Smoke S3 or new Tatula

[Bassin_Harrison]

I've been eyeing the Smoke S3 for a while for my new setup and then when I learned of the new Tatula I started eyeing that. The Smoke S3 has only good reviews all over the internet including TackleTour's review and on TW, it looks great, and it has big spool capacity. My main interest with the new Tatula is the size, I am a teenager and I have rather small hands and I think this new tatula would fit my hand a bit better than the Smoke. I know Quantum hasn't had the bigggest following lately, but people are saying the S3 series reels are extremely good reels and i can't find a single bad review, the only problem I heard was throwing light baits and I don't plan on throwing anything under like 3/8 oz plus a trailer. 

 

I know there are a lot of hardcore daiwa fans on here so I'm probably going to get a lot of "just go with the Tatula no doubt" but I hope to hear from some people with experience with the Smoke. Just give me your most honest opinion please. 

 

Thanks, Harrison

 

btw the rod its almost 100% going to be put on is a Dobyns Sierra if that helps you answer for some reason. 

[Dens228]

I bought a Smoke S3 this spring, and two days later bought a second one.  I absolutely love them but the one negative you mentioned is for lighter weight casting, I did have trouble with that.  So I don't use them on those rods. Problem solved. 

[MickD]

I'm not familiar with the relative prices, but the difference would have to be very significant for me to sacrifice the ability to easily cast lighter lures than 3/8.  I also have never had a bad experience with a Daiwa "anything," but I have with Quantums (not recently-I don't consider them any more.)

 

I think that sooner or later you are going to want to cast lighter lures.

[Bassin_Harrison]

2 hours ago, Dens228 said:

I bought a Smoke S3 this spring, and two days later bought a second one.  I absolutely love them but the one negative you mentioned is for lighter weight casting, I did have trouble with that.  So I don't use them on those rods. Problem solved. 

Exactly my thoughts, the lightest thing I would try to throw is a t rig and I think with enough adjusting I could find settings that allow me to throw them. Weighted t rigs btw; not weightless, I use spinning rods for that. I have other rods for light cranks and topwater. 

1 hour ago, MickD said:

I'm not familiar with the relative prices, but the difference would have to be very significant for me to sacrifice the ability to easily cast lighter lures than 3/8.  I also have never had a bad experience with a Daiwa "anything," but I have with Quantums (not recently-I don't consider them any more.)

 

I think that sooner or later you are going to want to cast lighter lures.

I get what you mean, but I have other set ups for that. I'm just trying to get people opinions on whether I should just go with what people trust the most or try something that seems to be great but is under the radar of most people. It also depends if the Tatula will be in stock on black Friday I guess. 

[BigAngus752]

Tatula SV.  Then you can throw anything you want.  

[Bassin_Harrison]

23 minutes ago, BigAngus752 said:

Tatula SV.  Then you can throw anything you want.  

Its also 40 bucks more and I lose like a ton of line capacity. I'm sticking with one of these two but I appreciate the suggestion and reply. ?

[Dens228]

The only thing I don't like throwing with the Smoke is weightless plastics.  Lighter lures like smaller cranks and jigs, as well as t-rigs, I have no problem with. 

[Bassin_Harrison]

9 minutes ago, Dens228 said:

The only thing I don't like throwing with the Smoke is weightless plastics.  Lighter lures like smaller cranks and jigs, as well as t-rigs, I have no problem with. 

Yep its gonna be like specifically my jig and worm rod, but also my do everything rod. Spinnerbaits, chatterbaits, horny toads, anything in a pinch ya know. Thanks for the replies. 

[MickD]

I really don't think line capacity is an issue with a baitcaster unless you plan to troll with it.  Even then, with the right line, any reel will work.

[WRB]

If you can't cast a 3/16 oz bullet and hook with 6" worm using 12 lb mono 30 yards easily the reel is worthless IMO.

Tom

[Bassin_Harrison]

14 hours ago, WRB said:

If you can't cast a 3/16 oz bullet and hook with 6" worm using 12 lb mono 30 yards easily the reel is worthless IMO.

Tom

You think the smoke can't do that? That's pretty much exactly what I'd through on this except it would be like 30 or 40 lb braid with a leader. 

[WRB]

11 minutes ago, BigBass'n_Harrison said:

You think the smoke can't do that? That's pretty much exactly what I'd through on this except it would be like 30 or 40 lb braid with a leader. 

Any decent bait casting reel on bass worm rod should be to cast a basic weighted T-rig using .015 D line.

Not familiar why the S3 has this 3/8 oz limit reputation and seriously doubt it's true.

Tom

[Bassin_Harrison]

6 minutes ago, WRB said:

Any decent bait casting reel on bass worm rod should be to cast a basic weighted T-rig using .015 D line.

Not familiar why the S3 has this 3/8 oz limit reputation?

