Initial Thoughts on the Daiwa Tatula TTU701MRB

[kayaking_kev]

I got a Tatula TTU701MRB yesterday, which is the 7 ft, Medium Power / Regular Action Casting Rod. I took it out immediately last evening and was able to catch a dozen bass with it, mostly dinksters, but I was able to catch them on 3 different baits, a 1/5 Ned Rig with a TRD Craw, 3/8 oz Cotton Cordell Lipless, and a Neko Rigged 5" Plastic Worm Wacky Rigged. I also went out this morning for a short time and caught a couple more on a 1/4 Bitsy Bug Finesse Jig, so I'm pretty happy with the versatility of the rod, which is what I wanted it for.

 

It's designed for shallow cranks and topwaters, but I like softer actions, especially since the majority of the bass I catch are small, so I plan to use it for light T-Rigs and Jigs up to 3/8 oz, and just about everything else. I already successfully fished a Ned Rig and I think I can also throw a 1/4 oz Drop shot with it. I have yet to fish a T-Rig with it, but I'm sure it will do good with them as I was fishing them on a Ugly Stik GX2 last season and had no problems doing so.

 

One thing I was disappointed about is the weight of the rod. It's not a heavy rod by no means, but I was under the impression that this specific model weighed 3.8 oz. according to a rod weight thread on a another site. It actually weighs 4.5, which is about the same as my Fury 703c which is a MH. But, it does balance just as good as the Fury with the balancing point half way on the reel seet nut with a Tatula SV TW103. I was also under the impression that it handled up to 1 oz lures because that's what Sportsman Outfitters states on their webpage, but if I would of paid attention to the TW site, it does say it only goes up to 3/4 oz.

 

A lot of people said that the Daiwa Regular Action rods are like the Dobyns Fast Action rods, and I have to disagree there, at least with this rod anyway. This Daiwa rod is slower with more parabolic bend to it, and I've owned every Dobyns series with the exception of the Colt.

 

Comparing it to Dobyns rods, since I have owned 14 of them, I do think it's better than the Fury and possibly even the Sierra, as it has better guides, not that I ever had a problem with the Fury or Sierra guides. I do think the Dobyns rods look a little nicer because of the Kevlar wrapping, while the Tatula looks pretty good, it's a little plain looking. Another thing about comparing it to the Dobyns is that the Tatula only has a 5 year warranty, while Dobyns have a lifetime warranty. I haven't had enough time or fished enough places with the Tatula yet to get a good feel for the sensitivity, as I only fished soft bottom ponds with it, but the bite detection is good. So if I had to pick between the Fury or Tatula at their retail prices, it would be a tough decision, but seeing how I got the Tatula for the price of the Fury, I would probably take that deal anytime.

 

Overall, I think I'm going to be happy with my purchase and it will most likely be the rod I grab when I only take one with me and it's a lot less nerve racking carrying around a $150 rod than a $550 rod. I'm not sure if I will go out and buy another Tatula, just because I thought they were going to be super light, but I think this one will probably get a lot of use and it might even be able to replace my Dobyns 704 Glass rod, as it's going to be a very good shallow crank rod also.

[Tywithay]

I have the same rod, but haven't had a chance to use it yet. I think the rod weight listed may have been for the original black and gold Tatula. Either way, it's still pretty light and balances well. If I could go back in time, I'd probably have 8-10 of the Tatula rods instead of the mix I have now. They really perform well above their price point.

[new2BC4bass]

Weights of a few OG Tatulas (mine).

 

Daiwa OG Tatula 7’ MR 110.88g = 3.91 oz.

Daiwa OG Tatula 6’10” M-XF 105.95g = 3.74 oz.

Daiwa OG Tataula 7’ MLR 112.6g = 3.97 oz.

Daiwa OG Tatula 6’10” MHF 103.04g = 3.63 oz.

 

Personally feel the OG Tatulas are excellent rods for the price.  No experience with the new models.

 

[kayaking_kev]

3 hours ago, new2BC4bass said:

Weights of a few OG Tatulas (mine).

 

Daiwa OG Tatula 7’ MR 110.88g = 3.91 oz.

Daiwa OG Tatula 6’10” M-XF 105.95g = 3.74 oz.

Daiwa OG Tataula 7’ MLR 112.6g = 3.97 oz.

Daiwa OG Tatula 6’10” MHF 103.04g = 3.63 oz.

 

Personally feel the OG Tatulas are excellent rods for the price.  No experience with the new models.

 

That's probably what listed weights I seen. 

 

Does anyone know the differences between the OG and newer versions between the weight and cork handles as far as the guides and blank?

[walleyecrazy]

I have been using that rod as my jerkbait rod this year, and have been really happy with it so far. I think the regular action on this rod is basically the equivalent to a mod fast action. If people are comparing the regular action to a Dobyn's fast action I'm thinking it must be to the Sierra line. I do think it compares pretty closely with the fast action of the Dobyn's Sierra line which are a little slower action than the rest of the Dobyn's rods. 

