Product Review: Tatula Ex

By Charles West  

The Daiwa Tatula EX range has taken the Tatula rod family to another level, combining a refined, high-end finish with thoughtful design features and on-the-water performance that has impressed me while chasing Australian bass.

Having spent time fishing with a few models from the new range, I have been putting these rods through their paces across a variety of techniques, from working heavy spoons on suspended bass to casting topwater lures along the edges and skipping weedless soft plastics through the skinny water.

What has stood out to me is how well the Tatula EX range combines its premium feel and finish with the practical performance I look for in a dedicated lure rod.

First Impressions: A Premium Look and Feel

The first time I got my hands on the new Tatula EX rods was at the AFTA show this year. They immediately caught my attention.

The first things I noticed were the sleek, glossy finish, the distinctive Zero Reel Seat design and the carbon-finished rod butt. Together, these features give the rods a modern, premium appearance that makes them stand out from the moment you pick one up.

The overall presentation gives the impression of a rod range that has received plenty of attention to detail. The finish looks sharp, the design is clean, and the carbon styling adds to the high-end appearance without detracting from the rods’ streamlined appearance.

Of course, good looks only go so far. For me, the real test begins when a rod is rigged up, sitting in your hand and being put to work on the water.

Fortunately, the Tatula EX range has continued to impress beyond those showroom impressions.

Designed to Fish

Once I got the rods out on the water and started casting for bass, I could appreciate the design from a different perspective.

One of the things I value in a fishing rod is how comfortable and natural it feels throughout a session. Whether I’m repeatedly casting a lure towards a distant school of fish, working a lure along a weed edge, or fighting a powerful bass close to cover, I want a rod that feels comfortable in my hand and allows me to concentrate on fishing. The Tatula EX has delivered that comfortable feel for me.

The Zero Reel Seat is one of the features that immediately stands out. Its design gives the rod a distinctive feel in the hand, while the overall grip and carbon-finished butt contribute to the rod’s appearance and handling. The length and shape of the butt are also important considerations when choosing a rod for particular lure techniques, especially when you’re making repeated casts throughout the day.

These details might seem small when looking at a rod on the rack, but they become more noticeable after hours of fishing. Comfort, balance and how naturally a rod sits in your hand all contribute to the overall experience.

The other important factor is the action. For the techniques I’ve been using them for, the Tatula EX models have the actions I’m looking for, with each rod offering a different application based on its specifications and intended use.

Rather than trying to make one rod do everything, I have been selecting individual models to suit specific techniques. This allows me to match the rod to the lure, presentation, and environment I’m fishing.

Putting the Tatula EX to Work on Australian Bass

Australian bass are a great species for testing a range of lure techniques. Depending on the conditions and where the fish are holding, I might be fishing deep water with heavy metal lures, casting hard bodies and surface lures towards the edges, or moving into shallow water where weedless presentations are essential.

Three Tatula EX models have become regular parts of my bass fishing setup. Each has a different role, and I’ve been pleased with how each has performed in its intended application.

Tatula EX 742HXB – Heavy Spoons for Suspended Bass

When I’m targeting suspended Australian bass with heavy spoons, the Tatula EX 742HXB is the model I’ve been reaching for.

Fishing heavy spoons requires a rod that suits the casting weight and gives me the control I need to work the lure effectively. When bass are holding deeper in the water column or suspended away from the bottom, getting the lure down to the fish and keeping it working in the strike zone can make all the difference.

The 742HXB has been a great fit for this style of fishing. Its power and casting-weight specifications make it a useful option for throwing heavier lures, while the rod’s action suits the way I fish spoons when targeting bass.

One of the key parts of this technique is maintaining control of the lure and being ready to respond when a fish commits. Once connected, Australian Bass can put plenty of pressure on your gear, so I also want a rod that loads up well and allows me to manage the fight.

The 742HXB has handled these demands well in my time using it, making it a model I am happy to have rigged and ready when heavy spoons are the technique of choice.

Tatula EX 691MLRB – Topwater, Chatter baits and Jerk baits

The Tatula EX 691MLRB has been another versatile performer in my bass fishing.

I’ve been using this model for topwater fishing, chatterbaits, and jerkbaits, particularly when casting towards edges where bass are likely to be holding close to cover or looking for an easy meal.

These techniques call for a rod that can handle different lure presentations while still giving me the control to work each lure as intended. Topwater fishing is all about presentation and timing, while chatterbaits and jerkbaits require their own rhythm and input through the rod.

