Help needed on deciding on a reel.

[Yeeleng Thao]

Hello, so I'm in the market for a new reel and can't decide between a new Shimano Curado K or a Daiwa Tatula sv tw. Does one offer something significant over the other? I've been wanting to try out these two brands since I've used Lews all my life. I'm even considering just going for a lews magnesium.

 

I've also been thinking of just picking up a Shimano Metanium mgl off the used market if it's worth it over a brand new Curado. I've searched all over the internet and there doesn't seem to be much of a difference between the Metanium and Curado other than frame material and some other little things, but that $200 difference in retail price has to go somewhere right?

[Joshua van Wyk]

The Tatula excels at lighter baits and skipping, the Curado will cast farther with heavier baits, but will begin to struggle under 1/4 oz. I love my Curado, its built like a tank and is quite smooth. What rod are you planning on pairing this reel with? 

[Brendan Roll]

55 minutes ago, Yeeleng Thao said:

I'm even considering just going for a lews magnesium.

On Tackle Warehouse Lews Team Pro Magnesium is on sale for $159.99 and The Tournament Pro is on sale for $119.99. I bought the Tournament Pro from them for my first baitcaster and so far I am pretty happy. The Tatula SV TW is best for skipping and pitching. If you aren't going for that. I have heard good things about the Tatula 100. Good Luck!

[Yeeleng Thao]

52 minutes ago, Joshua van Wyk said:

The Tatula excels at lighter baits and skipping, the Curado will cast farther with heavier baits, but will begin to struggle under 1/4 oz. I love my Curado, its built like a tank and is quite smooth. What rod are you planning on pairing this reel with? 

Thx for the response. I'm planning to pair it with a Gloomis glx mh. 

[Matt_3479]

I have both the reels your looking at. Bought them new near the same time. The daiwa was a little easier to set up. The curado feels more refined and a bit smoother. The curado definately casts further, the tatula is a bit better in wind. When trying to learn to skip I actually found the curado easier for whatever reason, must of just got lucky. After fishing both back and forth trying them on frogs, jigs, chatterbaits, senko’s, t-rigs I prefer the curado K a lot more over the tatula. I ended up purchasing 3 chronarch mgl’s because I enjoyed the curado so much! 

5 minutes ago, Yeeleng Thao said:

Thx for the response. I'm planning to pair it with a Gloomis glx mh. 

The loomis glx’s are awesome Rods, and own 3 of them as well! You’ll love them

[michaelsrex]

1 hour ago, Yeeleng Thao said:

Hello, so I'm in the market for a new reel and can't decide between a new Shimano Curado K or a Daiwa Tatula sv tw. Does one offer something significant over the other? I've been wanting to try out these two brands since I've used Lews all my life. I'm even considering just going for a lews magnesium.

 

I've also been thinking of just picking up a Shimano Metanium mgl off the used market if it's worth it over a brand new Curado. I've searched all over the internet and there doesn't seem to be much of a difference between the Metanium and Curado other than frame material and some other little things, but that $200 difference in retail price has to go somewhere right?

You can get a jdm met mgl on eBay for around $275 if you follow the 15% off everything sales on eBay. Same reel as the US but with a slightly more shollow spool. It won't be an issue using braid especially somethinf thin like smackdown or max quarto. I just got one for actually less than that. I'd been following the used market on ebay and it actually gets higher than the new jdm reels. I actually got a chronarch mgl for $165 new. I've always had lews and my buddies have the new tatula 100 and tatula sv. In my opinion is the shimano mgl reels just look and feel in a different class. The met also throws for days! Reel test was throwing a 1/2 Oz plug 230 ft. One thing to consider is also the t wing on the diawa. It's no Bueno for braid to leader. Happy hunting! 

[Brendan Roll]

On 1/1/2019 at 5:15 PM, Brendan Roll said:

On Tackle Warehouse Lews Team Pro Magnesium is on sale for $159.99 and The Tournament Pro is on sale for $119.99. I bought the Tournament Pro from them for my first baitcaster and so far I am pretty happy. The Tatula SV TW is best for skipping and pitching. If you aren't going for that. I have heard good things about the Tatula 100. Good Luck!

https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/catpage-DAY2.html

 

I forgot the link...

[tander]

59 minutes ago, Brendan Roll said:

On Tackle Warehouse Lews Team Pro Magnesium is on sale for $159.99 and The Tournament Pro is on sale for $119.99. I bought the Tournament Pro from them for my first baitcaster and so far I am pretty happy. The Tatula SV TW is best for skipping and pitching. If you aren't going for that. I have heard good things about the Tatula 100. Good Luck!

