Seaguar Tatsu 2 Week Mini Review 2024
rockchalk06 reply :
I have been wanting to try out Tatsu for some time. The price and the fact that I can't stand line memory, have kept me from doing so. So when Tackle Warehouse put it on sale, I knew I had to give this a shot. I've previously tested out the 3 other Seaguar Fluorocarbon lines and was not impressed. I'm very picky when it comes to line memory and Red Label was the worst. Red Label just about turned me off from Fluoro all together, it had so much memory.
Tatsu has the smallest diameter of all 4 of the Seaguar offerings. Its diameter is .015" compared to .016" for the rest. While I could not tell a difference in the lines, its nice knowing that its smaller. Red Label and AbrazX both feel like leader material to me. I prefer a supple line as I mainly use braid for everything. Tatsu, felt very supple as soon as I took it off the main spool. Even for 20#, it felt better than both the 2 above and more than what I was expecting from it. I took 10 plus feet off and I didn't get that stiff coil like I get with other fluoro lines.
For my initial test, I went with 20# for my Jig rod. I will be using this for pitching jigs only and used as a main line. The spool was typical of Seaguar line, in that its spooled evenly and flat. I soaked the main spool in KVD line and lure over night before I spooled up. I backed this with Trilene XL in 10 pound. I joined them using the Modified Albright knot. Maybe its using 20# main line, but I could not get the knot to tie like I wanted it to, no matter how much spit I used I could not get 9 up and 9 down on my knot. I had to go 5 up and 5 down and work the knot together slowly. It held with a 25# weight attached, so I think it will hold. I've never used this heavy of a fluoro backed with mono before, so this may be normal. Just my initial observation. I spooled up with 65-70 yards of Tatsu. I ran the line through a KVD soaked rag and soaked the spool every 15 or so turns until I had what I wanted. I soaked the full spool until it was pouring out. I wanted to make this review as fair as I could, so I applied the KVD liberally. The line laid very evenly and flat on my spool. Reel is a Chronarch 200E7 and it spooled up flatter and more evenly than I've ever had a non braided line do before.
Reel was kept in my garage with a reel cover attached. Temps averaged from 70-95 degrees. I left it alone for 7 days. After the 7 days, I tied on a jig and pitched it across the yard appox. 20 yards. I laid down the rod and gave some slack in the line. I can honestly say I had not one twist or coil in the line! I pulled out another 20 yards and same thing. No coils or twists. When I got to about 50 yards I started noticing a few signs of line memory. Nothing like I've had in the past though. Usually the closer you get to the center of the spool, the worse the memory gets. I reeled it back up and again, soaked in in KVD.
The next morning, I hit the lake. I spent 9 hours on the water and used this combo close to about 7 of it. I pitched my jig into about every nasty bit of cover I could find. I had some thick heavy grass and tons of timber. As with any line, when I pitch, I make a long cast out every half hour and get the line back flat on the spool. I made it a point to pitch it over just about every log I could find too. I checked the line about every 5-10 minutes and with a solid 6-7 hours of fishing this, I never found a nick one. No fraying, no nicks, no kinks. I have never had this good of luck before on the first outing, using fluoro. I did not have the chance to run it over some rocks though. Further testing will need to be done for this.
I got hung up once about 20 feet from my boat. I wanted to test out the knot strength when pulling on the line. My boat is an 8 foot Pelican with about 450 pounds including me and gear. I pulled as hard as I could on the line until I was over the snag. Line never broke. I was able to free the jig, and didn't see any signs of wear on the line/knot either. I only retied after this snag. Never lost a fish or a jig that trip due to line failure. Keep in mind, I didn't have any backlashes all day, so no kinks in the line from a backlash. I may try backlashing the reel later in the test to see how many kinks I can get. For now, I am more focused on line memory and abrasion resistance with normal pitching conditions.
At the end of the trip, I reeled the line through a wet rag and soaked it again in KVD.
