Help choosing a setup

[bc106111]

Hello all,

 

i have read through the vast majority of rod and reel threads and am looking to just get a little more information. 

 

I currently own an Abu Garcia Black Maxx on a 13 fishing 6’7” MF Defy Black rod. Basically I wanted a cheap setup to dip my toes into the baitcaster waters. 

 

Ive had some issues with the reel, maybe it’s because it’s a cheap reel maybe it’s because I don’t know what I’m doing. My main issue arises whenever I’ll get snagged, when I try and unsnag it using what I’ve come to know as the “banjo string” method whenever I snap the line to try and get the lure to pop free sometimes the spool will spin wildly and cause massive backlash causing me to spend considerable amounts of time untangling and cutting line. 

 

Maybe this is is an issue I need to fix myself and not with the reel, but I want another setup as well and was looking at getting something a little nicer. I have been looking between a used Shimano Curado, a new Shimano SLX, an Abu Garcia Revo X or either the Daiwa Fuego or Tatula. 

 

This is leads me to my biggest question, being a fisherman on a budget I need basically a do all rod/reel. This reel will do everything from pitching jigs, to frogs and poppers, spinnerbaits and crankbaits. 

 

Of the choices listed which would serve the best all around purpose?

 

Thanks in advance!

 

[LCG]

Either your thumb bar is engaged or your drag is set way too loose. 

 

All of the reels you mentioned are quality products. I own a tatula and fuego. Actually prefer the cheaper fuego. 

 

As for a general purpose rod, a 7ft (ish) MH-F baitcasting rod will probably be the most recommended. 

 

Myself I prefer a slightly shorter, stouter rod so this year I went with a bps carbonlite 2.0 6'9" MH-XF. To me it's more of a fast- extra fast. I use 30 braid to mono or copolymer leader. This will be for Texas rigs, jigs, and secondary for chatterbaits, and spinnerbaits. 

 

Anything with trebles you want a moderate action rod. 

 

[saySpiers]

Yea the Black Max is garbage imo. I'd get a Tatula 100 or SLX. If you want to get a new rod I would get like a 7'2 MH 

 

I personally have a Tatula 100 and its my favorite reel

[ResoKP]

That 6'9" MH/XF Carbonlite LCG mentioned is a special rod.

 

This would be a sweet combo and should last you a long time before feeling the need to upgrade:

Daiwa Tatula Bass Rod 7'1" MH/F

Daiwa Tatula 100 7.1:1

[Largies4Life]

Only have good things to say regarding the new Tatula series that came out.  I haven't personally messed around with one yet, but they do appear to be very nice reels for the price point. My biggest recommendation if you're going to buy used or used to new gear is check out eBay constantly. Incredible deals show up every once in a while and you can land yourself some very good gear with a discount at that as well.

[EGbassing]

I have a Daiwa Fuego and I just got an SLX. I definitely prefer my SLX. It's an amazing reel so far.

[new2BC4bass]

The reel isn't going to backlash unless you disengaged the spool.  You have a serious problem with the reel if you aren't accidentally pressing the clutch down yet it is backlashing.

[bc106111]

Next time I get out I will try and get it to do it again and try and document it. 

 

From what I have read the biggest, and maybe only, difference between the Tatula and Feugo is the T-Wing on the Tatula. Is the T-wing worth the extra $30-$40?

 

In regards to a rod, if I got a Moderate Fast would that be a good compromise for a do all rod?

[Joshua van Wyk]

https://www.americanlegacyfishing.com/shimano-slx-casting-rod-reel-combo.html 

I'd get this combo. Any of the MH models will work best for an all purpose rod.

[saySpiers]

A braid to leader knot may occasionally catch on the T Wing 

[Derek1]

22 minutes ago, Joshua van Wyk said:

https://www.americanlegacyfishing.com/shimano-slx-casting-rod-reel-combo.html 

I'd get this combo. Any of the MH models will work best for an all purpose rod.

That’s what I would get right now, if I was looking for something decent to try. I don’t think you’ll find anything better for $140. I havnt seen one but from everything I’ve seen and read I wouldn’t hesitate one bit. Also if your fishing from the bank I would suggest the 6’10” mh/f. That will cover allot of bases for you to get started this season. 

