LuckyHandsINC.

Abu's marketing is partially to blame but I do really like the rod.(form what I've seen in the videos). I have a few cumaras and was thinking about another one for the MGX but I keep coming back to the villain.

I know getting the exact rod I want would be the smart thing to do but I really had my heart set on the vilian. I've been thinking about the 6'6 med/fast and right now that's the one I'm leaning toward. If brand were not an issue what rod wouldn't get for finesse jigs and light t- rigs?

I'm not too concerned about bite detection. More concerned with hookset power. I will probably be using 10# suffix elite mono or possibly 10# trilene %100 flouro. I dont have a crazy powerful hookset. I like to set the hook with a nice swift lift of the rod not a homerun swing. Do you think bite detection could be a problem with the mod action? Thanks for the advice.

Sorry to bump, but I was really expecting this to be a good topic and was hoping for some advice. Hopefully ill have better luck this time around

I know, I'm not saying that a $400 daiwa is only worth $200. I was definitely exaggerating a little but I honestly feel somewhere in the price tag is a " we're daiwa and you'll pay for it mark up".

Daiwa guys get the cream of the crop.... or the same product for twice the money.

First of all it should be better because it cost over $100 more than the curado. Second I have a zillion and my patriarch XT's make my zillion look like a ten dollar reel.

6'8 MH/F shimano cumara

Ohhhhh yeahhhhh

I would say try a different line. I've had bad luck with line twist with the big game.

I agree with the reel selection, very good value in the president line. The rod though I have never used ,but every time someone is looking for a rod in that price range its usually the first one mentioned. I would say it would make a nice combo.

I like the Damiki products. Specifically the finesse miki and the hydras. There are videos of the hydra on you tube. I ordered mine immediately after watching those videos so definitely check them out.

You guys are right. I probably should have read it more carefully. My apologies.

Totally agree with you man. Anyone learning to fish a tube from that article is missing out on a lot of options and probably fish. To the OP ignore this article . I don't see how bassresource could even publish it.

Nice to be on a forum with nice people. I spend time on a lot if other forums and I see a lot of d-bag answers. Good to see. Hopefully it rubs off on more people.

that's not true. The reason it is discounted is because they replaced that stupid screw tight handle with a standard nut and bolt on handle. I have 3 xts and that handle is the reason I chose the xts. Still a very good reel just not a user friendly handle assembly.

The splits rig works well so do the darter heads. I would suggest revenge darter heads they have the best detail I've seen and they work good.

A perfect example of a feature that should ALWAYS be on a $290 dollar reel is bearing supported knobs. The zillion does not have them.

Everyone seems to be talking you into a zillion. Just cuz its a daiwaw doesn't mean anything. I have a zillion but I haven't fished it all year cuz its way overrated especially for $290. If you could get it cheaper maybe its ok but otherwise you will get better value from anyother brand. I like features that can actually be put down on paper not its better cuz some guy in Japan makes them better. Last but not least I know ill catch a lot of flack but the reels that force the zillion to stay home are all patriarch XT and would trade away my zillion for another one in a heartbeat.

Well there goes that theory out the window. I still like zoom though

I don't think it was a turtle. I caught a few very big snapping turtles and the dont fight at all they kind of just float in like dead weight. Unless its a different type turtle but around here the only large turtles are snappers.

wal mart is also the only place I've gotten a defective bag from zoom. Don't know if it means anything but I could see wal mart buying the defects so they could sell them cheaper.

Me too. I know I should use them I just never do.

I think paying more for a reel than rod is perfectly acceptable, and so do a lot of tackle companies. MGX $350 designed to pair with villain $180 Zillion reel $290 or type r $400 zillion rod $200-$250 Shimano core $350 cumara rod $200-$250 Okuma helios reel$220 helps rod $180 Quantum smoke reel$200 smoke rod $130 Quantum exo reel$250 exo rod $180

Damiki hydras/ neko rig flying squirrel revenge swim jigs finesse miki and hopefully soon the rage tail grab, can't wait.