10 or 12 lb Seaguar Tatsu? (NRX+ 842c MBR w/ Aldebaran MGL 50)

[ABrugs]

Hey, All - I need some advice on which line to go w/ between straight 10 or 12 lb Tatsu for my 1 versatile baitcasting setup. To add some context, I'm going to be consolidating my 4 current baitcasting setups into 1 for 2022 and that's already been decided. Considering the bass fishing I do and the amount of time I'm able to get out, this makes the most sense for me. So, I'm currently leaning towards a G. Loomis NRX+ 842c MBR paired w/ a Shimano Aldebaran MGL 50. The reason I'm looking at this setup is because I'd like something high-end that is very versatile for lures between 1/4 - 5/8 and what I would consider 'power finesse' fishing. I fish for both SMB and LMB up here in Michigan.

 

These are the main lures I'll be throwing w/ this setup: 3.3" Keitech Swing Impact FAT (1/8), Megabass Vision 110 Jr./110+1 Jr., Ned Rig (1/5), tube jig (1/8), 4"/5" Yamamoto Senko (Weightless/Wacky), Rapala DT6, War Eagle Finesse Spinnerbait (5/16), Z-Man Sling Bladez Power Finesse Spinnerbait (1/4), Zoom Trick Worm (1/8), Dirty Jigs Finesse Swim Jig (1/4), and the Accent Finesse Buzzbait (5/16).

 

^ I'd love to know if 10 lb Tatsu is strong enough for all of these techniques? I like the idea of fitting more line on the Aldebaran, but will go w/ 12 if that is a better line for most of these lures. Also, I'm going w/ the MBR because everything I've researched has said this is one of the most versatile sticks out there.

[J Francho]

Tatsu is a relatively thin diameter line.  I use a lot of 12 and 15 lb. line, so 12 is my answer for you.

[WRB]

Tatsu FC 10# is .010D, 12# is .011.

I use 12# Tatsu FC for bottom contact lures, all the others consider Sunline Defier Armillo 11# Nylon Mono is .0108D, stronger in every respect in my experience.

If Tatsu is your line of choice use 12#.

Tom

[Msl819]

I can’t help much with your question about line choice but that sounds like one heck of a combo.  If you have to only have one, you swung for the fence, which I applaud!  Hope it catches many, many fish and makes even more memories.  

[ABrugs]

2 hours ago, Msl819 said:

I can’t help much with your question about line choice but that sounds like one heck of a combo.  If you have to only have one, you swung for the fence, which I applaud!  Hope it catches many, many fish and makes even more memories.  

 

Thanks, I appreciate you! I'm currently a bank angler and have never liked bringing more than one setup, so I'm hoping this will help me w/ the quality/sensitivity/versatility. Plus, it should be a lot of fun to fish w/! I'll add to the arsenal once I get my boat in a couple of years. We have 3 little boys w/ the youngest being born in July so my time fishing is very limited. My goal is to enjoy the times out both alone and w/ them as much as I can and am very excited to invest into this setup.

[Bandersnatch]

I have the 842c with an aldebaran and with a steez ct sv, I think the steez is much more reliable throwing light stuff on the 842

[FishTank]

12lb Tatsu would do the trick for what you are after and I would also suggest the Steez CT.  Great reel but I have been using mine on a 802C NRX (a little lighter than the 843C) with 10lb. 

 

On a side note, any vibrating bait on that sensitive of a rod will drive you crazy.  You can do it but I wouldn't use it for crankbaits, spinnerbaits, or buzzbaits. 

[ABrugs]

That’s really interesting to hear, @FishTank. I’ve never seen that mentioned in any of the research I’ve done on these rods and appreciate the insight. I’ve seen and read a lot of people utilizing the MBR actions for all-purpose so I figured while it might not specialize in any one lure/technique, it would do pretty good w/ all of them.

[ATA]

I use tatsu 10lb test on my Conquest 842c, And use 12lb test on my conquest 903c, Both of them have Antares 21 DC.

In your case I would go with 10lb test tatsu.

[FishTank]

41 minutes ago, ABrugs said:

That’s really interesting to hear, @FishTank. I’ve never seen that mentioned in any of the research I’ve done on these rods and appreciate the insight. I’ve seen and read a lot of people utilizing the MBR actions for all-purpose so I figured while it might not specialize in any one lure/technique, it would do pretty good w/ all of them.

