newapti5

Finally got my hands on this bad boy, a used CDM version of SV103, aka TD-Zillion with a 34mm spool. This version comes with stock parts of bold color schemes. I changed the handle to a carbon handle with fino+ style knobs.

I have this spool. It's more general-purposed, and tougher, than it looks. Also, full aluminum body, including both sideplates. And aluminum gears to save weight.

Not on specific part like this, but I super glued small reel parts before and it's been working so far. I would recommend gel instead of liquid, as the latter would flow everywhere. Gels take more time to heal, but much easier to control the placement and volume.

I would just super glue it. Just make sure using only a tiny bit so the residue won't affect the spool balance. Or you can resort to Japan or Chinese used market. There are many merchants there disassembling a whole reel and selling parts.

I ordered a curado k from AliExpress several years back. It's the same, if not better, as the US version, and it's been one of my smoothest reels so far. As for Daiwa's CDM offerings, they tend to be more finesse-oriented with bolder color schemes. Believe it or not, the Chinese tackle market is disapportionally huge given the fact that most people there only fish from the bank. For example, there are many merchants specialize in Shimano/Daiwa used reels trade, as well as some specialize in reels repaint/renewal, or handle knob customization, or spool diy... I was surprised by all those used gears gems that I can't even find in Japan used market. I haven't used Chinese brand reels for a while, but I know some of them have really grown out of Japan reels' shadow.

For topwaters, I always use mono, as fluoro sinks and braids tend to tangle together. 10-12# for poppers and small walking lures, and 12-15# for big/long walking lures. As for jerkbaits, it depends on whether I want to go deep or stay shallow. For 5+ feet deep I use fluoro; for less than 5 feet I use mono, or braid+leader sometimes if I want the far-away hooksets in clear water to be powerful enough.

Even in '26, the Zillion platform reels are still at the top I believe. I have been on a Chinese used market shopping spree recently, and came across these two CDM version reels: Zillion SV TW but with the shallow SV Boost spool and a light weight carbon handle. SV103 CS, the special Chinese version of the old SV103, aka TD-Zillion with a 34mm spool. This one also comes with a 34mm spool Both can be had for around $250, and cheaper if you don't mind great condition second handed reels.

Yes all the time. I used 20# braid on ML, M, MH rods, sometimes even H, with a baitcasting reel. The casting distance is good, and as long as there's a proper leader, I didn't encounter any abrasion problem, even with the rocky bottom here. But on BFS rods with BFS reels, or spinning setup, I used 10# braid.

Old Abu rods are like that. My Villain 2.0 is rated M, 1/4-5/8, but I use it to cast 3/4 oz lures with no problem. I feel like 5/8 is not its upper limit but the sweet spot. 20-30lb braids are my bread and butter. I use it for everything from 1/4oz jerkbaits to 1/2oz jigs, with different leaders though.

As shown in the picture, these are brass sleeves to replace the plastic sleeves on Steez pinion gear bearings. I wonder if these metal parts defeat the purpose of having the extra plastic sleeves between bearings and pinion gears in the first place. Aren't they there to ease the abrasion between metal bearing and pinion gear so the latter can last longer? As for replacing the plastic shaft inside the pinion gear with a metal shaft to strengthen the pinion gear position, I can understand that. But I am just not so sure about these metal sleeves. What do you think?

For under $100 budget spinning reels, I'd definitely go with Shimano's offerings. They are incredibly smooth for that price range, and stay that way for a long time. They're usually not metal frame, but for bass fishing they're sturdy enough.

TBH my experience with Mustard hooks has been quite good. I am currently looking at a pair of Mustad KVD Elite Short Shank Triple Grip treble hooks, size 4, that helped me land over 100 prespawn smallies and several muskies, and they didn't bend a bit. I did sharpen them a few times, but that's about it.

