Daiwa Tatula Glass Bladed Jig rod -TTU741HRB-G

[mheichelbech]

Has anyone used the above rod?  Thinking about getting one and last review I saw was back in 2018.  Wondering if it has expanded any.  Seems like it would be a good multi-purpose rod for Bladed Jigs, heavier spinnerbaits and even big deep running crankbaits from what I can tell.

 

If anyone has a "just as good as" or better recommendation chatterbait/bladed jig rod in that price range ($179.99) or lower I'd be interested to know.  I saw on MLF where Mark Rose was really pushing the Lews Mag Trap Rod.  That one doesn't seem to be as versatile for moving baits.

[Fishes in trees]

I don't know why you'd ever use a fiber glass rod to throw reaction baits, when you can search around and find similar actions in a graphite that will weigh several ounces less.

As I understand it - guys use the fiberglass rods, so as to get kind of a delayed reaction time when they get bit, thus they are less likely to pull the bait out of the fishes mouth with their rapid and instantaneous hook set.

 

I don't have that issue.   My senses and reflexes aren't so finely tuned that a too quick hook set becomes an issue, so I don't really see the need for a fiberglass rod for me.

 

I've found that the Falcon Bucoo Trap Caster to be an excellent overall reaction bait rod.   I think any decent spinner bait rod makes a decent chatter bait rod.   For me that is a MH, kinda like a worm rod but with a little more tip, so I can load it up and get decent distance with a spinnerbait/chatterbait.

[Boomstick]

If you're looking to spend up to $190, you might want to look at the 7'4" MH/R Tatula Elite glass rod. I've used the 7'2" MH/R Tatula for lighter spinnerbaits and chatterbaits without issue. When you get a bite, give it a great big sweeping hookset. Obviously, I get short strikes sometimes too where I have no chance to get a fish - and that happens on graphite rods as well, but my hookup ratio is about the same whether or not I'm using glass or graphite.

 

One of the advantages with glass is the way it loads up when going through grass.

[mheichelbech]

1 hour ago, Boomstick said:

If you're looking to spend up to $190, you might want to look at the 7'4" MH/R Tatula Elite glass rod. I've used the 7'2" MH/R Tatula for lighter spinnerbaits and chatterbaits without issue. When you get a bite, give it a great big sweeping hookset. Obviously, I get short strikes sometimes too where I have no chance to get a fish - and that happens on graphite rods as well, but my hookup ratio is about the same whether or not I'm using glass or graphite.

 

One of the advantages with glass is the way it loads up when going through grass.

Yea I think the one you recommended is the one I’m looking at and mentioned in the subject title.

[lynxcat]

I got the MH/R graphite Howell recently and I’m pleased with it after a few trips. I’ll get to really put some mileage on it during the spring and summer. I plan on it being basically a Chatterbait dedicated rod. 
 

I tried a 1/2 oz lipless on it this weekend and it performed well on a 2 1/2 lber. 

[Boomstick]

12 hours ago, mheichelbech said:

Yea I think the one you recommended is the one I’m looking at and mentioned in the subject title.

No the one I suggested is the Tatula Elite Ehrler bladed jig rod which is a line up from the regular Tatula that you listed in the title. It's listed as a MH but has a .5 - 2oz rating, definitely made for throwing at least a 1/2oz chatterbait or heavier with a heavy trailer.

[ChrisD46]

*Line choice is the additional variable : For instance using a 3/8th oz. Chatterbait : Dobyns 733C. with #40 lb. braid main line OR a Dobyns 734C. using FC or Co-Poly main line ?

[Dirtyeggroll]

I use the Ehrler 7’ 3” MHFB for spinnerbaits moving baits. It baffles my why anyone would want to use a rod with parabolic action on a bait with a jig hook.

[Boomstick]

1 minute ago, Dirtyeggroll said:

I use the Ehrler 7’ 3” MHFB for spinnerbaits moving baits. It baffles my why anyone would want to use a rod with parabolic action on a bait with a jig hook.

Funny you mentioned that because Brett Ehrler uses a glass rod for chatterbaits - has his own in the Tatula Elite lineup for it even.

 

What do you think of the 7'3"? Have you used a Tatula (not elite) MH? Curious if it'd be worth the step up.

