200 size baitcasters

[DN3]

What are your favorite 200 size baitcasters? Other than the obvious curado 200k and tatula 200 - anything else decent out there? 

[newapti5]

Outside the two brands, Lew's BB1 and Heavy Duty are pretty decent; Revo Winch is also impressive. 

[Jrob78]

I don't even know what qualifies as a 200 size baitcaster anymore, is it frame size? The 2 you listed, the Curado K 200 and Tatula 200 are completely different reels, at least as far as line capacity. The Tatula seems more of a big bait, inshore reel while the Curado is more of a normal bass reel. 

 

My favorite "normal" bass reels currently are the Zillion SV, Zillion HD, and Alphas SV. I don't know what size they are though. ?‍♂️

[Huckfinn38]

Shimano 200 and Curado 200 are really two different animals. A better comparison is probably the curado 200 vs tatula elite or Coastal SV tw

1 minute ago, Jrob78 said:

I don't even know what qualifies as a 200 size baitcaster anymore, is it frame size? The 2 you listed, the Curado K 200 and Tatula 200 are completely different reels, at least as far as line capacity. The Tatula is a big bait, saltwater reel while the Curado is more of a normal bass reel. 

 

My favorite "normal" bass reels currently are the Zillion SV, Zillion HD, and Alphas SV. I don't know what size they are though. ?‍♂️

I was typing the same thing lol 

I have played around with a lot of reels over the last 3 years.

So many great options. The curado K and the Curado 150 mgl are phenomenal reels and not very expensive. The Daiwa Tatula Elite is probably my favorite right now. 
Also tough to beat the Tatula SV Tw but I like how the curados and the Tatula Elite casts in comparison. I also own a couple of Coastal SV Tws right now. Love the reels but again like how the curados and the Tatula Elite cast better.
Lastly I have used the Lews Pro Ti and Lews Hypermag. In a higher price range unless you find them on sale but great reels.

[Big Hands]

What type of fishing are you wanting to do with it?

 

I have both a Tatula 200H (I actually own two of them) and I also own a Curado 200K, as well as a Tatula 300P.

 

The Tatula 200 and the Curado 200 are actually close enough in size for me not to have an issue with both of them being labeled as a 200 size reel. If you look at the specs from their respective websites closely, as I did, you almost certainly have to conclude that somebody either hasn't actually loaded their reels with line to measure what they will actually hold. I removed both spools and measured them with my (rather ratty looking) dial caliper. I posted the pics in another thread recently. I can post them again. I bought a line counter earlier today with the main reason being that I want to strip the line off of the two reels and use the counter to determine precisely how much they do actually hold. 

 

There are other reels that hold similar enough amounts of line and can cover various types of fishing needs. They all seem to have their pros and cons and there is a reason that the Curado and Tatula are popular choices. That doesn't mean they are always the only choice or best choice. 

 

So, that is why I asked the question about what type of fishing you want to do. I would prefer to know the real (pun?) question so I could offer a thoughtful answer. 

[a1712]

3 hours ago, Huckfinn38 said:

Shimano 200 and Curado 200 are really two different animals. 

I don't understand. Brian. 

[MiceNReets]

7 hours ago, a1712 said:

I don't understand. Brian. 

Think he meant tatula 200  and curado 200

[Tatulatard]

11 hours ago, Jrob78 said:

I don't even know what qualifies as a 200 size baitcaster anymore, is it frame size? The 2 you listed, the Curado K 200 and Tatula 200 are completely different reels, at least as far as line capacity. The Tatula seems more of a big bait, inshore reel while the Curado is more of a normal bass reel. 

 

My favorite "normal" bass reels currently are the Zillion SV, Zillion HD, and Alphas SV. I don't know what size they are though. ?‍♂️

Yep.  From a capacity point the tatula 150 and curado 200k are very similar. Their spools are almost identical.  The curado 200k does a better job of placing that spool in a more compact reel being significantly more compact than the tatula 150/200.

[ska4fun]

Tatula 200HD

 

Okuma Komodo too...

