The Fuego CT on the water

[Beetlebz]

I had quite the mail day yesterday! The one package I've been most eagerly awaiting arrived.. my shiny new Fuego CT. I didn't even need a reel, but it seems like that's about the one most recommended reel on the interwebs these days. I had to see what all the fuss was about, and that I certainly did.

 

Let me start by saying that I'm a pretty fresh daiwa convert. I've owned a ton of low-pro casters, always been a bit of a shimano fan boy. I tried the kastking trend, switched in to a few Abus last season. This season I tried out a Casitas and thought I had died and gone to heaven..  But then I got a tatula SV.

 

I really didn't expect much from the Fuego, especially putting it up against my only other Daiwa, the Tat SV. I gotta say I was impressed out of the box. The flat black paint is appealing in person, I expected it to look cheap. I spooled it up with 15lb YZH and put it on a 7'6" H/F.  I spent the whole day on and off flipping, pitching and casting a Jewel 3/8oz jig with a Z craw (didn't catch a d**n thing on it ?) and let me tell yoi, I tried so hard to get this thing to screw up. I'd get some unruly wraps here and there but no matter how hard I tried I couldn't get it to birds nest with the brakes at a somewhat responsible position. Even the thumb bar released effortlessly if I pressed it in the middle of the wind up to cast. The kastking stealth I had on previously for flipping took some unf to get the thumb bar to disengage if I was mid windup with a heavy bait.

 

I did not have a chance to throw heavier baits like 1-2oz swimmers but I don't really doubt that it will take it in stride. 

 

Not so much a review, I just wanted to share my experience. It seems like alot of folks are asking about this reel these days and for the $70 price tag I can absolutely see why.

[DRT]

I agree, its a great reel at a good price. I've been very impressed with mine and really enjoy the ease of use of the magforce z braking system. I like being able to dial the braking in without having to take off a side plate.

[optimator]

I love mine too. Even better than my Tatula SV. 

[Beetlebz]

32 minutes ago, optimator said:

I love mine too. Even better than my Tatula SV. 

I don't know if I'd go that far lol the one thing I didn't really account for is I find the reel actually a bit noisier. I attributed the noise (super subtle, btw) to the line wiggling into the guide. I do think the twing is a little quieter, but I'm not convinced it casts further because of it. 

 

I guess now I need a regular tatula CT to round out the fleet. The real question  (reel question?) Is do I jump straight into the steez next year or get the zillion first ?

[Dangerfield]

I just purchased a Tatula CT 5.5.1 for my cranking/jerkbait set up, might even get some 1/40z jig/swimbait love too. I've been debating getting another Tatula Ct for my jig/frog/swimbait rod but people keep praising the Fuego CT. I'm a weekend warrior during bass season which means I'm fishing 4-6 hours min. per day.

 

What do you guys think? should I spend the extra $40 on the Tat or go the Fuego route.. and maybe upgrade the bearings this coming winter?

[Tywithay]

2 hours ago, Beetlebz said:

I don't know if I'd go that far lol the one thing I didn't really account for is I find the reel actually a bit noisier. I attributed the noise (super subtle, btw) to the line wiggling into the guide. I do think the twing is a little quieter, but I'm not convinced it casts further because of it. 

 

I guess now I need a regular tatula CT to round out the fleet. The real question  (reel question?) Is do I jump straight into the steez next year or get the zillion first ?

If you go the Steez route, make sure you have $1000 saved up, because it's dang near impossible to not want another one.

[Beetlebz]

53 minutes ago, Dangerfield said:

I just purchased a Tatula CT 5.5.1 for my cranking/jerkbait set up, might even get some 1/40z jig/swimbait love too. I've been debating getting another Tatula Ct for my jig/frog/swimbait rod but people keep praising the Fuego CT. I'm a weekend warrior during bass season which means I'm fishing 4-6 hours min. per day.

 

What do you guys think? should I spend the extra $40 on the Tat or go the Fuego route.. and maybe upgrade the bearings this coming winter?

That's a good question. The tat SV has a little more of a refined feel to it... if it were me I would stress over the decision lol 

 

I'd go tat, but either way you won't be disappointed. 

[optimator]

1 hour ago, Dangerfield said:

I just purchased a Tatula CT 5.5.1 for my cranking/jerkbait set up, might even get some 1/40z jig/swimbait love too. I've been debating getting another Tatula Ct for my jig/frog/swimbait rod but people keep praising the Fuego CT. I'm a weekend warrior during bass season which means I'm fishing 4-6 hours min. per day.

 

What do you guys think? should I spend the extra $40 on the Tat or go the Fuego route.. and maybe upgrade the bearings this coming winter?

I'd go with the Fuego. If you want to spend more I'd get a Curado. 

[Beetlebz]

21 minutes ago, optimator said:

I'd go with the Fuego. If you want to spend more I'd get a Curado. 

Unfortunately that doesn't work for everyone. I tried to get into that bracket of Shimano reels, sadly because I cast left-handed but then Reel with my right hand my index finger is prone to hitting the side plate release latch during casting. That's how I got involved in the tatula series to begin with but I have to say I have zero regrets

[optimator]

4 minutes ago, Beetlebz said:

Unfortunately that doesn't work for everyone. I tried to get into that bracket of Shimano reels, sadly because I cast left-handed but then Reel with my right hand my index finger is prone to hitting the side plate release latch during casting. That's how I got involved in the tatula series to begin with but I have to say I have zero regrets

That's similar to the reason I hate the Tatula. I let the line run over my index finger on my left hand. This causes the line to push up slightly. Then on the retrieve the T-wing wont spool the line evenly. I don't understand the Curado issue though. Are you sticking a finger under the reel or something? I have no idea how someone could hit the side plate lever at all? 

