High Capacity Baitcaster

[papajoe222]

I had a massive brain fart today and one of my workhorse TD Advantage 150H went swimming along with its best friend for the last decade.  I was tempted to jump in after it, but then realized I'm 73 and that puppy was sinking fast. 

Anyway, I'm looking to replace the reel with another reliable high capacity one.  Nothing too pricey, If I can get away with something in the $150 range I'd be happy.  I don't remember the line capacity on these reels (I still have two), but it needs to be more than the 100-120yrds of 12lb. test most of the low profile reels hold now. The one I lost was used exclusively for trolling and hooking into a good sized fish doesn't leave much line to play with on those models.

Suggestions and relating any good or bad experiences with any would be appreciated.

[casts_by_fly]

The TD advantage 150h holds 150 of 14 lb. A curado 300k is 180 of 14# for comparison (though $70 over your budget). In Daiwa a 200 size reel gets you 165 of 14#.  A tatula 200 is $180 and might be what you need. 

[Big Hands]

First of all, I would go back and see if you can drag a slab around and possibly hook your old rig. I have a friend that has a pretty good track record of retrieving rods of his own, as well as those of friends.

 

I picked up a pair of new Daiwa Tatula 200's for $140 each earlier this year. Excellent caster, and a strong drag. You can still find them for very close to that price.

[Columbia Craw]

 Coastal 200. 

[Tatulatard]

Tatula 150.  I'll have to compare spools again but last time I did on my black widow 2 and tatula 150 they were the same size indicating nearly identical capacity.  I belive the arbor was slightly smaller on my black widow 2.  Both are magforce z reels.  If you are willing to forgo magforce z you can get a magforce tatula 200 for more capacity.

 

https://www.tackletour.com/reviewdaiwablackwidow2.html

https://www.tackletour.com/reviewdaiwatattyper.html

[rangerjockey]

I have a buddy who carries one of those old metal stringers with the individual clips all opened up in the boat.

If one goes over the side, he breaks out that baby ties it on a stout rod and goes to.

dragging where the rod was last seen.  It works pretty well.

[papajoe222]

13 hours ago, Big Hands said:

First of all, I would go back and see if you can drag a slab around and possibly hook your old rig.

I gave up trying to recover it, even though I dropped a waypoint on my Lawrence unit.  It's in 45ft. of water and even If I could see it on downscan, I doubt I'd be able to snag it. Besides, it gives me a reason to purchase a new reel.

I love Daiwa reels, but have been hesitant about purchasing one incorporating the T-wing. Not that I've heard anything negative, it just looks like a screw up waiting to happen when I go to clean it. 

I just may bite the bullet and get one. WTH, I can always sell it, right? 

[badfish79]

Lews Superduty GX3

[Big Hands]

3 hours ago, papajoe222 said:

I love Daiwa reels, but have been hesitant about purchasing one incorporating the T-wing. Not that I've heard anything negative, it just looks like a screw up waiting to happen when I go to clean it. 

 

 

FWIW, the T-Wing on the Tatula 200 looks to be a bigger piece than it is on the smaller reels; less likely to hang up on a braid-to-leader knot. It is a bit more complex and all things else being equal, fancy rigs can have fancy problems, but I haven't had any issues with my T-Wing reels not working properly.

 

3 hours ago, papajoe222 said:

 I just may bite the bullet and get one. WTH, I can always sell it, right? 

 

You could also probably find a good buy on a used one for a little less, and see if you like it. If you like it, you can either keep it, or sell it for around what you paid and get a brand new one to keep for the long haul. I think a good used one will not be that much cheaper, especially after you pay for freight, etc.

 

Physical size and capacity wise, the Shimano 200 size is smaller than the Daiwa 200, and the Shimano 300 is smaller than a Daiwa 300, and a Shimano 400 is smaller than a Daiwa 400. Daiwa's capacity charts are all over the map as far as accuracy, and at times seem like a deliberate attempt to confuse or a really inept marketing staff.

 

A Curado 200K is a fine reel too, if the size and capacity work for you, but they are about $20-$50 more expensive than the Tatula 200 if you require a RH model, depending also on the desired gear ratio.

