Daiwa Tatula Elite OR Shimano Curado 70 MGL K

[Riverside.bassin]

Hey y’all,

 

I’m currently looking to buy a reel to pair with my new St. Croix Legend X (7’ Med/fast). Planning to use this setup for jerkbaits and possibly smaller profile jigs, t-rigs, etc. Since the rod is so incredibly light, I’d like to keep whatever reel I choose for it light as well (I LOVE lightweight setups). 

 

So... I’m stumped between whether I should pair it with the Daiwa Tatula Elite or the Shimano Curado 70 k. I’ve always been a shimano gal, so I’m slightly skeptical about trying out Daiwa.

 

What are your opinions on these two reels? Is one better than the other at anything? 
 

Other reel suggestions that you think would be a good fit for what I’m looking for are welcome!! (Budget is around $300, but willing to go slightly over)

 

thanks!!!

 

[lunkerboss923]

Probably get more line and distance with the Elite. The 70, makes a ton of sense if you were to use it for flippin and pitchin. It's all relative to the technique. Elite for bombing moving baits, 70 for short casting. 

[NavyVet1204]

I can’t speak to the shimano myself, but my tatula has been absolutely flawless since new.  I’ve converted this reel to setup over setup from shakey head to heavy jigs and it just performs. Mine is currently mounted on an Abu Vendetta 6’9” M/F and is amazing.

[lunkerboss923]

9 hours ago, NavyVet1204 said:

I can’t speak to the shimano myself, but my tatula has been absolutely flawless since new.  I’ve converted this reel to setup over setup from shakey head to heavy jigs and it just performs. Mine is currently mounted on an Abu Vendetta 6’9” M/F and is amazing.

Well, remember the Elite has a Flip/Pitch version. I've just always pictured the Elite as a bomber and the 70 as a short cast reel. In fact, that's how my Chronarch MGL functions, a Texas Rig pitchin' machine, my Scorpion MGL is my jig reel. I have a Daiwa Tatula 100 and it is essentially a dressed down Elite. I can bomb my Tatula 100 and I use it for bladed jigs, swim jigs and spinnerbaits.  

 

I didn't mean to thread jack, but I really think the better comparison is the Tatula SV TW 103 and Curado 70. The SV has a bit more line capacity and therefore has a bit more versatility. Apples to apples I feel like you get more bang for your buck with SV. In fact, on YouTube, there is a testing of both these reels side by side. It's very comprehensive and answers a bunch of your questions. 

[JustJames]

22 hours ago, lunkerboss923 said:

Probably get more line and distance with the Elite. The 70, makes a ton of sense if you were to use it for flippin and pitchin. It's all relative to the technique. Elite for bombing moving baits, 70 for short casting. 

Why 70 for only flipping and pitching or short cast reel?

70 to me , and I have had 4 none MGL, is the longest cast reel. Cast better than any Daiwa I owe about 7 Daiwas.

For OP, if you want jerkbait reel then you might consider the reel that light weight and comfortable in your hand.
70 is quite smaller than Tatula and might be comfortable to hold for smaller hand. The 70 is my first choice of reel for jerkbait and everything else you mentioned.

 

 

 

[Manifestgtr]

Legend X medium is one of my favorite rods.

 

I’ve paired mine with a curado 70 quite nicely in the past...but for the last couple of years, I’ve kept an aldebaran hg on it which had spoiled me. I have combos costing hundreds more that don’t feel so nice.
 

But yeah...either or...the Daiwa guys are gonna swear by Daiwa, the Shimano guys are gonna swear by Shimano. Buy what appeals to you. 

[lunkerboss923]

6 hours ago, Bass_Fishing_Socal said:

Why 70 for only flipping and pitching or short cast reel?

 

 

 

 

I guess that's where we differ. Personally I don't see the purpose of a 70 a smaller reel that doesn't hold much line. Now, I will use a 70 for jerkbaits as you said. However, if I want to pitch and flip, it makes more sense to use the 70, and Im getting the XG or 8:1. The Daiwa Elite Pitch and Flip is very good as well. The regular Elite comes preset to prevent overruns. Give me a Shimano 70, let me loosen the line tensioner, and pitch and flip jigs and Texas Rigs all day. The Elite/100 is perfect in the wind too. Just a perfect crankbait reel. 

 

But hey, some people use over/under shotguns, while some use automatics and pumps. It all boils down to personal preference. 

[PhishLI]

4 minutes ago, lunkerboss923 said:

Personally I don't see the purpose of a 70 a smaller reel that doesn't hold much line

But it holds plenty of line unless its spooled with 25lb fluoro.

[JustJames]

Curado 70 got about 100yds of 8lb and about 80 yds of 12lb Copolymer. And I’m talking about Copolymer line that bigger diameter when compare to good FC line. How big of a line you want and how far can you cast?

[FryDog62]

I had a Curado 70 on my jerk bait rod for 2 years and it was average to above average performance overall. But lighter, high profile lures like jerk baits can be a pain to get distance, especially if you throw any smaller sizes like a Cutter 90 which I do. The Curado was good but I personally think struggles with lighter lures so I sold it and bought a Tatula Elite. Its been almost a night and day difference for me, the Elite easily casts 20-30% farther, much less effort, very smooth and controlled. For a guy with elbow tendinitis, this has been a really significant upgrade for me. I also use the set up occasionally for smaller squarebills, Mepps spinners, etc. and works well with those too ~  

[MontclairDave]

3 minutes ago, FryDog62 said:

I had a Curado 70 on my jerk bait rod for 2 years and it was average to above average performance overall. But lighter, high profile lures like jerk baits can be a pain to get distance, especially if you throw any smaller sizes like a Cutter 90 which I do. The Curado was good but I personally think struggles with lighter lures so I sold it and bought a Tatula Elite. Its been almost a night and day difference for me, the Elite easily casts 20-30% farther, much less effort, very smooth and controlled. For a guy with elbow tendinitis, this has been a really significant upgrade for me. I also use the set up occasionally for smaller squarebills, Mepps spinners, etc. and works well with those too ~  

Do you use leaders? I’ve heard the T Wing on the Daiwas are not friendly to line-to-leader knots. 

[FryDog62]

2 hours ago, MontclairDave said:

Do you use leaders? I’ve heard the T Wing on the Daiwas are not friendly to line-to-leader knots. 

Sometimes braid/fluoro, other times just straight fluorocarbon/co-poly. If I run a leader, the knot is in front of the T-Wing...haven't had a problem.

[Riverside.bassin]

Thanks for the replies yall! I went with the Tatula Elite, after some research it sounds like it might be a better fit for what I’m looking for!