Looking to get my first 'real' decent quality spinning reel. What are your opinions between Daiwa Tatula LT or Shimano Vanford? (Or are they in separate leagues)

[crackerjackjack]

Thanks for the help! I've been a recreational fisherman most my life, but only recently starting becoming more active and going out more often to some near by areas couple times a week in the summers after work. I'm fishing Southern Ontario freshwater, primarily at harbours, shorelines, banks, rivers. I don't have a boat so not out on the lake pulling in huge salmon, though the harbour has some decent sized catfish.

I don't really have a specific species I go for, really almost anything that bites. But tend to catch a lot of LM, SM & rock bass and smaller catfish around my area.

I've read good things about Abu Garcia, Daiwa, Shimano - but not sure if when it comes to their lower priced reels the quality is still there. Also open to other suggested companies.

From what I read online and other data points that might help:

- I think I want a 2500/3000 size?
- I use braid
- Generally fish with everything from a worm on a bobber and drop shot to lures and soft plastics
- I'm looking around ~$200 but can go up or down depending if it the value makes sense
- I'll be buying a new rod to match the reel as well
- Vanford is $100 more than the Tatula in my area 

[bulldog1935]

At JPY 138 to the US$ exchange rate, consider that All of Japan is 30% off. 

 

Since you want to fish braid, I strongly recommend 3000MHG Shimano size. 

You can only get this braid-specific spool size in JDM, where it's available in all Shimano worm-drive models, Stradic, Vanford, Twin Power, Vanquish....all these reels are the same design as '18 Stella, with cost cut in materials selection and labor quality (Malaysia line vs. Japan bench). 

https://fishing.asian-portal.shop/category/select/pid/316257

https://fishing.asian-portal.shop/category/select/pid/300224

(these are the same reels, the only difference is Stradic aluminum frame vs. Vanford plastic-composite and lighter rotor). 

 

Likewise, for braid in Daiwa, I would be looking at Luvias LT2500, which has the right braid spool, right price, and is a better reel than previously made your list. 

https://fishing.asian-portal.shop/category/select/pid/301306

 

This is your chance to step up to a quality worm-drive spinning reel, with increased spool pitch for casting greater distance, and improved line management just for handling light braid.  Leave All the locomotive drive reels behind. 

Twin Power 3000MHG medium frame, 47-mm spool dia, loadedwith PE#1.2 X-braid, 27-lb. 

[PhishLI]

10 hours ago, crackerjackjack said:

Vanford is $100 more than the Tatula in my area 

Can you live without an anti-reverse switch? I can't. If you can't either the Tatula LT 3000 CXH is the shallow spool version. The "D" version holds much more line. Mine has given me zero problems with its spool packed with 15lb PP Super Slick. Going on 5 years now.

[PaulVE64]

The new Ultegra has been getting a lot of great recommendations.

 

[A-Jay]

Hello and Welcome to Bass Resource ~

I have both the Tatula & the Vanford in 3000

Both very nice and IMO you can't go wrong with either one.

Especially given how you plan on using them.

I will add that I recently picked up a Shimano Stradic FL

( also in 3000 size which is my preference)

and I Really like it - as much or perhaps even more than the other two.

Decent price point in the states too.  

Good Luck

A-Jay

 

[LCG]

I will second the Stradic FL 2500 spinning reel. Had mine since late 2019 and it's very smooth and powerful. Never had an issue and the reel weight seems to help balance off the self rods better. I am also from southern Ontario and fish the same waters. I have mine paired with a Daiwa Rebellion 6'8 ML-F and it's the most balanced and sensitive combo I have fished with yet. FYI the rebellion rods are on sale at the Sail stores if you have one near you, $195 CAD which is cheaper than the US price of $200 USD. 

[JS8588]

If you can find a Kage LT (the black with the cork handle, not the red and black MQ reel), that's the route I'd take. That's the route I DID take.

[Tail Slap]

As @bulldog1935 mentioned any of the shimanos based off the 18 Stella fj is one of your best choices.  Of those I would have to say the Stradic FL line is the best buy over all.  I have 3 of these reels.  Parts interchange between all the various models barring a few parts.  You can swap all the spools in the same spool group.  You can upgrade to all the bearings found in the Stella version.  The Stradic FL is a very solid reel straight out of the box.  Add in the JDM versions gives access to numerous gear ratio ipt combinations not available in the USDM.  

 

I run braid on all of mine from 1000 to 3000 series.   

[Columbia Craw]

Daiwa Caldia 3000 from Japan at 145 bucks is the deal of deals.  Ask Big-bass

[Revival]

I’m a Vanford guy and I much prefer them over the Tatula LTs.  I have handled 3 different Tatula LTs and none of them were smooth to me. I also had a Kage LT and liked it way more than the Tatula LTs even though they were just slightly different.

I have couple Stradic Ci4+ that are still going strong.  Recently got a Stradic FL and it is one of the smoothest reels I ever felt.

 

I’m usually all about light reels but recently got a BG and that is probably the smoothest Daiwa spinning reel I have ever felt.  The 2500 size is not too heavy and it’s solid.
 

 

[Hammer 4]

I to can't live with out an anti reverse, when Shimano stopped adding it from it's spinning reels, I went with Diawa..Pretty happy with it over the last 1 1/2 years.

[Columbia Craw]

Caldia 3000 on the was. Last Shimano Soros sold.

[bulldog1935]

6 hours ago, Hammer 4 said:

I to can't live with out an anti reverse, when Shimano stopped adding it from it's spinning reels, I went with Diawa..Pretty happy with it over the last 1 1/2 years.

I thought the same way when baitcasters switched to full time A/R roller bearings. 

But I also replaced three A/R dogs on Lew's BB-1 reels. 

Ever have an A/R dog go out on you when you're trying to land a 30" redfish (rhetorical) - it takes 3 hands from there. 

Honestly, it seems like having optional A/R would be more important on a baitcaster, because without it, the only way to feed line is engage freespool or loosen the drag.  Thirty years after optional A/R switch disappeared on baitcasters, no one is complaining. 

 

My Tica reels (who also makes many Daiwa reels, probably all the ones with optional A/R) - all have optional A/R switch.  Can't remember the last time I used the switch, except maybe to align the handle to put the reel in a reel cover.  You get used to full-time A/R - at first you work around it, then you don't notice it. You get really good at opening the bail just enough to feed one wrap of line (baitcaster doesn't give you anything that compares). 

You can take it to the bank, optional A/R is going to disappear, even before crank-auto-bail-close disappears.  There's really no reason to give up all the qualities of a precision spinning reel just because it has full-time A/R. 

[MickD]

Tatula LT is a great reel. I won't buy a Shimano any more since they don't have anti-reverse switches.  Every reel, spin or cast, that I've  ever had from Daiwa has been first class.

[padlin]

I was surprised and disappointed to see the lack of anti reverse on the Stradic CI4 when I got it, I don't even notice it now and have stopped using it on my Stradics, just cause I don't think of it. I have no idea why they did away with it, but to me it no longer matters.

 

I've been considering a Vanford for the weight savings over the Stradic FL, the Tatula LT is about the same as the Vanford.