kent_man Posted July 22, 2015 Posted July 22, 2015 I know this gets asked all the time, I have searched and read through various forums, but a lot of posts are either dated or not specifically comparing the reeels I am at the price I could buy them. I'm comparing the Tatula 7.3 ($129.99) to the Lews Tournament Pro Speed Spool 7.1 ($139.99) to the Chronarch 200e7 ($159.99) My upper price limit is really $150, but the chronarch is on sale for $40 off, if this reel happens to be the best I could over spend. I am not interested in the curado at $179.99 so that's why it isn't in the running. I am looking for an all around reel for kayak fishing, but I'm going to be setting this up on a 7'6" Heavy extra fast rod for flipping pitching and frogging, but may fish it other ways too. I have one other baitcaster a Fleuger Supreme that uses centrifugal brakes. I really havent used it all that much, my go to setups have generally been spinning rods. I was pretty much sold on the Tatula, but I was watching a few videos and there seems to be an excess of plastic parts. From actually holding and looking at it I would say the drag star appears to composite or plastic. I didn't noticie while holding it, but apparently the spool tensioner and handle nut are plastic. I'm not sure if this matters or if I should care. This reel is the newest of the three not sure if that is good or bad. I like the idea of the T-wing system and externally adjustable brakes. The Lew's Tournament Pro seems like it is high quality from the exterior, metal components, carbon fiber reel handle. I know they use more bearings, but I'm sure they aren't as good as Shimano's or Daiwa's from what I've heard of course. Exterior looks to be higher quality than the Tatula, not sure that it is though. Grew up with low end Shimano and Daiwa, never a Lew's though. The Chronarch looks to be of high quality as well. I have read that the chronarch is just a painted older curado and people complained. But is it the curados that were coveted and regarded as amazing? Personally I like the feel of this better than the new curado I. I would rather it had externally adjusted brakes, but my other baitcaster you have to open up so not huge deal. It just seems like you can super fine tune the others. This reel I believe is made in Japan, which I know used to be a big deal not sure if it still matters. The sale ends tonight for the Tatula and the Lew's, the Chronarch goes back up on the 26th I believe. Thanks in advance guys! Quote
smallies24/7 Posted July 22, 2015 Posted July 22, 2015 I have two tournament pros, and love them. I would pick them over my Tatula and Tatula type r any day. Never used a chronarch though. Quote
Super User J Francho Posted July 22, 2015 Super User Posted July 22, 2015 With a spool speed of zero, it doesn't matter what reel you flip with, so long as it is sturdy and has a good drag. For pitching, spool speeds aren't fast enough got mag brakes to matter much. I pitch with with every reel I own, and they all work fine. The reels with centrifugal brakes give me the least trouble pitching into the wind. Quote
Delaware Valley Tackle Posted July 22, 2015 Posted July 22, 2015 Right, this isn't a very specialized application and those are all quality reels. It comes down to features, what feels good in your hand, and of course the deal. Quote
Super User rippin-lips Posted July 22, 2015 Super User Posted July 22, 2015 Mike has already said it. It boils down to what reel offers what you like the most. All 3 will perform the job at hand. If possible mount all 3 to the rod you will be using. Sometimes a heavier reel 'tatula' will balance better than a lighter reel 'lews' You can find all 3 $10-30 cheaper online if you look around. The drag star is composite. The tension knob is metal I believe. I'm at work or I'd double check for you. The handle but is metal, but has a plastic cover. None of which really mean much. The reel is very solid. Beware it's a larger frame and doesn't palm well for some people. Quote
desmobob Posted July 22, 2015 Posted July 22, 2015 I have a pair of Tatulas and a pair of Lew's Tournament Pros. I love the Lew's TPs, but I think the Tatulas are a steal at just about half the price (I purchased mine from the big auction site for less than $95 each last year). I think you'd be very happy with either of those two reels. The Lew's TPs feel lighter and the Tatulas feel heavier, but more "solid." The Lew's TPs are a bit smaller/lower than the Tatulas and if you have smaller hands, you might prefer them. As with everything, it would be good to find a place with them in stock so you can handle them, especially while mounted on a rod. Tight lines, Bob Quote