[Beetlebz]

It's a long story, I had a post about it before. Go pick up a curado like you're going to cast it but hold it in the wrong hand. Basically my index finger rests on the latch or really close to it.

[TylerT123]

2 minutes ago, Beetlebz said:

It's a long story, I had a post about it before. Go pick up a curado like you're going to cast it but hold it in the wrong hand. Basically my index finger rests on the latch or really close to it.

The new Curado’s side plate is kind of difficult to open, when the spool tension is tightened, so is the side plate latch.

[Beetlebz]

2 hours ago, TylerT123 said:

The new Curado’s side plate is kind of difficult to open, when the spool tension is tightened, so is the side plate latch.

I had a premature sideplate opening during a cast on a citica. I haven't tried with a curado but I also don't want to spend 150 bucks to find out it doesn't work any better. I run my spool tension super loose anyway. But alas now I'm off topic. 

 

The point is I have my citica up for sale and now own 2 daiwas that I absolutely love!

[BigAngus752]

8 hours ago, optimator said:

I love mine too. Even better than my Tatula SV. 

I agree.  My favorite reel is my Tatula CT.  I gave my Tatula SV to my wife.  I plan on buying only Fuego CTs or Tatula CTs from now on.  Oh, and coincidentally my favorite spinning reel is my Fuego.  I just realized that.  I guess I'm a Daiwa guy.  

[Dangerfield]

15 hours ago, Beetlebz said:

That's a good question. The tat SV has a little more of a refined feel to it... if it were me I would stress over the decision lol 

 

I'd go tat, but either way you won't be disappointed. 

I'm in Canada, so the pricing of these reels has a much wider margin than south of the border unless I go on ebay. In a big box store I can get a Fuego CT for 140+tax, a Tat CT for 170+tax, and the Tat SV for 270+tax. I can probably find a Tat CT on ebay for the same price as a Fuego in a store, but then I got wait for it to arrive etc.

15 hours ago, optimator said:

I'd go with the Fuego. If you want to spend more I'd get a Curado. 

I'm new to baitcasters, I've tried out my brother's Calcutta B/musky rod combo and couldn't manage to cast a 190 WP more than 10 feet haha. My other brother has a few AG Ambassadors and same thing, one good cast, followed up by a few short ones and then a giantic birds nest. When I got my Tat, I never experience one short cast and the birds nests were few, far and between and minimal at best. At Cabela's, I checked out the new Curado, it's beautiful but just as expensive as the Tat SV, even the Canen is nice comparison for the Fuego. Doesn't mean I'm a fanboy but it's what I'm comfortable with, I like the magnetic brakes and I want to spend my time fishing not picking backlashes out.

[optimator]

2 hours ago, Dangerfield said:

 

I'm new to baitcasters

I think the Tatula SV is a great reel for beginning fisherman. They really are d**n near impossible to backlash. 

[LonnieP]

1 hour ago, optimator said:

I think the Tatula SV is a great reel for beginning fisherman. They really are d**n near impossible to backlash. 

Oh you can get them to backlash. Bomb a 1/2 ounce rattle trap with the brakes set on 0. I did this by mistake and had to cut brand new line off. Lol

[optimator]

4 minutes ago, LonnieP said:

Oh you can get them to backlash. Bomb a 1/2 ounce rattle trap with the brakes set on 0. I did this by mistake and had to cut brand new line off. Lol

[Dangerfield]

I tried skipping with the brakes on 10 and put too much force in my cast. it wasn't pretty but still got it out okay. Thanks for the input gents, I think I'll got with the Tat CT, unless I find a wicked deal on a Fuego.

[Beetlebz]

So I was out fishing today, I couldn't get bit on a jig to save my life. I decided since I had too light of line with too much stretch anyway (I was throwing 15lb yzh) I switched it to a chatterbait. The fuego, on 15 yzh on a 7'6" heavy handled the chatterbait like a dream. The more i fish the reel, the more I like it.

 

I did have on backlash..  it came from smacking the water on the back-cast during a full swing. Still wasn't horrible, got it out without cutting any line lol

[optimator]

I just got a blip on my eBay app. Do a search there, they have the Tatula CT Type-R RH 6.3 for $113.94 shipped. 

[Tywithay]

1 hour ago, optimator said:

I just got a blip on my eBay app. Do a search there, they have the Tatula CT Type-R RH 6.3 for $113.94 shipped. 

If you use the code "P10PERCENT" you can knock $11 off that price.

[LCG]

12 hours ago, Dangerfield said:

in Canada, so the pricing of these reels has a much wider margin than south of the border unless I go on ebay. In a big box store I can get a Fuego CT for 140+tax, 

Fellow Canadian, Ontario. Just got a Daiwa Fuego CT in an 8.1 ratio on Amazon.ca for $113. They just dropped it to $107. Jump On It.... free shipping as well. arrived in 4 days. 

[new2BC4bass]

9 hours ago, LonnieP said:

Oh you can get them to backlash. Bomb a 1/2 ounce rattle trap with the brakes set on 0. I did this by mistake and had to cut brand new line off. Lol

I've got to say you must be nearly as good with a baitcast reel as I am. 

[Lasher]

Walmart has them for $68  https://www.walmart.com/ip/Daiwa-Fuego-CT-Baitcasting-Reel-FGCT100HS/396634331?wmlspartner=wlpa&selectedSellerId=0&adid=22222222227090819334&wmlspartner=wmtlabs&wl0=&wl1=g&wl2=c&wl3=204553522069&wl4=pla-329922180187&wl5=9010329&wl6=&wl7=&wl8=&wl9=pla&wl10=8175035&wl11=online&wl12=396634331&wl13=&veh=sem