Your Reel Opinion... Daiwa/Abu

[Spankey]

Fell in love with (2) reels for a drop shot and bottom contact rod I picked up last year. Current reel I'm flipping back and forth between rods is a  Shimano Nasci. Decent reel no complaints. Just might upgrade some. 

 

The daiwa tatula spin and Abu revo sx. Didn't pull trigger on either because I didn't have my rod with me to fit them up. Tatula is the lightest reel I've ever had in my hands. Smooth as silk. Abu equally as smooth. Fit and balance will sell me. 

 

Yall have experience or opinions on either. Greatly appreciated. 

[Fishinthefish]

With a tatula being had for 164 dollars on the bay right now I'd probably go that route. I'm not a fan of Abu in general. Personal preference. But my favorite spinning reel is the Shimano Stradic FK

[Big-Bass]

I would get the Tatula...I also have a Ci4+ which is great but for the money, get the Tatula...or better yet, get the Tatula Limited Sterling Silver while they last for a few more bearings (9) and a beautiful silver finish!  Honestly, one of the best looking reels on the market and priced at $199 but very limited.  Hope this helps!

[Spankey]

I'll go back with my rod this weekend and fit them up. 

 

I'm pretty much a Shimano fan but in good conscious I can't spend over $200 on a reel. If I do that I might as well go the next step on the rod for it. I picked up this Avid X later part of summer for a great price. Need the right reel. Love it. Didn't need it but, pretty psyched for a Smallie trip to Lake Ontario this summer. Already have a boat full of St. Croix rods but admittedly have bought a few reels over the years that I just didn't like after fishing them. Nothing I would consider junk though. 

[Yudo1]

Between those 2 options I'd definitely get the tatula lt. 

[MickD]

I've never had a Daiwa spinning reel that was not a great reel.  Even the ones they built for Cabelas were very smooth and durable.  I've added "real" Daiwas recently, and they are great, too.  Recently I purchased a Daiwa baitcasting reel and it is the best casting baitcaster I've ever had, and I've had Abu, Quantum, Shimano.  I'm becoming a Daiwa advocate.

 

I should add that I've never spent more than $200 on a reel, and don't consider it necessary to get a very fine reel.

[PatrickKnight]

I will always take a Daiwa over an Abu. Those Tatula reels are awesome. I got to fish one and put it equal to my Stradic FK in everyway.

[Stephen B]

While the Tatula LT is a fabulous reel for the money the Fuego LT spinning reel is the best reel for the price I have ever seen. However, if lightweight is a deciding factor easily the Tatula is hard to beat only the CI4 will compare, which I would still pick the Daiwa.

[WRB]

To me a spinning reel is all about the highest quality drag system and smooth gear rotor drive. Shimano and Daiwa are both excellent choices with a good reputation in recent years. Abu/Garcia in recent years has lost it's quality and makes reels in China from questionable materials. If the question was between Daiwa and Shimano it's a coin toss, Abu doesn't compare.

Tom

[YaknBassn]

I use Abu's, specifically the Revo series.  I'll be honest, they're good reels, but I still wish I had went with Daiwa reels.  

 

I will say that the Revo 4 series has dramatically improved over the 3 series.

[craww]

Get the Daiwa. Im a fan of the BGs...Ive owned a few of the revo spinners, theyve never failed in any way mechanically and I fished em pretty hard. They do have a tendancy for little badges and caps to suddenly be missing when I look down at the reel, and the paints awful.

 

 

[drscholl14]

I don't have experience with Abu reels but do with there rods and I've had structural issues with the two I've had.  Not saying their reels would be the same.  Almost all my reels are Daiwa now.  I've had Shimano, Lews, Pflueger and out that bunch Daiwa reels have always felt the most solid and definitely the smoothest.

[Chance_Taker4]

I am one of Abu's biggest fans. With that said I will not try another "high end" spinning reel from them. Growing up I enjoyed the Cardinals series but their high end is not on par with Shimano and Daiwa. Personally I love my Stradics and have come to the realization that Shimano is the only brand I'll turn to when buying a spinning reel. But casting reels Abu all the way. Very hard to beat the gen 4 Revos.

[Spankey]

Thanks for the replies. Only took three weeks to decide but broke down and bought the Tatula LT. Incentives at BPS made it easy to purchase. Reel trade in, $10 off for spending more than $50 and $10 for using my BPS card. Worked out to be $130. Feel good about my decision. 

 

I do like the Abu Revo SX. The chance I take with the Daiwa. 

[Collin W]

I’ve never had an Abu, but I have been very satisfied with my Daiwa Zillion. Great reel, casts a mile, silky smooth, and great anti-backlash systems. While the Zillion is up there on the price range of the Daiwa reels, I have no doubts in my mind every other Daiwa reel performs the same.