Daiwa pros develop new Elite Series rods

Daiwa team members gather at Minnesota’s famed Mille Lacs Lake to finalize Tatula Elite Series rods and complete Tatula SV TWS testing after over a year of design work.
Daiwa team members gather at Minnesota’s famed Mille Lacs Lake to finalize Tatula Elite Series rods and complete Tatula SV TWS testing after over a year of design work.
Each member was chosen to design rods based on their specialty for a specific technique.
Each member was chosen to design rods based on their specialty for a specific technique.
The team, including Randy Howell, did extensive testing on the products before they hit the market.
The team, including Randy Howell, did extensive testing on the products before they hit the market.
All Team Daiwa members gave their input to engineers who worked together on the project with the pros.
All Team Daiwa members gave their input to engineers who worked together on the project with the pros.
Each member could give input, but the rod development was mainly the decision of the pro whose signature was going to be on the rod.
Each member could give input, but the rod development was mainly the decision of the pro whose signature was going to be on the rod.
Pros also shared input on each other’s rods. That's Takahiro Omori on the left and Brent Ehrler on the right.
Pros also shared input on each other’s rods. That’s Takahiro Omori on the left and Brent Ehrler on the right.
Here's a closer look at the Elite Series pros on Team Daiwa. First up is Ish Monroe who lives in Hughson, Calif., and was born on June 20, 1974. Monroe has fished professionally for 19 years, and has qualified for 10 Bassmaster Classics.
Here’s a closer look at the Elite Series pros on Team Daiwa. First up is Ish Monroe who lives in Hughson, Calif., and was born on June 20, 1974. Monroe has fished professionally for 19 years, and has qualified for 10 Bassmaster Classics.
Monroe’s favorite lake is Clear Lake in California. His favorite piece of Daiwa gear is his signature series Ish Monroe Frog rod.
Monroe’s favorite lake is Clear Lake in California. His favorite piece of Daiwa gear is his signature series Ish Monroe Frog rod.
“The new Tatula Elite rods are the perfect rods for every technique,” he said. “The 8-foot flippin’/punchin’ rod is so sensitive that you feel the lightest strikes in heavy cover, and will allow you to flip and punch lighter baits.”
“The new Tatula Elite rods are the perfect rods for every technique,” he said. “The 8-foot flippin’/punchin’ rod is so sensitive that you feel the lightest strikes in heavy cover, and will allow you to flip and punch lighter baits.”
Brent Ehrler hails from Redlands, Calif., and was born on Feb. 3, 1977. Ehrler is fishing his 13th year as a pro angler and has qualified for two Bassmaster Classics.
Brent Ehrler hails from Redlands, Calif., and was born on Feb. 3, 1977. Ehrler is fishing his 13th year as a pro angler and has qualified for two Bassmaster Classics.
“The new Tatula Elite Series rods are, by far, the best rods I’ve ever put my hands on,” Ehrler said.
Ehrler’s favorite lakes are California’s Clear Lake and South Texas’ Falcon Lake. Ehrler’s favorite Daiwa casting outfit is his Tatula 7-foot, 3-inch medium/heavy Signature Multi-Purpose rod paired with a Tatula SV reel. His preferred spinning combo is his signature Tatula Elite Drop Shot rod with an Exist reel.
Ehrler’s favorite lakes are California’s Clear Lake and South Texas’ Falcon Lake. Ehrler’s favorite Daiwa casting outfit is his Tatula 7-foot, 3-inch medium/heavy Signature Multi-Purpose rod paired with a Tatula SV reel. His preferred spinning combo is his signature Tatula Elite Drop Shot rod with an Exist reel.
Randy Howell was born on September 25, 1973, and calls Guntersville, Ala., home. He’s made 15 Bassmaster Classic appearances, and was crowned world champion at the 2014 Classic.
Randy Howell was born on September 25, 1973, and calls Guntersville, Ala., home. He’s made 15 Bassmaster Classic appearances, and was crowned world champion at the 2014 Classic.
Howell’s favorite lakes are Guntersville and New York’s Lake Oneida. His favorite piece of Daiwa gear is his signature series Tatula Elite 7-foot medium/light.
Howell’s favorite lakes are Guntersville and New York’s Lake Oneida. His favorite piece of Daiwa gear is his signature series Tatula Elite 7-foot medium/light.
“These new Tatula SV reels are simply amazing — for every technique! Teamed with my new Tatula Elite rods, I can touch perfection on the water,” Howell said. “My 7-foot medium/light has the perfect medium blank with a fast soft tip for shallow cranking and jerkbaiting.”
Seth Feider of Bloomington, Minn., was born on October 16, 1984 and is a two-time Bassmaster winner.