Buy a gift card and get another $10.00 off. The Tournament Pro sure is tempting at $109.00 !!!!!

[Nathan.bass.canada]

To have owned both curados and mets, the mets make curados look like zebco 33s ?. The metanium cast a whole lot farther, weighs so much less and just has an overall better feel. If you want to ruind yourself for the rest of your life get a metanium/aldebaran or antares and never look back.

 

nathan,

[Brendan Roll]

Before you buy the reel, go to a store and see how it feels in your hand. You are looking at multiple, very good reels. If one feels best in your hand, you can adapt to it's features.

[Smalls]

14 minutes ago, Brendan Roll said:

Before you buy the reel, go to a store and see how it feels in your hand. You are looking at multiple, very good reels. If one feels best in your hand, you can adapt to it's features.

This. 

 

I almost bought a Tatula because of all the great things I’ve heard about em. 

 

They feel like big ugly rocks in my hand. I couldn’t get past that, so I bought a Curado. 

 

I’m sure the great things I’ve heard about the Daiwa’s are true, but it just didn’t fit me. In fact I’ve been trying to find a 100 locally to check out, hoping it’ll fit my paws. 

[Joshua van Wyk]

A Metanium for $275 is unbelievable! If money is not an issue I'd definetly save up for a little longer and get that. My Chronarch G is in another class from my K, and it's not even the MGl version. 

[PhishLI]

On 1/1/2019 at 7:16 PM, Yeeleng Thao said:

Hello, so I'm in the market for a new reel and can't decide between a new Shimano Curado K or a Daiwa Tatula sv tw. Does one offer something significant over the other?

I have both of these reels. Occasionally I've gone back and forth in my mind daydreaming about "if I had to choose just one", which one? If I only boat fished it would be the Tat SV. With the right rod for it, and an understanding of the casting stroke required to make it sing, it'll cast plenty far. However, it does much more. Mindless skipping and pitching. Yes, you can do both with a K too. But even with a sharp thumb you'll be pulling out mild or worse overruns at the end of many, not all, skips or pitches if you're not on top of it. Not a big deal usually. The Tat is nearly immune to that though.

 

If I was stuck on the bank the K wins in a landslide. Pick a rod, any rod. Fast, slow, parabolic, whatever, it doesn't matter. Two brake blocks engaged, lay into the cast, and sling a lure way out there. A mere 1/2oz will launch. Today I was chucking a shakey head with a trick worm. 15 grams total. 7'1MHF rod. The distance was remarkable. Brake dial at zero. Fantastic and fluid-coupled-smooth. I have Chronarchs too. I'm very happy with the K.

 

The only way to get near that type of distance with that weight with the Tat SV is to have the brakes on the absolute redline, like 4, and loose spool tension. Very hairy. The rod will need to be a stiff, fast rod. Low stretch line too. Any sling-shotting and it's over before it starts. The casting stroke will need to be perfect. Your thumb will need to be perfect. Slip on a pebble during the stroke and thwap, instant backlash. The interesting thing is that it happens so fast, the blowup is limited. I've never lost line. I actually didn't have a fatal backlash for a year, and I'm usually, foolishly, minimally braked. And that was the only one. That was two weeks ago while bank fishing. I'm pretty sure that 3/4oz silver minnow is still orbiting. The truth is: If I had the brakes at 7 instead of 5 when I laid into that cast I'd still have that spoon in my box. 8 is like 2 brake blocks engaged on the Curado K, but with less distance in absolute terms. In practical terms, (most realistic bass fishing scenarios), not really that much, IMO.

 

I'm glad I have a K and a TAT SV. They have different strengths. Both are useful tools to me at this stage. Maybe a Curado DC blends the best aspects of both? Hmmm? We'll have to see...

 

Good luck with your search!

[GrumpyOlPhartte]

@Yeeleng Thao: Although I am unable to add a danged thing to this discussion, I share your pain.  After a long hiatus from bass fishing, I eased back into the sport three years ago and have been perfectly content with my Lew’s LFS and Tournament MB reels. But, because of this outstanding organization and its generous members, I have an incredible new hand-crafted rod and am in the throes of the decision-making process for a reel worthy of the rod. I, as you have done, have narrowed my choices (which fluctuate from day to day) to about four reels.  Today is Shimano Chronarch MGL day, but tomorrow ...?  One additional consideration is clouding the issue for me.  Do I really need a Ferrari to go to the grocery store? 

