Got a New Tatula CT!!!

[Brett's_daddy]

I was given a new Daiwa Tatula CT 100HS 7.3:1 RH reel for my birthday recently. I haven't got a chance to cast it yet as we just saw the last of our snow go not too long ago. The line I'll be using on it will be 50lb. Sufix 832 braid, the rod is a 7'5" iRod Fiber, Heavy/Fast, Fred's Magic Stick. The reel will be used for heavier topwater baits (i.e. Whopper Plopper 130), frogs and heavier jigs (probably 1/2oz. plus a trailer). I am still very new to baitcasting so I'm thinking I'll tie on a 1/2oz casting plug and practice, does anybody have any pointers for beginners on how to cast with this reel and get it dialed in correctly so i can avoid as many backlashes as possible? Any help would be greatly appreciated!!!

[Finnz922]

 Pretty easy to cast reel IMO. that is my dad's frogging combo. And he isn't very good with a baitcaster but send to have no trouble with the CT. Try and eliminates side to side play in the spool. Set magnetic brake to 10 to 16. Loosen up from there for more distance. 

[brent245]

I have the same reel. I bought it without ever using a baitcaster 6 weeks ago. I have 20lb stealthbraid on mine. The braid line makes backlashes manageable. Just remember to adjust settings based on weight of the lure and wind. With light baits casting into the wind can cause a backlash, I usually need to dial up the magbrake a couple notches. I generally keep my magbrake around 6 with 1/2oz to 3/4oz baits, lighter baits and weightless worms I set around 7 or 8. I set the spool brake so that the bait falls freely and relatively quickly, but not a freefall. Having never used a baitcaster before I was surprised how easy it was. I never had the need to set the magbrake really high to prevent backlash.

 

Do watch the casing on the crank handle side, mine came loose a couple days ago, the screws started backing out and the reel spool became very loose side to side and didn't want to cast properly. I tightened the screws and it's ok now.

[fishnkamp]

Actually those are the correct directions for most reels, but not a Tatula CT or any of the Daiwa reels with Mag Force z brakes.  Set the magnetic brake adjustment to 0. Next tie on the lure you are going to cast. Tighten down the spool tension knob until there is no side play with the spool.  Now loosen it up till there is a small amount of side to side play with the spool.  This is important and aids in casting when using the Mag Force Z braking system. It is actually in the manual.  I would start to cast with the magnetic brake adjustment set to about 15 and as you get familiar with the reel back off. I usually run around 5 to 7 on my breaks.  The spool tension should be set with the mag brakes set to zero. Also I find that once I set that, it never needs to be adjusted. I do have to tinker with the mag brakes a bit depending on the weight of my lure. 

 

For example if I am throwing a 3/8 ounce swimjig and trailer on my Powell 683 CEF rod and decide to throw a 3/4 ounce jig I may need to tick the magnetic setting up from 5 to maybe 8 or 9.  If I do not make that small change then I would need to be more diligent with my thumb.

 

For learning, I would go and get a 3/4 ounce jig. Add a cheap trailer like a 5 inch grub or craw as a trailer.   This will help you learn, while handling much like what you will be throwing. I use some cheap house brands from Bass Pro, Dicks WalMart or other places.  Another good cheap option is a 1/2 ounce worm weight, a worm hook and a 7 inch or larger worm. I want the lure to act on the reel the same way your lure will.  It is hard to find a practice plug that weighs 3/4 of an ounce or more, I tell anyone learning a new reel and rod to practice with a bait that fall in the middle of the rods specs.  That rod rates for baits weighing 1/2 to 2 ounces.  A 3/4 ounce jig and a typical trailer like a pit boss will weigh close to 1 ounce.  Iam not saying the rod will not cast a 1/2 ounce jig and the trailer.  It will be more difficult to learn on that's all.

Man enjoy that combo it will perform well for you I know. At The Bass College we had at least 6 guys order that rod in Genesis II series and love them.

 

 

[SFL BassHunter]

^^^^ What fishnkamp said.

 

[Brett's_daddy]

20 minutes ago, fishnkamp said:

Iam not saying the rod will not cast a 1/2 ounce jig and the trailer.  It will be more difficult to learn on that's all.

How about getting a 2pk. of the 1/2 oz. casting plugs and glueing them together?

[fishnkamp]

I would not even bother.  If you think about it the jig you will learn on can go catch you some fish.  Bass Pro has their brand called Enticer I believe, Dicks has a house brand and even WalMart carries some.  They are cheap like $3 or $4. Best of all, that would be a bait I would go catch fish on.  I love throwing swim jigs with Kalin 5 inch Lunker grubs or Zoom Fat Albert grubs. Reaction Innovation and Keitech swimbaits also make great shad imitation bait when used on the back of a jig.  If you want to probe water out from 2 to 30 feet a 3/4 jig ans a Pit Boss, a Strike King Rage Craw etc make great bottom bouncing baits. The jig is the most versatile bait an angler can carry in his boat.  It is a bait you should include fishing with that new rod for sure.I know you were searching for a rod to throw big topwaters, and frogs, but when these baits are being ignored, go fish the water down below.  Iam certain you can find some nice smallies that will eat a crawfish imitation.

[Brett's_daddy]

I'm actually thinking of practicing in my backyard though...not always feasible for me to go to a pond/lake.

[lmbfisherman]

37 minutes ago, Brett's_daddy said:

I'm actually thinking of practicing in my backyard though...not always feasible for me to go to a pond/lake.

I practice with a full on jig.

[Finnz922]

14 hours ago, lmbfisherman said:

I practice with a full on jig.

That's what i use. 

[Chris at Tech]

Once you get the feel of things, make a cast.  Then peel off another 10-20 yards of line and put a piece of electrical tape for the remaining line on the spool.  If you get a backlash it would only go as far as the tape so hat makes it easier to pick them out

[Will Bass]

On 4/27/2017 at 5:08 PM, fishnkamp said:

I would not even bother.  If you think about it the jig you will learn on can go catch you some fish.  Bass Pro has their brand called Enticer I believe, Dicks has a house brand and even WalMart carries some.  They are cheap like $3 or $4. Best of all, that would be a bait I would go catch fish on.  I love throwing swim jigs with Kalin 5 inch Lunker grubs or Zoom Fat Albert grubs. Reaction Innovation and Keitech swimbaits also make great shad imitation bait when used on the back of a jig.  If you want to probe water out from 2 to 30 feet a 3/4 jig ans a Pit Boss, a Strike King Rage Craw etc make great bottom bouncing baits. The jig is the most versatile bait an angler can carry in his boat.  It is a bait you should include fishing with that new rod for sure.I know you were searching for a rod to throw big topwaters, and frogs, but when these baits are being ignored, go fish the water down below.  Iam certain you can find some nice smallies that will eat a crawfish imitation.

Little late in this forum to post but here goes.  Jigs in the summertime are your best friend!  My fishing time is limited so I usually can only get out mid day.  In Houston that means tropical heat 90 degrees plus.  I fish Booyah football jigs 3/8 ounce with Rage craws with good results.  Just ordered a Tatula Ct to pair with a refurbished Dobyns Savvy 734c for a jig setup. Once again good advice fishnkamp!

 

[webertime]

Spool the braid on very tight.  fishnkamp nailed the set up.

[pondbassin101]

5 hours ago, webertime said:

Spool the braid on very tight

 

 But make sure it's not tight to the point where the line doesn't come off easily