, but I just didnt like the white line color so it all ended up being used as backing for when I would respool my fluorocarbon line... Thats my 2cents, Good fishing to ya! 1 Quote
JellyMan Posted June 28, 2014 Posted June 28, 2014 I don't always fish Abu Garcia; but when I do, it's a Revo. 1 Quote
Mike2841 Posted June 28, 2014 Posted June 28, 2014 I own several revos and daiwas, and I prefer the tatula. I believe that it is a much smoother reel. I will say that ergonomically they are two very different reels, so be sure to put both on a rod before you buy. Quote
Super User WRB Posted June 28, 2014 Super User Posted June 28, 2014 If 3 gear ratio's is a priority, then add Shimano Curado I series to your list. Also look at site sponsor Valley Sports for P & D before buying. TT didn't treat the Tatula R series with a good review, although it is a better reel, the ? Was it worth the extra $. The R series comes in 8.1:1 ratio and worth considering. Quote
Super User tcbass Posted June 28, 2014 Super User Posted June 28, 2014 I have 5 of the STX's and now have 4 of the Lews tournament pro- of the two I prefer the Lews. I have one STX that gives me problems with the centrifuge brakes coming out on its own during a long cast with an 6XD. I haven't used any of the Tatulas, so I can't give you an opinion on those. The STX reel IMO, feels like all plastic and cheap compared to the Lews and does not cast near as well as the Lews. I can also tell you that I tried using 20# braid in my Baitcaster and had nothing but a headache with it( power pro )! I only use 50# (Seaguar Kanzen) now and very seldom have any issue with it. I had bought some of the spiderwire 65# for my umbrella rig set up and never had any issues with it- bent a couple hooks out straight on hang ups, but I just didnt like the white line color so it all ended up being used as backing for when I would respool my fluorocarbon line... Thats my 2cents, Good fishing to ya! What problems did you have with the Power Pro? I have a Revo SX and love it. But I got it in too slow of a gear ratio, 6:4:1. So I use my Revo rockets for almost all of my fishing now. The Revo SX won Outdoor Life's Editors Choice award last year and for good reason. It's a great real. Quote
David D. Posted June 28, 2014 Posted June 28, 2014 Whichever you choose; use heavier line. The diameter of 15 and 30 lb braid (15 especially) is too small and will cause much more problems than it is worth on a baitcasters. If I were to buy a reel in that price range then I would be getting a Tatula Type-R from Amazon for about $135. Plenty of gear ratios available and a great price. Quote
Super User Tywithay Posted June 28, 2014 Super User Posted June 28, 2014 The Tatula is a far superior reel to the SX. You can find them for $100 every day and the Type R for $130. I personally prefer the Type R. The looks are better, and I feel that the lighter spool does help casting slightly. 1 Quote
Super User new2BC4bass Posted June 28, 2014 Super User Posted June 28, 2014 Another note, the TWS on the Daiwa seems to be an amazing breakthrough lol Is it as good as its hyped up to be? I have 3 of the 1016 variants. I took one and 3 standard b/c reels to Florida for my 2 week vacation. It wasn't long before I was trying to engage the spool with my thumb on all the reels. I like the T-wing. The brakes are great as well. Will I be giving up my other reels? Nope. Quote
cookieman8 Posted June 29, 2014 Author Posted June 29, 2014 Thanks guys! Gonna go with the revo sx as I actually held them both at my local store and the revo felt WAY more ergonomic and reeled silky smooth. Gonna buy the Vendetta series to pair them up with! As for the Tatula, I liked the TWS but for the money, the Revo has it beat in every aspect. Definetly helps to see them in person!! Quote
Delaware Valley Tackle Posted June 29, 2014 Posted June 29, 2014 They're both well built reels, neither is head and shoulders above the other. The T wing works fine but is a gimmick with no real world advantage or disadvantage for that matter. Quote
TNBassin' Posted June 29, 2014 Posted June 29, 2014 I have 5 of the STX's and now have 4 of the Lews tournament pro- of the two I prefer the Lews. I have one STX that gives me problems with the centrifuge brakes coming out on its own during a long cast with an 6XD. I haven't used any of the Tatulas, so I can't give you an opinion on those. The STX reel IMO, feels like all plastic and cheap compared to the Lews and does not cast near as well as the Lews. I can also tell you that I tried using 20# braid in my Baitcaster and had nothing but a headache with it( power pro )! I only use 50# (Seaguar Kanzen) now and very seldom have any issue with it. I had bought some of the spiderwire 65# for my umbrella rig set up and never had any issues with it- bent a couple hooks out straight on hang ups, but I just didnt like the white line color so it all ended up being used as backing for when I would respool my fluorocarbon line... Thats my 2cents, Good fishing to ya! Nailed it. My experience with 4 Revo S models I had, though my STX never developed this issue. And to the OP, IMO I'd go with a Tatula over the SX. Daiwa's Magforce Z braking system is much better and user friendly than the Magtrax system on the Revo SX, though the SX isn't awful by any means. That being said, I feel that centrifugal braking systems are much more user friendly than any of the mag only systems. Quote
Super User WRB Posted June 29, 2014 Super User Posted June 29, 2014 They're both well built reels, neither is head and shoulders above the other. The T wing works fine but is a gimmick with no real world advantage or disadvantage for that matter.Interesting thought process. The T wing is a gimmick, so now your are a reel engineer. There have been several designs trying to improve the level wind from slowing down line leaving the reel spool from the narrow spool designs to disengaging the the level wind and widening or elongating the level wind guide. So you believe the T wing is nothing more than a gimmick!Amazing, Tom Quote
Fish Murderer 71 Posted June 30, 2014 Posted June 30, 2014 back What problems did you have with the Power Pro?I have a Revo SX and love it. But I got it in too slow of a gear ratio, 6:4:1. So I use my Revo rockets for almost all of my fishing now.The Revo SX won Outdoor Life's Editors Choice award last year and for good reason. It's a great real. backlash after backlash with the smaller diameter- stopped happening when I went to the larger diameter. BUT, If its working for you... buy all means continue using it! Quote
timsford Posted June 30, 2014 Posted June 30, 2014 Id definitely go with the tatula or tat type r over the revos. I have bought 2 revos. A gen 2 premier and a gen 3 sx and wasnt happy with either one of them as far as casting and retrieve feel so i ended up selling them. Im pretty partial to my tats but the lews bb1 pro and tournament pro are other reeks definitely worth looking at in that price range. My buddy's tp casts pretty close to my tat with the same lure, line, and rod and is just as smooth. Depending on line capacity you want he has *** *** that is awesome but its a little small with regards to line capacity. Very smooth though and has him wanting to sell his reel shimano collection Quote
timsford Posted June 30, 2014 Posted June 30, 2014 Id definitely go with the tatula or tat type r over the revos. I have bought 2 revos. A gen 2 premier and a gen 3 sx and wasnt happy with either one of them as far as casting and retrieve feel so i ended up selling them. Im pretty partial to my tats but the lews bb1 pro and tournament pro are other reeks definitely worth looking at in that price range. My buddy's tp casts pretty close to my tat with the same lure, line, and rod and is just as smooth. Depending on line capacity you want he has *** *** that is awesome but its a little small with regards to line capacity. Very smooth though and has him wanting to sell shimano collection to buy more 13 concepts. The revos just arent for me but thats just my opinion so dont let that deter you just try one out before you buy is all i can advise. Ive ordered a lot of stuff and ended up using it a handful of times and ended up trading or selling it at a loss Quote
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