Looking to get a good all-around reel under $180. Really eyeing the Tatula series

[Rocky998]

I've been doing a ton of research and I've been looking to get a reel I can use for flipping, swim jigs/paddletails, bladed jigs, Texas rigs, frogs/poppers, and possibly something I can use to learn how to skip.

I want something that can handle 1/4 oz if need be but also be able to cast 1oz if I have to punch some cover and pull through the weeds.

 

Right now I have an original 4.9 Daiwa lexa 100. It's awesome and I've loved learning techniques with it, but I need something with a proper gear ratio to do the stuff I want.

 

I've been heavily considering either the tatula 150, or the JDM version of the tatula 100 2023/2024.

The problem I'm having with getting the JDM is I'm not sure if there's differences between the USDM version and that one.

Are the gear boxes the same? Is it the same quality?

Amazon is selling the JDM for $112. So I'm definitely considering that for affordability.

The 150 would be for if I need something a bit heavier.

Whichever one I get I'll be spooling it with 50lb sufix 832. 

I'm also considering using an fg knot to tie a 17-20lb mono leader to the front

[Bigbox99]

Get the 24 Tatula.  The Tatula 150 is good too but it's a bigger and much older reel dating from 2014.  It and the 200 are an oldie but a goodie.  Also, if you do want one of those then get them on Aliexpress.  They have the best price by far.

[Rocky998]

36 minutes ago, Bigbox99 said:

Get the 24 Tatula.  The Tatula 150 is good too but it's a bigger and much older reel dating from 2014.  It and the 200 are an oldie but a goodie.  Also, if you do want one of those then get them on Aliexpress.  They have the best price by far.

Thank you for your insight!

 

I checked Aliexpress, and while I like the prices, I would just get it from somewhere more reliable like Amazon. From what I've seen Aliexpress also doesnt accept returns.

The price isn't too far off though. Amazon sells it for $112. Plus taxes its $120. Sold by Daiwa straight from Japan.

The only thing I'm worried about regarding that is what the differences are between the JDM version and USDM version are

[PhishLI]

7 minutes ago, Rocky998 said:

The only thing I'm worried about regarding that is what the differences are between the JDM version and USDM version are

I wouldn't worry about it at all, especially at that price. AFAIK, all Tatulas come out of its Thailand facility, so it's not actually JDM. Like you said, it's amazon, so you can easily return it if there's an issue, and it's highly unlikely there will be any at all.

[Bigbox99]

1 hour ago, Rocky998 said:

Thank you for your insight!

 

I checked Aliexpress, and while I like the prices, I would just get it from somewhere more reliable like Amazon. From what I've seen Aliexpress also doesnt accept returns.

The price isn't too far off though. Amazon sells it for $112. Plus taxes its $120. Sold by Daiwa straight from Japan.

The only thing I'm worried about regarding that is what the differences are between the JDM version and USDM version are

Their 24 Tatula 100 prices aren't any better than Amazon Japan but the 150 and 200 can be had there for under $100 at times.

[Rocky998]

2 hours ago, PhishLI said:

I wouldn't worry about it at all, especially at that price. AFAIK, all Tatulas come out of its Thailand facility, so it's not actually JDM.

Alright! 

I've just heard of the jdm reels and the usdm reels having differences, some very minimal and some fairly major.

 

I know, at least from what I've heard, that the JDM zillion uses aluminum gears rather than brass to save on money and their reasoning was that the bass in Japan are smaller. 

 

I want to make sure the reel I get will last for a long time and keep casting/reeling in nicely over time.

2 hours ago, PhishLI said:

Like you said, it's amazon, so you can easily return it if there's an issue, and it's highly unlikely there will be any at all.

Yup! Very true. 

I don't like the risk of "no returns" especially when I'm spending this much.

1 hour ago, Bigbox99 said:

Their 24 Tatula 100 prices aren't any better than Amazon Japan but the 150 and 200 can be had there for under $100 at times.