[Joshua van Wyk]

4 minutes ago, Derek1 said:

That’s what I would get right now, if I was looking for something decent to try. I don’t think you’ll find anything better for $140. I havnt seen one but from everything I’ve seen and read I wouldn’t hesitate one bit. Also if your fishing from the bank I would suggest the 6’10” mh/f. That will cover allot of bases for you to get started this season. 

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[Derek1]

1 minute ago, Joshua van Wyk said:

If you sign up for their newsletter you get an additional 10% off.

That’s awsome, I feel like it’s a no brainer. That’s a nice combo for around  the same price of a rod or reel by itself. 

[bc106111]

Thanks for the tip! I will most likely pick that up!

[Derek1]

I’m having a hard time not buying a 6’10” medium right now. 

[redmeansdistortion]

Carry a 6" piece of 1/2" wooden dowel in your tackle box.  Next time you get snagged, wrap your line around dowel a few times and use it to pull yourself free.  

[Joshua van Wyk]

38 minutes ago, Derek1 said:

I’m having a hard time not buying a 6’10” medium right now. 

Really want one but I dont need a new combo atm. I might get the 7'5h for frogs in the future though. 

[Derek1]

Yeah, I just want one cause I seen the link and that’s a great buy. I just bought a pricy combo last month. I’m doing my best to wait till fall to get another one lol. 

[new2BC4bass]

3 hours ago, bc106111 said:

Next time I get out I will try and get it to do it again and try and document it. 

 

From what I have read the biggest, and maybe only, difference between the Tatula and Feugo is the T-Wing on the Tatula. Is the T-wing worth the extra $30-$40?

 

In regards to a rod, if I got a Moderate Fast would that be a good compromise for a do all rod?

Without looking at the reel specs I am going to say yes.  A few don't like the T-wing.  LargeMouthGambler has posted before about upgrading his Fuego (I gather he doesn't care for T-wings) and how happy he was with the results.

 

Personally I thing a Moderate-Fast would be a good compromise.  Majority of my rods are Fast because I'd always read that action made for the best all around rod.  I have to say that I really enjoy using my OG Tatulas with the Regular action.  The Diablo Spec R is a good all around rod and I'd say its action is very similar to the Regular action of my Daiwa 7'2" MHR.

[bc106111]

I managed to get a video of my reel today. I didn’t show that the release wasn’t depressed but the drag is really tight and while snagged all I did was snap the line and then this happens. 

 

Edit* apparently it won’t let me attach the video. I compressed it down to size and it still says it is too large. I think it mght be working now. 

 

 

 

 

[saySpiers]

Yea that shouldn't be happening ?

[bc106111]

Well an update to this, still haven’t figured out my Black Max issues, but I have got a couple new rigs. 

 

I puchased a 7’ medium action ugly stik rod, yeah I know they are cheap but I have owned a few over the years and I am hard on my equipment sometimes and have never had an issue with one. So before I go and spend $100+ on a rod I’ll make sure I’m gonna commit to these baitcasters. I got an older Curado 201B off of eBay and switched the Curado to the 13 Defy and put the Black Max on the Ugly Stik. 

 

Then I decided I would go with the majority and picked up a Daiwa Tatula CT 100, again not wanting to spend a crazy amount on a rod but wanting something a little nicer I went with a 6’6” Berkley Lightning Shock Rod. 

 

Haven’t got the Tatula out yet but I am absolutely loving the Curado. It is smooth and casts easily and most importantly the anti reverse doesn’t slip! ? 

 

I look forward to using these reels and winching in some nice bass this year!

[CrankFate]

I would not do that with the line on any reel. The reel isn’t designed for force to be applied in that direction. I think between a loose drag and the stretch in the line, that’s whatll happen. There is only an anti reverse on the reel—-there is no mechanism to stop forward momentum, except the drag. That would send a loose coil reverberating through the whole spool. Pull the line with your arm, or wrap it around the sideplate. 

[bc106111]

Took the new Tatula setup to the local park today to fling it around for a while. 

 

To those who recommended the Tatula, Thank You. This reel is so smooth, casts like a dream. I started with a small jig and it pitched it with ease, then to just test out the reel switched to an online spinner, still no problems. It’s spooled with 20# braid with a 12# flouro leader right now. 

 

Didnt catch any fish fish so I can’t comment on the drag just yet but just in the 45 minutes or so I used it, I loved it.