Reel Selection

[Brett's_daddy]

Okay, earlier I posted about a Daiwa Excelor vs. Lew's LFS but now I might be able to up the ante a little on price and here are the 3 bait cast reels i'm looking at: Daiwa Tatula 100HSL vs. Lew's BB1 vs. Lew's Tournament Pro. All of these reels I can get for right around $100 so the price is the only constant factor...what about the quality/features of each of these versus the others (I know that the Tatula has only 8 bearings compared to 10 for the BB1 and 11 for the Tournament Pro but does that really make a big difference)? Again, I'm looking for something easy to learn with as I am brand new to bait casting. Thanks for any input!!!

[rippin-lips]

The tournament pro is the best choice of the 3. I'm a Daiwa guy myself, but I've owned all 3 of these reels. It's a good choice for a beginner, and will last you for years. Just take care of it.

Weighs 6.7 ounces

Has a smaller frame

95mm carbon handle - mainly cosmetic

Dual braking - very user friendly

Clicking drag star and tension knob - it's just a nice feature. Not a deal breaker at all.

The BB1 holds a lot of line and you really don't need that much line capacity for bass fishing. Suited more for heavier baits.

The tatula is a great reel for $100

It's a good caster and pretty smooth.

It's a bit heavy by today's standards. Not a big deal really, but to some it is.

It's a larger framed reel. Wasn't an issue to me, but some people have had complaints about it being uncomfortable to palm.

The T Wing System is take it or leave it. It really doesn't cast any further than other Daiwas with a standard line guide.

Daiwas magforce braking system is simple to adjust and just works very well.

Either of them would be fine reels. It's basically which one grabs your attention.

[poisonokie]

don't worry about the bearing count. The only places the tatula is missing bearings is on the wormshaft and one in each of the knobs. I say go with the tatula, because casting is very easy and it's harder to backlash, both due to the t line guide and the magforce z braking system, which is completely externally adjustable with no centrifugal pins to mess with.

[poisonokie]

What rod are you mounting this on again? Tatulas are on the heavy/large frame side, but they are built to last. If your rod is tip heavy, it will balance better. That's why it pairs well with the tatula rods. They are a bit tip heavy, but are very light overall, so if you go that route you wind up with a setup of equal weight. Also, the reel seat is more low profile, if that makes sense, so combined with the larger frame of the reel it makes for a comparable feel to other setups with lower profile reels with less substantial reel seats. ie a tatula will feel a bit bigger and potentially more cumbersome on an ACS reel seat than it will on a tatula/zillion/some gan craft type seats.

[kickerfish1]

Outside of the slightly larger size and a bit more weight I have found the Tatula to be an impressive reel. It seems almost impossible to backlash. It would be a good beginner reel for ease of use and adjustments. I find that most helpful when throwing wind resistant baits. The finish is also quite durable compared to a few Lews reels I have owned. Since the basic model Tatula can be found for around $100 or less I dont think there is better choice out there. You should be able to find a local shop that has one. Just make sure the way it palms and the profile and weight don't bother you.

A lot of folks really enjoy the Lews reels so you will probably find lots of fans of both. The $100-150 reel market is flooded with good reels.

[Brett's_daddy]

The rod I have isn't anything special I think, it's the rod that came in the Abu Garcia Promax combo,7ft.,  medium-heavy with a fast action.

[deep]

Just get a VBS Shimano and be done with it.

[poisonokie]

you're probably better off with a little extra weight in the reel, then.

[Brett's_daddy]

I know I shouldn't do this but...found this and wondered how it compares to the other two reels I mentioned here...

 

http://www.academy.com/shop/pdp/shimano-citica-201-g6-low-profile-baitcast-reel-left-handed?repChildCatid=1391518

 

Obviously it only has 4 bearings, the Tatula has 8 bearings and the Tournament Pro has 11 bearings. I think the gear ration for the Tatula is 7.3:1, for the Tournament Pro it's 6.4:1 and for this reel it's 6.5:1...not sure what ratio is best for all around bass fishing. Other than that how does it stack up? If this reel is obviously inferior I won't consider it but I know Shimano generally makes good reels but I have no experience with this model.

[BadBassWV]

Buy the Tatula, Take care of it and it will last for years.

[d-camarena]

If you are gonna get a citica get the new ones. On ebay for 120. I just bought 2 and love them

[MidwestF1sh]

Go for the tournament pro. Listen to what the first response said. There is absolutely nothing wrong with it and out performs that daiwa in every way. People are just very brand loyal. For any reel up to $150 its nearly impossible to beat Lew's. After that shimano really takes the crown.