I saw that! Very enticing prices I will admit. I just want to make sure I don't waste $90-$180 on a product that is malfunctioning 

[Brian11719]

Tatulas look like they are about 20% off on American Legacy Fishing right now. They seem to have had unannounced sales on Sundays lately so if it were me I'd probably pick up one there...pretty sure you aren't going have a malfunctioning one show up on your door...

[PhishLI]

19 minutes ago, Rocky998 said:

I know, at least from what I've heard, that the JDM zillion uses aluminum gears rather than brass to save on money

It might be more of a weight issue than a money issue. Besides, the US market Zillion 1000 uses an aluminum pinion. I wouldn't be afraid of aluminum gears at this point, especially non-micromesh-micromodule types. Even my Quantum Vapor PT is eerily smooth with its aluminum main gear.

19 minutes ago, Rocky998 said:

want to make sure the reel I get will last for a long time and keep casting/reeling in nicely over time.

The key here is to diligently keep your reel properly cleaned and lubed. If you're uncomfortable doing this yourself, then pay someone to do it regularly. They're all quite simple machines actually, and barely different internally. but they'll all suffer with neglect.

[casts_by_fly]

You said $180 but for $205 you get a jdm zillion. That’s where I’d put my money. 

[Flyfish-mt]

I bought a ‘24 Tatula 100 through Amazon Japan and then had Tackle Direct do a price match for my second ‘23 Tatula 100.  I pulled both apart and lubed them up as they are pretty dry from the factory.  Both the JDM and US market Tatula 100’s are identical.

[Woody B]

I've got a couple Tatula's.  The brakes are way too aggressive for me, even turned down really low.   For me they're distance robbers.   For ~$130 I'd recommend a Shimano SLX XT.   They're super nice reels with centrifugal brakes that are easily adjusted.  

[MediumMouthBass]

3 hours ago, Woody B said:

I've got a couple Tatula's.  The brakes are way too aggressive for me, even turned down really low.   For me they're distance robbers.   For ~$130 I'd recommend a Shimano SLX XT.   They're super nice reels with centrifugal brakes that are easily adjusted.  

I thought the same with my Tatula SV TW and Zillion. The Zillion with certain baits gets good distance but with anything other than a lipless crank or something very aerodynamic its on par with my $30 Black Max for distance. The SV TW however is a joke for anything past 45 feet. Great for skipping docks tho!

 

My Tatula 150 is setup for 1-3oz swimbaits, but ive tried regular baits with it too, the distance is about the same as the SV TW, its a 45' reel.... Since im only using it for swimbaits distance isnt really an issue since its all close to the kayak or bank, so it works fine for me.

 

I definetly also agree with your recommendation for the SLX XT, really great reel. But since the OP is a Daiwa guy the Tatula CT is really all youll ever need for a Tatula reel (unless skipping, big swimbaits, or BFS). The CT is the only Daiwa reel thats keeping me from switching all to Lews and Shimano for casting reels. The distance is amazing and its easy to use. Also in that $110-130 price range. The Tatula 100 (new one not the old one with bad reviews) should be great too, for more of a beefier reel, then theres the Fuego CT as well for ripping big baits through the grass, now thats the best heavy duty reel for the money.

[PhishLI]

32 minutes ago, MediumMouthBass said:

The SV TW however is a joke for anything past 45 feet. Great for skipping docks tho!

Something's broken somewhere in the chain then. The reel, your tape measure, or something else. When nothing's broken easily double that, if not more.

34 minutes ago, MediumMouthBass said:

My Tatula 150 is setup for 1-3oz swimbaits, but ive tried regular baits with it too, the distance is about the same as the SV TW, its a 45' reel

Same as above. If you can't cast an unweighted 5" senko 110'-120' with the 150 on a typical 7'3' MH rod and say 12lb mono, then something's quite wrong somewhere.

[ABU is overpriced]

Sell a few of your lures and get a Zillion for $200. Its too far ahead of the Tatula to ignore. And no, they aren't using aluminum to save on the cost. The aluminum used is almost guaranteed to be more expensive than brass. They use aluminum because its lighter, and lighter reels are easier to sell. Gears on these reels are so good that you don't need brass, the aluminum ones will last forever.

[MediumMouthBass]

4 hours ago, PhishLI said:

Something's broken somewhere in the chain then. The reel, your tape measure, or something else. When nothing's broken easily double that, if not more.

Same as above. If you can't cast an unweighted 5" senko 110'-120' with the 150 on a typical 7'3' MH rod and say 12lb mono, then something's quite wrong somewhere.

I can barely get a 1/2oz lipless let alone a 3oz glide bait past about 50 feet max on the 150,

The Zillion i can cast about as far if not a few yards more than my Tatula CT, SLX MGL or BB1 Pro with a 1/2oz lipless, but anything else is in the under 65 foot zone. With weightless being about 30'.... Sadly i bought this reel for weightless senkos but i guess ill be using the MGL instead....

The Tatula SV TW cannot go past 40-50' with any lure, on any brake setting.

Even with adjusting the Zero Adjusters, taking the factory grease and oils off and reapplying some fresh stuff. Changing to different rods, and different lines. Results stay the same.

 

I use 1 lake in particular for distance ranges, theres a part where it gets somewhat narrow and i use it for my guessing of distance. My Fuego CT, SLX, LFS, Black Maxes get around half, My Tatula CT, BB1 Pro, SLX MGL have almost went all the way, there were some casts that i almost ended up in the brush on the other side. These other 3 Daiwas tho cast about a 1/4-1/3 of the way....

 

Its odd since all 3 were purchased at different stores, at different parts of the country, in different years but all have the same issue. The 150 and SV TW tho are thankfully only used for close casting near docks off the kayak so distance isnt a big issue with them, but the Zillion was a big letdown.....

[PhishLI]

16 minutes ago, MediumMouthBass said:

The Zillion i can cast about as far if not a few yards more than my Tatula CT, SLX MGL or BB1 Pro with a 1/2oz lipless, but anything else is in the under 65 foot zone. With weightless being about 30'....

I think I can spit 30'. Weightless what? I can see a 3" senko with 50lb mono going nowhere, but... 

17 minutes ago, MediumMouthBass said:

The Tatula SV TW cannot go past 40-50' with any lure, on any brake setting.

The very 1st day I got my '17 tat SV in 2017 I tested it on a measured field because of all the hubbub. My very first cast before it was really dialed in using a 6'7" Omen Black MF with a 5" senko went 93' with brakes on 8. Fact. I have a witness too. Line was 20lb J8. Plant it on a 7'3" and distance increases. The Zillion will melt the Tat SV for distance with the same bait. I throw 5" flukes with mine on a 7'6" ARK Essence with 15lb Tatsu. The Tat 150 hangs with the Zillion for distance when using the same bait.

 

You don't have to trust me. The anti-Daiwa reel tester on YT has plenty of cast battle vids on his page that shows plenty of video footage with actual measurements that contradicts your results, and by a large margin.

 

Perhaps you need to work on your casting, or something.

[MediumMouthBass]

3 hours ago, PhishLI said:

I think I can spit 30'. Weightless what? I can see a 3" senko with 50lb mono going nowhere, but... 

The very 1st day I got my '17 tat SV in 2017 I tested it on a measured field because of all the hubbub. My very first cast before it was really dialed in using a 6'7" Omen Black MF with a 5" senko went 93' with brakes on 8. Fact. I have a witness too. Line was 20lb J8. Plant it on a 7'3" and distance increases. The Zillion will melt the Tat SV for distance with the same bait. I throw 5" flukes with mine on a 7'6" ARK Essence with 15lb Tatsu. The Tat 150 hangs with the Zillion for distance when using the same bait.

 

You don't have to trust me. The anti-Daiwa reel tester on YT has plenty of cast battle vids on his page that shows plenty of video footage with actual measurements that contradicts your results, and by a large margin.

 

Perhaps you need to work on your casting, or something.

Yes out of the 30 casting reels i own and can cast 27 with no issues, gently and with ease all while getting great distance it must be a problem with my casting thats causing 3 Daiwa Reels and Daiwa reels only to do that. Must just be something about the Shimanos and Lews along with the budget Tatulas/Fuegos that corrects my faulty casts. Thanks for the tip ill have to ask my DR. the next time if i have weird body mechanics with my arms.

[jigheadworm]

2 hours ago, ABU is overpriced said:

Sell a few of your lures and get a Zillion for $200. Its too far ahead of the Tatula to ignore. And no, they aren't using aluminum to save on the cost. The aluminum used is almost guaranteed to be more expensive than brass. They use aluminum because its lighter, and lighter reels are easier to sell. Gears on these reels are so good that you don't need brass, the aluminum ones will last forever.

Correct Daiwa's aluminium gears have been used in steez for yrs with no problems. Have had a jdm Zilllion since they came out and it is just as smooth as the day I got it.I think a lot of the aluminum gear problems where with Shimano's mm aluminum gears. 

[Rocky998]

8 hours ago, Brian11719 said:

Tatulas look like they are about 20% off on American Legacy Fishing right now. They seem to have had unannounced sales on Sundays lately so if it were me I'd probably pick up one there...pretty sure you aren't going have a malfunctioning one show up on your door...

I took a look and those are some awesome deals!!

I'll have to consider it for sure!

 

I'm pretty confident in receiving a perfect performing reel, I just want that "just in case something happens" reassurance that I can get my money back if something is wrong.

8 hours ago, PhishLI said:

It might be more of a weight issue than a money issue. Besides, the US market Zillion 1000 uses an aluminum pinion. I wouldn't be afraid of aluminum gears at this point, especially non-micromesh-micromodule types. Even my Quantum Vapor PT is eerily smooth with its aluminum main gear.

Well that's cool to know!

8 hours ago, PhishLI said:

The key here is to diligently keep your reel properly cleaned and lubed. If you're uncomfortable doing this yourself, then pay someone to do it regularly. They're all quite simple machines actually, and barely different internally. but they'll all suffer with neglect.

Yup! Definitely agree!

I'd want to try doing it... But I can be clumsy and I'm scared I'll screw it up some how 😆

8 hours ago, casts_by_fly said:

You said $180 but for $205 you get a jdm zillion. That’s where I’d put my money. 

I could do some looking into it, but Im really not sure if I want to do that.

I'm looking at spending another $100+ on line and lures/baits so I'm trying to be careful with spending lol. 

6 hours ago, Flyfish-mt said:

I bought a ‘24 Tatula 100 through Amazon Japan and then had Tackle Direct do a price match for my second ‘23 Tatula 100.  I pulled both apart and lubed them up as they are pretty dry from the factory.  Both the JDM and US market Tatula 100’s are identical.

This is really good to know!! Thank you so much for letting me know!

 

3 hours ago, Woody B said:

I've got a couple Tatula's.  The brakes are way too aggressive for me, even turned down really low.   For me they're distance robbers.   For ~$130 I'd recommend a Shimano SLX XT.   They're super nice reels with centrifugal brakes that are easily adjusted.  

I have an slx xt 8.1, but I got it used and it was already kinda broken. It still casts pretty good, but pretty sure it doesn't cast well due to everything that's wrong with it.

I don't want another one cause I'm kinda leery of the quality. I dont want it to break quick. I want a reel that will last me a good amount if time. 

I love the magforce brakes. I have a daiwa lexa 100h from like 2013 that I got at a thrift store and I can cast a 1/4 oz a mile on. 

I put the spool tension as low as possible and then have the brakes on like a 5-7. So smooth casting.

Issue with it is that it's a 4.9 gear ratio which is way too slow. 

For me that just shows the longevity of these reels. 

3 hours ago, MediumMouthBass said:

I thought the same with my Tatula SV TW and Zillion. The Zillion with certain baits gets good distance but with anything other than a lipless crank or something very aerodynamic its on par with my $30 Black Max for distance. The SV TW however is a joke for anything past 45 feet. Great for skipping docks tho!

