Shimano SLX quality

[Chris244]

How does the slx stack up with the Tatula CT and lews tournament mb?

[FishinBuck07]

I have one of the SLX, bought it in the spring used it all summer.  Very nice reel, not complaints about it.  I went and bought a lews tournament MB a couple months ago because my older Abu was finally dying.  I now have 3 MBs at this time.  Just something about them for me that I like so much better than the SLX.  Most likely just personal preference.  Have only held the Tatula at the store.  They are all built well from what I can tell, all you can do is go to a store where you can handle all three and see which fits you and your fishing style best.

[Shimano_1]

I've owned both and they're both fine reels. They feel different so it's hard to say one is better. The lews feels more free for lack of a better word I'm sure due to the extra bearings.  The shimano is...well...a shimano.  They've developed their reputation for a reason. I personally am just partial to lews. Have a cple slx reels for sale in the classifieds.  For the money either reel is hard to beat. 

[Chris244]

Ok thanks guys. The slx combo definitely has the best look to it imo. The mb feels like quality in hand. I’m weird about colors clashing so hard to find a good rod to match the tatula. Just my ocd lol. The $140 in the slx sounds like a sweet deal too. 

[Brett's_daddy]

For $99 you're not going to find a better reel than the SLX! I have two and they are nothing but quality...typical Shimano. I also have a couple of Tatula's CT Type-R and SV...both are excellent reels as well but they do have a larger profile than the SLX but I don't mind as it's just different not necessarily better or worse. The SLX is also VERY compact so it's easily palmable. I had a Lew's Tournament Pro before and liked it as well but for the money I'd go with the SLX, just my opinion. Something I like too is that Shimano and Daiwa own there manufacturing plants and oversee every aspect of their rods and reels being built and quality control is top priority...all of the other reel makers farm their manufacturing out (Lew's is actually made by a Korean company called Doyo). This isn't to say that Abu, Lews, Quantum etc. don't have good reels too but...I just like the thought of Daiwa and Shimano having such control over the quality of their products!

[OnthePotomac]

I have lots of Shimanos up to the Chronarch MGL and have been more than pleased with my SLX (just had to try one).

It had a husky work out on the mighty Potomac this summer and never missed a beat. It is the same size as my Curado 70's with the same spool capacity.

[johnD.]

I have the slx xt , I like my tatula 100 better. If you look around you can find the daiwa for $109.

The thumb bar and narrow spool of the slx just doesn't feel right imo.

[Shif29]

I have the SLX and Tatula CT. I would say I prefer the Tatula because it's larger and feels more like a workhorse, but it is more of a confidence thing to me. As far as quality goes, they both are great. I used my SLX for everything: Jigs, crankbaits, senkos, chatterbaits and it has not had a problem with anything. For $99 they are outstanding. That being said, I do prefer my Tatulas just because to me they seem  more of like a tank and they aren't as small. If you want to spend the extra $30 on the Tatula then by all means but I promise if you buy the SLX or Tatula you will be very pleased in performance because they are both on the same level there. On top of that, the SLX can bomb casts. As far as the Tournament MB goes, I cannot speak for it. I have used a BB-1 and it did not feel as solid as a Tatula or SLX but that is just my opinion. 

[zell_pop1]

I have 2 SLX reels and 2 Tatula CT reels, both are great. I like the SLX better because it is compact and reminds me of the old 100DSV Citicas I had, but the Tats do hold more line and I think you can pitch easier with the T Wing so really the Tats are more versatile.

[PourMyOwn]

I like my SLX, although I prefer the Fuego CT. That being said, it's a good little reel-I think it has found its home on a 5'6" rod with 10-12 pound line throwing small crankbaits. 

 

The SLX is a little noisy, maybe I can fix that when I clean and lube it in the offseason.

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

When you say quality, I think mainly longevity and basic performance. In that regard all three are quality reels.  On paper, design wise I’d rank them Slx, Tat, Lews. One or the other may have a feature that especially appeals to you (braking, profile,etc). In on the water use, I expect them to be very comparable. 

[TBAG]

I've got a few SLX reels and have owned some Fuego CT's before as well.

 

For $100 or less you can't go wrong with the SLX.

[WPCfishing]

I own a lotta Lews reels. I bought the MB out of pure curiosity. Guess what, it’s not heavy, very comfortable in the hand, has an excellent drag, excellent brakes and can cast any bait out there. Probably the best value in the industry.