Not much love for Tatula LT?

[DropShotHotShot]

It seemed that everyone was excited when these came out, but a season into it I don't see many people saying great things.

 

I own one and love how light it is.  I lost a really nice smallmouth when the drag stuck, but I attribute that to user error on adjusting the drag when a fish was running.

 

looking at online reviews from retailers, I have seen a lot of negative reviews, not what you should expect for a $180 reel.

 

What are the thoughts from others that own them?  I know a lot of people will say go with the Shimano Stradic Ci4, but the Tatula already goes past what I feel comfortable spending on a spinning reel.

 

 

[Westcoast]

I have used mine for a season now on a dropshot rod. It’s not as refined as a higher priced reel but it’s not a higher priced reel.  For what it costs, I like the light weight and the matte black finish, I’d recommend it. 

[Tim Kelly]

Not tried a Tatula but have a fuego LT and ballistic LT, they're great reels. They're light and precise enough for me. I can't tell much difference between the two in use either. My only knock on them is that the drag adjustment at the front is much larger than on previous Daiwa reels and as it's so light to adjust it's more than possible to brush past it when casting and you hear a couple of clicks as the thing moves. I would prefer the older stiffer, smaller adjustment system on the older reels, but it's a very minor issue, just a slight irritation.

 

If you get a Stradic you can have all the fun bending the bail wire every few trips to get it to snap over cleanly again. I hate the thin bail wire on shimanos. ?

[kstephes033]

I have 3 of them and love them, great drag when you adjust it for those fish that are pulling (not so great when stated you forget to lighten the drag when fighting fish which we all do haha), super smooth still after a lot of use the first year, light, durable, still looks like new... no complaints for me and will be adding more. 

[Dangerfield]

From what I've read, many are choosing the cheaper Fuego with less bearings and a weaker build. The biggest thing I read on another forum was the style of drag on these new LT reels. They tend to click once and hold and only release line based on headshakes instead of like a Shimano spin reel, where they continuously click and release line.

 

Quote

But the major difference is in the drag. For w/e reason, the Tat/Ballistic LTs, at light drag settings, don't seem to rip line the way the Stradics do. They both work to protect light line and #2/#4 hooks...but I kept dialing the drag lighter and lighter on the Tatula bc I'm *expecting* that amount of pressure to feed out more line...but it doesn't. When a fish is bulldogging the Tat will give line in single clicks, almost corresponding to individual head shakes, as if it's responding to momentum instead of simply pressure, whereas the Stradics will just peel line as the fish swims.

 

[WRB]

2 hours ago, Tim Kelly said:

Not tried a Tatula but have a fuego LT and ballistic LT, they're great reels. They're light and precise enough for me. I can't tell much difference between the two in use either. My only knock on them is that the drag adjustment at the front is much larger than on previous Daiwa reels and as it's so light to adjust it's more than possible to brush past it when casting and you hear a couple of clicks as the thing moves. I would prefer the older stiffer, smaller adjustment system on the older reels, but it's a very minor issue, just a slight irritation.

 

If you get a Stradic you can have all the fun bending the bail wire every few trips to get it to snap over cleanly again. I hate the thin bail wire on shimanos. ?

Bent bail on a Stradic, in over 20 years never had an issue with a bail wire. I operate the bail manually and don't drop my rod and reels on the boat deck. Regarding Tatula spinning reels, don't own or them, do own the casting reels and like them.

Tom 

[onenutinthewater]

Fished  the smallest model hard this summer and no complaints or issues. Every bit as capable as the stradics that I also use.

[Tim Kelly]

2 hours ago, Dangerfield said:

From what I've read, many are choosing the cheaper Fuego with less bearings and a weaker build. The biggest thing I read on another forum was the style of drag on these new LT reels. They tend to click once and hold and only release line based on headshakes instead of like a Shimano spin reel, where they continuously click and release line.

 

 

I've had a couple of accidental pike recently while drop shotting with the fuego 3000 LT. Both fish weighed 16lb, the first a short fat fish and the second a long wide but thin fish, which fought like an absolute demon and took many minutes to boat. The drag performed amazingly, can't imagine a drag that could be any better for light line fishing. The idea is to protect the line and give line where needed, not to just peel line off the whole time. I expect we all get used to the gear we use and subconsciously adapt to get the best of what we're using. The truth is that pretty much any Daiwa or Shimano spinning reel will give fantastic service. Other brands are still quite variable, but the big two have a range of outstanding products to suit pretty much any pocket.

[Dangerfield]

27 minutes ago, Tim Kelly said:

Beauty colours on that pike - we catch more pike than bass on Gbay. Also plenty of bowfin, catfish, and missed a 4 foot gar on a bbz-rat.

 

I've got a Shimano Sedona which is just under the Fuego price point, I've abused it pretty good and she's still going strong. I've got it set up as a power finesse setup, but that'll change by spring. I'll hold on to it until she craps out and it'll be replaced with a Tatula or Ballistic LT.

 

 

[Nathan.bass.canada]

11 hours ago, Tim Kelly said:

Not tried a Tatula but have a fuego LT and ballistic LT, they're great reels. They're light and precise enough for me. I can't tell much difference between the two in use either. My only knock on them is that the drag adjustment at the front is much larger than on previous Daiwa reels and as it's so light to adjust it's more than possible to brush past it when casting and you hear a couple of clicks as the thing moves. I would prefer the older stiffer, smaller adjustment system on the older reels, but it's a very minor issue, just a slight irritation.

 

If you get a Stradic you can have all the fun bending the bail wire every few trips to get it to snap over cleanly again. I hate the thin bail wire on shimanos. ?

Jeezus!!! You know you are NOT supposed to step on your reels!  I own 3 stradics and never had any issues whatsoever! 

 

Nat

[Bluebasser86]

I'd love to try one but just can't convince myself there is any need to spend that much on a spinning reel with so many great value options out there. 

[waymont]

No way man......Lots of love over here. I have two 2000's and a 3000 shallow spool.

I think they are fantastic. Super smooth, great casting, and a killer smooth drag system.

I have one 2000 spooled with 6lb mono, one with 8lb braid, and the 3000 with 15lb braid and they all work without any issues and are fun to fish with.

[Nathan.bass.canada]

9 hours ago, Bluebasser86 said:

I'd love to try one but just can't convince myself there is any need to spend that much on a spinning reel with so many great value options out there. 

If you can get a decent deal on one, dont buy it, it might ruin the experience with the other reels  I have had the chance to fish with many brands enough (the standard big names on the market) to know that the stradic stands out.

 

Nat