Really? I've seen a video of the Zillion being put to the test againt the tatula 150 and they were casting extremely far. That's surprising to me

3 hours ago, MediumMouthBass said:

I definetly also agree with your recommendation for the SLX XT, really great reel. But since the OP is a Daiwa guy

I really love Daiwa cause I've had an amazing experience with it, but I also do like Shimano and I think the xt is an amazing reel, I truly do, I just wonder if it will last as long as most Daiwa reels.

3 hours ago, MediumMouthBass said:

the Tatula CT is really all youll ever need for a Tatula reel (unless skipping, big swimbaits, or BFS). The CT is the only Daiwa reel thats keeping me from switching all to Lews and Shimano for casting reels. The distance is amazing and its easy to use. Also in that $110-130 price range. The Tatula 100 (new one not the old one with bad reviews) should be great too, for more of a beefier reel, then theres the Fuego CT as well for ripping big baits through the grass, now thats the best heavy duty reel for the money.

I saw the CT and it looks awesome. I had done research on it in the past, but some people said it wasn't as good as the 150 so idk.

The new tatula 100 looks awesome and also reportedly has the same gears or at least same gear cut as the Zillion.

 

The Fuego seems like it's one of those reels where people will say "it's such a good reel, it's amazing awesome," ect, ect, and then add "for the price" at the end which deters me away. 

It was one of my options, but I just feel like the tatula would be a step up and better in general.

3 hours ago, PhishLI said:

Same as above. If you can't cast an unweighted 5" senko 110'-120' with the 150 on a typical 7'3' MH rod and say 12lb mono, then something's quite wrong somewhere.

I know I can cast a weightless senko on my daiwa lexa 100 (2013) a long distance considering the weight. 

 

2 hours ago, ABU is overpriced said:

Sell a few of your lures and get a Zillion for $200. Its too far ahead of the Tatula to ignore. And no, they aren't using aluminum to save on the cost. The aluminum used is almost guaranteed to be more expensive than brass. They use aluminum because its lighter, and lighter reels are easier to sell. Gears on these reels are so good that you don't need brass, the aluminum ones will last forever.

I don't have good enough lures rn to sell them off for extra money lol. I sold off some collectibles of mine so I'd have some wiggle room when choosing a tatula though.

 

I'd want to kinda try out a Zillion before hashing out that kind of money lol. Try a 1/4 oz, 3/8 oz, and 1/2 to see how well it handles different weights.

Maybe I'll get it someday. 

 

 

 

As for the rest of the replies debating about "yes it can cast far" or "no it cant"

I think everyone just has had different experiences. Line and what weight you're using is a big factor.

Someone using 17lb flouro/mono isn't going to go as far as someone using 30-50lb braid

[Rocky998]

7 hours ago, Flyfish-mt said:

I bought a ‘24 Tatula 100 through Amazon Japan and then had Tackle Direct do a price match for my second ‘23 Tatula 100.  I pulled both apart and lubed them up as they are pretty dry from the factory.  Both the JDM and US market Tatula 100’s are identical.

I actually have a question regarding them. Do they normally come pretty dry? And when they do are they still pretty smooth? And after you lubed/oiled them did they run smooth and stay really smooth?

[MediumMouthBass]

4 hours ago, Rocky998 said:

The Fuego seems like it's one of those reels where people will say "it's such a good reel, it's amazing awesome," ect, ect, and then add "for the price" at the end which deters me away. 

It was one of my options, but I just feel like the tatula would be a step up and better in general.

The Fuego CT is the same as the Tatula CT, just different color and minus the T wing and a few other small things are different.

The lack of T wing is the reason people say for the price, it doesnt cast as far but its a bullet proofed reel, i use mine for frogging in the weeds. I also use myTatula CT for ripping lipless cranks out of weeds.

Ive pulled in several hundred if not thousands of lbs of weeds and grass since last years pre spawn.

Only cleaned both once and they are still like new on the inside and outside.

Lots of people overlook the Fuego CT because of its price and its color. When people think of a matte finish they think cheap. I get it. But its a very underrated reel, especially when it comes to needing something tough enough to handle the work load. It does this quite well.

I also understand the want for the Tatula since it is a step up, much nicer finish to it. Looks better, matches the color of the Aird X rods too, and also has a nicer finish to it. Plus the T wing.

