Fished my new Tatula CT - Tatula CT VS Curado 200I

[22hertz]

There seems to be a lack of reel comparisons on the internet for someone looking for how one reel performs VS another. Im writing this in hopes someone finds the info useful for research into one everyday, average persons experience with these two reels.

Anyone reading this should keep in mind the Curado is 2 years old and has been casted a minimum of a million times (not joking I love fishing). The Tatula is new straight out of the box, and I have no experience with the reel other that the short time I spent with it before writing this comparison.

 

I had a chance to fish my new Tatula CT yesterday.

For comparison I brought along my 2 year old Shimano Curado I

Both reels are mounted on the same rod (Tournament ZX) and both spooled with new Pline Floroclear 10lb

 

This is only my initial impression after switching between both throwing the same lure for 4 hours.

 

The Tatula feels solid. It gives the impression its built like a tank.

 

Unfortunately for the Diawa thats all I think the Tatula has over my Curado I

 

I would say the #1 thing that stood out between these two reels is the way the braking system works in the real world.

I felt the brakes on the Shimano were better than the Magforce Z brakes.

The Curado I brakes could be dialed in to not need any thumb during the cast VS the Tatula needing some thumb during the cast and more thumb to stop the spool at the end of the cast. I could get the Tatula close to needing no thumb but if dialed in this way the Tatula didn't cast very far (far short of the Curado I distance needing no thumb during cast) and if I adjusted it to cast the same distance (well, close to the same) the Tatula needed thumb during the cast and more thumb to stop the spool at the end of the cast. The Curado brakes are more progressive allowing not only no thumb needed during the cast but also just a light touch at the end of the cast to stop the spool. Something to take note of is the Curado brake adjustment dial doesnt have 'clicks' and is infintely adjustable within its adjustment range. The Tatula brake adjustment dial has 'clicks' allowing discrete adjustment only. The brakes on the two reels are different enough that I don't think the finite adjustment of the Tatula brakes is a problem, but I do feel like the infinite adjustment of the Curado brakes makes getting dialed in perfect possible.

The Curado brakes feel like they slow the spool at different rates over the entire cast (progressive) where the Tatula Magforce Z brakes feel like it slows the same amount (linear) the entire cast. I much prefer the Shimano braking feel and performance.

 

The Curado sits lower on the rod and is more ergonomic for me. Thats not to say that the Tatula is bad but the Tatula had a slight hot spot where my thumb and pointer finger join (the area of the hand that contacts the beaver tail of a pistol). I hold the rod with my thumb over top of the reel and put two fingers in front of the rod trigger and two behind. This allows me to choke up on the reel in my hand and I found the Shimano is more rounded in the corner where it presses against my hand VS the Diawa that was a little more pointed putting more pressure against my hand.

 

Another interesting observation is (Im assuming) because the Tatula body is constructed of all aluminum there was a pronounced gear meshing (or possibly bearing) noise propagating through the reel body during the retrieve. The Shimano has a similar sound but is greatly dampened (again Im assuming) with the use of some plastic. 

 

According to tacklewarehouse both reels are the same weight but my observation is the Tatula felt heavier. It could be the higher seat height of the Tatula that made it feel heavier but it definitely wore my arm and wrist out more than the Curado has ever done.

 

Casting distance again I have to give to the Curado. Both casted plenty far for my needs and both were accurate casters so Im happy with the performance of both here.

 

It could be because I was new to the Tatula but I was getting more backlashes with the Tatula first time out until I played with it a bit and figured it out. The Tatula instructions state spool tension only needs to be tightened enough to remove any side-to-side play but I was getting some bad backlashing until I tightened the spool to allow the lure to drop slow like I do on the Curado. I had the brakes on max. The Curado was my first baitcaster, having never used one before I bought it. I didn't backlash it a single time the first three trips with it, but I tightened the spool to allow the lure to drop slow. 

 

I like the Tatula CT and plan to keep it for now, and at the online price these reels can be found it is a real bargain but I wont be getting rid of my Curado just yet  

[TH-Outdoors]

Nice review, interesting that you say the CT need thumbing at the begging and end of the cast because I personally can cast my CT without thumbing it once even when it's hitting the water. What brake number do you have yours set to? I keep mine at about 5-7 using a 3/8oz spinnerbait with no problems 

[22hertz]

I found 10 worked the best with a 1/8oz inline spinner I was throwing.

[fishnkamp]

That is funny because I find if I set the spool tension correctly ( slight side to side play) I really never use more than 6 on the magnetic brakes and most times it requires very little thumb.  It cast every bit or better than any of my green Curados and E series Chronarchs did.  I had replaced 4 Curados with Tatula Type Rs and 2 CTs.  It may require some more experience with that reel.

[Tim Kelly]

I found, when I first started using daiwas after having Shimanos, that you need to slightly modify your casting strike with mag brakes vs centrifugals to get the best of them.

