Higher-end Tatula 200 Replacement

[Drakestar]

Looking to upgrade a Tatula 200 that I run on a MB Destroyer Mark 48 to throw smaller glidebaits, 6” Huds and A-rigs. 50-65lbs braid to 20-25lbs shock fluoro or mono leaders. The obvious choice seems to be the 18 Zillion HD TW. What other options should I consider? (I’m pretty brand agnostic.) Thanks!

[LowRange]

If braid then no question Z200/Z2020. It may be old but it was so advanced its still more advanced than modern Daiwas IMO. I have all 3 and the HD is a true 200 reel and the Tatula 200 has like double the capacity but a very strong braking profile. The Z200/2020 is between both in capacity and also gets Magforce 3D which is simply the greatest thing Daiwa has ever created and instead of a Twing it gets a conical level wind a mile away from the spool. Also the inductor spring is stiffer on top of also having a long cast mode. I would opt for a USDM Z200 to maybe avoid the paint peeling issues. You can get an idea from the size from this thread.
viewtopic.php?t=44914&start=30

Another option you dont want to sleep on is the Tatula 153. It's based on the Tatula HD Custom which is a nicer 200 with shortened drive shaft, metal long arm star, acorn cc knob, higher end paint and a gold Twing. The 153 version gets a 36mm Magforce Z spool too. Bass.co.jp has a lefty user reel in good shape.

[DirtyD64]

If braid then no question Z200/Z2020. It may be old but it was so advanced its still more advanced than modern Daiwas IMO. I have all 3 and the HD is a true 200 reel and the Tatula 200 has like double the capacity but a very strong braking profile. The Z200/2020 is between both in capacity and also gets Magforce 3D which is simply the greatest thing Daiwa has ever created and instead of a Twing it gets a conical level wind a mile away from the spool. Also the inductor spring is stiffer on top of also having a long cast mode. I would opt for a USDM Z200 to maybe avoid the paint peeling issues. You can get an idea from the size from this thread.
viewtopic.php?t=44914&start=30

Another option you dont want to sleep on is the Tatula 153. It's based on the Tatula HD Custom which is a nicer 200 with shortened drive shaft, metal long arm star, acorn cc knob, higher end paint and a gold Twing. The 153 version gets a 36mm Magforce Z spool too. Bass.co.jp has a lefty user reel in good shape.

What do you mean by the shortened drive shaft? I always found it weird that my Tatula 200HD (sold now) would allow the handle to turn smoothly without a spool like a free floating spool equipped reel. The old Tatula Type R I own will not do this, and it would not be safe at all to turn the handle with no spool in. So there is some upgraded support system there...

[LowRange]

If braid then no question Z200/Z2020. It may be old but it was so advanced its still more advanced than modern Daiwas IMO. I have all 3 and the HD is a true 200 reel and the Tatula 200 has like double the capacity but a very strong braking profile. The Z200/2020 is between both in capacity and also gets Magforce 3D which is simply the greatest thing Daiwa has ever created and instead of a Twing it gets a conical level wind a mile away from the spool. Also the inductor spring is stiffer on top of also having a long cast mode. I would opt for a USDM Z200 to maybe avoid the paint peeling issues. You can get an idea from the size from this thread.
viewtopic.php?t=44914&start=30

Another option you dont want to sleep on is the Tatula 153. It's based on the Tatula HD Custom which is a nicer 200 with shortened drive shaft, metal long arm star, acorn cc knob, higher end paint and a gold Twing. The 153 version gets a 36mm Magforce Z spool too. Bass.co.jp has a lefty user reel in good shape.

What do you mean by the shortened drive shaft? I always found it weird that my Tatula 200HD (sold now) would allow the handle to turn smoothly without a spool like a free floating spool equipped reel. The old Tatula Type R I own will not do this, and it would not be safe at all to turn the handle with no spool in. So there is some upgraded support system there...

The short drive shaft with the bolt rather than nut. Daiwa reserves this for their higher end reels. Steez, J Dreams, Alphas CT 70, ect will have this instead of a long shaft using a nut. The non US spec Tatula HD 150/153 Customs also get this treatment. Again, these 150 reels are the same as the current 200 in capacity. Daiwa just decided that their narrow spool Tatulas were 100s and then labeled the old 100 a new150 and the old 150 the new 200. It still doesn't make sense because the spool capacity on the 200 is enormous and on par with what I would consider a 300 class reel.

[DirtyD64]

Back to the subject at hand, is a Tatula 300 considered higher end??? I would assume there are round reels that would fit the requirements. The Lexa has 9 bearings, not sure where, it is a full spool shaft with no dual pinion support, right?