[Tywithay]

Took mine out to the lake behind the house out of boredom. Only hooked one small bass on a jerkbait, but the rod felt really good. I could feel all the subtle movements and little ticks when the bill hit a tree or rock, even with 12lb mono. It's feels faster than a true moderate to me, but still soft enough to keep the trebles pinned. Only used it a couple hours, but I like it so far. Makes for a pretty "Elite" combo if you ask me...

[kayaking_kev]

14 minutes ago, Tywithay said:

Took mine out to the lake behind the house out of boredom. Only hooked one small bass on a jerkbait, but the rod felt really good. I could feel all the subtle movements and little ticks when the bill hit a tree or rock, even with 12lb mono. It's feels faster than a true moderate to me, but still soft enough to keep the trebles pinned. Only used it a couple hours, but I like it so far. Makes for a pretty "Elite" combo if you ask me...

The balance is great on them. I haven't felt the cork yet as I haven't took the plastic off of it until I seal it. It seems to be a popular jerkbait rod, adding to it's versatility, but I use a Fury 663c for those. The reel seet feels pretty comfortable to grip and looks nice too, but does feel a little more plastic feeling than some others, I'm not sure what brand it is.

[Tywithay]

1 minute ago, kayaking_kev said:

The balance is great on them. I haven't felt the cork yet as I haven't took the plastic off of it until I seal it. It seems to be a popular jerkbait rod, adding to it's versatility, but I use a Fury 663c for those. The reel seet feels pretty comfortable to grip and looks nice too, but does feel a little more plastic feeling than some others, I'm not sure what brand it is.

Cork has quite a bit of filler and it's not too supple, but in the grand scheme it's a budget conscious rod. I think sanding it lightly with some 1000 grit or so and sealing may soften it. I think the reel seat is made by daiwa. It's comfortable, but I do wish it was soft touch instead of glossy.

[Fishydishy]

On 5/24/2020 at 4:59 PM, kayaking_kev said:

That's probably what listed weights I seen. 

 

Does anyone know the differences between the OG and newer versions between the weight and cork handles as far as the guides and blank?

I think the OGs have Eva foam, while the new ones have the cork. which is denser than foam I believe.

[Boomstick]

I have the glass version of this rod, it's my go to for crankbaits and sometimes I use it for jerkbaits and poppers too although I have the St Croix Mojo Bass Topwater rod which is my goto for those.

[kayaking_kev]

I made this post back in May, and this rod has became my main Whopper Plopper rod for throwing size 90 or 75, but it also does good with 3/8 oz - 1/2 oz crankbaits.

 

I do back off my previous claim that it may be better than the Dobyns Sierra, and I think it's even debatable whether it's better than the Fury. The cork handle on mine is a little loose at the top and I don't feel much difference in sensitivity, but I do have a Tatula rod meant for crankbaits so it may be different feeling from a fast action Tatula. It's a nice rod for $100, but I wouldn't want to pay full price for it, I would rather have the warranty of the Sierra or Kaden.

[Fishydishy]

On 11/19/2020 at 6:44 PM, kayaking_kev said:

I made this post back in May, and this rod has became my main Whopper Plopper rod for throwing size 90 or 75, but it also does good with 3/8 oz - 1/2 oz crankbaits.

 

I do back off my previous claim that it may be better than the Dobyns Sierra, and I think it's even debatable whether it's better than the Fury. The cork handle on mine is a little loose at the top and I don't feel much difference in sensitivity, but I do have a Tatula rod meant for crankbaits so it may be different feeling from a fast action Tatula. It's a nice rod for $100, but I wouldn't want to pay full price for it, I would rather have the warranty of the Sierra or Kaden.

Hmm, do you think the Sierra is more sensitive?

[kayaking_kev]

51 minutes ago, Fishydishy said:

Hmm, do you think the Sierra is more sensitive?

Yes, but it's subjective, there's not a night and day difference.

[waymont]

I  don't have that Tatula rod, but the two I have are so much better that my Fury and Sierra rods in every way. I'm talking spinning rods though, not casting.

[AmmoGuy]

The guys that like the Tat rods around here REALLY like them.  I have a few of them, and they've been great. I don't have any of the moderate or glass Tats, but I am kind of on the hunt for another squarebill rod... so.... 

[kayaking_kev]

5 hours ago, waymont said:

I  don't have that Tatula rod, but the two I have are so much better that my Fury and Sierra rods in every way. I'm talking spinning rods though, not casting.

It's hard to compare my Tatula, which is for Shallow Crankbaits & Topwaters with a Regular Action without fishing with some other models. I've fished with plenty of Sierra's & Fury's. I had really hoped to try an OG Tatula.

4 hours ago, AmmoGuy said:

The guys that like the Tat rods around here REALLY like them.  I have a few of them, and they've been great. I don't have any of the moderate or glass Tats, but I am kind of on the hunt for another squarebill rod... so.... 

I'm selling this one for $90 + shipping & fees. It's in excellent condition, I just sealed the cork again. I'm selling it because I built a custom Phenix X-10.