 

Heres something else to think about since in your post you mentioned fishing in some weeds, while most modern reels can handle it, some do get to the point where they can and will break after so much pressures applied, get something nice enough to enjoy, but affordable enough to replace.

Personally any reel i use for fishing in lots of grass or weeds i consider it a throwaway reel, (not actually talking about throwing it away but....) even if it holds up and doesnt break the reel will get destroyed in filth. My reels after fishing in grass still look nice but in a few months or next year i expect them to be destroyed in filth, even with proper cleanings. These things get super dirty and the grass just clogs everything up.

[PhishLI]

2 hours ago, MediumMouthBass said:

Personally any reel i use for fishing in lots of grass or weeds i consider it a throwaway reel, (not actually talking about throwing it away but....) even if it holds up and doesnt break the reel will get destroyed in filth. My reels after fishing in grass still look nice but in a few months or next year i expect them to be destroyed in filth, even with proper cleanings. These things get super dirty and the grass just clogs everything up.

Yet another bizarre claim. There's no place more choked out than where I fish, period. All of my reels regardless of manufacturer are fine after years of beating the snot out of them, but with regular maintenance. Yeesh.

[MediumMouthBass]

14 hours ago, PhishLI said:

Yet another bizarre claim. There's no place more choked out than where I fish, period. All of my reels regardless of manufacturer are fine after years of beating the snot out of them, but with regular maintenance. Yeesh.

You should watch some youtube videos, it shows it pretty well. Lots of horribly destroyed reels by weeds, algae, and absolutely filthy reels being cleaned or fixed on there.

And thats not even that bad. The place i fish is weeds from bottom to top. And then grass, algae, slime.... After setting the rod/reel down for a different combo and it starts to dry it looks like it was dumped in toxic waste.

Unless cleaning after every visit eventually the dried up stuff will get into something like the gears or something else, now have you heard about the new Tundra's engines destroying themselves because 1 speck of dirt got in them? I know comparing a reel to an engine is a different thing entirely, but the point remains. Getting dirt or debris into anything metal with tight tolerances, especially moving parts that need to be greased and oiled can cause issues.

14 hours ago, PhishLI said:

Yet another bizarre claim.

And oh no, if anyone has a view or opinion other than you it must be bizzare, take some relaxation classes or yoga man, all that negative energy and stress isnt good man. Definetly from NY have a nice day

[Flyfish-mt]

14 hours ago, Rocky998 said:

I actually have a question regarding them. Do they normally come pretty dry? And when they do are they still pretty smooth? And after you lubed/oiled them did they run smooth and stay really smooth?

Yes, they are smooth out of the box but the drags on both had some start up inertia.  So I pulling them apart to lube the drag washers w/ Shimano drag grease and also applied some of the same grease to the main and pinion gears.  Not sure it made the reels any smoother but definitely helped out the drag.  

[PhishLI]

18 minutes ago, MediumMouthBass said:

You should watch some youtube videos, it shows it pretty well.

I don't need to. I've serviced hundreds of reels fished in my local waters. I've never found anything in a gearbox but old grease, emulsified grease, and perhaps some sand grains near the weep holes if the person made it a habit of dropping their reel into the dirt, which is very rare.

21 minutes ago, MediumMouthBass said:

Unless cleaning after every visit eventually the dried up stuff will get into something like the gears or something else,

Horse hockey. You're way out of your lane.

21 minutes ago, MediumMouthBass said:

And oh no, if anyone has a view or opinion other than you it must be bizzare,

Bud, you didn't state an opinion. You make a statement of fact. which happens to be false. You're entitled to your own opinion, even kooky ones, but not your own facts.

17 hours ago, MediumMouthBass said:

The Tatula SV TW cannot go past 40-50' with any lure, on any brake setting.

Stick an "IMO" or "in my hands" at the end of something goofy like this next time and perhaps you won't get any pushback. Definitely not from me anyway. The fact is that if Tat SVs, or Tat 150s, or Zillions were only capable of 50' casts they'd never make it to the market.