Tom

Yeah every other baitcaster I have can throw a basic t rig (not that I have a lot of them lmao). If I bought the S3 to see if it can throw the t rigs i want to throw and then say it doesn't, TW would allow me to return it right? Like if its within 14 days or something. 

[J Francho]

You probably want to have a chat with customer service about returns.

 

https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/SupportCenter/Shipping/?from=basres

 

[Bassin_Harrison]

okay thanks

[new2BC4bass]

If you like the S3, then that is what you should get.  I read before buying my OG Zillion that they were best from 3/8 oz. up, so I mounted it on a MH rod.  Doesn't mean it can't handle less than 3/8 oz., but I use other reels on rods that will be seeing less than a 3/8 oz. lure.  Problem solved....if it is a problem.

[Choporoz]

I have three Smokes and four Tatulas.  If in the market today, it'd be a toss-up as to which I'd shop for right now.   I highly recommend both.  My lighter rig* has had both brands on it and I'd say the Smoke gets a very slight edge for 'smoothness',  and distance...

*7'1"MF , usually with 1/16 and 1/8 belly weighted hooks throwing Cut-R's and Rage Bugs

[Joshua van Wyk]

23 hours ago, BigBass'n_Harrison said:

Exactly my thoughts, the lightest thing I would try to throw is a t rig and I think with enough adjusting I could find settings that allow me to throw them. Weighted t rigs btw; not weightless, I use spinning rods for that. I have other rods for light cranks and topwater. 

I get what you mean, but I have other set ups for that. I'm just trying to get people opinions on whether I should just go with what people trust the most or try something that seems to be great but is under the radar of most people. It also depends if the Tatula will be in stock on black Friday I guess. 

Personally I'd go with the Tatula,  I have a ct type-r and I can cast 3/16 oz lures pretty easily. And I have it paired with my Dobyns Fury and it's perfect for me.

[Bassin_Harrison]

2 minutes ago, Joshua van Wyk said:

Personally I'd go with the Tatula,  I have a ct type-r and I can cast 3/16 oz lures pretty easily. And I have it paired with my Dobyns Fury and it's perfect for me.

Cool thanks for the input, mine would be on a Sierra most likely. 

56 minutes ago, Choporoz said:

I have three Smokes and four Tatulas.  If in the market today, it'd be a toss-up as to which I'd shop for right now.   I highly recommend both.  My lighter rig* has had both brands on it and I'd say the Smoke gets a very slight edge for 'smoothness',  and distance...

*7'1"MF , usually with 1/16 and 1/8 belly weighted hooks throwing Cut-R's and Rage Bugs

This is the exact reply I was hoping for, thank you. I've just started taking fishing seriously in the past 2 years and I've done my research on everything I buy, but I always like to hear from people with experience with the gear I'm looking at. I want to try lots of brands until I get the one I like the most so I really wanted to try Quantum,I have already tried daiwa with the Fuego CT (I know its their lower end reel but it still counts to me) and all I was worried about was the light-ish T rigs I would throw with the smoke. Thanks for letting me know about the light baits, that's a big help. 

 

To everyone else that reads this:

I will still listen to what people have to say about the 2 reels although I think I'm going to get the smoke. 

[Smelter96]

I sold my tatula, bought a smoke, and am content on my decision. The tatula IS nice size, but that S3 "like a glove" in my hand. Both are excellent reels, and whatever you pick, I'm sure you'll like it. Both are very good casters, too. 

[burrows]

Never used either one but I alway thought the smokes were cool.

[Bassin_Harrison]

12 hours ago, Smelter96 said:

I sold my tatula, bought a smoke, and am content on my decision. The tatula IS nice size, but that S3 "like a glove" in my hand. Both are excellent reels, and whatever you pick, I'm sure you'll like it. Both are very good casters, too. 

Cool good to know. Yeah I have small hands even though I'm tall so this new tatula is supposed to be super compact, that was the only reason I was looking at it. I also won't be buying till the Black Friday sale most likely so hopefully this thread gets seen some more and people continue to comment. 

[Ksam1234]

I have the smoke S3 and love it. It can cast lighter lures as i have casted 3/16 oz baits so idk why anyone would have an issue. It casts like a dream honestly and is pretty smooth. It’s more compact than the daiwa and fits better 

[Bassin_Harrison]

19 hours ago, Ksam1234 said:

I have the smoke S3 and love it. It can cast lighter lures as i have casted 3/16 oz baits so idk why anyone would have an issue. It casts like a dream honestly and is pretty smooth. It’s more compact than the daiwa and fits better 

Awesome good to know, I'm all in on the Smoke now. Thanks for replying. 

[MickD]

On 10/9/2018 at 1:25 AM, Smelter96 said:

I sold my tatula, bought a smoke, and am content on my decision. The tatula IS nice size, but that S3 "like a glove" in my hand. Both are excellent reels, and whatever you pick, I'm sure you'll like it. Both are very good casters, too. 

That sounds rational.  :-)