First baitcasting rod/reel consideration ( Okuma Scott TCS )

[Havock]

Hello, in an effort to round out my collection and finally get around to learning how to use a baitcaster I've been looking into the 7'3'' Heavy version of the following rod: https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Okuma_Tournament_Concept_TCS_a_Casting_Rods/descpage-TCSA.html?from=basres

 

It's rated for 1/4 - 2oz lures with a line rating of 17-65 lbs, and I anticipate it dropping down to 80 dollars or so with the TW sale tomorrow. Seems to have pretty good reviews as an all purpose rod, which would be nice as it will be the only rod I own over a 3/4oz rating. I was hoping to throw out spinnerbaits, some top water lures, and swimbaits with the rod.  It'll see alot of use in open water for striper and largemouth.

 

Do any of you have experience with this brand, or something with similar line/lure ratings? Also looking for reel suggestions that'll handle 17-20lb mono diameter line. 

I'm willing to spend 100-150 for the rod and reel individually, so any suggestions in this range are welcome. 

[Shimano_1]

My good buddy has that rod and I've fished it several times. In my opinion they are super nice rods for the money.  Lightweight, balanced, sensitive and good looking rods to boot. I would have no problems having a deck full of them. As far as reels, the daiwa tatula 100 at sportsman's outfitters for 99 bucks is hard to beat.  Good luck

[Fishin Dad]

Havock,

 

I own the MH version of that rod.   It is a solid rod.  I understand the desire for an all-purpose rod, but that might not be the best rod to learn on.  It will be appropriate for the open water you are fishing and the techniques you are using though.  I would give it a try.   I would really recommend the Daiwa Tatula SV  Reel for any beginner learning a bait caster (or anyone else for that matter).   Can usually find them for $150 or less.  

[J Francho]

I don't have that particular model, but I have a few TCS rods, and they are some of my favorite sticks, considering their value priced. 

[new2BC4bass]

Love my Tat SV, but you need to make sure you will be satisfied with the amount of 17# or 20# line it will hold.  Using TW's listed spec of 14/100 for the Tat SV (too lazy to head downstairs and read the box)  and .016 for 14# diameter and .017 for 17# and .018 for 20#, the Tat SV will hold about 94 yards of 17# and 89 yards of 20#.

 

Personally I can't cast that far, but (also personally) I don't like my spool to be nearly empty on a cast either.  Also you shouldn't need an SV spool on that power of a rod unless you want to try skipping with it.  People skipped for years before the SV spool came out.  However, the SV spool should make learning to skip a lot easier.  Personally I haven't tried to skip yet.  Just regurgitating what I've read...because it makes perfect sense to me having used SV and non-SV spooled reels.

 

No experience with the TCS.  Do like the couple Helios rods I have.  Opinions I've read agree with Mr. Franco.  I've always felt Okuma gave good value for the money.

 

BTW, TW has a listing of 14/100, 16/90 for the Tat SV.  Obviously I have no idea what parameters the manufacturer used to determine line capacity.  The method I used to determine the amounts of line the SV holds comes from an article I saved on my computer.  I didn't find a 16# line, but given 14# is listed at .016 and 17# at .017 (for a couple different brands) I'm guessing the listed values are approximations as 16# should be closer to 95 yards than 90 yards based on the 14/100...and the formula in the article.

 

EDIT:  Ande 16# is listed at .015 diameter....less than the typical 14# mono of .016 thereby allowing more than the amount listed for 14# line (about 7 yards more) to be spooled.  Like everything else in fishing, there are no set standards for line diameters.

[Havock]

Thanks for the feedback everyone. They just dropped to 79.99 as expected so I picked up the 7’3” casting rod, as well as a 6’9” Medium spinning rod. I’ll keep the reel suggestions in mind, I’ll have to figure out what diameter line Okuma uses for its rod guidelines, but I’d like atleast 120-150 yards of line on the reel if possible. I’ll look into the Tatulas for sure, what kind of gear ratio should I be considering?

[JustJames]

29 minutes ago, Havock said:

, but I’d like atleast 120-150 yards of line on the reel if possible.

120-150 yds of line on spool, that is a lot of waste for BASS fishing. BASS doesn’t run as much and you wouldn’t cast that far. The rest of the line will stay in spool doing nothing but coiled up.

It is okay if you use cheap line, like big game and consider half of that as backing for next fill. 

[Havock]

27 minutes ago, Bass_Fishing_Socal said:

120-150 yds of line on spool, that is a lot of waste for BASS fishing. BASS doesn’t run as much and you wouldn’t cast that far. The rest of the line will stay in spool doing nothing but coiled up.

