It’s mind boggling to look back a couple of decades or more at the gear that was considered on the cutting edge and compare that to what is available these days.
Honestly, there hasn’t been a time where real, meaningful advances have come quicker than they do today.
As new introductions and competition demand better products from every corner, some companies have taken on these challenges with gusto and continue to push the envelope with each new upgrade.
Daiwa is one of those corporations that doesn’t seem to be content with sitting on their existing product line for any amount of time. Instead, they seem focused on raising the bar every chance they get.
They introduced their Tatula Elite Series of rods that made use of an incredible amount of input from the pro-staff on each and every stick. You’ll find that each rod in this series in signed by the individual tasked with working with the engineers to develop the very specific actions that they were after.
The First Impression
Our first experience with this series has been with the Daiwa Tatula Elite AGS (aff). Specifically, the Brent Ehrler signature TAEL701MMHSG-AGS. We paired this with the Tatula SV TWS 7.3:1 spooled with 12# co-polymer for a variety of techniques.
The rod employs Daiwa’s SVF (Super high Volume Fiber) Nano-Plus technology and X45 carbon materials. It also utilizes their proprietary AGS (Air Guide System) guides that are made of a carbon fiber which is considerably lighter than standard guides while transmitting vibration more efficiently.
The paint schemes are a two tone grey, with complimentary foam grips, custom reel seats, split grip handle on some models and a small but effective hook hanger that is located on the blank above the foregrip. 
While the aesthetics of the Tatula Elite Series are a throwback to their past, it is also a bold statement of the present and Daiwa’s willingness to not only take chances but to determine their own direction in the market with products that can’t be confused with their competitors.
The real question is of course, how does all of this perform?
The published lure weight recommendation for this particular rod is 1/8 – 1 oz. This is one of the reasons we were drawn to this specific stick considering how specialized many companies are getting these days as well as how narrowly they rate some of their products.
Could it really be effective handling those little finesse type baits, unweighted soft plastics, small cranks, all the way up to some fairly hefty plugs?
Getting Down to Business
Everything that we’ve thrown with this rod, including baits that were both lighter and heavier than the recommended weight range, it has handled well. Not only has the rod demonstrated an ability to be that versatile, it has done so in ways that we didn’t expect.
The Tatula Elite AGS loads on the backcast as smooth as a fine recurve bow, then delivers your bait with accuracy, distance and no hint of a hitch or hiccup. The butt section is sized perfectly for two handed casting as well as being the ideal length for working any number of baits that require angler input to impart the action.
The feedback through the blank to your hands is quick, defined and constant. You really don’t lose touch with your bait at any point in your retrieve. This sensitivity does translate to a better hook-up ratio and being more in tune with everything that’s going on with their lures.
Something else that is undeniable about this stick is how well balanced it feels in spite of having the wide weight range. This is very unusual for a rod to feel as balanced with an 1/8 oz finesse thingy as it is with a 1 oz plug. That’s also one of our favorite characteristics of this rod. Because of this, you just never seem to get fatigued when using this rig.
Bomb your bait out there, begin your retrieve and as you’re feeling every nuance of what that bait is doing, you get the strike. Whether subtle or bone jarring the Tatula Elite lets you know seemingly instantaneously.
This is when you really get to see this rods personality shine. As smooth as it is when casting, it is just as sure and precise when setting the hook and fighting the fish. The transition from the tip to backbone is imperceptible. It happens as effortlessly as it does when your casting. Not a hint of twist or torque, just a rock solid set whether your sweeping, easing into it, snapping it, swinging for the fences, the fish hooks itself or any other method we’ve used.
From there, you always have the sense of being in control of the fight. We’ve yet to feel as though this rod has been pushed to its limit by any fish that we’ve hooked which have included some big ‘ole pigs, fish buried in slop – not to mention having to get them out of all manner of nasty situations.
A Rare Rating
The Elite AGS has performed flawlessly. It’s been a pleasure to fish all day because of the balance, weight of the rod, comfortable handle and versatility
The retail price for this rod with the AGS guides is $279. No, that isn’t inexpensive … but, it is well worth the asking price.
| Daiwa's Tatula Elite AGS rods | |
|---|---|
| Overall rating |  |
| A wonderful blend of strength and grace | |
See ya’ on the water …