I covered the reel, and until this evening before work, its been sitting in my garage. I took it out and pitched the jig again across the yard. I gave the line some slack again and noticed a tiny bit of memory. Nothing like cheap mono or my past experiences with Red Label though. When I got to about 50 yards I started noticing more as in the first test. As I said before, I cant stand any line memory. The small about I've seen with Tatsu so far, has not disappointed me at all. I'm actually looking forward to further testing with it. Now I know 20# is pretty thick line and you will see more memory with the larger diameter lines as compared to smaller, but with what I'm seeing now, I really think this line is going to turn out to be worth the money spent. I am going to grab a spool next week of 12# to test as well. I will follow up with this test in 6 months and then again in 1 year from my initial spool and see how it fairs then.
Thanks!
skeletor6 reply :
Great review...thanks
skeletor6 reply :
On 8/26/2013 at 4:25 PM, SirSnookalot said:I think 9 up and 9 down is overkill and not surprised it didn't cinch well. I use what I call Wejebe knot, about the same as an alberto with only a slight variation, 8 up and and 2 down, holds like a weld.
I use the same modified Albright knot. 5 up and 4 down is plenty for 12 or 8lb tatsu for me. Higher diameter I could see even going down to 4 and 3. Agree 9 and 9 is a bit much. However, I've never had the need for 20lb tatsu.
Interesting analogy. I easily tugged a pontoon around with 8lb tatsu when hung up. Not something I would recommend, but the line is very strong. I would like to see its rated vs actual breaking strength. And also its diameter vs breaking strength compared to other lines. I find it reasonable to hypothesize that tatsu is the strongest FC per line diameter.
aavery2 reply :
Good review, my experience is that if you backlash and get a very tight kink in the line, it will serve you well to pull enough line out and cut it off. I have had 12lb Tatsu break off at the spool twice on me when failing to do so.
I do not see this a problem with the line, and more of a failure on my part to properly service the line after the backlash.
roadwarrior reply :
Great review!
new2BC4bass reply :
Nice review. In addition, I have to take my hat off to you for being so patient with the line conditioner. No way could I go to all that trouble. I don't think any of us like line memory....we just live with it. I don't see a little line memory being that big of a deal. Excess...yes. 
The Young Gun reply :
Thanks for the Info! Sounds a lot betterthan the berkley vanish I've used haha
Hi Salenity reply :
The only downside I've found is fishing it in a lake with zebra mussels it nicks up fairly easy, especially fishing lighter line for smallies. The Abrazex works better for that obviously...
SPEEDBEAD. reply :
Nice review.
I will tell you that the manufacturer/distributor of the L&L recommends that you not run the line through a KVD soaked rag.
J Francho reply :
Quote
No way could I go to all that trouble.
Trouble? Haw hard is it to put two spritz on your spool at the end of the day? Takes more time to slip your bait in the hook holder, lol.
kickerfish1 reply :
Just a personal preference, but I find 20# just to stiff and large in diameter for casting purposes. The heaviest I would use is 15# but I much prefer 12#. It sounds like a fair amount of pitching was done and the 20# line would certainly be a better choice where you will be fishing heavier cover and not needing any distance.
Good review! Did you feel the line was more sensitive than other floro lines you have used? I didn't see this in the review and wondered if you had drawn any conclusions good or bad.
I would put this line up there as the best I have used and especially good for slackline sensitivity for weightless plastics.
Shooter is my favorite heavier jig line, sniper is my favorite value based floro line, while tatsu is my go to for some of my primary setups.
new2BC4bass reply :
On 8/27/2013 at 1:28 AM, J Francho said:Trouble? Haw hard is it to put two spritz on your spool at the end of the day? Takes more time to slip your bait in the hook holder, lol.
A spritz or two is one thing. Did you read the OP's whole post?
He soaked the whole spool in KVD line conditioner overnight. I assume the spool was put in a jar with enough conditioner to cover the spool. He "ran the line through a KVD soaked rag and soaked the spool every 15 or so turns". He then "soaked the full spool until it was pouring out". The reel was allowed to sit for 7 days. Lure was cast out to check for memory. The spool was again soaked with KVD. This was done before taking the reel out to fish.
Quote: "At the end of the trip, I reeled the line through a wet rag and soaked it again in KVD."