Super User Raul Posted July 22, 2015 Super User Posted July 22, 2015 It really doesn't matter but I would pick the Chronarch over the other two without hesitation. Quote
kent_man Posted July 22, 2015 Author Posted July 22, 2015 It really doesn't matter but I would pick the Chronarch over the other two without hesitation. Care to elaborate as to why? Quote
kent_man Posted July 22, 2015 Author Posted July 22, 2015 With a spool speed of zero, it doesn't matter what reel you flip with, so long as it is sturdy and has a good drag. For pitching, spool speeds aren't fast enough got mag brakes to matter much. I pitch with with every reel I own, and they all work fine. The reels with centrifugal brakes give me the least trouble pitching into the wind. I do plan on casting as well, may use the fleuger for pitching and flipping. Quote
kent_man Posted July 22, 2015 Author Posted July 22, 2015 I have two tournament pros, and love them. I would pick them over my Tatula and Tatula type r any day. Never used a chronarch though. Could you elaborate? Quote
kent_man Posted July 22, 2015 Author Posted July 22, 2015 Mike has already said it. It boils down to what reel offers what you like the most. All 3 will perform the job at hand. If possible mount all 3 to the rod you will be using. Sometimes a heavier reel 'tatula' will balance better than a lighter reel 'lews' You can find all 3 $10-30 cheaper online if you look around. The drag star is composite. The tension knob is metal I believe. I'm at work or I'd double check for you. The handle but is metal, but has a plastic cover. None of which really mean much. The reel is very solid. Beware it's a larger frame and doesn't palm well for some people. What online retailers would you suggest? I have seen that Tatula cheaper on eBay, but I would like to avoid auction sites if possible. I have been burnt too many times on eBay and don't care to give them my business. Quote
kent_man Posted July 22, 2015 Author Posted July 22, 2015 Thanks everybody for your responses. It seems I can't go wrong with any of these, I may swing by and get a hold of each of these reels one more time then try to decide. Quote
Super User rippin-lips Posted July 22, 2015 Super User Posted July 22, 2015 What online retailers would you suggest? I have seen that Tatula cheaper on eBay, but I would like to avoid auction sites if possible. I have been burnt too many times on eBay and don't care to give them my business. eBay is the site I was referring to. I've bought 90% of my reels new and used from there. From the states and Japan. Never once had an issue. Buy from sellers with 100% feedback or darn close and with a lot of sales. Quote
smallies24/7 Posted July 23, 2015 Posted July 23, 2015 Could you elaborate? Yeah, I have had two tourney pros for about a year and a half each, and have had my Tatula and Tatula type R for about a year each(although I just sold my Tatula). I prefer the tournament pro because to me, it palms a lot better. It is also much smoother on the retrieve, and I got more distance out of it than I did with my Tatulas. Also felt it handled lighter baits a little better. It is lighter (6.7 oz vs 7.9 for the Tatula) and with the light rods I use, it felt better to me. It also looks better to me, but that's personal preference. But I have small hands, so the palming was a big factor for me. Smoother in my opinion, it was a clear winner for me. Hope this helps. Quote
kent_man Posted July 23, 2015 Author Posted July 23, 2015 Thanks everybody, I made my decision and purchase! Gander mountain actually gave a pretty good deal. They matched Dicks $20 off $100 online orders coupon in store, they even one upped it and let me split my purchase into two transactions and I got $20 off the reel and $20 off the rod, the rod had a rebate that they couldn't find so the took another $10 off. I went with the Lew's Tournament Pro, got it for $129.99! They didn't have the 7.1 so I settled for the 6.4, I hope I don't regret that. Quote
Super User FishTank Posted July 23, 2015 Super User Posted July 23, 2015 I like the Chronarch 50e for this application. It's smaller in hand and starts up nicely. Also, it's smooth and has plenty of power. Quote
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