newapti5

I used to think so, but I am getting contradicting information from Daiwa's website: https://www.daiwa.com/scandinavia/contents/reels/21_alphas_sv_tw/index.html "the reel features an magnesium frame for maximum rigidity and precision performance of the internal components." https://daiwafishing.com.au/products/21-alphas-sv-tw "A Hyper Armed Housing incorporating full aluminium body and gear sideplate construction." I don't think Daiwa has two versions of the new Alphas. But anyway, I personally tend to think the Zillion's tolerance is just better.

Don't get me wrong, the new Alphas SV TW 800 is a smooth reel, but the new Zillion's smoothness is on another level. Nevertheless, those "Hyper" stuff with the new Zillion, the new Alphas has them, too. So what is it? Possible causes: 1. The Alphas's frame is magnesium, and Zillion's is aluminum. 2. Zillion has aluminum sideplate, and Alphas doesn't. 3. Zillion's tolerance is just plain better. What do you guys think?

I don't buy lottery tickets, but isn't fishing gambling with "some" skills? I guess we're all gamblers.

It depends, especially on how deep and treacherous the water is. Here, wade fishing shallow creeks in summer time is so fun.

Yep, it's a challenge as well as an opportunity for improvement. Boat or not, power fishing and covering water aren't the only ways to fish.

Another reason for the new Zillion is its versatile 34mm spool. There're so many after market spool options for that; you can always find a spool that fits your need.

With so many offerings, TBH I only care about which would be available now or soon, before the fishing season is over.

Here we have a relatively small dam built at the end of Yellow Breeches creek, so the smallies from Susquehanna would get in to that. However, I've already found some largemouth in Yellow Breeches upstream, so I don't know how effective that dam is.

Well, it used to be my go to secret weapon. Like 5, 6 years ago, when not many knew about the Ned rig, it works like magic. No matter the smallies were active or not, it would pull fish out of holes that no other lures could, big and small. If some of my friends were new to fishing, I'd tie on a Ned rig for them, and watch them catching their first smallie in minutes. But nowadays, it has become the No.1 most popular lure here. Everyone is using it, especially newbies. At my local BPS, the Ned rig stuff were placed at the entrance, the most obvious shelves. You almost can't find one angler who hasn't used it. So inevitably, it becomes less and less effective. Now I mostly used finesse jigs for tough situations, not Ned rigs anymore.

OK, I figure it out how it works. Thanks for the help with info, guys. Although the inductor has 3 positions to choose from, it's fixed during the cast. The magnetic pads in the sideplate move closer to the inductor as spool speeds up, just like the Shimano FTB. IMO it's a bit like a mix of Shimano's FTB anb Daiwa's Magforce 3D.

How does the brake work? I couldn't figure it out from the official website.

Yeah, I don't think 22 Bantam is in any way inferior to 20 Metanium. Actually, it's even better in some ways. IMO Metanium's price bump is just because of the material difference - Magnesium is more expensive yet lighter.

The reel seat of GLX is similar to the Fuji's ACS reel seat, which could be a problem for some reels. But it really depends on what reel you plan to pair with the GLX. For a Bantam or the new Metanium, the reel seat won't be a problem; but for Daiwa reels or Abu reels, I haven't found a good match to it.

It's just too big of a financial risk. We may be tired of Doyo reels, but to most consumers it's a proven manufacturer with proven designs, so why would new brands risk it and try something new? At least they could make even with a new Doyo reel. Okuma may hit a homerun with the Hakai, but not many brands are like Okuma that has the money to adventure a bit. Dream Tackle is a Chinese aftermarket customer part studio. Hakai seems to be the beginning of a beautiful friendship between Okuma and Dream Tackle.

It's one of the new trends, apparently. St.Croix Legend X has that as well, which I hate.

IMO a spinning rod with weight rating like 1/4 ~ 5/8oz, namely, a Medium power rod, would accommodate those lures you mentioned pretty well. You could still cast 1/4oz jigs with it.

Casting distance, range, accuracy, whether prone to backlash, drag smoothness... there are the ones I deem "reel performance." Smoothness, durability, quietness, ergonomic shape, weight... these are the ones I deem not performance related. This is just my opinion; some of them aren't that easy to categorized.

In that case, I'd recommend the Seaguar Tatsu. It's by far the best fluoro I have used, out of at least a dozen different brands and series. I believe a lot of members here would agree with that as well. Castability, memory, abrasion resistance, durability, sensitivity, ... it almost excels on every aspect, except the cost. It's pricy for sure, but I only change it like once a year. And you could find some discounted price on Amazon occasionally.

How often do you plan to change the fluoro lines? Besides all the detailed info mentioned above, cost is also a big factor to me. If you change it frequently like once every month, then Seaguar Invizx or Basicx would be better suited; if you change it like onece every year/season, then I would suggest go with the more expensive ones, like Seaguar Tatsu. No matter which one you choose, know that no fluoro cast like mono. Even the Tatsu doesn't handle as well as mono after awhile. It's just what fluoro is. Sunline sniper is a bit stiffer than Tatsu and Invizx, but its abrasion resistance is pretty decent. Daiwa J-Fluoro Samurai handles very well, but it's quite stretchy like Invizx. I won't recommend it for bottom contact lures.

Nowadays I tend to separate reel smoothness/durability from performance. The latter keeps getting better, while the former pretty much stays the same, or even gets worse.

Gee, pretty soon they're gonna run out of things to describe new reels. Supreme Hyper Multiple Airtight Space-class Lifetime ... Support

You could leave the orange seal ring off, but it will make the noise more pronounced (without oil). The bearing will rotate more freely that way at the beginning, but it'll be more subject to contaminations like grease, debris, and dirt/sand, which would affect its rotation (the grease would make it less noisy). Then you'll need to clean it more often.

Can't help you with a 101, but you could get a used 14 JDM Conquest 201 for $176 tyd at Amazon Japan.

Cork knobs are the most comfortable IMO, but these wood knobs are not bad either. A little thicker than the original, just the right size.