kschultz76

^ This 100%! You can get it online from The Tackle Trap too. I also have the Hedgehog trust wrench for handle nuts and their bearing check tool, and their knob cap tool. Also handy to have is a cheap set of dental picks from Amazon.

+1 for Wera I got a 7 piece set on Amazon. There’s a specialty SLP driver for those Daiwa screws but out of stock in Japan Tackle forever. Ive also learned for some of those hard stuck Daiwa screws, especially handle knob screws, getting your precision driver setup in place on the screw then giving it a couple sharp whacks on the back with a regular screwdriver handle helps.

Dude there’s no bad choice here, you’re looking at two top tier sticks. This choice is really down to your personal preferences on the cosmetics and components. Think on it this way, a couple weeks after you get the rod which one are you going to look back and wish you had gotten? I recall all you posting before liking your Loomis rods and having a preference for them. I’d follow your gut and experience of what you like.

Ok so here’s what’s you need to do, call up the guys at The Tackle Trap and ask them about your Tat SV, then send it down to them to have them look it over it, service it, and tune it. They’re authorized to do Daiwa warranty work so if there’s something wrong and it’s under warranty they should be able to help. And if it’s not under warranty they’ll still be able to it resolved for you. A Tat SV should be an easy effortless caster.

Before you drop that coin what don’t you like about the Tat SV that you expect will be different with the Zillion? Just my perspective but I think you’re downplaying the most important and biggest difference here. The free floating means that it has a double bearing supported pinion making for a smoother retrieve especially under load. But even more importantly the spool is a lighter weight G1 duraluminum spool and a size that makes the reel compatible with a whole inventory of Daiwa spools. Also the Zillion spool has a smaller brake inductor. Don’t like the SV air brake and line capacity? Swap in an RCS 1016 for more capacity and less braking. Lots of options with the Zillion.

Sorry it didn’t work out for you, hopefully you did or will find the right reel for your needs.

Remember my comment was in comparison to the Tatula SV TW, which has a more restrictive brake profile then the Zillion SV TW. Compared to other reels that standard Magforce Z or compared to Shimano SVS infinity reels the Zillion SV TW is going to seem to have stronger brakes. For me my Zillions will be set to between 6-4 on the brake dial depending on lure and conditions. How was your spool tension set? To get the most out of these reels properly set spool tension is important, and it’s set differently then most other reels, as in looser. Most of my bass fishing doesn’t require or rely on maximum distance casting. I value control and accuracy, and that’s what I get with these reels. Have you flushed and deep cleaned the bearings then properly lubed them? I did forget to mention that both my Tat SV and Zillion SV have properly cleaneed/lubed aftermarket bearings. But I’d expect similar performance comparison between the two with properly cleaned and lubed stock bearings, and I’ve heard from others this has been their experience. Perhaps I’m in a minority in my experience with the Zillions, but theyve performed as I had expected, and I prefer them over the Tat SV. Don’t get me wrong the Tat SV is no slouch and well worth it for the price. Everyone’s experience and opinion may vary.

I have both, the Zillion feels smoother and a bit more refined even though the frame/platform is shared. Zillion definitely has a less restrictive braking profile, but still easily controlled and well mannered. Also has the advantage of many other Daiwa spools and aftermarket spools being compatible so you can swap in spools for more specialized purposes or more line capacity. Only you can decide if the cost is worth it for you. I have one Tat SV but now have 4 Zillions, including a JDM sourced 5.5:1 ratio.

I have no personal experience with either the Fury or the Sierra, my experience with Dobyns has been with Champ and Champ EXtremes. However I’ve heard from many experienced users here that the Sierra is a real step up from the Fury. And given you can get a Sierra cheaper then a Fury on TW right now it’s a no brained. I picked up a Sierra as a gift for a family member because it was just too good a deal, and Dobyns offers a 4 power in the Sierra spinning rods and this individual is not skilled with a baitcaster and is always under gunned with their lighter spinning rods.

If you’re looking to purchase now I’d suggest the same as another poster that you head to TW and check out the Dobyns Sierra rods on clearance. I’m a big fan of St Croix and you can’t go wrong with either, and generally I’ve preferred build quality on my St Croixs. But the deal on the Sierra is too good too pass up and gets you up a tier from the rods you’re looking at but for less money. Hint, buy a TW electronic gift card first 10% off, then use that to buy the (rods) you want.

Tackle Supply Depot is doing 20% off regular priced items with coupon code ‘holiday’. Also $3.99 shipping over $50.