 

The reason I mention it is that I have the 783C GLX, 844C GLX, 853C NRX, 803C GLX, 802C NRX and the 873C NRX.  I also use to have one of the GLX Crankbait rods.  All of these rods to me are/were too sensitive for the baits I mentioned.  Fishing these baits is like fishing with a tuning fork, especially with crankbaits.  I would often find myself setting the hook to soon and missing fish.  I also have the 903C IMX Pro Crankbait rod and this rod comes close to being too fast and sensitive.  I actually like the St. Croix Legend Glass better. 

 

With all that said..... I have used the 783C and the 844C for the baits you mentioned but they would not be my first choice.   They are very versatile but in the NRX line up, the constant vibration of the baits all day would get to me, especially based on my old experience with the GLX crankbait rod I had.  I also have the 844C IMX which is my dedicated topwater rod and the 783C GLX is my dedicated jerkbait rod.  

 

 

[ABrugs]

That’s a nice collection right there! I’ll probably be throwing soft plastics most of the time, so I don’t think I’d mind the extra sensitivity on those 3 lures when I do decide to go w/ them. I do appreciate the advice and will remember that when I tie some of those lures on.

[waymont]

4 hours ago, ABrugs said:

That’s really interesting to hear, @FishTank. I’ve never seen that mentioned in any of the research I’ve done on these rods and appreciate the insight. I’ve seen and read a lot of people utilizing the MBR actions for all-purpose so I figured while it might not specialize in any one lure/technique, it would do pretty good w/ all of them.

MBR rods are the best all round rods I've ever used. The 2 power MBR is good for all that you described. 1/4oz spinnerbaits and cranks will be good for sure. I would say 12lb too, like the rest of the comments.

I've had two 2 power MBR casting rods, an older IMX, and an IMX-Pro.

In my opinion I wouldn't use them for anything needing a hard hook set.

The 3 power makes an excellent bottom jig/t-rig rod.

[bulldog1935]

My go-to has been 12-lb mono/fluoro on baitcasters and 10-lb on spinning reels for as long as I can remember.  

 

20 hours ago, ABrugs said:

These are the main lures I'll be throwing w/ this setup: 3.3" Keitech Swing Impact FAT (1/8), Megabass Vision 110 Jr./110+1 Jr., Ned Rig (1/5), tube jig (1/8), 4"/5" Yamamoto Senko (Weightless/Wacky), Rapala DT6, War Eagle Finesse Spinnerbait (5/16), Z-Man Sling Bladez Power Finesse Spinnerbait (1/4), Zoom Trick Worm (1/8), Dirty Jigs Finesse Swim Jig (1/4), and the Accent Finesse Buzzbait (5/16).

 

It's your list of lures that would send me to the 10-lb. for this set-up -

- pretty much the exact range I fish on my Valleyhill BFS all-range, with some lighter stuff thrown in.  

 

[ABrugs]

Thanks, @waymont! That was a helpful post because I've wondered how the 842 would do w/ some of those soft plastics w/ the weights I listed. Most of them fall into the 3/8 total category, which should be right in the sweet spot of the 842.

 

Thanks for all the opinions so far, I've seen suggestions for both, w/ 12 lb having the majority.

[roadwarrior]

I prefer a thicker diameter for baitcasting: #30 Tatsu

#10 for spinning.

 

[JS8588]

20 hours ago, ABrugs said:

 

Thanks, I appreciate you! I'm currently a bank angler and have never liked bringing more than one setup, so I'm hoping this will help me w/ the quality/sensitivity/versatility. Plus, it should be a lot of fun to fish w/! I'll add to the arsenal once I get my boat in a couple of years. We have 3 little boys w/ the youngest being born in July so my time fishing is very limited. My goal is to enjoy the times out both alone and w/ them as much as I can and am very excited to invest into this setup.

 

My son was born in July as well. Congratulations!

[bulldog1935]

2 hours ago, roadwarrior said:

I prefer a thicker diameter for baitcasting: #30 Tatsu

throwing 1/8 oz tube jig.  

[freelancer27]

Another thought on the reel:

If you are a true bankfisherman that only brings one combo, I would think that a Aldebaran's or a Steez CT's (which I own and love) might give you a bit too little like capacity with 12# Fluro.

My thinking here is that on the water you get unlucky every now and then and you get a backlash or some line breaks up, etc..

Since you want to throw a variety of lures, I would highly suggest you to consider the Steez SV TW. Amazing reel! I have mine now for more than 4 years and it is as smooth as the day I got it. Even my Antares A did not stay that smooth after some fishing with it.

Some good deals to be hand on ebay right now!