Seth Feider of Bloomington, Minn., was born on October 16, 1984 and is a two-time Bassmaster winner.
<p><b>7-foot, 6-inch MMLFS</b></p>
<p>
7-foot, 6-inch MMLFS
“Daiwa worked with me to design what I feel is the perfect weapon for extra long casting while maintaining perfect action — something that has been missing in spinning rods over 7 feet,” Feider explained. “This rod is precisely what you need to master the ultra finesse hair jig or Neko rig.”
Feider’s favorite lake is Mille Lacs in central Minnesota, and his favorite piece of Daiwa gear includes the Tatula Elite 7-foot, 6-inch H action “Ish Monroe Flipping Stick” paired with a Tatula SV baitcaster, and his signature series 7-foot, 6-inch spinning outfit previously mentioned.
Feider’s favorite lake is Mille Lacs in central Minnesota, and his favorite piece of Daiwa gear includes the Tatula Elite 7-foot, 6-inch H action “Ish Monroe Flipping Stick” paired with a Tatula SV baitcaster, and his signature series 7-foot, 6-inch spinning outfit previously mentioned.
<p><b>6-foot, 9-inch MLRB</b></p>
<p>Working with Daiwa's rod design team, Feider also helped develop the ultimate jerkbait rod. Not too long, to avoid hitting the water while working the bait. Still long enough to launch a jerkbait a substantial distance from the boat. Another key attribute worth mentioning is the rod’s moderate action.</p> 
<p>“Never again do I fear losing key fish on light wire treble hooks,” he said. “Daiwa nailed this rod’s action with a super lightweight, sensitive graphite blank. Even down to the shortened handle to avoid snagging clothing. This is the perfect jerkbait rod.”
6-foot, 9-inch MLRB
Working with Daiwa’s rod design team, Feider also helped develop the ultimate jerkbait rod. Not too long, to avoid hitting the water while working the bait. Still long enough to launch a jerkbait a substantial distance from the boat. Another key attribute worth mentioning is the rod’s moderate action.
“Never again do I fear losing key fish on light wire treble hooks,” he said. “Daiwa nailed this rod’s action with a super lightweight, sensitive graphite blank. Even down to the shortened handle to avoid snagging clothing. This is the perfect jerkbait rod.”
Japanese angler, and currently hailing from Emory, Texas, Takahiro Omori was born on September 4, 1970. Omori has spent 21 years as a professional angler having made 12 Classic appearances, winning one in 2004.
Japanese angler, and currently hailing from Emory, Texas, Takahiro Omori was born on September 4, 1970. Omori has spent 21 years as a professional angler having made 12 Classic appearances, winning one in 2004.
“My new 7-foot Tatula Elite Crankin’ rod is the best for all types of fast moving baits, but especially shallow cranking, which is my favorite way to catch bass,” Omori said. “My 7-foot, 3-inch Tatula Elite Pitching rod is a great all-purpose type of rod, and especially when fishing around heavy cover. I can make long casts when paired with my new Zillion reel, complete with the TWS system. The Zillion has a blazing-fast 9:1 gear ratio allowing for quick line pick-up and lure retrieval when required.”
“My new 7-foot Tatula Elite Crankin’ rod is the best for all types of fast moving baits, but especially shallow cranking, which is my favorite way to catch bass,” Omori said. “My 7-foot, 3-inch Tatula Elite Pitching rod is a great all-purpose type of rod, and especially when fishing around heavy cover. I can make long casts when paired with my new Zillion reel, complete with the TWS system. The Zillion has a blazing-fast 9:1 gear ratio allowing for quick line pick-up and lure retrieval when required.”
Omori’s favorite lake is famed Texas big-bass factory Lake Fork.
Omori’s favorite lake is famed Texas big-bass factory Lake Fork.
Andy Montgomery of Blacksburg, S.C., was born July 9, 1982. He has fished the Elite Series for six years and has qualified for three Bassmaster Classics.
Andy Montgomery of Blacksburg, S.C., was born July 9, 1982. He has fished the Elite Series for six years and has qualified for three Bassmaster Classics.
“No longer do you have to search for the proper action in a skipping rod,” Montgomery said. “This is the perfect stick for accurate skipping.”
Montgomery’s favorite lake is Toledo Bend that separates Louisiana and Texas.
Montgomery’s favorite lake is Toledo Bend that separates Louisiana and Texas.
The Daiwa Tatula SV TWS, now with SV Spool.
The Daiwa Tatula SV TWS, now with SV Spool.
Reel spec sheet
Reel spec sheet
Tatula Elite Series Rods
Tatula Elite Series Rods
Rod spec sheet
Rod spec sheet
Rod spec sheet, page two
Rod spec sheet, page two