SuperWetBlanket

That is more expensive than i thought it would be. Still, $180 back then did not feel anywhere near as expensive as $320 now.

Was able to find a Curado 50E locally in barely used condition for a crazy good price, and i am really impressed by everything on it. It really doesn't have any flaws at all, everything, including the paintjob, looks and feels great. So i decided to google the original MSRP, and for a Made in Japan reel, these launched for $180. With inflation its probably a bit higher now, but still, this is a really good price for what you're getting. So it made me wonder, is it even a possibility for Shimano (or Daiwa for that matter) to release a Japan made baitcaster for the USDM, and be around the $180-200 range? Or is a Curado E-like in 2026 would be a Bantam, sold for $395?

The only negative that i could think of being right handed and casting with the right hand is that the handle side of a reel isn't always as good to cast as the palming side. On the 09 Conquest DC 100 for example, there's that thumb screw that will rub against your index finger on every cast, which is more annoying than what i want my reels to be.

Use what you're comfy with, everything else is fluff and not important. I am righty, and use a right hand retrieve reels only, which makes me swap hands, which is something i've never even thought of being bothersome until i saw some people saying how you're losing time switching hands. Ridiculous, unless chunking large heavy baits, i usually swap hands while the lure is still in the air, so there's no time wasted on anything.

Can you post high res pictures of them? Because i don't believe there are reels out there that are identical, and sold under the shimano name while being clones.

You won't find any.

I don't believe there is a single fake daiwa or shimano. When you read the AI answers, you need to visit links it gives you. Plenty of times it'll give you a link that has nothing to do with the question you've asked, and the source ends up being a random reddit post, or something stupid. Cloning reels to look as good as what Shimano and Daiwa releases is simply not worth it for those companies. Profit margins are minimal, better invest that time and resources into cloning Omega's & Rolex's, and swim in cash. Did some googling, and as i assumed, when AI tells you that there's plenty of conterfeit calcutta's for $50-150, its referring to those noname brands that "borrow" the shape of it, to make it look similarlish. Its nowhere near identical looking, so unless you have no idea how the real thing is supposed to look like, it's impossible to be fooled. This is what AI considers are a clone that is identical to the real thing. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7iyYWX8EwCg

Zodias line is a noob trap. Has been saying this since like 2017. 300% not worth the asked price.

Never even used anything over 7.11.

Looks wise, reminds me of $34.97 baitcasters off of Ali, Temu and Amazon. Sorry😭

Nothing to complain on my part, the Z2020 is my main 200 reel, with the IMZ as a new addition. But for Daiwa, A Zillion 200 would've been a massive cashcow in NA and Japan, and they messed it up. Not too surprised, though, Daiwa skipped a 200 size Ryoga for two generations in a row, knowing d**n well how popular a 200 and 300 Conquests are.

That would be a smart thing to do when you've already covered the 200 size. Taking 5 years to expand zillions, and aim for the nichest size is not a smart decision at all.

The 21 Zillion isn't ugly, it's just the used silver paint is as dull as it gets. Why would you reuse the same paint five years in, on a completely new reel? Kinda crazy if you ask me. A 200 size Zillion would find more use globally than a 150 one. That's all there is to it.

Yea, well, the fish aren't the ones paying money lol.

Well, the 200 is perfect for Stripers as well, so there's that. What i am saying is that 100 size can handle pretty much everything 150 can, so the 150 size has much less reason to exist when compared to the 200 size. If this was a new frame, a new NON UGLY color, 200 size with brass gears, this would be the most talked reel in 2026. Instead, this will be released, be well received cuz you know, it's a zillion so of course it will be good, but it won't be doing massive numbers sales wise, and i am not seeing it being popular either.