Daiwa Tatula MQ LT Review

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The Tatula Line of reels has been a staple in competitive fishing for the last several years. While these reels have undoubtably caught thousands of bass across the United States, Daiwa recently released an upgraded version of the reel that so many have come to love. The Daiwa Tatula MQ LT is the newest addition to the Tatula line, and has several new features that’s sure to make this one of your new favorite reels.

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TATULA MQ LT BUILD

The Daiwa Tatula MQ LT Spinning Reel is designed to be an extremely lightweight reel while still delivering the quality performance Daiwa is known for, all at a price that anglers can appreciate. The LT stands for “Light + Touch” which is exactly what this reel is, light and sensitive. The one piece Zaion V new generation carbon Monocque body allows for increased durability, while giving added resistance against salt and freshwater corrosion.

This reel also features Daiwa’s full AIRDRIVE design concept, which includes a super lightweight AirDrive Rotor for smooth rotation, an AirDrive Bail that’s extremely durable yet 31% lighter than standard wire, and an AirDrive Shaft that allows for low-friction oscillation while creating increased torque and winding power. These features paired with an 8+1 ball bearing system and powerful drag have created a rock solid reel that is sure to handle any sized fish you throw its way.

PERSONAL EXPERIENCE USING THE MQ LT

If you’re anything like me, its hard to judge a product until you get some hands on experience with it. This is especially true for fishing reels. I’ve been lucky enough to use this reel over the last couple months, and let me tell you it did not disappoint. This reel has quickly gone from an unfamiliar product to something I use almost every time I hit the water. This is due to the reels durability, smooth drag system and overall price point.

While there are numerous high performing spinning reels on the market, very few offer this level of performance for less than $200. Given this price point, this reel has quickly taken over as one of my go to reels for the majority of my spinning rod applications. While this reel is great for a wide variety of techniques, I’ve noticed a few scenarios where this product really shines.

APPLICATIONS

Finding the right spinning reel to use around heavy cover has always been a battle for me. Durability and overall performance of the reel are two important aspects when considering what reel to use in this scenario. The Daiwa Tatula MQ LT provides the perfect balance of durability and a smooth sensitive performance that makes this reel a great option when fishing around heavy cover.

This reel is a great choice for finesse fishing around grass, wood or other types of thick cover. On my local body of water, fish have started to congregate around grass clumps as bass transition into their fall tendencies. Targeting these fish using finesse tactics such as drop shoting is a great way to trick these finicky fall bass into biting. The Daiwa Tatula MQ LT has been perfect for tangling with these large caliber fish around tight cover.

The Daiwa Tatula MQ LT is a great all around spinning reel if your looking to cover a wide variety of bass fishing applications. While this reel is great around heavy cover, It’s smooth drag system and flawless performance make it a great choice for a wide range of finesse tactics. If your in the market for a high performing spinning reel at a reasonable price point, I would highly recommend checking out the Daiwa Tatula MQ LT.

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