Daiwa Tatula Elite Casting Rod questions

[pdxfisher]

I am considering a Daiwa Tatula Elite Casting Rod 7' Med Lt Howell or perhaps a Daiwa Tatula Elite Casting Rod 7'3" Med Hvy Ehrler. I was thinking of pairing either with a Daiwa Tatula 100 Casting Reel or a Daiwa Tatula Elite Casting Reel.

 

No place anywhere near my zip code has any of these rods or reels in stock so I will have to just order something and live with it. Most of my fishing is for smallmouth and I would be using this combo with things like small swimbaits (1/8 to 3/8oz jig heads), 1.5 crankbaits, jerkbaits, rattletraps and topwaters (in smallmouth sizes). 

 

I would love to hear opinions on anyone who has used these rods. I am not sure what the action difference really means (regular vs fast) and how much difference there is in terms of handling lures on the lighter side of things. As a reference I have a CarbonLite 2.0 casting rod 7', ML, 6-14lb test, 1/16-1/2oz that I use like and use a lot. I want to add a second rod in that same category and thought the Tatulas might be an upgrade.

 

Also, does anyone has an opinion on whether the cost of the Elite casting reel compared to the 100 is worth it - especially for casting distance with light lures.

 

Thanks!

[Born 2 fish]

The 7’3 Ehrler is a nice rod I’ve used it for 1/2 oz spinner baits to 1/2 oz lipless baits. I have it paired with a 2017 tatula Sv. 

[pdxfisher]

15 hours ago, Born 2 fish said:

The 7’3 Ehrler is a nice rod I’ve used it for 1/2 oz spinner baits to 1/2 oz lipless baits. I have it paired with a 2017 tatula Sv. 

 

Thanks! I think that for the lighter baits I throw that perhaps the ML will be a good fit.

[Boomstick]

A Daiwa MH is usually a fairly stout rod, best for casting at least 3/8. The Med. Lt Howell rod should be similar to a medium rod that runs on the lighter side like my Mojo Bass 6'8" M/XF and that is about as light as I would go on casting. The only thing that would be out of place on that rod is a 3/8oz swimbait head, but everything else says true medium. I use the Mojo Bass M/XF for jerkbaits, poppers and small swimbaits and it will work for crankbaits too, and I wouldn't step it up just for that one heavier jig head, just fish that on another rod.

 

As far as the reel, I would say go with the Tatula elite for better distance, or the Tatula SV for better control. Lighter lures can be difficult to cast far and more difficult to cast in general, so either would benefit you over a Tatula 100.

[pdxfisher]

8 minutes ago, Boomstick said:

A Daiwa MH is usually a fairly stout rod, best for casting at least 3/8. The Med. Lt Howell rod should be similar to a medium rod that runs on the lighter side like my Mojo Bass 6'8" M/XF and that is about as light as I would go on casting. The only thing that would be out of place on that rod is a 3/8oz swimbait head, but everything else says true medium. I use the Mojo Bass M/XF for jerkbaits, poppers and small swimbaits and it will work for crankbaits too, and I wouldn't step it up just for that one heavier jig head, just fish that on another rod.

 

As far as the reel, I would say go with the Tatula elite for better distance, or the Tatula SV for better control. Lighter lures can be difficult to cast far and more difficult to cast in general, so either would benefit you over a Tatula 100.

 

Thanks for the input! Sounds like the ML rod with the Elite reel will be the proper match for my needs. I just have never held nor seen a Tatula rod in person and I really wanted to get a sense as to what they meant by their ratings.

[Boomstick]

24 minutes ago, pdxfisher said:

 

Thanks for the input! Sounds like the ML rod with the Elite reel will be the proper match for my needs. I just have never held nor seen a Tatula rod in person and I really wanted to get a sense as to what they meant by their ratings.

 

Daiwa almost always runs on the heavier side. The ML rod, rated for 8-14 line is called a medium by some manufacturers, and there Medium rods would be Medium Heavy by some manufacturers as well. I'm pretty sure the ML would be very similar to my Mojo Bass (which is actually lighter than other Mojo Bass rods, they usually run heavy too) and that's a great rod for what you're looking for.

[Michigander]

40 minutes ago, pdxfisher said:

 

Thanks for the input! Sounds like the ML rod with the Elite reel will be the proper match for my needs. I just have never held nor seen a Tatula rod in person and I really wanted to get a sense as to what they meant by their ratings.

My buddy has a Tatula Heavy and I spent an afternoon with it. Fished as expected regarding the power.