Daiwa Tatula LT or Shimano Stradic FL (spinning)? I'm torn on which to get.

[Double__Digits]

Hi guys. As the title says, I'm torn on a new spinning reel purchase. I'm down to the Diawa Tatula LT or Shimano Stradic FL. This reel will be solely used for light finesse presentations on a 6 Gill Lykan ML rod.

 

Any pros and cons between the two? Thanks in advance!

 

[Mat_ski]

I got both and like both but give an edge to FL.
Tatula lost its “smoothness” earlier and its antireverse clutch started failing on me after 6 months of use.

Stradic has a better line lay, but it is heavier and that heaviness applies to the way the handle turns the rotor. 
If I was in your place I would exercise some patience and wait for vanford. That way you have all the good stuff from FL in very lightweight body. 
Keep in mind the balance with 7’2” stick. 

 

[Born 2 fish]

I got a year of hard use on my tatula Lt CHX 3000. And it’s as smooth as the day I got it. 

[ImThatGuy]

No wrong choice here.  Also consider the Shimano Vanford.  Seems very good for finesse.

[gall]

Im following this one I Want to upgrade from my stradic fk

[JustJames]

If you are planing for FL 2500 and 3000 size, weight save on Tatula LT is nice especially for finesse fishing. The ATD drag on Daiwa help a ton when fighting fish with light line. The Tatula LT is one smooth reel and hold up just fine for me. For 1000/2000 size, I might consider FL for the benefit of MGL rotor and Long Stroke Spool. Those are step up over Tatula.

As @ImThatGuymentioned Vanford is also a nice upgrade. It is basically FL on steroids.

 

[LCG]

Was in the same dilemma earlier this year. Went with the Stradic FL 2500. No regrets at all. 

 

I felt the reel was more solid, durability based on past models, line lay is perfect, smooth reel with very smooth drag. I prefer the solid feel even if it comes at the price of minor weight increase. 

 

I have no doubt the stradic FL will last a very long time. 

[Double__Digits]

Thanks for the replies guys!

I'm leaning toward the Stradic FL at the moment. I like the idea of the taller spool. This rig will be running mostly 6 & 8lb Flouro and I'm thinking the taller spool of the Stradic FL may help reduce line twist and facilitate longer casts with light baits, (not sure it makes much difference, in theory it makes sense to me).

 

You guys that own the Tatula LT...convince me to buy one. I really want to try a Diawa spinning reel but $200 bucks is $200 bucks. No Regerts...lol

 

Thanks again.

[LCG]

I have had no wind knots at all this year. Spooled with suffix 832 20lb braid to 6lb leader. Casting distance is so subjective and varied depending on conditions, but I would say the taller spool does help a bit. 

 

Everything is so smooth with the Stradic FL. I liked it so much I sold my other reels and bought a Curado K, which is another great reel.

 

I have owned Abu, Pflueger, Daiwa, and so far Shimano has my money and will continue to as long as their quality is as good as it is now. Not to come off as a fan boy, but I am a big fan of their reels so far. 

[Double__Digits]

20 minutes ago, LCG said:

I have had no wind knots at all this year. Spooled with suffix 832 20lb braid to 6lb leader. Casting distance is so subjective and varied depending on conditions, but I would say the taller spool does help a bit. 

 

Everything is so smooth with the Stradic FL. I liked it so much I sold my other reels and bought a Curado K, which is another great reel.

 

I have owned Abu, Pflueger, Daiwa, and so far Shimano has my money and will continue to as long as their quality is as good as it is now. Not to come off as a fan boy, but I am a big fan of their reels so far. 

Thanks LCG. I have a couple reels I could "fanboy" over as well. That's because they work, and work well for me.

 

Your opinion is much appreciated.

 

I handled the floor model Stradic FL and Tatula LT at my local F&S. Granted they're both floor models, but the Stradic is noticeably smoother. Perhaps that's due to it having a couple more miles of showroom use on it. Hard to tell. Either way it's easily noticable.

[onenutinthewater]

I have both and would have to give the nod to the Stradic- It might be me imagining things but I seem to notice some flexing in the Tatula and it just feels "plasticky" to me.

[Tim Kelly]

I have both. I've never particularly liked Shimanos previously,  but an quite enjoying the Stradic. It's different to the Daiwas that I usually use. The Daiwas seem free and effortless, where the Shimano feels tighter, but maybe more precise? Just a perception thing really, they're both good. On balance I think I still prefer my daiwas free feel for finesse, the stradic would feel nice for some more power spinning techniques, but really, it doesn't matter. Definitely splitting hairs.

[gall]

So I guess I'll add my 2 cents here granted I'm rocking an fk stradic. It's a work horse and a great solid reel. I wanna try the new FL model with the spool and other upgrades. That being said I've been running 10# braid to an 8# fc leader.  Have not gotten a wind knot my only issue I have and granted this thing has been used hard for years. Is my drag is still not smooth even with upgraded washers. I'm guessing something needs cleaned up or replaced somewhere in the reel. That being said I also never maintained the reel   so that's probably partially the issue. 

[LCG]

8 hours ago, gall said:

So I guess I'll add my 2 cents here granted I'm rocking an fk stradic. It's a work horse and a great solid reel. I wanna try the new FL model with the spool and other upgrades. That being said I've been running 10# braid to an 8# fc leader.  Have not gotten a wind knot my only issue I have and granted this thing has been used hard for years. Is my drag is still not smooth even with upgraded washers. I'm guessing something needs cleaned up or replaced somewhere in the reel. That being said I also never maintained the reel   so that's probably partially the issue. 

Maybe try greasing the drag washers. Take you 5 minutes and should be good as new. 

[mrpao]

I have both reels.

For finesse, I would go with the tatula. It's a lighter weight reel. Also, it seems to take less inertia to turn the handle.

While very smooth, the stradic FL needs a little more push it get the handle turning. But it does feel a little more solid.

Both are good reels and should serve you well. 

You can also wait to get a new Vanford as well. I'm sure it will be a great reel.

[gall]

13 hours ago, LCG said:

Maybe try greasing the drag washers. Take you 5 minutes and should be good as new. 

Yeah I put new washers in the smooth drag brand and has to grease them before hand. I might send it in for a deep clean

[Double__Digits]

Thanks for your assistance guys. 

The Tatula 2500D-XH won the day.

This is my first Diawa reel.

 

Now I cant wait for my 6 gill Lykan rod to get here.

 

Any of you guys have experience with the Lykan?

 

[walleyecrazy]

Just a tip for that Tatula, order a pack of these bearings, and swap out the bushings in the handle. There is just a tiny bit of play with the stock handle bushings, and these bearings make it feel as tight as a drum. It just makes the overall feel of the reel that much more refined, and takes all of about 2 minutes to do.

 

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00NKS8LKU/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 

[mrpao]

Its not the bearings that make the knob tighter. Its the shims.

You can order extra shims and tighten up just about any screw in type knob.

Shimano and daiwa both use the same size.