It is okay if you use cheap line, like big game and consider half of that as backing for next fill. 

This will be a multi species rod, striper run a little more than largemouth. Don’t want a 50 yard run on a 40 yard cast to spool me. I’ve had it almost Happen once on a bass rod when I hooked into a 12 lb striper. 

[Hewhospeaksmuchbull]

6 hours ago, Havock said:

This will be a multi species rod, striper run a little more than largemouth. Don’t want a 50 yard run on a 40 yard cast to spool me. I’ve had it almost Happen once on a bass rod when I hooked into a 12 lb striper. 

And that was 12LB, what if its thirty? Has me thinking a 200 size.

 

Only one I've owned and used is a Tatula 200 h/s, love it.

[Havock]

5 minutes ago, Hewhospeaksmuchbull said:

And that was 12LB, what if its thirty? Has me thinking a 200 size.

 

Only one I've owned and used is a Tatula 200 h/s, love it.

Would the 200 be as beginner friendly as the SV? 

[new2BC4bass]

3 hours ago, Havock said:

Would the 200 be as beginner friendly as the SV? 

No.  Any SV spool will be easier to learn on because of its braking profile.  They are harder to backlash.  From what I read the 200 uses Magforce, not Magforce Z...which is supposed to be a better braking system.  A shame really.  Don't know why Daiwa wouldn't use Magforce Z on all it reels without an SV spool.  Maybe a reel designed for heavier lures doesn't need Magforce Z.  You will notice that the braking system used with the 200 isn't mentioned...even on the Daiwa site.

 

I have a Daiwa or two with just Magforce, and I have no problems casting with them, but I was already familiar with casting reels before using one with the Magforce system.  I learned on one with Magforce Z.  It was a steep learning curve for me (I was 61), but I don't believe the videos on correctly setting one up were out at that time.  I learned using too much cast control pressure and had to relearn after setting up the reels correctly.

[Hewhospeaksmuchbull]

11 hours ago, Havock said:

Would the 200 be as beginner friendly as the SV? 

I don't know, I wonder how much difference there really is? Tough choice. But for me if I were making this choice, line capacity would trump braking or light weight spools.

 

Your going to lose some casting distance with the 200 over a SV for sure but my 200 isn't any more difficult to use that my 100's. In fact my 300 is just as easy as the rest and does not have Magforce-Z.

 

I have my 200 mounted on a Dobyns 765FLIP that pulls a lot of GP use, from weightless stick baits to light swimbaits. Pitches and flips well and will send 3/4 to 1-1/4oz baits a country mile.

 

 

 

 

According to this site the 200 has Magforce-Z, http://www.daiwa-cormoran.info/dw/en/products_1/baitcasting_reels_1/tatula_hd_200hsl/5,1,74,75,1,1__products-model.htm?ovs_prdrows2=10

[new2BC4bass]

Nice find on the link.  Are the Tatula 200 and Tatula HD 200 the same reels?  I gathered from this link that they aren't.  (Check the ratios.)   https://www.americanlegacyfishing.com/daiwa-tatula-200-hd-casting-reels.html

 

I tried to find a comparison, but couldn't.  I did find that the Tatula HD 200 LTD was made strictly for Australia.

 

I don't recall reading before that an SV spooled reel will out distance a regular spooled reel.  Usually the opinion is the opposite.  I feel I get good distance with my Tat SV, but have never compared it to my Tat Type R.

[Havock]

Hmm. I've been looking into other reels in the range. I'm wondering if I can get away with using slightly lighter line on this rod given my uses. I don't really intend to throw frogs ( no dense vegetation where I'm located ). What kind of line weight do ya'll usually use for topwater lures, spinners, and swimbaits 3/4 oz - 1 1/2 oz or so? 

 

On a side note, got both of the rods in today. I can't say I love how the spinning rod feels compared to the others I've recently purchased balance or weight wise, but I'll have to see how I like it once I find a reel for it. I like the feel of the baitcasting rod more, with the exception of the hook holder which is in my opinion poorly located. 

[Bluebasser86]

I have that exact rod (TCS 7' 3" H/F). I feel like the specs are probably a bit on the high side for what the rod is actually capable of handling. It makes a great jig rod and pitching rod, which is what I use it for. I believe you'd be struggling to fish anything much over 1.25oz with it though. It's a great rod though, one of my favorite bottom contact rods I carry in the boat.