 

To all you members contributing to this thread - thank you for your input and your insight.  I used to laugh at the “Best Reel?” threads until now. Now, in addition to searching other similar threads, I’m avidly following this thread, hoping to get a revelation. At least it gives me something to pass the time until spring! Thanks again to all who have provided some thoughtful and thought-provoking info. Ya never know how many folks may be in the same boat as the OP.

[onenutinthewater]

The problem is that once you start on theses forums and read all the opinions and thoughts on different reels then you need to check them out for yourself. Its a never ending rabbit hole of trying new gear for those of us foolish enough to never be satisfied.............

[new2BC4bass]

2 hours ago, GrumpyOlPhartte said:

@Yeeleng Thao: Although I am unable to add a danged thing to this discussion, I share your pain.  After a long hiatus from bass fishing, I eased back into the sport three years ago and have been perfectly content with my Lew’s LFS and Tournament MB reels. But, because of this outstanding organization and its generous members, I have an incredible new hand-crafted rod and am in the throes of the decision-making process for a reel worthy of the rod. I, as you have done, have narrowed my choices (which fluctuate from day to day) to about four reels.  Today is Shimano Chronarch MGL day, but tomorrow ...?  One additional consideration is clouding the issue for me.  Do I really need a Ferrari to go to the grocery store? 

 

To all you members contributing to this thread - thank you for your input and your insight.  I used to laugh at the “Best Reel?” threads until now. Now, in addition to searching other similar threads, I’m avidly following this thread, hoping to get a revelation. At least it gives me something to pass the time until spring! Thanks again to all who have provided some thoughtful and thought-provoking info. Ya never know how many folks may be in the same boat as the OP.

Well......................no.................but you can pick up more girls than when driving a Pinto. 

 

Yeah, but just remember the Bait Monkey is never far away.  I wound up with some more reels after swearing I wasn't going to buy anymore. 

[Yeeleng Thao]

Thanks everyone for all the replys. All this thinking and researching about both reels just makes me want to buy them all haha. But I've decided to purchase the used 2016 Shimano Metanium from my friend for $175. 

 

Killer price, reel is still in decent shape, and all reels become used reels eventually right? Maybe one day I'll be able to purchase new.

[Derek1]

21 hours ago, PhishLI said:

I have both of these reels. Occasionally I've gone back and forth in my mind daydreaming about "if I had to choose just one", which one? If I only boat fished it would be the Tat SV. With the right rod for it, and an understanding of the casting stroke required to make it sing, it'll cast plenty far. However, it does much more. Mindless skipping and pitching. Yes, you can do both with a K too. But even with a sharp thumb you'll be pulling out mild or worse overruns at the end of many, not all, skips or pitches if you're not on top of it. Not a big deal usually. The Tat is nearly immune to that though.

 

If I was stuck on the bank the K wins in a landslide. Pick a rod, any rod. Fast, slow, parabolic, whatever, it doesn't matter. Two brake blocks engaged, lay into the cast, and sling a lure way out there. A mere 1/2oz will launch. Today I was chucking a shakey head with a trick worm. 15 grams total. 7'1MHF rod. The distance was remarkable. Brake dial at zero. Fantastic and fluid-coupled-smooth. I have Chronarchs too. I'm very happy with the K.

 

The only way to get near that type of distance with that weight with the Tat SV is to have the brakes on the absolute redline, like 4, and loose spool tension. Very hairy. The rod will need to be a stiff, fast rod. Low stretch line too. Any sling-shotting and it's over before it starts. The casting stroke will need to be perfect. Your thumb will need to be perfect. Slip on a pebble during the stroke and thwap, instant backlash. The interesting thing is that it happens so fast, the blowup is limited. I've never lost line. I actually didn't have a fatal backlash for a year, and I'm usually, foolishly, minimally braked. And that was the only one. That was two weeks ago while bank fishing. I'm pretty sure that 3/4oz silver minnow is still orbiting. The truth is: If I had the brakes at 7 instead of 5 when I laid into that cast I'd still have that spoon in my box. 8 is like 2 brake blocks engaged on the Curado K, but with less distance in absolute terms. In paractical terms, (most realistic bass fishing scenarios), not really that much, IMO.

 

I'm glad I have a K and a TAT SV. They have different strengths. Both are useful tools to me at this stage. Maybe a Curado DC blends the best aspects of both? Hmmm? We'll have to see...

 

Good luck with your search!

Great post, that’s all good info. I have the k and that’s all helpful info for me thinking about trying new brands.