As much as some folks would like to have nothing but bait casting outfits, it is now abundantly clear that there are indeed situations where a spinning outfit is a much better choice.
Not one of the ungainly heavy versions from just a few years ago but rather a light weight reel with all the capabilities an angler needs to target bass.
Last year Daiwa introduced their Tatula LT series of spinning reels which feature the new Zaion housing, machined A7075 aircraft-aluminum DigiGearing, Air Rotor, Air Bail as well as the new design and graphics.
The emphasis with this series is on weight reduction while providing a solid, durable, easy to use reel.
We obtained the TALT2500D-XH which has a seven bearing system, weighs a scant 6.2 ounces, has an extremely aggressive gear ratio of 6.2:1, line capacity of 8/240, 10/210 as well as a machined aluminum handle with a soft touch knob. The styling of this reel with its elegant lines mated with the all black finish highlighted by the Tatula logo, is a testament to the designers who put it all together.
Our interest in this particular reel was for finesse techniques. After having fished with much heavier reels in the past we wanted to see how the increased gear ratio combined with the light weight of the LT(Light and Tough) would hold up to that kind of fishing.
Putting it Together
The construction of the Tatula is very tight in every area. There isn’t any slop anywhere in this reel. It is firm, tight and fluid all while remaining smooth, throughout casting, working your lure, retrieving your bait and of course, landing a fish.
The ease of the retrieve is one aspect of the LT that we really appreciate. It takes so little effort to crank the handle it feels as though it should be a featherweight. Don’t be fooled by this though. When it comes time to set the hook, this reel handles fish like a heavyweight.
While the LT uses bushings as opposed to bearings for the line roller, it distributes line quite evenly onto the spool. We’ve never had that annoying issue you get from poorly made spinning reels of the line popping off the spool as it comes close to the lip. The Daiwa lays your line precisely on the spool.
Casting distance is aided in part by the spool lip design that looks like a two stage configuration that both allows the line to flow on the cast while at the same time keeps it under control.
We paired the Tatula with a Daiwa Tatula Elite Medium Light spinning reel and spooled it with #8 co-polymer line for its maiden voyage. The intent was to use it for drop shotting, shakey heads, small crankbaits, small topwater plugs, weightless plastics, Neko rigging, Ned rigging etc.
First Impressions
It’s hard not to anticipate that first fish with a new rig just to see how the gear responds under load. The LT didn’t disappoint at all. I was throwing a Ned rig in about five feet of water along a weedline. A solid three pounder jumped all over it and the fight was on.
That fish tried to run back in the grass but the drag was set for that. In the end, she wasn’t able to get back in the weeds, the drag held, the reel performed flawlessly, and she wound up on my thumb, posing for her close-up.
I’ve caught an absolute ton of fish since that first one on the LT all with basically the same result. I’ve never had a fish that has taxed this reel to the point where we felt that the strain might be too much for it to handle.
I’ve also turned down the drag just for the purpose of seeing how well it functions. It is a breeze to make adjustments on the fly or simply to set it loosely so that you can apply additional pressure with your finger during the fight. The LT is sized exceptionally well for this technique. It’s easy to reach down with the hand that is holding the rod and touch the spool.
The drag is smooth, consistent and quieter than a lot of other spinning reels which we appreciate. Frankly, I’m not a big fan of loud drag systems. I believe it is not only unnecessary but can get a bit annoying given your catching ‘em good.
The bail on the LT flips to the open position cleanly with a firm click. It does the same when you close the bail. I haven’t had it close accidentally on me at all at any point in the casting process in the time I’ve had it. I’ve always made a habit of closing the bail on spinning reels by hand but, if you’re more inclined to turn the handle, the internal mechanism on this reel closes the bail without any trouble.
Stand Up and Stand Out
Perhaps the best feature of the LT is the overall fishability of the reel. It is so light and well balanced that angler fatigue is virtually non-existent. Using it all day, casting hundreds of times, retrieving hundreds of times, setting the hook often, fighting all of the fish and catching great numbers requires so little brute strength that you walk away ready to do it all over again the next day.
We haven’t had any issues whatsoever with our LT in the time we’ve been fishing with it. It has shown no signs of its performance decreasing in any way, has shown no visible signs of wear nor has it developed any issues.
It still performs just the way it did when I first spooled it up and caught that first fish.
You may be like us in that using a spinning rig had become a last resort, a necessary evil if you will. It was, for a period of time, looked at with disdain. Something that had to be done much like taking castor oil as a kid. The new LT has changed that for us. We now look forward to picking up the spinning rig because we have a tool that is a pleasure to use.
The Tatula LT retails for $189 which we feel is more than reasonable for what you get.
| Tatula LT Spinning Reel | |
|---|---|
| Overall Rating |   |
| As light and powerful as they come | |
See ya’ on the water …