[Mike L]

Any Chronarch or Curado E Series reel

 

 

 

 

Mike

[A kid from Canada]

I've been wanting to hold a Tranx 200 for a while to see how it is. The Tatulas are great reels except they are chunky for my smaller hands. Still love and use them all the time for Pike fishing. 

[PhishLI]

10 minutes ago, A kid from Canada said:

I've been wanting to hold a Tranx 200 for a while to see how it is.

It's the same frame size as a Curado K 200.

 

Tatula 150/200 shown on top. Curado K 200 on bottom.

8 hours ago, Tatulatard said:

From a capacity point the tatula 150 and curado 200k are very similar. Their spools are almost identical. 

True.

[Huckfinn38]

17 hours ago, a1712 said:

I don't understand. Brian. 

Yeah my bad Tatula 200 and Curado 200 are different animals. My bad

[Big Hands]

As long as we've got the measuring stick out. . . .

 

 

The spool diameter of the Tatula 200H is 0.085" larger than the spool of the Curado 200K

 

The spool width of the Tatula 200H is 1.112" vs the Curado 200K at 1.108 (0.004" difference)

 

The spool arbor diameter of the Tatula 200H is 0.481" and I'm not going to take the line of to measure it on the Curado 200K, but looks like PhishLI has measured it at around 0.640" (difference of around 0.159").

 

Measuring the side plate height, the Tatula 200H is 1.650" tall and the Curado 200K is 1.700" tall. The Tatula sits higher on the reel foot than the Curado does. 

 

The length of the Tatula 200H is 3.004" and the length of the Curado 200K is 2.750", so the Tatula 200H is about a 14" longer. 

 

Measuring from the bearing cap on the drive side to the outside of the opposite side plate, the Tatula 200H is 2.982" wide and the Curado 200K is 3.087" wide. 

 

The Tatula 200H has a narrower spool arbor and slightly larger spool diameter that combine to give it more line capacity than the Curado 200K. As for physical size there is some degree of give and take with the Tatula 200H being about 1/4" longer (which is visibly easier to notice), but the Curado 200K's overall dimensions show that it is slightly taller and wider. The drive-side side plate of the Curado 200K is is more contoured, which I think helps to make the Curado 200K appear less bulky even though the Curado 200K is wider.

 

The handle of the Curado 200K  (90 mm) is not as long as the handle of the Tatula 200H (100 mm).

 

I will say that the drag on the Tatula 200H seems to be noticeably . . .  "stronger". . . than that of the Curado. I have to crank down much harder on the Curado 200K's star drag to achieve the same amount of resistance compared to the Tatula. 

 

When I compared the drag on the Tatula 300P vs the drag of the Tranx 300A and the Curado 300K, the drag of the Tatula 300P was easily significantly stronger as well.

 

As far as actual maximum line capacity, that may be of ultimate importance or more of a non factor depending on what you want to do with a reel. I would bet good money that the line capacity of the Tatula's are off quite a ways somewhere, and the Curado's might be too. I bought a line counter yesterday, but it'll be a while before I get a chance to check out that aspect. of their differences. 

 

I have two Tatula 200H's, a Curado 200K, and a Tatula 300P

 

I will conclude that to me, the Curado's seem to be kind of in between the sizes of the Tatula's (or vice versa depending on how you choose to view it). 

==========================================

I also recently went down the 300 rabbit hole and ultimately, I chose the Daiwa Tatula 300P over both the Tranx 300A and the Curado 300K for a few reasons:

• Stronger drag that is easier to adjust at the strong end of the range
• Easier to adjust casting controls (externally adjustable of the Tatula 300P vs internally adjustable on the Tranx 300A and Curado 300K, and the Tranx side plates have proven to be easily dropped (sometimes overboard) as you have to pull it completely off.
• A little more line capacity

The Tatula definitely feels a little bulkier and some folks talk of being able to palm the Tranx easier. However, for me, when I am fishing with a swimbait, I am not 'palming' the reel. My hand sits more behind it when retrieving a lure so it is a non-factor for me. The same applies to the 200 size reels for me as well since I am using them for the same thing, YMMV.

 

As long as you're not at the ragged edge of the capabilities of any of the reels I've discussed, they are all fine choices. 