[poisonokie]

Go for the tournament pro. Listen to what the first response said. There is absolutely nothing wrong with it and out performs that daiwa in every way. People are just very brand loyal. For any reel up to $150 its nearly impossible to beat Lew's. After that shimano really takes the crown.

 

Put the crack pipe down.

[MidwestF1sh]

Lol sorry you are right... I don't know how I didn't realize daiwa makes the best everything and anything... But honestly I'd say try to find them in a store and hold them for yourself to decide. Whatever feels best to you buy, everybody has different opinion to what is good or comfortable. You'll be happy with any of them!

[Evan K]

I have to say I'm a big Lew's fan too (have both the LFS Speed Spool and the Tournament MB) but I've heard great things about Daiwa's reels as well at that price point. I have a hard time getting to like Abu or Shimano. I had a bunch of junky Walmart reels from both of them over the years that have left a bad taste in my mouth. I mean obviously at that price point and from Walmart, what else do you expect, but anyway.

[MPM IV]

I currently own a Tatula and a Tournament Pro. I'm happy with both, but I prefer the Lew's. You won't go wrong either way.

[Jaw1]

I also own both lews and diawa reels along with multiple shimano versions but my vote would go for the lews in the lower price reels,shimano for reels above $150 ,but diawa is growing on me. I've bought a tatula and Tierra,2 liberto pixys and traded for a tatula R and regular tatula in the last few months. The Lews I own are just workhorses and give me no problems with very little maintenance.

[Brett's_daddy]

I was at Dick's last night and they have both the Tatula and Tournament Pro. The Tatula is definitely noticeably larger than the Tournament Pro but not enough that the size would make it would be unappealing to me. The Tatula is also easily heavier than the TP but again, wouldn't be a deal breaker in my eyes. Both have a nice audible click drag star system...now for the differences that did make a difference in my eyes, the TP has an audible click tension knob which I like and the Tatula's doesn't make a sound. Does that make any difference in the overall performance of the reel, doubtful but it appeals to me as I would rather hear a click and know I was at a certain level than hear nothing and guess where I am. The TP also has a much larger and easier IMO to set brake control system although the Tatula's isn't difficult...just not as big and easy to see/adjust. Both seem very smooth when reeling. I didn't try palming them because I don't think that's how I'll use it, I'm thinking having my hand under the reel will be more comfortable for me. The TP is a little more colorful with some yellow and stainless highlights to what I would consider a gunmetal blue reel body while the Tatula is practically all black which can look sleek and sexy...or boring...depending on your preferences . All in all I walked away impressed with both reels. Where I'm buying these reels the TP is $10 more than the Tatula. Now the hard part comes...making a decision!!!

[Brett's_daddy]

Okay, newsflash... after re-reading my $25 coupon from American Fishing Legacy it cannot be used for reels that are on sale which unfortunately the Tournament Pro is so that means the Lew's Tournament Pro is $129.95 while the Daiwa Tatula 100HLS is $94 (he's matching the price from one of his Amazon.com listings)...to me this makes a BIG difference as extra money is just plain hard to come by for me (wife, kid, mortgage, holiday's and birthdays fast approaching etc., etc.) so I think it has to be between the Daiwa Tatula 100HLS or the Lew's LFS and correct me if I'm wrong but the general consensus would be that the Tatula would be a much better reel than the LFS (considering many of you would have chosen it over the Tournament Pro)?

[Jaw1]

I don't think you can go wrong with either one. I have both and they both fish fine. The lews is more compact (palmable)but the tat isn't uncomfortable.

[Brett's_daddy]

I don't think I'll be palming any reel...just doesn't look comfortable to me, will most likely have my hand underneath the reel with just my thumb on the reel itself. I'm actually thinking maybe the Tatula HSL isn't the one i want as it has the 7.3:1 ration and I do a lot of crankbaits (well, i use cranks, softbaits, buzz baits, top water, frogs)...should i be looking at the HL with the 6.3:1 ration instead? Whichever reel I get I want the best all-around gear ratio.

[shaggydog]

tournament pro does everything well.

[tomustang]

Lews tourney pro in 7.1 ratio for all around use. It's noticeably lighter than a tatula and trust me you'll start feeling the benefit of 1+oz less, palms better if you have average or smaller hands. All it needs is some Abu Garcia EVA handles and you'll be set.