Changing for the sake of change, good or bad?

[jimf]

I am in the market for a new baitcaster that I will be using for worms/jigs, and wanted to keep the price down under $150.  I have held the Lew's Tournament MB LFS, and have two other Lew's (a Speed Spool and the Tournament Pro) and am very happy with them.   I'm now considering a Tatula, mainly because long ago and far away I had some Daiwa's and was very happy with them, and thought maybe I should give them another shot.   In fact, the first serious baitcaster I bought back in the 80's was a Daiwa.  

 

Lew's is lighter, a slight drag advantage (14 vs 13.2), more bearings (not that I really care one iota), has a more ergonomic profile, and I am familiar with them. The only thing the Tatula brings to the ledger is something new, and maybe a bit of nostalgia for me.    I know it has that t-wing gizmo which might increase casting distance, but generally I range between indifference and disappointment when it comes to new fishing gizmos.

 

Is variety the spice of life?  Or should I just stick to the tried and true?   I think I'm going to try the Tatula, but I was wondering how many others do stuff like this - make decisions based simply on trying something new vs. sticking with what you know and like. 

[Fun4Me]

If I eat the same exact thing at the sub shop each time, I'll never know if I'll like something else on the menu :). Same with fishing reels. Now, the rub in this whole *try something new* is if you get the Diawa and love it enough that you don't like your Lews reels as much, and want to change everything over to Diawa.  

[Dwight Hottle]

If you want to save money stick with one wife but vary your tackle considerations. 

[new2BC4bass]

Everyone has opinions and freely gives them.  The nice thing about the Internet is you will get those opinions on about any kind of tackle you can name.  I seldom get to handle a reel or rod before buying.  I depend on those opinions to make my choices.  I don't really "change".....I just "add to"......my gear.  There are a lot of good reels available.  For me trying something new is usually a pleasure.  Sometimes you find real (reel?) gems.  Reviews on this site are why I tried the Primmus Xi HS and Helios Air.  Both leaped into my favorites list.

 

Wasn't too many years ago that I read you had to spend at least $250 to get a good Diawa (compared to other offerings).  It was recently put forth that any Diawa below that price point still isn't as good as what other brands offer.  Mainly because they are heavier and a bit wider.  An 8 oz. reel doesn't bother me like it does many, but I have to admit that I love light reels.  But..........weight (and being a fraction wider) doesn't determine whether or not I will buy a reel.  Drag really doesn't figure into the equation either or I would never own a Shimano Scorpion 4 x 4 SVS or Daiwa Fuego (older model).

 

The Tatula may be heavier and not as compact as the Lew's you are looking at, but it is still a great reel.  It makes a good workhorse reel.  It is a pleasure to use.  Best of all the Tatula and Tatula CT can be found for about $95.  IMO that is hard to beat.

 

I'd have to say that variety is the spice of life....for me.

[NYBasser]

The Curado 70 is perhaps one of the best baitcasting reels for $150. I've also heard good stuff about the Daiwa Tatula CT Type R as well.

[MassYak85]

Lol it's like I'm reading my own thoughts. I've got a couple Lew's reels and was thinking I'd try a Diawa whenever my next reel is just for the sake of variety as well. 

[nameiztaken]

I would go with the Tatula CT (or normal tatula, CT isbasically the same reel just smaller)

Another good option is the Curado 200i, on sale at the moment in a few places!

[Angry John]

If you want to try a daiwa and can go just a few pennies more i would recommend the alphas sv.  Its one of those reels that just gets it done, and if you dont have a reel to cast light weight baits its great for that. It is also small and feels wonderful in the hand compared to the larger tat.

[JustinJ]

Highly recommend the daiwa tatula ct or a daiwa fuego ct. The fuego ct is basically the same reel as the tatula ct without the tws levelwind system. 

[d-camarena]

I dont try new stuff. Shimano reels when i started, shimano reels now. I had some non shimano reels  and liked them but sold em all and got shimanos. Even my rods are now shimano.