 

As for the original question, it would be easier answered with some context regarding the intended use. They all have their own personalities, quicks, strengths and weaknesses and a question posed as it was leaves a lot of room for interpretation as to how to quantify "favorite".

[FishTank]

I think the number sizing has become pretty generic over the years. Each company has their own version and description.

 

Pretty much it's....

 

70 to 100 = small

150 to 200 = medium 

300 = large

 

 

 

[Tatulatard]

The tatula 150/200 were the 1st reels to use the flipping t-wing and are rather clunky in size most notably in the front of the reel where they are quite wide and blocky compared to a curado 200k.  This was likely to accommodate the flipping action of the t-wing at the time.  Remember, the modern tatula 150/200 is the old 2013ish tatula 100/150HD.  They hadn't quite gotten down how to make the t-wing work in a compact shape they way they do now with the modern reels.  Even then when a 200k is overlayed onto a tatula 150/200 its really only the wide and bulky in front of the reel.  If you palm with 3 fingers in front of the trigger you will notice this bulk but if you palm with only 2 in front of the trigger the extra width up front isn't noticed.   I palm with 3 and have adapted long ago to change how I place my hand on this platform to deal with the boxy and wide front.  They are oldies but goodies of a reel.  I have a few of them from. Tatula 100 type rs, to 150 HD customs, to recent 200s.

[newapti5]

Yeah not good enough.

 

 

 

[Big Hands]

Another data point to add to the dumpster fire that is trying to figure out exactly how much line these reels will hold:

 

I spooled up one of my Tatula 200H reels last night with 15 lb Big Game that is listed as being .380 mm in diameter, and my ultra-precision $16 line counter said I put 140 yards on it. I could have put 5 or 10 less yards on it and still called it full.

[PhishLI]

40 minutes ago, Big Hands said:

I spooled up one of my Tatula 200H reels last night with 15 lb Big Game that is listed as being .380 mm in diameter, and my ultra-precision $16 line counter said I put 140 yards on it.

420 feet is a stupid amount of line for a bass reel.

[Big Hands]

50 minutes ago, PhishLI said:

420 feet is a stupid amount of line for a bass reel.

 

I agree 100%. I use #15 mono on 150 and even 100 size reels, but not to throw heavy swimbaits on a consistent basis.

 

I could get by with less, probably close to half that much line capacity TBH. It could hold more 20 lb Big Game (@ .460 mm) than I would need. Line capacity for me, just had to be somewhere near 100 yards. I got it more for the:

• stronger drag (vs other 200 size reels)
• beefier gearing (vs 150 size reels)
• ease of casting adjustments (vs a Curado 200 or Tranx 200)
• the $142 price tag

 

[PhishLI]

5 hours ago, Big Hands said:

I agree 100%. I use #15 mono on 150 and even 100 size reels, but not to throw heavy swimbaits on a consistent basis.

 

I could get by with less, probably close to half that much line capacity TBH. It could hold more 20 lb Big Game (@ .460 mm) than I would need. Line capacity for me, just had to be somewhere near 100 yards. I got it more for the:

• stronger drag (vs other 200 size reels)
• beefier gearing (vs 150 size reels)
• ease of casting adjustments (vs a Curado 200 or Tranx 200)
• the $142 price tag

Not knocking it. I have one. My brother recently sent his Tranx 200 and Curado 200 packing because he prefers the Tat 200 over both. Now he has 3. He got tired of fiddling with the SVS adjustments. On the other hand, he loves his Tranx 300 and Curado 300 with their old school VBS brakes.

[Crankin4Bass]

2 hours ago, PhishLI said:

Not knocking it. I have one. My brother recently sent his Tranx 200 and Curado 200 packing because he prefers the Tat 200 over both. Now he has 3. He got tired of fiddling with the SVS adjustments. On the other hand, he loves his Tranx 300 and Curado 300 with their old school VBS brakes.

Same. I prefer the VBS brakes on my Chronarch 200e7 and Calcutta 200d. They really are set and forget for me. In fact you have use a screwdriver to open the Calcutta 200d to access the brakes. I always have both reals set to 3 brakes on.