SuperWetBlanket

High end reels come with high end bearings. You ain't gaining anything by upgrading to ceramics. But quality lower end reels like the new Tat100, that is an upgrade that could make much more sense. That said, all my non DC reels have zpi, kusugi works, ktf, hedgehog ceramics. Most of which came from me buying used reels, and they were already installed. One day i decide to sell the reel, but keep the bearings, and now i have a mountain of quality bearings 🙂

Look at those sharp edges, it looks so ugly and cheap. I would take a Blackmax handle over this thing any day, let alone a stock handle on a $200+ reel.

First time i hear of them, so had to google. They seem to be a match made in heaven for a Googan reel.

Extremely lazy releases, they're giving away the hype to Daiwa. Scorpion DC not even being coresolid built is weird. The only thing that i kinda liked to see is the limited conquest in a silver color, and that's only because i am tired of the same gold and gunmetal Shimano has been using for the longest time.

I have tried the Tat100 fully upgraded to 12 bearings, and its extremely close to my 12bb Zillion. Absolutely worth doing the mod if you care about the smoothness.

Personally not a fan of anything released prior to the early 2000s. Too bulky and heavy.

Smoothness is important, but what people don't mention enough is for how long that smoothness lasts compared to all other brands.

Its the same frame, minus the magnesium side plate instead of a plastic one on the DC. Still, the frame of the Bantam is comfier to me than the one on the Met. looks better, too.

Haven't used any cheap rods in over 15 years. No idea what's good in that price range. The last two that i liked around the mid 2000s were the Fenwick HMX and the Fenwick HMG (the cherry red ones).

I don't believe its dry. Older Tats going noisy/grindy is normal. This is the main reason why i never cared, nor suggested any older Tats. Newer ones with new gears, and frame, tho, amazing for the money.

I have the 24 DC, and its my fav shimano ever. But still, Bantam is better built because the palming side plate is metal, which its plastic on the met dc.

Z2020 rules them all. I use mine for up to 7oz baits, and with a 7.10" rod as well. Simply couldn't glaze a reel more than this thing. OG ryoga2020 is another one that will last forever, but not as comfy to palm all day. For "cheap", the new Tat200 is best for the price. People been using it on the swimbait underground, and i haven't heard a single negative.

Same thing with the og steez. They were all magnesium except the last couple made, such as the limited, the namiki one and the USDM Steez SV from 2015, which all use Zion plates from the original SS SV.

OG Alphas absolutely does have a metal handle side plate. Almost every single model of the OG alphas does. The only plastic handle side plate is from one of the more recent ones made, such as the Alphas SV 105 or the alphas air stream custom. Just like the Pixy, Daiwa wouldn't have used plastic on their quality reels from the early 2000s.

Do you use them in the weeds or with lures that have a good amount of resistance? MM survives well if its not stressed.

The bantam would've been a better reel than even the zillion if it used Zillion gears and wasn't as heavy. The design and construction of the frame is perfect on that thing, but Shimano, as always, messing around with those gears, and for a reel that i'd like to use as an all arounder, its weight is just too much. A limited edition Magnesium bantam would be so nice.

The Zillion is far superior to everything else there is at that price point, so it really is a no brainer. And i'd grab the Zillion HD, sexier gift🙂They can be had for sub $300cad on auctions.

Missed a new old stock yellow pixy a couple of days ago from a japanese auction, and still triggered🤢

Generally speaking, are you still interested in buying older models released between the 2000s and say 2015, or are you mostly sticking to the newer stuff?

Have had a bunch of DC reels, and currently have two, the 24 Met DC and the 2009 Calcutta DC 100. I predicted in 2024 that Daiwa will release a DC reel in 2026 that doesn't need any charging like the IMZ. Will see if it happens this year or next, but it's coming 300%.

At the cost they're sold in NA, i'd say it isn't just a big brain play, but the only play there is lol.

Pretty much how i got the aldebaran mgl 30. Didn't like how hollow the reel felt (felt like a d**n toy), so just sold it at a profit.

I wasn't searching for the 2020 met, but for this price, i might as well get one myself. I look at my local stores, and they're sold for $700cad before taxes. The difference in price simply couldn't be any bigger.

I'd check the new gekkabijin https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8sxdUx-_kcw&t=590s

My view will change when another company comes by, and begins offering quality reels that aren't made in a country with poor quality control. Some people don't care where their reel is made, i do. If Porsche decides to create fishing reels with the design of their cars, and they're all made in Germany, i'd be the first one in the line, and if they're as good as the big two, it'll be a company i'll support. But all those BassPro brands, they're simply nowhere near as good as Shimano and Daiwa, so why would i bother? I am not against other brands. What i am against is inferior products, which all of those other brands are.