Looking For New Reel/Rod

[Reddmann0]

Hello, everyone. I'm in the market for a new baitcaster reel and rod. I've been looking at Daiwa Tatula SV TW 103HS for $199. The same store also has the faster one also (XS). They also have a Daiwa Tatula XT medium heavy rod for $89.99 (I'm not very familiar with these rods). Would this make a good all around combo? Are there better setups for this price? Thanks in advance.

[new2BC4bass]

The reel is excellent, but I don't pay full price for rods or reels if at all possible to avoid.  You can get the reel for about $25 less at Asian Portal ($174.30).

 

I've never handled a Tatula XT, but have several of the original Tatula models.  Excellent at full price (in my book) and great buys at the prices I paid.  I really like my Fenwick HMGs at $99.99 (list).  Falcon BuCoo is another excellent choice at the same price, but step up to a Heavy as Falcon rods fish a bit light.

 

The Ark Invoker got a Best Value Award from TackleTour.  TW has them at 37% off ($95).  I don't have an Invoker, but do have a couple other Ark models.  Nice rods.

 

EDIT:  At a $55 savings I am sorely tempted to pick up an Invoker even tho I am trying not to buy any more rods or reels.

[Reddmann0]

19 minutes ago, new2BC4bass said:

The reel is excellent, but I don't pay full price for rods or reels if at all possible to avoid.  You can get the reel for about $25 less at Asian Portal ($174.30).

 

I've never handled a Tatula XT, but have several of the original Tatula models.  Excellent at full price (in my book) and great buys at the prices I paid.  I really like my Fenwick HMGs at $99.99 (list).  Falcon BuCoo is another excellent choice at the same price, but step up to a Heavy as Falcon rods fish a bit light.

 

The Ark Invoker got a Best Value Award from TackleTour.  TW has them at 37% off ($95).  I don't have an Invoker, but do have a couple other Ark models.  Nice rods.

 

EDIT:  At a $55 savings I am sorely tempted to pick up an Invoker even tho I am trying not to buy any more rods or reels.

Thanks! I’ll have to look into this Asian Portal. Also, do you have any experience with the Tatula CT? A little cheaper and seems to get good reviews...

[Big Hands]

13 minutes ago, new2BC4bass said:

The reel is excellent, but I don't pay full price for rods or reels if at all possible to avoid.  You can get the reel for about $25 less at Asian Portal ($174.30).

 

I've never handled a Tatula XT, but have several of the original Tatula models.  Excellent at full price (in my book) and great buys at the prices I paid.  I really like my Fenwick HMGs at $99.99 (list).  Falcon BuCoo is another excellent choice at the same price, but step up to a Heavy as Falcon rods fish a bit light.

 

The Ark Invoker got a Best Value Award from TackleTour.  TW has them at 37% off ($95).  I don't have an Invoker, but do have a couple other Ark models.  Nice rods.

 

EDIT:  At a $55 savings I am sorely tempted to pick up an Invoker even tho I am trying not to buy any more rods or reels.

They don't currently have that reel in stock in any gear ratio.

 

$199 is the standard price for the latest version of that reel and it's hard to find it for less at this time.

 

I have the previous Tatula SV TW offering in the XS gear ratio and love it. The biggest difference between the newest version and the one before it it that the mewer model has the zero-adjust spool tension feature for better or worse. I have a Tatula 100 with the zero-adjust and the Tatula SV TW without it. Doesn't bother me to have one or the other as they are both excellent, but YMMV.

[new2BC4bass]

3 minutes ago, Reddmann0 said:

Also, do you have any experience with the Tatula CT?

No.  I had an original Tatula that I basically gave away to a young college student looking to get into baitcasters.  I still have an original Tatula Type R.  A fine reel.  There are lots of people here with Tatula CT experience.  Pretty much all with good experiences.  The SV will have more control in the wind and when skipping.  Learn to use your thumb and do well with any reel. 

 

Well....shoot.  I didn't go to the Asian Portal website.  Only saw the price when I did a search.  Seems right now quantities are low on a lot of fishing items.  Therefore we aren't getting sale prices like normally happen at this time of year.

[GetFishorDieTryin]

Check eBay, the prices have gone up considerably since the rona outbreak because demand is so high.  

You can often get JDM versions for a lower price, but keep in mind you dont get any kind of warranty that's valid in the U.S as far as I know.  So if oyu do get one from Japan, make sure you inspect the reel closely.  Defects and damage is rare but it happens from time to time.

The XTs arent bad rods for the money, but IMO spending another 20 or 30$ will get you a considerably better rod.  

TW has some good sales this month, check and see if you cant find a rod to match what your looking for in an all purpose.

[Hammer 4]

RE: Tatula XT rods. I have the 7'  m/h xt plus a couple of others. Great rods for the $. Light weight, good action. Just for instance compared to the Shimano SLX rods, I find the XT to be better balanced, lighter, and has better action.

 

 

[Reddmann0]

Thanks to everyone for the replies. I took my wife and daughter back with me. My daughter pointed at a Tatula CT 100H, and said she liked the color better than the others. It’s a bluish gray color. The guy said it’s the new ones for 2021. It was $75 cheaper than the the SV. I ended up getting it, and a Tatula XT 7’1” medium heavy/fast rod. I got it home, put some line on it, set the tension/brakes, and took it outside to practice (I’m still new to baitcasters). I casted a few times with no sign of back lashing. I started throwing it aimlessly, just to see what would happen. A few times, I even casted it all the way across the yard, into the storage building without thumbing, trying to make it backlash. It never did! I have a Lew’s custom black (same price as this setup), and a Lew’s Mach crush. I’ve gotten pretty good at casting both of those, but I could never do that with either of those. I’m amazed by this setup already. I can only imagine how good the SV is if it’s better than this. Thanks again!

[new2BC4bass]

  Enjoy!

[WRB]

8:1 ratio comes down to how you fish. For me it met IPT after casting 40 yards to be about 18 IPT.  The higher line recovery is critical for the way I fish. I use a reel set and rod sweep hook set so faster works better.

Tom

[Reddmann0]

Well, good news! As I said before, I took my wife and daughter back with me and they picked the Tatula CT 100. Today is my birthday and I woke up to a brand new Tatula SV TW 103! Very excited to try this thing out...

[Michigander]

5 minutes ago, Reddmann0 said:

Well, good news! As I said before, I took my wife and daughter back with me and they picked the Tatula CT 100. Today is my birthday and I woke up to a brand new Tatula SV TW 103! Very excited to try this thing out...

Happy birthday!

[Reddmann0]

4 minutes ago, Michigander said:

Happy birthday!

Thanks!

[roadwarrior]

[Reddmann0]

37 minutes ago, roadwarrior said:

Thanks!