Our Long Overdue Look at Seaguar's Tatsu Fluorocarbon Line (continued)

Fishing cranks with 12lb Tatsu on an Abu Garcia Morrum.

Features: Tatsu, like most fluorocarbons, is only available in one color - clear. When it was first introduced to the North American market, it came in the materials natural color, a very subtle amber/yellow kind of tint. Seaguar has since run the material through a purification process to bleach out that natural fluorocarbon color because it hurt sales - nevermind that this purification process probably weakens the line. I much preferred its original color as it looked more high end on your fishing reel.

Bait finessing with a Shimano Brenious and 6lb Tatsu.

Another thing we really like about Tatsu is Seaguar makes it available in two spool sizes, a 200 yard filler spool and a 1000 yard bulk spool. There aren't many high end fluorocarbon lines you can purchase in a bulk spool primarily because these spools are so expensive, but if you're as committed to your line as we are and an enthusiast, you appreciate the availability of these larger sized spools.

Design & Ergonomics: Tatsu does have some memory if left on the spool for long periods of time without use but it's easily cleared out with a good pull on the line and it's better than average when compared to other higher end fluorocarbon lines. Additionally it lasts a long time on your spool not breaking down in the sun. In fact, most of the time, when replacing Tatsu on one of my reels, it's mostly due to either line twist on a spinning reel or the fact I have to test a different fishing line on a casting reel.

Tatsu used to come with a slight yellow/amber tint but Seaguar now extracts that natural color and ships Tatsu clear.

In terms of Tatsu's diameter overall, it is typically on the thin side when compared to some of the US brands and comes with a more typical JDM rating where the lines are more accurately rated to a given diameter. Clarity of the line, is very good and holds true even after being exposed to the sun for long periods of time.

Personally, I preferred that natural tint in Tatsu - it reinforced the high end status of the line.

Applications: The only application for which Tatsu is below average is topwater. Everything else it supports extremely well - including moving bait applications. Tatsu is a rare high end fluorocarbon in that it has some stretch to it and can absorb the impact of a bass striking your lure similar to a monofilament yet it maintains all the other aspects of resistance to abrasion, sensitivity, etc., that set most high end fluorocarbon apart.

The only application for which Tatsu isn't suited is topwater but even then, move your bait fast enough and you'll be okay.

Ratings:

Pluses and Minuses: