Comparing The Tatula To Other Reels 2025
jtesch reply :
I'm thinking about grabbing a Tatula but would like some comparisons to other reels. For example hoe does the Tatula shape up to a Fuego or original Zillion or even a Curado G. I'm talking casting distance, ability to pitch light lures and line management/cast control. Thanks all
rippin-lips reply :
On 8/25/2014 at 12:52 AM, jtesch said:I'm thinking about grabbing a Tatula but would like some comparisons to other reels. For example hoe does the Tatula shape up to a Fuego or original Zillion or even a Curado G. I'm talking casting distance, ability to pitch light lures and line management/cast control. Thanks all
Other then it being a larger framed reel there's really no negatives about it. You'd be hard pressed to find a better $100 reel. I have a dozen Daiwa reels and I always seem to go for it. Even over some higher end reels. Comparing it to a zillion I really don't think is fair but it's smooth and casts great. How light are you talking? I can throw a weightless super fluke or senko with my tatula.
Jeff H reply :
I don't pitch with mine so can't add anything in that regard, but they do cast really nice. I think they do particularly well in the wind. As good as any original Zillion or Fuego, maybe better.
Performance of my 3 Tatula has been great but I have a real hard time accepting the lack of free floating spool. There are 2 things that have bound me to Daiwa, Magforce Z and the free floating spool design. Tatula has the Magforce Z but no free floating spool. I just bought another Fuego last night and paid too much for it but I'd rather have it than another Tatula at this point.
jtesch reply :
On 8/25/2014 at 1:07 AM, Jeff H said:I don't pitch with mine so can't add anything in that regard, but they do cast really nice. I think they do particularly well in the wind. As good as any original Zillion or Fuego, maybe better.
Performance of my 3 Tatula has been great but I have a real hard time accepting the lack of free floating spool. There are 2 things that have bound me to Daiwa, Magforce Z and the free floating spool design. Tatula has the Magforce Z but no free floating spool. I just bought another Fuego last night and paid too much for it but I'd rather have it than another Tatula at this point.[/quote
Both my Zillions and my Fuego have the Z 100 spool, Boca bearings and Carbontex drags so it isn't fair to compare them to a Tatula. I'm with you on the mag force Z. I feel like I'd be taking a step back with the Tatula and never really like it but I rally don't want to spend $300-$400 on another reel. Probably gonna hunt down another Fuego or Sol to trick out. At least that way I know I'll be happy
jtesch reply :
On 8/25/2014 at 1:02 AM, rippin-lips said:Other then it being a larger framed reel there's really no negatives about it. You'd be hard pressed to find a better $100 reel. I have a dozen Daiwa reels and I always seem to go for it. Even over some higher end reels. Comparing it to a zillion I really don't think is fair but it's smooth and casts great. How light are you talking? I can throw a weightless super fluke or senko with my tatula.
Frame size and weight not an issue, as long as it can pitch in the 1/4 oz + range I'd be ok with it. I have plenty that will go real light. This would be kind of a knock around reel for me
Jeff H reply :
For what they cost, it is worth the experience of having one. I am most certain you'd find good use for it somewhere in your starting lineup. I use 1 of mine for spinnerbait and the other 2 for cranks. I'm sure they would work well for pitching too, I just haven't done it. I do not find the sizing to be large at all, actually quite the opposite to me, but I have 2XL hands. Don't think you could find a better reel for the price anywhere. Get one, you'll like it.
Delaware Valley Tackle reply :
On 8/25/2014 at 1:07 AM, Jeff H said:I don't pitch with mine so can't add anything in that regard, but they do cast really nice. I think they do particularly well in the wind. As good as any original Zillion or Fuego, maybe better.
Performance of my 3 Tatula has been great but I have a real hard time accepting the lack of free floating spool. There are 2 things that have bound me to Daiwa, Magforce Z and the free floating spool design. Tatula has the Magforce Z but no free floating spool. I just bought another Fuego last night and paid too much for it but I'd rather have it than another Tatula at this point.
This doesn't seem to apply to the Tatula necessarily, but Shimano and Quantum have avoided the full floating spool design with no ill effects as far as I can tell. A precision spool and good bearings make casting really efficient. On the opposite side, I've seen some full floating spools with bad bearings or mag brakes that apply constant braking even on the lowest settings. My point is that full floating spool not done well or one piece spool shaft done exceptionally well can swing things in either direction.
rippin-lips reply :
On 8/25/2014 at 1:25 AM, jtesch said:Frame size and weight not an issue, as long as it can pitch in the 1/4 oz + range I'd be ok with it. I have plenty that will go real light. This would be kind of a knock around reel for me
I pitch rage craws a good bit with 3/16 and 1/4 weights and 30-50lb braid. I think you'll be fine. The tatula has mag force Z and a dual bearing supported pinion gear which gives it a very smooth feeling. I believe that's their 'air rotation' system. The reel has a very positive feeling when pressing the thumb bar and engaging the reel after a cast. Try it and if you don't like it then put it in the flea market. You won't get stuck with it.
Raul reply :
There must be a good reason why the reel doesn´t have free floating spool: economical reasons for not having it, being a lesser price reel some features dissapear.
Catch and Grease reply :
I love my tatula, its my favorite reel I own and I'm gonna be buying more.
It pitches baits great
Jeff H reply :
On 8/25/2014 at 2:47 AM, Raul said:There must be a good reason why the reel doesn´t have free floating spool: economical reasons for not having it, being a lesser price reel some features dissapear.
Agreed. And those features disappeared with the Lexa and Exceler, which I can understand. With the MSRP of the Tat and Tat R I would want that free floating spool, especially with the R. If, as in my case, you desire the free floating spool design you now have to spend $300 for a Zillion to get it. All the Advantage series reels had it and they were all mid to upper mid offerings, same as Tat and Tat R. Most won't care, but I do, it's just something I like and prefer and I just wish the Tats had gotten it too. I suppose the trade comes with the T-wing being there. You want it ALL, buy the Zillion for 3 bills now.
rippin-lips reply :
Why is it so important of a feature for you Jeff? Just curious.
Jeff H reply :
I don't know, I'm just weird like that about some things I guess.
oufaninks reply :
Looked at a Tatula the other day and notice that if the spool is filled with line, the line will rub on the plate that is located behind the level wind guide. This will cause wear on the line or groves to be cut in this plate as line is retrieved on to the spool. Therefore would never own one.
Jeff H reply :
Mine don't have that problem and I don't think mine are different than any others. In fact, I've read of all the so called problems everybody builds into these and I've experienced none of them yet.
Smallmouth Hunter reply :
lol. what? I have used a tatula for almost a year now with braid/fluoro/mono (currently braid) and this have never happened..On 8/25/2014 at 6:04 AM, oufaninks said:Looked at a Tatula the other day and notice that if the spool is filled with line, the line will rub on the plate that is located behind the level wind guide. This will cause wear on the line or groves to be cut in this plate as line is retrieved on to the spool. Therefore would never own one.
Don't smack talk on something you have never used.
bootytrain reply :
On 8/25/2014 at 2:47 AM, Raul said:There must be a good reason why the reel doesn´t have free floating spool: economical reasons for not having it, being a lesser price reel some features dissapear.
The Daiwa rep on TT stated that they used the long shaft spool design to save money but I don't believe it for one second. In my eyes he was taking an indirect jab at Shimano. Lews uses a long shaft spool design as well and they are known to be great casters, possibly outcasting their doyo brethren Abu Garcia according to user reports. Im not sure what the advantage of a short shaft spool design is.
jtesch reply :
I assume by short shaft spill your referring to the free floating spool. In theory, with all parts being of equal quality a free floating spool will have a lot less friction during casting resulting in a faster spool and longer casts. As DVT said earlier, a long shaft spool with quality bearings and a decent polish can be the equal or better than a free floating spool with mediocre parts. A free floater with quality bearings that are correctly lubed or run dry if they are ceramic should outperform a long shaft spool because it's only riding on 2 bearings during the cast. Now having said all that, my longest casting reel is a Cronarch with ZPI bearings. Go figure, in fairness all my tuned Daiwas have the Gigas Spools which aren't designed for max distance and I can come close with them so I think a spool change could put them in the lead, but it ain't all about distance
ChrisD46 reply :
In the $100 to $150 range it is Lew's Tournament & Daiwa Tatula for me .
oufaninks reply :
On 8/25/2014 at 6:38 AM, aprw1 said:lol. what? I have used a tatula for almost a year now with braid/fluoro/mono (currently braid) and this have never happened..
Don't smack talk on something you have never used.
I don't know what 'smack talk' is, and really don't care. But that is the reason I will never own one. Will stay with my, over 20 count, of Revo's , Curado's and Cronarch's. To each is own.
Jeff H reply :
On 8/25/2014 at 12:18 PM, oufaninks said:I don't know what 'smack talk' is, and really don't care.
It is like ***** slappin' with your mouth. 
QUAKEnSHAKE reply :
The drag star is the cheapest feeling one Ive ever used always get the feeling its going to snap but it hasnt.