Having a rod that feels comfortable during repeated casting and allows me to impart the right action to the lure is important. When fishing edges, I’m often working along a stretch of bank, making cast after cast to holding spots. A rod needs to feel right throughout that process, not just on the first few casts.

The 691MLRB has performed well across these applications for me. I’ve enjoyed using it as a dedicated option for casting lures around the edges and changing presentations as the conditions and fish behaviour dictate.

Its versatility is also a real benefit. Rather than being restricted to one lure style, I can use it across several of my regular bass techniques while still matching my setup to the fishing at hand.

Tatula EX 651MLRB – Land-Based Fishing in Skinny Water

The third model I have been spending time with is the Tatula EX 651MLRB, which has been particularly useful for my land-based bass fishing.

Fishing skinny water can be a completely different experience compared with fishing from a boat. You are often working around shallow margins, weed growth and other structure, with limited room to position yourself or make your cast.

This is where I’ve been using the 651MLRB to cast weedless Bait Junkie Kikker Curly frogs into the sort of shallow water where bass are likely to be waiting.

A weedless presentation allows me to work the lure around vegetation and other holding areas while minimising the chance of getting snagged. Accurate casting and control are important, especially when placing a lure into small pockets or alongside the edges of cover.

The 651MLRB has been a great match for this approach. It feels comfortable during repeated casting and has handled the demands of fishing these shallow environments well.

I have been impressed with how it loads up when connected to a fish, giving me confidence when a bass decides to make a run towards nearby cover.

For anglers who enjoy exploring land-based bass locations and targeting fish in shallow water, this is a model worth looking at, particularly if weedless soft plastics and frog-style presentations are part of your regular fishing.

One Range, Multiple  Different Applications

What I have enjoyed most about fishing these three Tatula EX models is that each has a clear purpose in my tackle selection.

The 742HXB gives me an option for heavier spoons and deeper presentations, the 691MLRB covers several of my regular edge-fishing techniques, and the 651MLRB comes into its own when I am exploring skinny water from the bank.

All three have performed well for the applications I have been using them for. They load up under pressure, handle the fight effectively and give me confidence when targeting Australian Bass with different lure styles.

For me, that is what a good rod range should offer: options that allow you to choose a model suited to your fishing, rather than having to compromise with a single rod across every situation.

The Technology Behind Tatula EX

Beneath the premium finish, the Tatula EX range features some impressive blank technology designed to improve the connection between angler, rod, and lure.

At the heart of the range is Daiwa’s SVF Nanoplus graphite blank. This construction is designed to deliver high sensitivity, fast recovery, and an excellent power-to-weight ratio. When fishing for Australian bass, these characteristics are particularly appealing when you are making repeated casts, working lures through the water column, and staying connected to what your lure is doing.

The range also incorporates X45X Full Shield technology, which is designed to reduce blank twist under load. This helps improve casting accuracy and lure control while contributing to the lifting power needed when fighting hard-pulling fish.

For anglers who prefer two-piece rods, selected models feature V-Joint Alpha technology. This advanced joint design is engineered to maintain a smooth, responsive bend while offering the convenience of two-piece construction.

Another feature that caught my attention from the moment I picked up the rod was Daiwa’s Zero Seat reel seat. Beyond its distinctive appearance, it is designed to provide a direct connection between the angler and the rod blank, with a focus on comfort, balance, and bite detection.

For me, these technologies become more meaningful when they translate into a rod that feels right in the hand and performs the way I need it to on the water. Across the three Tatula EX models I have been using, the combination of refined design and technique-specific actions has made them enjoyable tools for targeting bass.

Final Thoughts

The Daiwa Tatula EX range made a strong first impression on me but it is the time spent using the rods on the water that has really shaped my opinion.

The premium finish, Zero Reel Seat and carbon-finished rod butt give the range a distinctive look and feel. More importantly, the three models I have been using have performed well for the techniques I have selected them for while chasing Australian Bass.

Whether I am fishing heavy spoons for suspended fish, casting topwater lures and chatter baits along the edges, or working weedless Kikker Curly frogs through shallow water, I’ve enjoyed having the right Tatula EX model for the job.

I’m looking forward to spending more time with the range and continuing to put these rods to work on the water.

Next time you’re in your local tackle store, take a closer look at the Daiwa Tatula EX range. Pick one up, check out the finish and Zero Reel Seat, and see which model best suits your style of fishing.