[Kurt L]

Back to the subject at hand, is a Tatula 300 considered higher end??? I would assume there are round reels that would fit the requirements. The Lexa has 9 bearings, not sure where, it is a full spool shaft with no dual pinion support, right?

I wouldn't say the Tat. 300 is high end it feels industrial for lack of better terms but in a good way, everything is big and stout.
It is without question the best 300 class reel I have used. The Drag is probably the best I have ever used on a baitcasting reel and it has held up perfectly. I caught a lot of King Salmon on mine last year and it's still as smooth and tight as new, I used to have to replace the gears in my Curado 300E every season... I have hardly used my modified original Lexa 300 after getting the Tat. 300, and it cast better as well.

Kurt

[HobeyBaker]

Back to the subject at hand, is a Tatula 300 considered higher end??? I would assume there are round reels that would fit the requirements. The Lexa has 9 bearings, not sure where, it is a full spool shaft with no dual pinion support, right?

I wouldn't say the Tat. 300 is high end it feels industrial for lack of better terms but in a good way, everything is big and stout.
It is without question the best 300 class reel I have used. The Drag is probably the best I have ever used on a baitcasting reel and it has held up perfectly. I caught a lot of King Salmon on mine last year and it's still as smooth and tight as new, I used to have to replace the gears in my Curado 300E every season... I have hardly used my modified original Lexa 300 after getting the Tat. 300, and it cast better as well.

Kurt

Do you think the Tatula 300 is more robust than the Curado 300 E series? I was thinking about picking one up for a musky rod.

[Finnz922]

I would love to know the difference between the Lexa TW and the Tatula 300 in a head to head over a years worth of musky abuse. I have a Lexa 300HD for musky, but i only get out maybe once or twice a year.

[Drakestar]

I have a Tatula 300 FWIW, I run it on my 806. But it's clearly bigger than the 200 and still a Tatula. I'm looking for a higher-end 200 replacement that stays in the same size category. I don't mind losing a bit of line capacity in the process, but need enough range for swimbaits etc. on thick line.

[LowRange]

Z200. Find a minty one and you're set.

[Drakestar]

Z200. Find a minty one and you're set.

I definitely saw that recommendation btw Just want to give the discussion a bit more time to unearth all possible options.

[BASSLAYER]

Perhaps a Revo Beast X on sale on TW for a buck fiddy, great solid reel have it paired with a Loomis Swimbait rod. TT did a a review on it.

[doomtrprz71]

Z200. Find a minty one and you're set.

This all day

[Kurt L]

Back to the subject at hand, is a Tatula 300 considered higher end??? I would assume there are round reels that would fit the requirements. The Lexa has 9 bearings, not sure where, it is a full spool shaft with no dual pinion support, right?

I wouldn't say the Tat. 300 is high end it feels industrial for lack of better terms but in a good way, everything is big and stout.
It is without question the best 300 class reel I have used. The Drag is probably the best I have ever used on a baitcasting reel and it has held up perfectly. I caught a lot of King Salmon on mine last year and it's still as smooth and tight as new, I used to have to replace the gears in my Curado 300E every season... I have hardly used my modified original Lexa 300 after getting the Tat. 300, and it cast better as well.

Kurt

Do you think the Tatula 300 is more robust than the Curado 300 E series? I was thinking about picking one up for a musky rod.

The Tat. 300 is much beefier than the 300E!, I was really impressed once I got it on the water, it doesn't feel stressed at all when putting the heat on a big fish, it stays smooth and the drag is impressive for sure.

Kurt

[HobeyBaker]

Back to the subject at hand, is a Tatula 300 considered higher end??? I would assume there are round reels that would fit the requirements. The Lexa has 9 bearings, not sure where, it is a full spool shaft with no dual pinion support, right?

I wouldn't say the Tat. 300 is high end it feels industrial for lack of better terms but in a good way, everything is big and stout.
It is without question the best 300 class reel I have used. The Drag is probably the best I have ever used on a baitcasting reel and it has held up perfectly. I caught a lot of King Salmon on mine last year and it's still as smooth and tight as new, I used to have to replace the gears in my Curado 300E every season... I have hardly used my modified original Lexa 300 after getting the Tat. 300, and it cast better as well.

Kurt

Do you think the Tatula 300 is more robust than the Curado 300 E series? I was thinking about picking one up for a musky rod.

The Tat. 300 is much beefier than the 300E!, I was really impressed once I got it on the water, it doesn't feel stressed at all when putting the heat on a big fish, it stays smooth and the drag is impressive for sure.

Kurt

Thanks