Im looking at getting the rod that Randy Howell won the classic with, or the Lowrider mansfield special. I like the Tatula TAT701MLRB but ive always had good luck with the Falcons and own several. I haven't fished with any of the Lowrider 20's though. Anyone have any experience with both? I stopped by basspro shops in garland today and they had no falcon rods which i thought was wierd. I will be throwing medium to shallow cranks. Probably around 5/8 oz or so. both are priced about the same

I don't think you'll go wrong either way.

I have the new Tatula XT 701MLRB and I really like it a lot. I also have some of the TXT701MFB..
From what I understand the blank is the same as the original Tatula with different components like guides, grips and handles.
Right now I have only thrown square bills with the MLRB but shortly will be throwing a 3XD on it.

http://www.daiwa.com/rod/detail.aspx?id=796

Thanks Kevin! Fishing machine would you say the XT is as good in quality? Do they weigh the same? I saw Brent Ehrler do a video on tackle warehouse and said it had a eva for grip and it was more comfortable for him than the original which just has a lockdown washer up front. Bass pro had a medium original tatula and i like the rod. I really like the action on the medium light for cranks! Randy Howell doesnt loose many on it, it has a nice soft tip for sure.

The cliff crochet lowrider has a squarebill model

a ML rod is going to be underpowered for 1/2oz-5/8oz cranks.

I personally think 5/8 is to much for the Mansfield. It is a 4 power. I think a 5 power would handle that weight better.

Quality, Yes. I don't know that I can really tell a difference in the weight of the original vs XT. If there is a difference it would be very slight. All of my baitcasting reels are Tatulas and when I switch from one rod to another I can't tell any difference in weight and feel. I spent several hours cranking a 3 and 5 XD with the XT rods and it didn't beat me up...

All of my worm, jig, creature rods are the original 6'10" MH Tatulas and that setup is sweet to fish with.

Back in the 80's a guy that fished a lot of tournaments who was kind of a mentor to me told me if I can find a series of rods that offered the various actions within that series it would be a real good idea to buy them, that way I wouldn't have to spend time on the water getting used to different feels of handles etc. As much as I can I've tried to do that and it works out good for me.

Love all my Tatulas but I agree with this.

It's rated for up to 5/8. (Daiwa Tatula Casting Rod 7' Med Lt), I've thrown 5/8 6th Sense Crush Flat 75x and this rod is deceiving. What seems to be really flimsy is not at all. Love this rod action. So far I have not lost any fish with this rod but I haven't caught any good sized one's on it either.