2022 Daiwa Tatula XT 'Hands-On'

[NorthernBasser]

The majority of my rods run between $200-$350. But when these rods were first announced, they definitely made me raise my eyebrows. It seemed like this rod should be more than the listed $99.99. 

 

Lately I've been testing out rods on the 'lower end' of the price scale. Either just to have as utility rods, or to test out for friends and my nephew. Lately, the Ark Tharp Honey Badger Hammer has been a really nice surprise. As well as the 6th Sense Lux 7'2 med-heavy/mod-fast. So after seeing more coverage on the new Tatula XT from iCast, as well as PunchFishing's (he generally has really expensive taste) video review on them, I decided to get my hands on one.

 

I have yet to get it on the water, but in hand, and just the cosmetics of it, it indeed feels and looks like a rod that should be more expensive than $100. I got 15% off, so at $85 I'd say it's an absolute steal. If anyone is interested, I'll report back after actually fishing it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here's PunchFishing's video.

 

 

[MN Fisher]

Shhh...don't let 'them' know it's underpriced...they'll jack it up and put it out of reach of us budget anglers.

 

Ya, a good review would be nice...I've got three rods I want to upgrade and while I'm definitely a Dobyns fan-boy, I could be persuaded to look at something else.

[new2BC4bass]

I'm always interested in reviews and opinions of fellow members.

[FryDog62]

I remember when Punch was a member in this site... 

[MN Fisher]

11 minutes ago, FryDog62 said:

I remember when Punch was a member in this site... 

There's several people who've 'left' just since I've joined.

[Revival]

Nice pics.  I’ve been curious about these rods as well.

[Dangerfield]

@NorthernBasser any updates on this rod? I'm starting to stray away from high end rods to do lots and pick up more budget friendly options for technique specifics. I'm looking hard at the following in this line and would love some feedback from your or anyone else that picked these up:

Casting
7MR-Glass for cranking and lighter bladed jigs

7MHR-Glass for the heavier options and possibly smaller swimbaits/wake baits

76HXF or 73HF for flipping/A rig duties

74HXF for frogging 

71MHXF for texas rigging

Spinning

73MF for bottom contact, neds, texas rigged dropshotting

7MF for tubes, underspins and just about everything else.

[Jason Penn]

i've been waiting for reviews of these rods. these will end up being the only rods without the new reel seats daiwa seems to be going to. i think they're about to redesign the tatula elite rods, and will probably change the seat on them.

[Tatulatard]

12 minutes ago, Jason Penn said:

i've been waiting for reviews of these rods. these will end up being the only rods without the new reel seats daiwa seems to be going to. i think they're about to redesign the tatula elite rods, and will probably change the seat on them.

There are leaked pics on another forum of the new tatula elites.  A pro slipped up and left some mules on deck during a photo shoot. 

[Jason Penn]

16 hours ago, Tatulatard said:

There are leaked pics on another forum of the new tatula elites.  A pro slipped up and left some mules on deck during a photo shoot. 

yes that's what i was talking about lol

 

i have 1 of the 6'10mh regular rebellion rods, and love the performance of the rod, but can't stand the air sensor reel seat for moving baits that have a lot of resistance. 

[Jweller]

On 12/18/2022 at 2:26 PM, Tatulatard said:

There are leaked pics on another forum of the new tatula elites.  A pro slipped up and left some mules on deck during a photo shoot. 

hopefully no longer that silver color?

[Tatulatard]

3 hours ago, Jweller said:

hopefully no longer that silver color?

50% reduction in silver with cork grips. 

[Dangerfield]

Waiting for the 7' 3' HF & 7' MR-Glass casting & a 7' 3" MF spinning rods to show up from PTBO Pro Tackle here in Ontario, should be here tomorrow. Pairing the HF up with a 7.3.1 Tatula 100, the MR-G up with a 6.3.1 Fuego CT & 2500 Fuego LT on the MF.

 

I looked hard the cheaper Daiwa options like the Legalis LT, I'm adverse to the t-bar handle and the CC/CR/CA casting reels but I couldn't part with the 100mm reel handle. Pics to come.