 

Here is a spreadsheet I put together earlier this year when I was locked up in severe analysis paralysis over reels in this size range. The line capacities are as advertised and prices are MSRP. FWIW, I think Daiwa is spewing bovinian fecal sauce with regard to the line capacity of their 200 size reels. I got out my trusty, if not tired looking dial calipers and measured them and although the 200 Curado spool is smaller than the 200 Tatula spool, there is no way on earth it's as different as Daiwa's specs suggest it is. 

 

[RB 77]

5 minutes ago, Big Hands said:

 

 

FWIW, the T-Wing on the Tatula 200 looks to be a bigger piece than it is on the smaller reels; less likely to hang up on a braid-to-leader knot. It is a bit more complex and all things else being equal, fancy rigs can have fancy problems, but I haven't had any issues with my T-Wing reels not working properly.

 

 

You could also probably find a good buy on a used one for a little less, and see if you like it. If you like it, you can either keep it, or sell it for around what you paid and get a brand new one to keep for the long haul. I think a good used one will not be that much cheaper, especially after you pay for freight, etc.

 

Physical size and capacity wise, the Shimano 200 size is smaller than the Daiwa 200, and the Shimano 300 is smaller than a Daiwa 300, and a Shimano 400 is smaller than a Daiwa 400. Daiwa's capacity charts are all over the map as far as accuracy, and at times seem like a deliberate attempt to confuse or a really inept marketing staff.

 

A Curado 200K is a fine reel too, if the size and capacity work for you, but they are about $20-$50 more expensive than the Tatula 200 if you require a RH model, depending also on the desired gear ratio.

 

Here is a spreadsheet I put together earlier this year when I was locked up in severe analysis paralysis over reels in this size range. The line capacities are as advertised and prices are MSRP. FWIW, I think Daiwa is spewing bovinian fecal sauce with regard to the line capacity of their 200 size reels. I got out my trusty, if not tired looking dial calipers and measured them and although the 200 Curado spool is smaller than the 200 Tatula spool, there is no way on earth it's as different as Daiwa's specs suggest it is. 

 

 

 

Impressive spread sheet! haha

[dodgeguy]

I'd get a Lew's bb1 pro at 199$. 160 yds of 12 lb test.it casts great and is super smooth 

[Lucky6]

On 6/22/2023 at 11:44 PM, Columbia Craw said:

 Coastal 200. 

Great reel for the money.

[ska4fun]

Penn Fantom.

[waymont]

On 6/22/2023 at 9:38 PM, papajoe222 said:

but it needs to be more than the 100-120yrds of 12lb.

I'd get a Tatula 150. They are great reels, and right in all of you wants/needs

[Ryanralston07]

On 6/23/2023 at 7:20 PM, Big Hands said:

 

 

FWIW, the T-Wing on the Tatula 200 looks to be a bigger piece than it is on the smaller reels; less likely to hang up on a braid-to-leader knot. It is a bit more complex and all things else being equal, fancy rigs can have fancy problems, but I haven't had any issues with my T-Wing reels not working properly.

 

 

You could also probably find a good buy on a used one for a little less, and see if you like it. If you like it, you can either keep it, or sell it for around what you paid and get a brand new one to keep for the long haul. I think a good used one will not be that much cheaper, especially after you pay for freight, etc.

 

Physical size and capacity wise, the Shimano 200 size is smaller than the Daiwa 200, and the Shimano 300 is smaller than a Daiwa 300, and a Shimano 400 is smaller than a Daiwa 400. Daiwa's capacity charts are all over the map as far as accuracy, and at times seem like a deliberate attempt to confuse or a really inept marketing staff.

 

A Curado 200K is a fine reel too, if the size and capacity work for you, but they are about $20-$50 more expensive than the Tatula 200 if you require a RH model, depending also on the desired gear ratio.

 

Here is a spreadsheet I put together earlier this year when I was locked up in severe analysis paralysis over reels in this size range. The line capacities are as advertised and prices are MSRP. FWIW, I think Daiwa is spewing bovinian fecal sauce with regard to the line capacity of their 200 size reels. I got out my trusty, if not tired looking dial calipers and measured them and although the 200 Curado spool is smaller than the 200 Tatula spool, there is no way on earth it's as different as Daiwa's specs suggest it is. 

 

This needs to be in a pinned post

I vote Daiwai 200, Daiwa 150, or Lew's Super Duty.