In my book this amounts to more than a spritz or two at the end of the day. 
J Francho reply :
As was mentioned, he DID NOT follow the instructions. A couple of spritz on the spool of line after every trip will yield BETTER results.
Arv reply :
Excelent review. Thanks!
rockchalk06 reply :
I did this because it states on the website, that they recommend this for a new spool up.On 8/27/2013 at 1:23 AM, SPEEDBEAD. said:Nice review.
I will tell you that the manufacturer/distributor of the L&L recommends that you not run the line through a KVD soaked rag.
rockchalk06 reply :
On 8/27/2013 at 4:18 AM, J Francho said:As was mentioned, he DID NOT follow the instructions. A couple of spritz on the spool of line after every trip will yield BETTER results.
I didn't break any rules. I went above and beyond for the purpose of this test. The extra was not going to hurt anything and I wanted to eliminate anyone saying I didn't use enough should the line not get the best reviews after the test.
rockchalk06 reply :
On 8/26/2013 at 6:55 PM, aavery2 said:Good review, my experience is that if you backlash and get a very tight kink in the line, it will serve you well to pull enough line out and cut it off. I have had 12lb Tatsu break off at the spool twice on me when failing to do so.
I do not see this a problem with the line, and more of a failure on my part to properly service the line after the backlash.
I've heard the same too. I'm sure I would have had a couple if I wasn't pitching, but I got lucky! Lol
rockchalk06 reply :
On 8/27/2013 at 1:46 AM, kickerfish1 said:Just a personal preference, but I find 20# just to stiff and large in diameter for casting purposes. The heaviest I would use is 15# but I much prefer 12#. It sounds like a fair amount of pitching was done and the 20# line would certainly be a better choice where you will be fishing heavier cover and not needing any distance.
Good review! Did you feel the line was more sensitive than other floro lines you have used? I didn't see this in the review and wondered if you had drawn any conclusions good or bad.
I would put this line up there as the best I have used and especially good for slackline sensitivity for weightless plastics.
Shooter is my favorite heavier jig line, sniper is my favorite value based floro line, while tatsu is my go to for some of my primary setups.
For normal casting purposes, ya it's kinda big. If I decide to switch over my swim jig rod later, I'll go lighter. I just wanted some heavy duty line so I can hopefully get my jigs back lol
At this point I really can't tell if its more sensitive. I am replacing my jig rod with a DX 745 next week. I never felt like I got the best with my Loomis GL2. With the new rod, I'm anxious to try it again. Also I only had 2 strikes on the Tatsu the whole trip. It wasn't the best day out on the lake. That's another reason why I will make the test out to a year, so I can get some better days this fall.
QUAKEnSHAKE reply :
On 8/27/2013 at 5:46 AM, rockchalk06 said:I didn't break any rules. I went above and beyond for the purpose of this test. The extra was not going to hurt anything and I wanted to eliminate anyone saying I didn't use enough should the line not get the best reviews after the test.
I would have liked to know your results without the use of conditioner, would be a truer representation of the line for me. Sort of like a before/after cause the way tatsu gets hyped it seems like it wouldnt need any in the 1st place but maybe that size test does.
What knot are you using with it?
new2BC4bass reply :
On 8/27/2013 at 4:18 AM, J Francho said:As was mentioned, he DID NOT follow the instructions. A couple of spritz on the spool of line after every trip will yield BETTER results.
I wasn't aware of this although I do have a couple bottles of KVD Line Conditioner. I normally don't think to use either except occasionally when spooling on new line. A 20 year veteran of baitcast reels told me he didn't like to spray anything on the line once it was spooled. Said it could work its way into the internals. I can see where that might happen especially if a person got carried away with their spraying. Probably wouldn't help the bearings any.
To the OP. I feel you were not only giving the line a fair chance, but bending over backwards to ensure you got the best performance (for your guidelines) that was possible. I don't blame you considering its price....even when on sale. I have to ask.....did you give all the other fluorocarbons lines you tried an equal chance?
rockchalk06 reply :
On 8/27/2013 at 5:58 AM, QUAKEnSHAKE said:I would have liked to know your results without the use of conditioner, would be a truer representation of the line for me. Sort of like a before/after cause the way tatsu gets hyped it seems like it wouldnt need any in the 1st place but maybe that size test does.