[ABrugs]

I appreciate the advice, @freelancer27. Before I started this thread, I did some line capacity conversions for 10 and 12 lb Tatsu w/ the Aldebaran and it looks like it would hold roughly 100 yards of 10 and 85 yards of 12. I used a calculator that I believe @bulldog1935 linked to me in a previous thread, which is super helpful, to come up w/ these numbers. I’m fine w/ 85 yards if I go w/ 12 lb and have no problem re-spooling every 2 months or so. Plus, I truly just desire that NRX/Aldebaran setup. ?

[Bandersnatch]

22 hours ago, FishTank said:

 

The reason I mention it is that I have the 783C GLX, 844C GLX, 853C NRX, 803C GLX, 802C NRX and the 873C NRX.  I also use to have one of the GLX Crankbait rods.  All of these rods to me are/were too sensitive for the baits I mentioned.  Fishing these baits is like fishing with a tuning fork, especially with crankbaits.  I would often find myself setting the hook to soon and missing fish.  I also have the 903C IMX Pro Crankbait rod and this rod comes close to being too fast and sensitive.  I actually like the St. Croix Legend Glass better. 

 

With all that said..... I have used the 783C and the 844C for the baits you mentioned but they would not be my first choice.   They are very versatile but in the NRX line up, the constant vibration of the baits all day would get to me, especially based on my old experience with the GLX crankbait rod I had.  I also have the 844C IMX which is my dedicated topwater rod and the 783C GLX is my dedicated jerkbait rod.  

 

 

That 783c is bad mama jamma dock skipping rod. 

[freelancer27]

2 hours ago, ABrugs said:

I appreciate the advice, @freelancer27. Before I started this thread, I did some line capacity conversions for 10 and 12 lb Tatsu w/ the Aldebaran and it looks like it would hold roughly 100 yards of 10 and 85 yards of 12. I used a calculator that I believe @bulldog1935 linked to me in a previous thread, which is super helpful, to come up w/ these numbers. I’m fine w/ 85 yards if I go w/ 12 lb and have no problem re-spooling every 2 months or so. Plus, I truly just desire that NRX/Aldebaran setup. ?

Yes, I think if everything goes perfect, you should be ok with the line capacity. But I would consider the following:
* Bigger spool holds more line, which allows you to retie more often

* Bigger spool makes it easier to use cheaper line for backing, which would especially be beneficial when you use expensive Tatsu. 

* Bigger spools remain the inch - per turn numbers easier as smaller spools. After a long cost with a Aldebaran or a Steez CT, etc. you will only have a little bit of line left, which significantly decreases the inch per turn numbers which can have an impact depending on your style of fishing.

IMO you can not go wrong with the Steez SV TW. It is almost as light as the Aldebaran or Steez CT. With the current deals on ebay you can get one for 410USD shipped. The Steez is just better build quality in comparison to the Aldebaran, which you will appreciate after a year or two when the Aldebaran shows its wear and tear. The Steez has a wider spectrum in which you can throw lures, is quicker adjustable and (if you like to do that) is a true skipping champ!

As you can probably tell, I am a huge Steez (SV TW, A, CT) fan! ?

[NorcalBassin]

I have that same setup with 7# Sniper and haven't had any issues with break offs (drag is backed off a bit). Granted I fish clear open water with that setup most of the time, but the smaller diameter line gives me more confidence in getting more hits.

[ABrugs]

@roadwarrior - I know you’ve posted before about the 842c MBR being one of your favorite production rods and I believe you mainly use it for paddle tail swimbaits and swim jigs if I’m remembering correctly. What size swimbaits/swim jigs? Any thoughts on the power of this rod for the other lures I listed in the original post?

[roadwarrior]

The 842 can be used for virtually any moving lure 1/2 oz or less.

 

 

[cottny27]

13 hours ago, ABrugs said:

I appreciate the advice, @freelancer27. Before I started this thread, I did some line capacity conversions for 10 and 12 lb Tatsu w/ the Aldebaran and it looks like it would hold roughly 100 yards of 10 and 85 yards of 12. I used a calculator that I believe @bulldog1935 linked to me in a previous thread, which is super helpful, to come up w/ these numbers. I’m fine w/ 85 yards if I go w/ 12 lb and have no problem re-spooling every 2 months or so. Plus, I truly just desire that NRX/Aldebaran setup. ?

I have been fishing  both 10 & 12# InvizX all year on BFS reels that holds about 50yds with no issues.  It’s plenty of line. Same type of fishing you are doing.  I do get some hookset break offs with the 10# at times.  I’m assuming Tatsu has similar breaking strength as InvizX.