[Dirtyeggroll]

2 minutes ago, Boomstick said:

Funny you mentioned that because Brett Ehrler uses a glass rod for chatterbaits - has his own in the Tatula Elite lineup for it even.

 

What do you think of the 7'3"? Have you used a Tatula (not elite) MH? Curious if it'd be worth the step up.

oh I know there are rods marketed as chatter bait rods with the parabolic bend. I don’t understand or agree with its utility, but if someone is set on it then more power to them. 
 

Honestly, I used an older cheap-o Berkeley rod that I don’t even know what the name was for the last 8-10 years. It was relatively stiff and it was an excellent spinnerbait / chatterbait rod. The only reason I stopped using it was because the guides fell off after catching thousands of fish. I went to the Tatula Elite because I already had the rod and I liked it matching my others haha. It may even be a bit “bendier” than I like for a chatterbait / spinnerbait rod.

[mheichelbech]

1 hour ago, Boomstick said:

Funny you mentioned that because Brett Ehrler uses a glass rod for chatterbaits - has his own in the Tatula Elite lineup for it even.

 

What do you think of the 7'3"? Have you used a Tatula (not elite) MH? Curious if it'd be worth the step up.

I have not.  Trying to figure out what I want to get.  I’d ideally like to get something that is usable for at least one other technique.  It seemed like the Tatula would be good for deep cranks as well.  I didn’t like the lure weight range on the Loomis bladed jig rod.  The whole thing is a bit confusing honestly.  You see pros talk about bladed jigs as being more crankbait like in the kind of rod you need but I just can’t compute that.  I see it as a cross between a spinnerbait and a jig and as such have a hard time with the glass rod part myself.  However I’ve never had a glass rod and would like something I can use for deep cranks.  The Tatula looked like it could cover bladed jigs, deep cranks and even heavy spinnerbaits per the comments I’ve seen about it.  That’s the bummer about fishing gear, most of the time you have to buy it and use it and then suffer a loss on resale if you don’t like it.  Not counting all the wasted time.

[Boomstick]

16 minutes ago, mheichelbech said:

I have not.  Trying to figure out what I want to get.  I’d ideally like to get something that is usable for at least one other technique.  It seemed like the Tatula would be good for deep cranks as well.  I didn’t like the lure weight range on the Loomis bladed jig rod.  The whole thing is a bit confusing honestly.  You see pros talk about bladed jigs as being more crankbait like in the kind of rod you need but I just can’t compute that.  I see it as a cross between a spinnerbait and a jig and as such have a hard time with the glass rod part myself.  However I’ve never had a glass rod and would like something I can use for deep cranks.  The Tatula looked like it could cover bladed jigs, deep cranks and even heavy spinnerbaits per the comments I’ve seen about it.  That’s the bummer about fishing gear, most of the time you have to buy it and use it and then suffer a loss on resale if you don’t like it.  Not counting all the wasted time.

The only reason it works with spinnerbaits and chatterbaits is that you're generally keeping the bait moving and if you set the hook as soon as you feel a tug, you can give a great big hookset. It also keeps the bait moving through grass. Some people like it, some hate it. For me, it works either way I just need to remember what I'm fishing on.

[A-Jay]

On 1/4/2021 at 12:17 PM, Fishes in trees said:

I don't know why you'd ever use a fiber glass rod to throw reaction baits,

 

3 hours ago, Dirtyeggroll said:

It baffles my why anyone would want to use a rod with parabolic action on a bait with a jig hook.

 

2 hours ago, Dirtyeggroll said:

oh I know there are rods marketed as chatter bait rods with the parabolic bend. I don’t understand or agree with its utility, but if someone is set on it then more power to them. 

 

 

1 hour ago, mheichelbech said:

  The whole thing is a bit confusing honestly.  You see pros talk about bladed jigs as being more crankbait like in the kind of rod you need but I just can’t compute that.  I see it as a cross between a spinnerbait and a jig and as such have a hard time with the glass rod part myself.  

 

   I totally prefer moderate action rods for single hook moving baits. (And many treble hook baits for that matter). And well before I settled on the one mentioned below, I was like many anglers in that I was totally unsure what to use or what I would prefer. So after ‘reading’ and watching too many videos, I just went ahead and purchased and then fished a graphite (St Croix), 100 % Glass (Lamiglas) & a Composite stick (Quantum). Needed to be able to compare them- side by side.  Only way I could expect to answer the question.