What knot are you using with it?
That would be a good test to do if I had the extra money, but I've had some bad issues with fluoro in the past, so I wanted to keep the KVD on it. My review is based on how I would use the line if it were to be the only line I used.
I'm using the Shaw Grigsby knot.
rockchalk06 reply :
On 8/27/2013 at 6:08 AM, new2BC4bass said:I wasn't aware of this although I do have a couple bottles of KVD Line Conditioner. I normally don't think to use either except occasionally when spooling on new line. A 20 year veteran of baitcast reels told me he didn't like to spray anything on the line once it was spooled. Said it could work its way into the internals. I can see where that might happen especially if a person got carried away with their spraying. Probably wouldn't help the bearings any.
To the OP. I feel you were not only giving the line a fair chance, but bending over backwards to ensure you got the best performance (for your guidelines) that was possible. I don't blame you considering its price....even when on sale. I have to ask.....did you give all the other fluorocarbons lines you tried an equal chance?
Yes. Of the lines I've tested, all were tested exactly like the above. Within a couple of weeks, I had so much memory, I became frustrated and removed the line.
QUAKEnSHAKE reply :
On 8/27/2013 at 6:11 AM, rockchalk06 said:That would be a good test to do if I had the extra money, but I've had some bad issues with fluoro in the past, so I wanted to keep the KVD on it. My review is based on how I would use the line if it were to be the only line I used.
I'm using the Shaw Grigsby knot.
Thanks
I just received my 10#Sunline Sniper from Gander only other fluoro I tried was Trilene 100% wasnt that good so hopefully this will perform on a shimano 50 reel. I have L&L but will try the line bare cause its low test but if it needs it it will get soaked. I'll try that Shaw knot as well.
rockchalk06 reply :
On 8/27/2013 at 7:15 AM, QUAKEnSHAKE said:Thanks
I just received my 10#Sunline Sniper from Gander only other fluoro I tried was Trilene 100% wasnt that good so hopefully this will perform on a shimano 50 reel. I have L&L but will try the line bare cause its low test but if it needs it it will get soaked. I'll try that Shaw knot as well.
Grigsby mentioned this knot on his FB page last year. He didn't know what it was called so I just call it the Grigsby knot. It's one of the strongest fluoro knots I've ever tried. I use it for braid too. My 40# braid breaks long before this knot does.
I'd be interested in hearing about the Sniper. I've never used it.
roadwarrior reply :
No issues with the Duncan knot, also known as a 16/20 or Pitzen Knot.
My modification is to wrap the knot from the hook/lure up so that there
is no overlapping line. The knot is basically a noose, with no stress points.
new2BC4bass reply :
On 8/27/2013 at 8:33 AM, roadwarrior said:No issues with the Duncan knot, also known as a 16/20 or Pitzen Knot.
My modification is to wrap the knot from the hook/lure up so that there
is no overlapping line. The knot is basically a noose, with no stress points.
You keep mentioning this knot. I keep wanting to try it. One of these days I am going to surprise myself, and give it a shot.
iabass8 reply :
On 8/27/2013 at 5:58 AM, QUAKEnSHAKE said:I would have liked to know your results without the use of conditioner, would be a truer representation of the line for me. Sort of like a before/after cause the way tatsu gets hyped it seems like it wouldnt need any in the 1st place but maybe that size test does.