[new2BC4bass]

22 hours ago, Angry John said:

If you want to try a daiwa and can go just a few pennies more i would recommend the alphas sv.  Its one of those reels that just gets it done, and if you dont have a reel to cast light weight baits its great for that. It is also small and feels wonderful in the hand compared to the larger tat.

 

I assume you are talking about the Alphas SV105.  Best price I could find was just under $196 but that doesn't include shipping.  Not what I consider a few pennies over the $150 limit.    I am a fan of the Alphas reels.

[Angry John]

14 hours ago, new2BC4bass said:

 

I assume you are talking about the Alphas SV105.  Best price I could find was just under $196 but that doesn't include shipping.  Not what I consider a few pennies over the $150 limit.    I am a fan of the Alphas reels.

Any of the variants are good.  The sol will be the cheapest version you can find, and you can swap spools around.  My first one was an alphas and now I own 6

[Angry John]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/DAIWA-Alphas-103-R-edition-Right-handed-Baitcasting-Reel-from-Japan-B559-/172565374122?hash=item282db2a4aa:g:mpgAAOSwnHZYcLUr

[Fishes in trees]

I was at my local tackle shop recently.  They had the new Diawa that is supposed to debut at the Classic.  Nice reel - I'd probably get it if I needed another one - and I'm a 100% Shimano guy as far as bait casters go - not so much as far as spinning tackle.

[Angry John]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Daiwa-TD-Sol-Baitcaster-/132121391952?hash=item1ec30c7350:g:glEAAOSwB-1Ywipl

 

[new2BC4bass]

7 hours ago, Angry John said:

Any of the variants are good.  The sol will be the cheapest version you can find, and you can swap spools around.  My first one was an alphas and now I own 6

 

Hey, John, I am one up on you.  Better buy the one you linked so you can catch up.  

[Angry John]

I have an ito that was custom painted i am waiting on part from plat to put back together.  I also have one sv that has never been used.  I have more reels that i know what to do with.  If i was going to buy another the sv103 aka new zillion would be on the list.  Would like to have a 7.9 in my collection somewhere and i cant seem to get ahold of a 7.9 left jdream

http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Daiwa_SV103_Casting_Reels/descpage-D3SV.html

 

[RoLo]

"Change For The Sake Of Change"

Is that about underwear & socks?  

 

[new2BC4bass]

On 3/13/2017 at 5:05 PM, Angry John said:

I have an ito that was custom painted i am waiting on part from plat to put back together.  I also have one sv that has never been used.  I have more reels that i know what to do with.  If i was going to buy another the sv103 aka new zillion would be on the list.  Would like to have a 7.9 in my collection somewhere and i cant seem to get ahold of a 7.9 left jdream

http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Daiwa_SV103_Casting_Reels/descpage-D3SV.html

 

We must be two ticks on the same dog.  I've also got a few reels sitting on the shelf waiting for rods.  The SV103 is a reel I want, but will have to wait for a used one in mint condition selling for about $170.  My last TD-Z 105H could use a paint job, but I've never had that done, and don't know where to start looking for a reputable painter to do the work.

[Angry John]

http://pizzcustoms.com/reels/

This guy does some amazing work including some baits that are out of this world

[wdp]

I don't think there is anything wrong with branching out & trying new equipment, baits, rods, etc. It's part of the process & makes us better anglers. I've been die hard Shimano for 10+ years, but I bought a Lew's 2 yrs ago & just bought a Tatula CT I'm looking forward to trying soon. 

 

@Angry John and @new2BC4bass you guys aren't the only ones. I got 4 new reels (Curado I, Citica I, the Tat CT & a cheapo Academy Sports baitcaster: this one for beater bank fishing) all NIB & waiting to be spooled & put to use. Plus, 2 low end Shimano spinning reels NIB - dang forgot those. Fishing & tackle really is an addictive thing. ?