Hot n Tot

Maybe I spoke too soon. I received it at work and didn't really have time to fondle it. I got it home and lubricated the spool bearings and put it on a rod to see how it balances...nice. It's really smooth and balances nicely on my GLX. I'm glad I ordered two, so my Legend Elite can have one 8-), Dont want it to feel left out..

Not saying it doesn't work great, it's just that I was expecting silent operation. I'm hoping it will get quieter as it gets broken in, or maybe the grease hardened while it was on the shelf? It does feel smooth when you crank it's just that you can hear the spool turn.

I just got one of the Daiwa TD-Z reels I ordered from Cabelas last week, and I was expecting a nice quiet silky smooth reel. It sounds like their is something dragging or rubbing inside this thing. I hope it gets quieter. I'll koow more when I receive the 2nd one I ordered. It is however, not as silent as a new TD sol, but the handle does turn more freely on the TD-Z than the Sol.

For spinning, pretty much a no brainer; the rod is far more important as long as the reel has a decent drag. For casting, it's really important to have a quality reel, not necessarily really expensive one. For years, the Curado was the standard entry level 'quality reel'. Nowadays, probably a reel on the Citica level is filling the same niche. Don't go 'cheap' on a baitcasting reel. On rods, I think the GL3 is fine, but their are others in the price range that may be better for the money, the St. Croix Avids might be. But, there are certainly other brands that have their following, it's just what works for you.

I'd consider both the CBR843 and 783. I like the shorter rod for topwaters and cranks, while the longer rod would get you longer casts. I'm not sure the Zillion would be the best reel for cranking, I think they are pretty fast retrieves. Although sometimes I reel faster with rat-l-traps, maybe the crankbait fisherman could tell you more. My main cranking reel is a 5.1:1 Curado, but I know some guys like an even slower retrieve.

Darn, hate it when they do that!!

I have both the St. Croix Avid and the Loomis MBR843 IMX, funny that they are both rated MH, but the Avid is a much more powerful rod. I'm not sure which one is the most sensitive, but the Avid is my frog rod and has been replacing the Loomis as my C-rig rod.

I've been using a 7' St. Croix Avid MHF matched with a Castaic 200sf and 50# braid. It seems well balanced and powerful enough. I don't have a 'heavy' power rod, so I have nothing to compare it's performance to.

I have that same reel spooled with 50# power pro, and I think it's great!

Nice reel, congrats!! I really love mine

I fish a 6' Med power St. Croix spinning rod with the lighter baits. You just gotta be careful to not real loops onto your spool when taking up slack if your are working the bait with jerks and pauses, and there is wind. Just my experience.

This is the exact same model number (TD-Z105H) that Tacke Tour reviewed a few years back, and they reported it as having the same line capacity..100 yds of 10#. It seems like not much, but then how far does one cast? I wouldn't use these reels for trolling anyway. Well, I hope they work out because I ordered two of them!

And I just decided to order a 2nd one! I don't think my wife will understand why I need two of these. :-X

I'm having mine shipped to my office as well , and I just bought a SOL this week!!

Thanks for the heads up, I have a Z105H coming!!

Definately use them, I felt too many strikes from fish I didn't hook to be without them now...the fish that short-strikes could be that elusive personal best. I do whatever I can to increase my hookup percentage.

I keep all of my rods in protective socks, and my reels have protective covers on them as well. I never leave hooks on my line when putting rods in the socks so I've not had a problem snagging the cloth.

I'm 6' tall and have rods in all lengths. I really like 6' rods and think they are the best length for worming, and oftentimes spinnerbaiting. I think a 6' rod help you manipulate your worm with more finesse and increases accuracy when casting. It is however, nice to have 7' rods for c-rigging and pitching, or when hooking up with a big bass. My frog rod is a 7' MH St. Croix and it is a joy to use when hooking up with the big mamas. All the lengths are great, it's just a matter of matching it to the technique at hand. 8-)

St. Croix Avid in that price range

That's great!!

Both are really nice reels, like Reel Mech suggested you have to try them on your rod. I just compared them looking for the best reel for my 6' Loomis rod, and I ended up getting the TD SOL because it fit the rod and me the best. Now, on a different rod it might have been the Zillion because it sure is a nice looking and handling reel. It just doesn't seem like the best reel for this rod which will be for finesse worming. I also have the Revo STX for spinnerbaiting and buzzbaits, but on a different rod. Bottom line, is just because a reel looks nice and has great specs, you gotta match it to the rod and technique becaue they are all truly nice reels.

Revo! ;D

I compared these three reels and ended up purchasing the Revo STX. I haven't had a chance to try it out yet, but is sure seems to be very smooth. The Zillion also felt smoother than the Curado, but without having any of these reels on the water it's hard to say for sure. I just liked the size and smoothness of the Revo the best of the three. I'm sure all of them are great reels.

Reading this thread make me anxious for summer! #1 all around producer for me is the Heddon Tiny Torpedo. I also like twitching the original floating Rapala in size 11 or 13, fishing it real slow is deadly. I also like the Devil's Horse. I've never had a lot of luck with poppers, but it's a confidence thing with me....like most guys I stick with what has worked in the past, and that usually means the Torpedo, Devil's Horse or Rapala. There have been times though that I've had good success with Buzzbaits and Jitterbugs.

Get yourself a St. Croix Premier rod. I've seen them marked down at times, heck I've seen Avids in the $100 range. Don't ask me how, because I know St. Croix sets the price, but if you shop around....Check out e-bay.