DTack reply :
On 8/25/2014 at 12:52 AM, jtesch said:I'm thinking about grabbing a Tatula but would like some comparisons to other reels. For example hoe does the Tatula shape up to a Fuego or original Zillion or even a Curado G. I'm talking casting distance, ability to pitch light lures and line management/cast control. Thanks all
For the price I think it's a great reel. I just got my 2nd Type R and have a standard Tatula as well, all in the fastest ratios offered. I own a fuego that I can compare to and I really think mine has some things wrong with it because aside from the reel being the most comfortable to hold that I own, it is the worst performing.
I guess I will just list what I find to be the strong points of the reel. When I speak about the tatula and the type r they are basically one in the same to me as the differences (to me) can't really be felt.
Tatula/Tatula Type R - Best features for me: Extremely strong (won't slip at all locked down) smooth drag, great powerful handle, retrieve is smooth, good caster. Really the only thing I could list as a concern would be making sure it fits in your hand well. For me I palm the reel in a way that the wide front doesn't effect me after long days of fishing. The reel isn't as perfectly comfortable as my Curado or Citica E, but it performs awesome. Long casts are great with the reel and I feel it really shines when making backhand or roll type casts, might be ENTIRELY mental and I admit that but the reel seems to cast with lest effort on these types of casts. The drag is probably my personal favorite part of the rod, which is great because that's about the only place my Curado E were lacking. The reel really excels for what I intended to use it for which is heavier cover or heavier work... stuff like frogs, large buzzbaits, heavy flipping, punching. With that being said it still casts light baits with ease as other members have mentioned. Basically overall, I love the reel and there is a reason I have 3 now.
I have limited experience with the Curado G and to me I just wasn't overly impressed. I guess I just expected Curado E or even Citica E performance and I just didn't feel I received that. I don't have too much to say on it as I didn't spend a long amount of time with the reel but I don't think it compares to the Tatula even at the discounted prices now.
I have a Fuego which I am not very happy with overall. The drag was extremely weak which could work for some techniques but others it wouldn't get anywhere near cutting it. I even replaced with a carbontex drag and it still has some slip to it. The reel is incredibly comfortable in my hand but overall it is just lacking. It casts great about 5 casts then the brakes will run wild, then the next cast will be back to normal. One day I hope I can get it nice and smooth because I really feel it'd be an awesome reel.
The zillion is about the only reel I would say is "better" in some ways than the Tatula... it is a solid reel and slightly more comfortable overall... However the price is an obvious large diference.
I hope this has helped a little. If there's anything I'm not clear on please let me know. Hope you enjoy your new purchase whatever it is!
rippin-lips reply :
On 8/25/2014 at 8:34 PM, QUAKEnSHAKE said:The drag star is the cheapest feeling one Ive ever used always get the feeling its going to snap but it hasnt.
Feels no cheaper than the curado 50 series drag star. I adjust my drag once for the line that's on the reel and then it basically never gets touched again.
QUAKEnSHAKE reply :
Feels cheaper to me than the 50E feels (but why bring up shimano) flip the tat star with finger makes that plastic cheap sound the 50E at least sounds more solid and doesnt feel like it may snap.
I adjust mine for different baits cranks get lighter setting, lipless in grass a little more, frogs heavier setting. If set on light-mid setting and hook into a 20+# carp going to have to tighten down while reeling, done that.
jtesch reply :
On 8/25/2014 at 11:15 PM, DTack said:For the price I think it's a great reel. I just got my 2nd Type R and have a standard Tatula as well, all in the fastest ratios offered. I own a fuego that I can compare to and I really think mine has some things wrong with it because aside from the reel being the most comfortable to hold that I own, it is the worst performing.
I guess I will just list what I find to be the strong points of the reel. When I speak about the tatula and the type r they are basically one in the same to me as the differences (to me) can't really be felt.
Tatula/Tatula Type R - Best features for me: Extremely strong (won't slip at all locked down) smooth drag, great powerful handle, retrieve is smooth, good caster. Really the only thing I could list as a concern would be making sure it fits in your hand well. For me I palm the reel in a way that the wide front doesn't effect me after long days of fishing. The reel isn't as perfectly comfortable as my Curado or Citica E, but it performs awesome. Long casts are great with the reel and I feel it really shines when making backhand or roll type casts, might be ENTIRELY mental and I admit that but the reel seems to cast with lest effort on these types of casts. The drag is probably my personal favorite part of the rod, which is great because that's about the only place my Curado E were lacking. The reel really excels for what I intended to use it for which is heavier cover or heavier work... stuff like frogs, large buzzbaits, heavy flipping, punching. With that being said it still casts light baits with ease as other members have mentioned. Basically overall, I love the reel and there is a reason I have 3 now.
I have limited experience with the Curado G and to me I just wasn't overly impressed. I guess I just expected Curado E or even Citica E performance and I just didn't feel I received that. I don't have too much to say on it as I didn't spend a long amount of time with the reel but I don't think it compares to the Tatula even at the discounted prices now.
I have a Fuego which I am not very happy with overall. The drag was extremely weak which could work for some techniques but others it wouldn't get anywhere near cutting it. I even replaced with a carbontex drag and it still has some slip to it. The reel is incredibly comfortable in my hand but overall it is just lacking. It casts great about 5 casts then the brakes will run wild, then the next cast will be back to normal. One day I hope I can get it nice and smooth because I really feel it'd be an awesome reel.
The zillion is about the only reel I would say is "better" in some ways than the Tatula... it is a solid reel and slightly more comfortable overall... However the price is an obvious large diference.
I hope this has helped a little. If there's anything I'm not clear on please let me know. Hope you enjoy your new purchase whatever it is!
Thanks, very helpful. Funny about your Fuego, I put boca bearings and the 100z spool on mine along with carbon tec drag and a bent Zillion handle and drag star and it is my favorite reel. The drag still is a little weak but it will outcast my Zillions with the same modifications and it's very consistent with the casts. I can back the tension knob almost completely off with mags set in the middle and be just fine casting hard. Try the 100 z Gigas spool in yours it makes a huge difference. Tackle trap has them and it's well worth the $80
rippin-lips reply :
It sounds like he should send it off to DVT for a professional deep cleaning first. Something's up with it from the way you explain it.
DTack reply :
On 8/26/2014 at 12:00 AM, jtesch said:Thanks, very helpful. Funny about your Fuego, I put boca bearings and the 100z spool on mine along with carbon tec drag and a bent Zillion handle and drag star and it is my favorite reel. The drag still is a little weak but it will outcast my Zillions with the same modifications and it's very consistent with the casts. I can back the tension knob almost completely off with mags set in the middle and be just fine casting hard. Try the 100 z Gigas spool in yours it makes a huge difference. Tackle trap has them and it's well worth the $80
Thank you very much for the recommendation. Honestly I love the way the reel feels and it sounds like it does have something up with it, I've been planning to get it sent off, just haven't gotten around to it yet. Thank you for the recommendation on spool, I am thinking I will send it out to DVT for some help and get it tuned up! Thanks again and hope you enjoy your new purchase.
On 8/26/2014 at 12:24 AM, rippin-lips said:It sounds like he should send it off to DVT for a professional deep cleaning first. Something's up with it from the way you explain it.
Just wanted to acknowledge your post and tell you thank you, gonna send it out soon hopefully!
Smallmouth Hunter reply :
Tatula is alright reel. I would rank it over the zillion but definitely under the shimano 200e. Under the 50e as well. It just isn't smooth enough or ergonomic enough to compete with the e series IMO.
rippin-lips reply :
Somebody had a few drinks. Just kidding.
aavery2 reply :
On 8/26/2014 at 8:10 AM, aprw1 said:Tatula is alright reel. I would rank it over the zillion but definitely under the shimano 200e. Under the 50e as well. It just isn't smooth enough or ergonomic enough to compete with the e series IMO.
Are you using the same Zillion as everyone else?
Smallmouth Hunter reply :
Yes the type R to be exact.. Didn't like it. Casted pretty wildly and I couldn't get much distance out of it compared to a standard tat, same rod and line. It did casts smoothly though.On 8/26/2014 at 10:15 AM, aavery2 said:Are you using the same Zillion as everyone else?
Then again, I don't get along too well with mag brake reels. I'm not a hardcore shimano fan either. 200e just performs better.
aavery2 reply :
That's interesting, my stock Zillion cast very good, and when upgraded with a 100M spool it is a casting machine. Do you think that the inductor may have had a problem on your Type-R?
iceintheveins reply :
How does the Lexa perform? Meaning the smaller model with the light spool. I've heard both good and bad, but i like the 4.9:1 gear ratio for deep cranks.
FrogFreak reply :
I own and use a Lexa iand I'm in love with the reel. I use it for top water poppers and walking baits. I have a Revo Premier and a BPS PQ but that Lexa is my baby for sure. It's as smooth as anything I've owned and throws light lures very well. Thank you for all the Tatula information. I think I'll grab one at the end of the season.
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