How do the power and actions seem, true to what you expected? Prices seem good for the blanks and components just not sure I could get past the stuff I’ve read about their service. If I’m not misreading the descriptions I think the material used in those blanks is the same or very close to what’s used in the Kistler Helium 3.

Might want to check out the Dobyns Sierra line on TackleWarehouse. They’re ona great sale right now (hint buy a gift card 10% off first, then use it to buy anything), and have a big selection of power/action in spinning rods. They actually have a Med Heavy and Heavy power available in 7’. Ive never used a Sierra, in fact have only ever had one Dobyns. But everyone seems to give them good marks for service, and warranty. Reviews on the Sierra are good and seem to fit the bill for your needs.

I have a pretty large collection of rods and reels. Personally I haven’t felt the need to get anything faster then a 7.x:1 gear ratio. I think it’s a matter of preference and not need. Years ago something in the 6.x:1 was considered high speed. I have two reels that are 5.x:1 for cranks, then probably 6 reels in a 6.x:1 and 5 I think that are 7.x:1. For me that gives me a lot of versatility and the 7 speeds can still be used for more then just bottom contact and topwater because they’re not too fast. I’ve not lost fish or felt limited by not having an 8 speed or higher. Funny story relative to gear ratios, I was fishing with my Dad a year ago and we were throwing swimjigs into rocky hard shorelines in the late spring. For some reason he was picking up fish and I wasn’t even though I was in the front of the boat. And I asked, what are you doing different then me, then I realized he was using his old Bantam Curado which is a 5.x ratio, and I was using a Chronarch CI4 in a 7.2. I slowed down my retrieve to let that swimjigs bounce along those rocks, and it was game on.

I have the 6’8” M-XF in both a spinning and a casting version, both are my go to rods for throwing a weightless 5” senko trigged on a 4/0 ewg.

It’s a great blank, just not as multipurpose as the M-F would be. One thing on your list I personally wouldn’t throw on the M-XF are the lipless cranks.

I don’t own a Curado 70, but own the predecessor, and plenty of other Shimanos. That reel should be able to handle any lure you want with the exception of deep diving cranks and large swimbaits. But other then that should be good. You should be able to throw some braid on there and throw frogs or pitch heavy trigged creatures into cover.

Was that Avid the 6’8” M-XF or a 6’8” M-F? The XF version is a great light or weightless plastics and weightless senko rod. Also works well for some smaller jerkbaits and top water. But overall a M-F will be more versatile.

Check out the Tackle Trap, they carry a full selection of after market bearings including handle knob bearings both Hedgehog and Boca. The Hedgehogs are a few bucks cheaper. The guys at the Trap can help you get any think you need for doing the levelwinds too.

It’s a good choice in action/power and in a st Croix for your intended purpose.

In general for all my fishing kayak or not I prefer rods under 7’5”, at one time I tried sticking to even shorter on my kayak but was missing out on my best rods when in the kayak. So I’ve just gotten comfortable with my 7’-7’3” rods in the yak. For your budget and what you’re looking for there are two rods on clearance at TW you might want to look at -Dobyns Sierra 735c and the Megabass Levante Tour Versatile. I like my MB rods but don’t own a Levante and have read nothing but good things about the sierras, I’d probably lean towards the Sierra. I know the 735 is listed as extra fast but my understanding is that Dobyns extra fast is closer to fast. Hint if if you go for one of those purchase a TW electronic gc at 10% off first, the use that to buy the rod if you want to save a few more bucks.

From my experience the Legend Elite and Legend Extremes are up their in sensitivity with the GLX. But frankly the blanks on my Helium 3s are also up there in terms of sensitivity. Of course it’s subjective to the user and ymmv. I love some St Croix rods, but I’ve found I prefer a bare unpainted blank over a painted blank. TackleTour did a review on a Kistler Zbone spinning rod at one point might be worth looking up. Someone mentioned the MB Addermine, if your spending GLX coin the Addermine is a killer stick, I love mine. But in my hands it’s a hair more powerful then a dropshot rod, it’s of an all purpose spinning rod or heavier dropshot rod. It’s s more powerful then a St Croix ML power.

I’ve purchased from them before and gotten great service.

Better look again, states very clearly on their website that they have every size of that line in stock and available. I’m not in the habit of posting misleading info here.

Tackle Supply Depot has some fantastic prices on many brands and types of line right now. Like Sunline Shooter Defier Armilo for $12 a spool. Sucks you you have to deal with this, but glad Amazon fixed you up with a refund.