 In the end, they all worked OK, but I settled on the composite.

Just has the right combination of castability, sensitivity, hook setting and fish fighting ability.  So, I sold the graphite stick and ‘retired’ the glass ones. 

 

  I use the same rod (and Reel) for spinnerbaits & vibrating jigs as well as squarebills, shallow & medium diving crankbaits. A 7’4” MH Composite Quantum KVD Crankbait rod. 

 

   I use & prefer a ‘slower’ reel.  Helps keep me from fishing the bait to ‘fast’.  Something I continue to struggle with and always need to pay attention to; especially after I get a few.  I use a Shimano Calcutta 200D round reel.  Has a 5.7:1 ratio.  I love these reels.  A pleasure to chunk & wind all day.

 

 As for line, I prefer Fluorocarbon; specifically, Seaguar InvisX or Tatsu in 15lb. 

Done. 

A-Jay

[Eric 26]

Like A -Jay,I  have both a Lews TP1 7’-3” med. hvy. Mod.& a 7’-3” hvy. fast bps cranking stick and have thrown chatterbaits on both. The Lews is straight graphite the bps is a composite both around $100.00 retail. I like the moderate action in both rods but prefer the bps due to the weight range. If I was going to upgrade now I would look for a composite rod myself (Lews has new KVD) although in all fairness I have not tried a pure glass rod. If your willing to wait bps usually puts their brands on sale especially in the spring and they have a good range of lengths and powers. Good luck and looking forward to hearing your opinion on what you ultimately end up buying.

[Eric 26]

Just remembered Lews has the custom lite HM85 in a med hvy jig special which is a mod. fast action with what I believe is a better weight range for bladed jigs than my TP1 for $169.99. It is a 100% graphite rod if you’re not interested in glass/hybrid rods.

[mheichelbech]

1 hour ago, Eric 26 said:

Just remembered Lews has the custom lite HM85 in a med hvy jig special which is a mod. fast action with what I believe is a better weight range for bladed jigs than my TP1 for $169.99. It is a 100% graphite rod if you’re not interested in glass/hybrid rods.

Thanks.  It’s interesting to see jig rods in moderate fast actions...always though they’d be fast or ex fast.  Makes me wonder for what purpose even though I probably wouldn’t notice the difference!

[YoTone]

I bought one but i havent used it yet. I figured if its not to my liking for chatterbaits i can use it for traps and the price was right up my alley. 

[mheichelbech]

8 hours ago, A-Jay said:

 

 

 

 

   I totally prefer moderate action rods for single hook moving baits. (And many treble hook baits for that matter). And well before I settled on the one mentioned below, I was like many anglers in that I was totally unsure what to use or what I would prefer. So after ‘reading’ and watching too many videos, I just went ahead and purchased and then fished a graphite (St Croix), 100 % Glass (Lamiglas) & a Composite stick (Quantum). Needed to be able to compare them- side by side.  Only way I could expect to answer the question.

 In the end, they all worked OK, but I settled on the composite.

Just has the right combination of castability, sensitivity, hook setting and fish fighting ability.  So, I sold the graphite stick and ‘retired’ the glass ones. 

 

  I use the same rod (and Reel) for spinnerbaits & vibrating jigs as well as squarebills, shallow & medium diving crankbaits. A 7’4” MH Composite Quantum KVD Crankbait rod. 

 

   I use & prefer a ‘slower’ reel.  Helps keep me from fishing the bait to ‘fast’.  Something I continue to struggle with and always need to pay attention to; especially after I get a few.  I use a Shimano Calcutta 200D round reel.  Has a 5.7:1 ratio.  I love these reels.  A pleasure to chunk & wind all day.

 

 As for line, I prefer Fluorocarbon; specifically, Seaguar InvisX or Tatsu in 15lb. 

Done. 

A-Jay

A-Jay what is the weight range on the KVD rod?  Most of the bladed jigs I’ve seen with the trailer would be close to an ounce or more in total weight.  This is a big reason I’ve leaned towards a heavy action in my search.

[A-Jay]

27 minutes ago, mheichelbech said:

A-Jay what is the weight range on the KVD rod?  Most of the bladed jigs I’ve seen with the trailer would be close to an ounce or more in total weight.  This is a big reason I’ve leaned towards a heavy action in my search.

Three thoughts. 

One: I do not get too wrapped up in rod specs.

In my mind they only serve as a very loose guide as to what a stick will do.

Real world time on the water with three different type blanks enabled me to easily recognize

what I needed & eventually preferred.

Like so much of what drives this sport, we get to do it 'our way' and this is mine.

 

Second: I went through the same dilemma.  What the heck do I get ?

What if I don't like what others like ?

That's why I just went ahead and fished some stuff until I figured out what I liked.

It was fun and I learned a lot. 

 

Third, perhaps seeing is believing ~ 

The first clip is me fishing a 1 oz spinnerbait with that stick

The second clip shows that same stick feeding a 1/2 oz vibrating jig to a trophy brown bass ~

(I like this clip better myself)

 

A-Jay

 

[txchaser]

I spent a lot of time trying different combos of line and rods to find what I wanted but no matter what you should pick the line you want to fish it on before you pick the rod. 
a parabolic bend laminate or glass with thin or stretchy line is going to be a bad outcome  you’ll miss subtle bites “just grass”. or at least I think I was. I can get good feedback from the line on a slow presentation (thanks BR) but on a moving bait I’m relying on the rod more. 

I looked very hard at the chatterbait glass rods but couldn’t find many people raving and found lots complaining. 

I tried fishing it on higher end composite cranking rod that’s more expensive than the Daiwa chatterbait rod. I didn’t like it one bit. 

I ended up with the MH/R graphite Daiwa mentioned above, fished on braid with a flouro leader. The rod does well with 3/8 to 3/4 chatterbaits and swimjigs too. I would be happier if it was a MH+ as sometimes I can’t snap it hard enough to clear all the grass. 

 

If I were going to fish on flouro it would be 15 or 20lb and a soft-tip MH/F. 
 

[mheichelbech]

Well...I went with the Daiwa Tatula Elite, MH/R since I had a gift card to BPS.  Figure if I don't like it it'd be easy to return.  2nd choice was the Lews Mag/Mod Fast which is what I will try if the Tatula doesn't work out.  Will post my experience as soon as I can use it.

Thanks for all the input.  I know this whole thing with Bladed Jig rods has been beat to death and probably will continue to be for a while given the somewhat complex nature of the lure and how it can be fished.

[Boomstick]

4 hours ago, mheichelbech said:

Well...I went with the Daiwa Tatula Elite, MH/R since I had a gift card to BPS.  Figure if I don't like it it'd be easy to return.  2nd choice was the Lews Mag/Mod Fast which is what I will try if the Tatula doesn't work out.  Will post my experience as soon as I can use it.

Thanks for all the input.  I know this whole thing with Bladed Jig rods has been beat to death and probably will continue to be for a while given the somewhat complex nature of the lure and how it can be fished.

Let me know what you think because I'm interested in this rod - for 8XDs but also heavier spinnerbaits and chatterbaits.

[YoTone]

So i decided to try it out even though its like 35 degrees right now.  The DX feels like a stout MH or a H with a nice firm parabolic  bend to it.  This is my first composite rod so im no judge of it but if you handed it to me with out  telling me what it is id tell  other than it being heavier in hand it that it feels like  a MH with a nice bend but  stiff enough to pop it out of heavy cover.

[mheichelbech]

On 1/6/2021 at 9:46 PM, Boomstick said:

Let me know what you think because I'm interested in this rod - for 8XDs but also heavier spinnerbaits and chatterbaits.

Got the rod in hand today.  First impressions it’s a great looking rod.  It also is heavier and stiffer, but not too heavy or stiff, than my other rods..  Sure it won’t seem so stiff once I get a lite on it.  Further updates to come as soon a I can get out and fish.

[Boomstick]

11 minutes ago, mheichelbech said:

Got the rod in hand today.  First impressions it’s a great looking rod.  It also is heavier and stiffer, but not too heavy or stiff, than my other rods..  Sure it won’t seem so stiff once I get a lite on it.  Further updates to come as soon a I can get out and fish.

Thanks, I appreciate you following up.