newapti5

For high end reels like Bantam or Steez, no, the ceramic or ceramic hybrid bearing upgrade are not necessary. They won't bring much extra distance as the stocking bearing are already VERY good. Your friend's Curado has improved distance mainly because the stock bearings are not that good and the spool is relatively heavy. They won't bring extra smoothness either. By "smoothness" I mean the buttery feeling when reeling, especially under load, not free spooling time. In fact, some ceramic hybrid bearings will decrease the smoothness you feel. They will bring extra free spooling time, as they usually run dry without oil. They'll also bring easiness to casting, so you can reach the same distance with less effort. And they also require less maintenance, so you don't have to oil them or clean them as often. Eventually, they'll also bring noise, usually after a season. BUT, if you're look at BFS reels, ceramic bearing upgrade would be a different story.

Interesting that they trickle down the new MGL 4 to a Scorpion first, not Metaniums. I guess they are planning a major change to the Metanium platform.

Yeah, the best used JDM would be its auction site, or Mercari if you don't want to wait. Skipping the middleman could yield some great prices for great condition reels, if you have the patience to sift through numerous postings. And you can find some really surprising gems occasionally. I think so far the best deal I got from them is $130 shipped for a mint condition/zero scratch Steez. The $120 mint condition 20 Metanium, or the $200 brand new 14 Calcutta Conquest would be a close second.

Ah, that must be where I got the impression, when disassembling my SV105. Thanks for clearing that up. It still supports my point I guess, as my SV105 is still crazy smooth after almost a decade.

My memory must be failing me, as I specifically remember that it's mentioned somewhere in one of the review articles, also from my personal disassembling experience, that the handle side plate on OG Alphas is not metal. I just couldn't find the proof anymore. I guess I'll need to check my Alphas SV again. But my opinion regarding metal handle side plate stays. Another example is the OG Tatula VS Tatula CT, the latter stays smooth as long, if not longer, as the former does, despite the lack of metal handle side plate.

That's true. With narrow MGL 3 spool, it casts just as well as 20 Metaniums, one of the reasons that I'd recommend it over all the above reels, as a Daiwa fan.

For light duty 70-100 size reels, I think the importance of metal handle side plate is a little overrated. See how smooth the OG Alphas platform reels stay even after many years, and it doesn't have that.

I got the M at first as well, but it turned out to be much softer than I thought. Exchanged it for a MH, it's stiffer, but the action is still more like moderate instead of moderate fast. The tip heavy issue exists for the MH as well, but IMO tolerable.

The simplified timeline of Zillion reels goes like this: 1. TD-Z and variants: magnesium frame premium reels. This is the top-of-line reels before Steez was introduced, and this is how Daiwa made a name for itself. The original uses 34mm spools, but the later "US trail" version uses 36mm spools. 2. TD-Zillion and variants: based on the TD-Z frame, TD-Zillion has some modifications and uses aluminum material instead of magnesium. But this is actually my personal favorite, solid like a tank. The famous SV103 reel on US market is the last variant of this series. TD-Zillion mostly uses 36mm spools, except this SV103. It uses a 34mm spool, which is one of the reasons for its popularity. 3. Zillion TWS and variants: this series shares the frame with the first generation Tatula. It's the first Zillion with the t-wing design, hence the name. Wide and heavy, this frame design has many variants (HD, HLC, Morethan...), and it's still being used on heavy duty 1516/1520 reels. This series uses 36mm spools. 4. Zillion SV and variants: this is the so-called '16 Zillion. It shares the frame with Tatula CT, narrower and lighter than the previous Zillion TWS. And it uses the SV spool for the first time. This frame has a late variant with a 10 speed ratio gear set, which can still be found in Japan used market. This series mostly uses 34mm spools. 5. The latest Zillion SV with the "SV Boost" spool: this is the so-called '21 Zillion, with a lot of "Hyper" stuff, and they work, making this series probably the smoothest Zillion since TD-Zillion. This series also uses 34mm spool. It has a popular variant, the all black Zillion HD, which is many anglers' favorite reel for heavy lures. Out of these 5 different frames, my personal favorite is the TD-Zillion, with bulletproof internal design and parts. It's also the one with the highest resale value on the used market, even for the ones in bad shapes. The smallest Zillion would probably be the latest '21 Zillion, although it may seem wider.