What knot are you using with it?
for what it's worth, with both 15# and 20# tatsu and the same 16# fc sniper, (these lines see the most use out of any of my rods) have been on my reels all season lonh since roughly march (snipers been on since last fall) and used on average 3-4 days a week. sometimes more sometimes less. i used line and lure conditioner on the initial spooling. maybe a few sprays here and there during the spooling process. i've maybe used it less than a handful of times since then.(trilene 100% i had to use it,not religiously, but enough that it was a hassle in 12 and 17#) the lines are very manageable. the only time i really use it is if they are on my deck in the blazing sun and that's really just for line longevity. all these lines are used on 51 size shimanos curados/chronarch es/mgs and dobyns dx743/744/745 and nrx 854 with the jig, texas rig, senko, w/e hung on the hook keeper after each trip. i always retie the knot the next day or whenever i go again but the line doesn't kink at the top guide at all. i use both the shawn grigsby knot and san diego jam. no issues with knot failure. i think it has honestly been roughly two weeks since i've sprayed the reels more than once.
good in depth review rockchalk. out of curiosity, why did you go for a 9 wrap knot for backing? I usually use two wraps and call it good after i can tug it w/o a slip.
00 mod reply :
On 8/27/2013 at 1:23 AM, SPEEDBEAD. said:Nice review.
I will tell you that the manufacturer/distributor of the L&L recommends that you not run the line through a KVD soaked rag.
Really? This is the way I spool up ALL of my reels. Through a L&L soaked paper towel........hmmm
On 8/27/2013 at 5:43 AM, rockchalk06 said:I did this because it states on the website, that they recommend this for a new spool up.
Just re-read website and it recommends "small piece of synthetic cloth (e.g. old dress sock--don't use paper towels, cotton or wool)." So don;t use a paper towel like I have been doing....
On 8/27/2013 at 5:58 AM, QUAKEnSHAKE said:I would have liked to know your results without the use of conditioner, would be a truer representation of the line for me. Sort of like a before/after cause the way tatsu gets hyped it seems like it wouldnt need any in the 1st place but maybe that size test does.
What knot are you using with it?
I use L&L on every line I use. So I wouldn't know how to compare to other non-treated lines???
Jeff
rockchalk06 reply :
On 8/27/2013 at 9:17 AM, iabass8 said:for what it's worth, with both 15# and 20# tatsu and the same 16# fc sniper, (these lines see the most use out of any of my rods) have been on my reels all season lonh since roughly march (snipers been on since last fall) and used on average 3-4 days a week. sometimes more sometimes less. i used line and lure conditioner on the initial spooling. maybe a few sprays here and there during the spooling process. i've maybe used it less than a handful of times since then.(trilene 100% i had to use it,not religiously, but enough that it was a hassle in 12 and 17#) the lines are very manageable. the only time i really use it is if they are on my deck in the blazing sun and that's really just for line longevity. all these lines are used on 51 size shimanos curados/chronarch es/mgs and dobyns dx743/744/745 and nrx 854 with the jig, texas rig, senko, w/e hung on the hook keeper after each trip. i always retie the knot the next day or whenever i go again but the line doesn't kink at the top guide at all. i use both the shawn grigsby knot and san diego jam. no issues with knot failure. i think it has honestly been roughly two weeks since i've sprayed the reels more than once.
good in depth review rockchalk. out of curiosity, why did you go for a 9 wrap knot for backing? I usually use two wraps and call it good after i can tug it w/o a slip.
Thanks.
I went with 9 for two reasons. First In most of the videos on how to tie the Modified Albright knot as a braid to fluoro leader they have 10 up and 10 down. I don't like even numbers so I went with odds lol. OCD at its finest. I've always gone 9 and 9 on 12#-15# backing to mono and it worked well. I want to make the knot as strong as I could for that off chance that I hook into something that takes the full 65-70 yards of main line off. It may have been overkill
SirSnookalot reply :
On 8/27/2013 at 11:39 AM, rockchalk06 said:Thanks.
I went with 9 for two reasons. First In most of the videos on how to tie the Modified Albright knot as a braid to fluoro leader they have 10 up and 10 down. I don't like even numbers so I went with odds lol. OCD at its finest. I've always gone 9 and 9 on 12#-15# backing to mono and it worked well. I want to make the knot as strong as I could for that off chance that I hook into something that takes the full 65-70 yards of main line off. It may have been overkill
Use as many or as little wraps as it takes to get a smooth, clean, perfectly tied knot, if it isn't perfect keep at it until it is. The line diameters are going to dictate just how many warps are needed, too many wraps on a thicker line never seems to bode to well for me. For me my bass set up is identical to my flats set up, 15# braid and a 15 or 20# leader, an alberto 8 wraps up and 2 down yields a very solid chain. In the unlikely event you have a fish on that does strip out 70 yds of line, as important as the knots is using the drag properly. Fish pulling line out takes much of the pressure off both line and knots, it's the overly tight drag that causes problems. It's human nature to tighten the drag down with a big fish on, that "panic" is what loses fish. A fish running 70 -100 yds can be landed on almost any line, if you have enough of it.