[TX-Deluxe]

4 hours ago, TH-Outdoors said:

Nice review, interesting that you say the CT need thumbing at the begging and end of the cast because I personally can cast my CT without thumbing it once even when it's hitting the water. What brake number do you have yours set to? I keep mine at about 5-7 using a 3/8oz spinnerbait with no problems 

You have to thumb the spool as soon as it hits the water.....

[TH-Outdoors]

10 minutes ago, TX-Deluxe said:

You have to thumb the spool as soon as it hits the water.....

.... Not with a Tatula CT that's tuned properly. At least in my experience. 

[22hertz]

Tuned properly?

As in dialing in the reel or do you mean tuned by adding/changing parts?

[TH-Outdoors]

24 minutes ago, 22hertz said:

Tuned properly?

As in dialing in the reel or do you mean tuned by adding/changing parts?

Dialed in 

[22hertz]

I took this reel out fishing again yesterday leaving all my other reels at home to get more aquatinted with it.

After playing with the settings I definitely have it dialed in as good as the reel can get.

I know this because I had atleast 10 backlashes dialing in lower brake settings, lower spool tension and even not thumbing the spool when the bait hit the water (big mistake that cost me 20 minutes of picking out a yuuuuge birdsnest)

 

The reel performs great given the price but it can and will backlash if not fished or setup properly.

 

It casts a 1/8oz inline spinner very well straight out of the box.

I bought the reel knowing I could buy a DIY spool, and will at some point but the reel works great as is.

[fishnkamp]

Go tie on a 3/8 swimjig and a trailer like a small swimbait or a Kalin grub.  Go fish it and see if that reel does not act totally different.  The correct Tatula for 1/8 ounce spinnerbait or mepps type spinner would be a Tatula SV.

try fishing the heavier bait.  Then let us know what you think.

[CTBassin860]

On 4/22/2017 at 3:40 PM, fishnkamp said:

That is funny because I find if I set the spool tension correctly ( slight side to side play) I really never use more than 6 on the magnetic brakes and most times it requires very little thumb.  It cast every bit or better than any of my green Curados and E series Chronarchs did.  I had replaced 4 Curados with Tatula Type Rs and 2 CTs.  It may require some more experience with that reel.

Same here.I have it on 5 with a looser than normal spool tension and im not the least bit concerned with a backlash.I thumb as the bait hits the water because my thumb wont allow it.Its automatic at this point.If you are backlashing this reel my guess is you're trying to throw it across the pond.Set and used properly it casts like a dream.

[Scrapiron]

I found my Tat CTs cast a mile with just about any lure weight. However, I like the Curado 200i/70XG reels more. Just personal preference.

[punch]

I was super into this review until he said he was testing them both tossing a little 1/8th inline spinner. That's the kinda lure I toss on spinning gear personally. I wouldn't benchmark some reels with such a light bait.. it's not really what they are designed for. 

[johnD.]

Flush the spool bearings or swap the spool bearings on the CT , huge difference.

[new2BC4bass]

If you are casting a 1/8 oz. lure on those reels, then you are already a much better better caster than I am.

 

As far as distance and backlashing with one reel type versus another, I think it is what a person is use to.  I learned on a Fuego.  I don't see a difference in distance between a Shimano or Daiwa with the same lure.  (Well, some models are a little better than others, but maybe it is just me rather than the reel.  Or maybe my particular reel.)

 

I am just the opposite of you.  I'd rather grab a Diawa than a Shimano for lighter lures.  Unfortunately my best Shimano reels for light lures are the Curado 51Es.  I have less problems with backlashes using a TD-Z 105H.

[Frenchman83]

Thanks for the review.  Lots of good information 

[d-camarena]

Out of box i liked my shimano over my diawas

[22hertz]

Went fishing with both reels again yesterday.

The Tatula slings a 1/8oz inline spinner very well. Im getting somewhere around 70-80ft cast distance with the spinner. I also tried heavier baits with no difference in backlash/overrun performance. I get more distance with the heavier lure.

 

This reel will backlash if not thumbed when the lure hits the water. I confirmed this over and over with different lure types and weights. Also I can not adjust the spool tension as the instructions say without getting spool overrun during the cast.

 

The Tatula feels very smooth on the cast due to the way the brakes work.

The reel is really very good for the price and I feel personal preference will dictate which reel someone prefers.

 

I prefer the Shimano still. It feels more refined in ergonomics and cast control. Thats not a knock on the Diawa, more of a nod to the Shimano.

[Tim Kelly]

This advice about tightening the spool tension is just daft. It might be ok for absolute beginners, but once a person can cast and used their thumb the spool tension should be just tight enough to  stop the spool moving side to side in the frame. Much better distance, you always need to stop the spool when the bait touches down.