I finally got mine, too, right after the discussion here.

I don't know about the "custom" part, but when placing the order, I was notified that it could take 4 months to complete the order since it's deeply discounted price. I believe some of the anglers on this forum took the same deal as well, and had their rods in 3-6 months. I guess I'm the unlucky one, still waiting after 7 months. Let's hope they eventually deliver and we don't have to take the route you mentioned. Regardless of these nonsense, the rod quality is very good though.

Thanks for the advice. TBH I don't mind this ridiculous business model that is actually taking a little advantage of customers like me, as long as they delivered the goods, but, like I said, I am not so sure about the delivery now. So yes, if someday before the next spring I'm finally tired of this waiting, I'll ask them for a refund first, then cc company if it didn't go throguh. I may be a sucker but I just really don't want to do this to this company. BTW their customer service communication turnaround are pretty quick, but the answers have been " please wait."

Yes they did, the same day I placed the order. The only thing that stops me from taking the C.C. company route is Mr. Loomis reputation, but my faith and patience is wearing thinner and thinner with each month going by.

Edge rods are great, but ONLY order what they have in stock. My order of a Delta BFS rod was placed on May 1st, and so far in month #8, I don't know if they'll ever produce it before spring next year. And they are still stacking up all those back orders...

20% tariff. Everything else pretty much stays the same, the low prices, the frequent discount coupon, etc. So, if you need to buy some reels from Japan, I'd still recommend this.

Black and red is always a safe bet on color theme. I like to do a couple clear coats before finishing. The difference is more obvious in long term.

I hit my limit earlier this year due to Amazon Haul, so I actually let the Kistler deal pass, after some deep struggle. Have fun guys, I’ll see you next year when my budget pool is replenished.

Kistler rods is doing 50% off sales, but charges $30 shipping for <$200 orders. Very intriguing, but should I spend $150 + 30 for the Helium, or just spend $200 to get the z bone and free shipping? They seem to share the same blanks, other components are similar as well. What justify the over $100 MSRP differences?

very intriguing, but the $30 shipping damps it down a bit. Should I spend 150 + 30 for the Helium, or just spend 200 to get the z bone and free shipping? They seem to share the same blanks, other components are similar as well. What justify the $100 MSRP differences?

I agree the Chronarch would go first, but I’d hold on to the T3. 1. They are very smooth for carbon frame reels. 2. Magforce 3D is a unique design you just can’t find today. Located in the side plate, it complements the modern 34mm SV or SV Boost spools very nicely. If the zillion is the new zillion with all the “hyper” stuff, then I’d pick the zillion or the Steez A. The feel and function of those two are so similar, I’d only keep one (I gonna sell my Steez A soon). Then it’s probably the Met DC. It’s great but you already have the Met B. The Met DC is the chicken wing tips - it seems to be wasteful throwing them away but they don’t have much meat. Plus, you’d get a good offer from those who want to try DC reels. Finally, TD-Zillion is an heirloom. Pass it on.

Again, Amazon Haul has a LOT of lures on sales - maxscent lures for 3-4 bucks a pack, rage craw for 3 bucks a pack… and it has extra 10% off for $75+ orders.

Wow, I forgot my own long reply to this old post, but the conclusion still stands - no matter the reels, for high resistant lures the inevitable geary feel will develop sooner.

Already placed my order. I wonder what that free gift is.

The new Zenon reels are actually pretty decent, even with a Doyo tag, but they're way overpriced.

Compared to sniper, it’s a little less abrasion resistant, but a little softer/more manageable. I only used the 12lb mastiff as mainline for bottom contact lures in smallie fishing. Given the rocky situation in Susquehanna river, it’s not the most abrasion resistant line, but I don’t have to worry and check my line all the time. In braid+leader cases, I use leader material mostly, but I do understand that for long leaders, soft yet tough leader material could be quite costly. For the msrp price of $25 a roll, I feel like it’s a little overpriced. But when Academy had a sale for $10 a roll, I stocked up. For that price, it’s a steal. TW has a similar sales going on.