rockchalk06 reply :
On 8/27/2013 at 3:54 PM, SirSnookalot said:Use as many or as little wraps as it takes to get a smooth, clean, perfectly tied knot, if it isn't perfect keep at it until it is. The line diameters are going to dictate just how many warps are needed, too many wraps on a thicker line never seems to bode to well for me. For me my bass set up is identical to my flats set up, 15# braid and a 15 or 20# leader, an alberto 8 wraps up and 2 down yields a very solid chain. In the unlikely event you have a fish on that does strip out 70 yds of line, as important as the knots is using the drag properly. Fish pulling line out takes much of the pressure off both line and knots, it's the overly tight drag that causes problems. It's human nature to tighten the drag down with a big fish on, that "panic" is what loses fish. A fish running 70 -100 yds can be landed on almost any line, if you have enough of it.
Normally on my 40 pound braid to 20 pound leader, a 9 and 9 makes for a really smooth knot for me. It took me about 6 or 7 tries to get it perfect on the fluoro to mono knot. Seems fairly smooth and strong so I think it will work out good.
I'm still learning on how to set the drag properly, but I think have it set pretty good. Last year I landed a 17# Wiper on 12# fluoro cranking off the rocks and ended up in a 45 minute fight. He ended up stripping off almost 60 yards before he wore out. It was the first time I've had a fish that big, on that small of line. I have heard of people doing it all the time, but never really believed it until I did it first hand. It kinda made me rethink the way I went about choosing a pound test.
SirSnookalot reply :
The pound test used is as much about how you're fishing and what the gear is. Trolling I'm using a heavier line, casting especially on spinning gear gets no more than 15 or 20# braided line, IMO catching larger fish is all about drag and line capacity, lesser about line strength. Most 20# braids break well over 30#, you can catch one hell of a fish on that.
SPEEDBEAD. reply :
On 8/27/2013 at 9:36 AM, 00 mod said:Really? This is the way I spool up ALL of my reels. Through a L&L soaked paper towel........hmmm
Just re-read website and it recommends "small piece of synthetic cloth (e.g. old dress sock--don't use paper towels, cotton or wool)." So don;t use a paper towel like I have been doing....
I use L&L on every line I use. So I wouldn't know how to compare to other non-treated lines???
Jeff
I may be getting old, but I recall one of the first Roadtrips where the guy gave a talk at Guntersville and recommended just spraying it onto the filler spool, occasionally as you were winding the line on the reel and then when you finished.
He stated that using a cloth could put extra fibers on your line and that was no bueno. May have changed the directions to the "synthetic fabric" use, but I'll just stick to spraying it on.
If it ain't broke...
00 mod reply :
Yea, I am gonna stop now! LOL
Jeff
J Francho reply :
On 8/27/2013 at 9:51 PM, SPEEDBEAD. said:I may be getting old, but I recall one of the first Roadtrips where the guy gave a talk at Guntersville and recommended just spraying it onto the filler spool, occasionally as you were winding the line on the reel and then when you finished.
He stated that using a cloth could put extra fibers on your line and that was no bueno. May have changed the directions to the "synthetic fabric" use, but I'll just stick to spraying it on.
If it ain't broke...
This is the same advice Steve Faddis gave me when I asked him directly, several years ago. He also recommended spritzing the filler spool, and letting it dry before ever filling the reel. I've noticed a big difference between older untreated and treated filler spools. The only time I use a cloth on my line is after fishing during an algae bloom. I rinse the line in gentle tap water, run out a casts worth, and reel it in through a damp rag. Then I treat with L&L as usual.
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