Tatula Elite AGS vs. Expride vs. Orochi XX for river smallies

[aaatkr]

Can anyone help me choose?  Primary use will be smaller swift and possibly weedy small rivers(DuPage).  I hope to use it for Neds, jigs and tubes etc.

I will use 8 pound  mono on it.  Will an extra fast taper be better than a fast, and how will each cast baits from 1/8 to 1/2 ounce?  I have a Kistler Helium I use now and have an itch to add a little lighter power rod.  Thanks for your help.

[evilcatfish]

Spinning or casting? Which specific model with in each series are you considering? Assuming you are looking at spinning, the XX Shakeyhead, or possibly Whipsnake would do well.

[Junger]

I have two 7’ M/MH AGS Tatula Elites with Alphas SV’s on them. I can throw 1/8 oz in-line spinners with 6lb fluoro or braid for good distance. The rod is rated for 1oz and I have thrown swim baits in that range on the rod before but 3/4 is more in the comfortable range. This rod is the most versatile one in my casting arsenal.

 

Which Orochi are you looking at? I also have a G1 EMTF and it flings 3/8 and up. I’d say sensitivity is about the same in both, they’re both up there with my GLX 844. No experience with an Expride.

 

Oh yeah...casting or spinning?

Edited December 9, 2020 by Junger
Casting or spinning?

[aaatkr]

Sorry, it will be a spinning rod.

The Daiwa is the AGS Medium Ehler 7'1" and the Orochi Whipsnake or Shakyhead.  Dobyns Champion XP med light can be added to the list.

 

Thanks for your help.

 

 

[waymont]

I would highly recommend the regular Tatula 7’1” ml spinning rod. It’s fantastic. A great 8lb line rod.

wouldn’t really be great for 1/2oz jig though.

[NathanDLTH]

If you can find them the Shaky head or enforcer would be good, the Enforcer would be a bit more than enough rod though. I think all three rod choices are solid here. 

[aaatkr]

Fast or extra fast?  I never was sure what the benefits are regarding one versus the other.   Some enlightenment would be appreciated.  Thanks again.

[Boomstick]

On 12/8/2020 at 9:38 PM, aaatkr said:

The Daiwa is the AGS Medium Ehler 7'1"

The Daiwa Tatula Elite Ehrler 7'1" M/F spinning rod will be the next spinning rod I buy myself for what it's worth. But throwing anything near 1/2oz might be a bit to ask from that rod it's really for drop shots, ned rigs, shaky heads etc

[aaatkr]

I may have been asking too much with a 1/2 bait.  I could use my Helium L-M-H for those.  Thanks.

[Bandersnatch]

Landsat

[aaatkr]

I've decided to add a few higher $$ rods to the mix.  Fenwich Legend X or Legend elite and the MB Destroyer Addermine.  Would the Addermine be to much rod for my smaller choices?  Any suggestions woild e appreciated.  Thanks again.

[GetFishorDieTryin]

XF rods can be a little more sensitive then F rods at a lower price points.  Once you get to the mid level or flagship rods the blank quality closes that small gap.  

XF blanks do a little better casting weights at the bottom or below the recommended range distance wise when compared to F blanks.

Actions can vary depending on the brand.  The Japanese companies seem to make rods with slightly slower actions compared to rods made in the U.S. 

You could probably pick a random rod out of the options and be happy with it, none of them are losers.  

[aaatkr]

Thanks Short Fish.  I'm leaning towards the MB Addermine with a Vanford 3000 reel.  Sound like a good combo?

[shimanoangler]

I am a Dobyns "guy", but not for what you are looking for, especially XP line of rods.  The Champion Extreme HP line would be a far better choice than the XP, but the Xtasy line of rods is even better for what you are looking for.  The Champion Extreme 742 is a decent choice, but the Xtasy 722 and the 752 would be awesome.  

 

That said, $$ for $$, the Expride line up is REALLY hard to beat.  Sensitive, light and very versatile.  I would give that a nod over the Orochi XX whipsnake or the Shakeyhead rods.  I, personally, am not a fan of the addermine, too stiff for the length.  

 

If you are looking to go up to the Legend X rods, you would be hard pressed to find a better rod at that price.  But you are getting up there, and that is where Legend series, the Xtasy series, GLX/NRX series all start creeping into the equation.

 

For where you started, I think you would really appreciate the Shimano Expride.   $$ for $$ it fishes WAY above its price point.  

[JPence23]

I own 3 rods in the AGS line and the Ehrler 7’1”  is a great rod. I primarily use it as a dropshot rod but I have thrown various sized neds, shaky heads, even a 1/2 oz blade bait and it handled it pretty well considering it’s the top of its limits. Another AGS spinning rod you could look at is Feider’s 7’6” ML-M. The extra length should help get you get a little more distance from the shore too. I don’t have hands on experience with the others mentioned (though I wish I did lol) but I’m sure with the rods listed you can’t go wrong!