AmmoGuy

Or... You just don't analyze or pay attention to your reels in the way that some people do, and don't notice it. Which is perfectly fine. It would be nice to be that way. I bought a Curado DC at the first of the year to pull cranks with. After a good bit of use this year, it is notably more "buzzy" under load than when it was new. However, I know plenty of people that would call it a "smooth" reel.

Call the Tackle Trap and let them know what you're looking for. https://tackletrap.com/

It's a shame. The closest DSG to me (1.5 hrs) got rid of their fishing section a year or two ago. About a year after they nixed all guns and most ammo. Haven't been in since.

Wait, I thought the Silver Wolf and the 21 G were the exact same reels other than the spool, levelwind, and paint? Your saying the frames are different?

Ah, you mean compared to a Zillion 1016. ? I read it as compared to a 21 Zillion G.

In what regard?

The SW only comes in 8.5, right? I sure hope so, because I already have two 8.1 zillions, and that will keep me from giving in to ordering one. ?

This little o-ring is what you’d be looking for. Looks like it may be there on the second picture?

It's parallels "silent tune", but it's not actively putting pressure on the bearings like "silent tune" is supposed to. I have to believe the o-ring is an attempt to damp vibrations in the spool during a cast though (same purpose as silent tune). I will say that my 1000G is quieter casting than my HD's. So who knows? I like details too. If it is actually effective, it's a shame that the HD's and Silver Wolfs don't incorporate it. Another small detail.... The HD's do not use a spring washer behind the knobs like the G does. I think the spring washer makes the handle/knob assembly feel "nicer".

If I'm understanding him correctly, he means someone should just produce frogs like this.... Since so many people bend the hooks out anyway.

He means the opposite of that.

It would be #23 on this 1000G schematic. Doesn't look like the Wolf has it. Interesting. The HD doesn't have it either.

SMALL detail, but does the Wolf have the little retaining o-ring on the spool shaft like the 1000G?

I'm repeating myself a little, but since it's being discussed..... I have 2 HD's and a USDM now. I'm pretty happy with USDM. It retrieves really smoothly, and it casts relatively smoothly. It's a very nice reel. However, one of my HD's doesn't retrieve all that smoothly. I don't think it's as bad as @FishTank's Wolf was, but I also don't have any extra parts floating around inside, lol. It just produces a little gear noise that I wasn't expecting from a Zillion. To be clear, I'm not talking Tatula type gear noise. I'm talking about the type of gear noise that a picky reel nerd notices. My other HD retrieves noticeably smoother. Neither of my HD's cast very smoothly. I've tried cleaning and re-lubing the bearings, but they still buzz and vibrate during a cast. It makes them feel kind of cheesy. Others have reported smooth casting HD's, so I have to assume I got a couple that were assembled with a less than stellar batch of bearings? I'm probably going to spend the $ and put new bearings in two brand new $300 reels, because on a FFS reel, there's not much else that would cause this noise. I say all that to say, that I wouldn't read too much into a small sample size comparison. If you're being picky, even "nice" Daiwas of the same make and model can vary some in smoothness.

The MGX is $150 ($399 MSRP). Its a smoking deal, and was intended to be an ABU flagship, high end reel, but I’ve heard mixed reviews (just FYI).

I'm a little bit of a head lamp nerd. I've had a lot of hobbies over the years that require operating in the dark. Some quite technical. I've been through the gauntlet of affordable, and high end lamps In search of "the one". For general night hobby use, these are my current two favorite lamps: https://www.nitecorestore.com/Nitecore-HC65-v2-Rechargeable-Headlamp-p/fl-nite-hc65v2.htm https://www.fenixlighting.com/products/fenix-hm60r-rechargeable-headlamp They are versatile, and produce everything from a low lumen white or red flood light for admin tasks, up to a powerful beam that you can navigate a duck boat with (they are also both water proof). They are both "dual fuel", and can run on an 18650 rechargeable cell, or two CR123 batteries. That's important, because they both have on board charging, so when you get home from a fishing trip just plug in a USB and charge it back up... But if you have a long night on the water and you drain your rechargeable cell, you can pop in a couple of 123 batteries and be back in business. I know you asked about clip on lights, but a good headlamp is so much more versatile. With decent care, either of those lights will last for many years, without ever replacing a battery.

Yep. $183 shipped. Wouldn't even consider a Tatula 70. https://www.digitaka.com/item/4/4/2/4550133072598

Alphas have a FFS. I believe the Tat 70 is a shafted spool. May not matter to some, but it's a meaningful difference.

I will, inevitably, end up with some of these.... https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Rapala_Otts_Garage_OG_Rocco_5_Crankbait/descpage-ROGR5.html

I have the urge to try a JDM rod. I'm thinking a C610M Blazon. The one thing I cant find is what action/taper this rod is? I'm looking for a moderate action small crank rod. Anyone have this rod, or insights, or suggest another JDM for this application?

When did it hit 148?

I succumbed to trying some "nicer" reels the last couple of weeks.

The asymmetrical frame is displeasing to my eye. But I'm intrigued by the mechanical design.