Digitaka is a good start. And if you don't mind the trouble but want to save more, used JDM like jp.mercari.com would be the next step. Metanium shines in everything, or you can say it's not the best for anything but good for everything. It's designed as a general purpose reel like Zillion. Bantam or Zillion HD are designed for heavy duty.

Don't know about other rods, but don't like this exact Aetos model much. I love the Aetos 7' MH fast; it remains one of my favorite rods after all these years. But the 7' M moderate is a noodle stick that vibrates violently after each cast. The rod is so soft that it just doesn't dampen the casting vibration effectively IMO.

Based on the charts on Seaguar website, Pounce is very similar to the old STS leader material, which is much cheaper. So what's the benefits that justify the higher price? As a fan of Seaguar lines, I'm just curious.

Yeah I totally agree with you that Shimano DC reels, or all DC reels, should have as many settings as possible. If it allows me to customize settings and upload my own casting brake force profile, that'll be even better. But, from a business standpoint I understand their decision. So yeah, sadly it makes sense to me.

No matter how "real" we are getting, the fact that we are here debating about a fishing reel means we are not the majority of consumers. So out opinions about how simple a reel should be won't matter as much as what novice buyers think to major reel makers. You believe a 5 years old should be able to use a 10setting reel is because you and I are all biased. Daiwa started its business with catering to hardcore fans chasing high end equipment, and before sv spools and zero adjuster appeared, 20 setting reels were not "the most novice friendly" reels. They designed SV concepts not because they are the most user friendly brand, but because they realized they should try harder towards that. As why Shimano designed their DC reels like that, cost is definitely one factor. Daiwa also must have considered that. But it could never be the only factor. To save cost but to lose customers wouldn't be the worthy gamble for a huge business like Shimano. They must also have considered the majority customers' thought about how simple a reel should be. Oftentimes, less is better. Businesses like Shimano and Daiwa definitely understand a simple market rule like that, by now.

Actually, I believe that's why the first DC reel had that many settings and the modern ones are getting simpler. Again, Daiwa reels with 20 settings are not specially targeting novice baitcaster users like modern DC reels are, but they certainly are trying to make everything simpler with less settings, like zero adjuster and sv spools. Magforce 3D are so versatile with many settings, but see soon how they retired it. One big disavantage of having that many settings is confusion, especially for most novice users. In marketing, often less is better. Surdies show that when customers have too many choices of merchandises, their satisfaction after purchase would actually go down. That's why we only see a few coke favors on the market instead of a hundred.

The ones who can utilize 10 adjustments aren't the ones who're interested in DC reels. IMO DC reels are marketed for versatile but easy handling, just like iPhones, so everyone can use them. Anglers who want many settings and options with reels won't be the target market of DC reels. So, why bother.

The one I can think of is 22 SLX DC XT. It shares the same frame but with MM gears. But I haven't done the gear swap, so this is just guessing. 17 Scorpion DC already has a non-MM 7.1 gear set, and I don't find the MM gears necessary TBH.

I'm gonna kill your excuse here: currently jp.mercari.com has a nice leftie one. Actually it's reltively common to see them on used JDM.

What is the odds that you'll catch, and land, two muskies within an hour while wadefishing smallies in creeks? I am seriously asking, not bragging. This happened to me today; both are about 32~33" long. Meanwhile, certain major life event unfolded as well, and I only received the news after getting home. It's just uncanny. I wonder if it means something.

Thanks for the suggestion!

I procrastinated until early spring to deep clean the newly acquired used PX68L, and it got me thinking: from the internal design perspective, it basically uses the same design that TD-Z, TD-Zillion, or Alphas uses. It's great and bulletproof, but not much different from the others. So what makes the Pixy reels so popular? Is it because of their finesse casting ability? Or the magnesium frame and sideplate? Or something else? What's your opinion?

I believe it's a double improved clinch knot, just as Seaguar recommends. I use it for fluoro all the time. Actually it's the only knot I trust for fluoro.