SuperWetBlanket

If i was going, the Z2020 would be my #1 choice over anything and everything in production.

I don't think that reel covers will save the reel long term. From friction while the boat is moving, it will rub through the clear, and then the paint. Saw some guy on youtube that has all his stuff tuned with ZPI parts talk about it, and he showed what it does over time. Should work on a kayak, though.

Boatless, so i don't know if reel covers would be enough when you riding waves and such, but what i do know is that id be extra triggered if i scratched my custom pixy.

Please get yourself some Googan Squad rods and reels, and tell us your opinion about them😊

Chronarch E, Chronarch D, Curado E, Core, Conqest 50 and the Conquest DC 50 are the "legendary" reels from Shimano that will only increase in price. Just like the yellow pixy, first gen ryoga1016, TD Ito, TDZ's (less so now, though. these got you a much higher premium five plus years ago), millionaire sss/i'ze light/slc, Steez EX, Z2020, etc. If you can get these reels in like new or NOS condition, they will get you a premium. Back in 2023 i believe it was, a buddy of mine sold a NOS Curado E200 on ebay auction, and it got to something like $680 canadian dollars. Lots of people are paying big buck for the OG stuff, especially is nos condition with box and papers.

i don't like the looks of it either, but for 2026, you gotta open your eyes on daiwa. ignoring amazing reels such as the zillion, the alphas, new tat100, etc is a waste.

Yea, i have a buddy that abuses his Zillion HD for striper, ranging between 3-15lb on average, in high current, and not only is the reel still very smooth, but also super silent after over two years of hard use. Just like the Steez A, the Zillion HD is the mini tank from Daiwa.

If the Zillion HD is an option, then this choice is a no brainer. Its the best of the best in this reel size.

I mean, if the new Tat100 is too small, get a Tat200. People are using it to chunk 4oz+ baits without any issues, and i haven't heard any complaints at all as of yet. Unless you go into the used market, there's nothing available that is better than the new Tat100 and the Tat200 if you want more power/capacity. Like, the new Tat feels pretty much like a zillion, and a zillion is a universe superior to the likes of a Curado or an SLX, so there really are no competition anymore. Low end Shimano offerings are far inferior to what Daiwa has, so i would never suggest you to waste your money on a Curado when much better options are available, and can be had for cheaper.

On which frame is this salamandura made on? If its the zillion or the alphas, i would get that over the curada any day. If its made on the older Tatula frame, i would get the new Tatutal 100 instead. The curado and SLX cannot compete with the new Tat100, so if you want cheap, but still geat, and lasting smoothness, the new Tat100 is the way to go.

Haven't assembled the reel yet, but the parts are in.

d**n bro Jon B is sending em to you on his boat.

That's expensive. I originally thought that this was a $150 reel, so just "trying it" was just OK. But $300 that's an investment that can get you an amazing reel that you don't need to try to see how it performs, and it's pros aren't you being able to cast without backlashes because that's a given that doesn't even need to be mentioned in a reel properly designed.

I read Big Swimbait post above, him buying a second one, so i got curious on how much these are going for, because i don't follow anything from KK. Then i see it being sold for $400, and $300 on sale. This will get you two and half Tats100, two alphas from Japan, almost two zillions, almost two bantams, almost a Metanium even when purchased in the US, etc. Okay no, that's an abysmal deal. Sorry, but when the strong point of a $400 reel is "i have no backlash issues", that's a no no in my book.

The cork has a slicker feel to the touch, but that doesn't mean that it's bad or is slippery. What i use is Minwax Polyurethane in warm gloss finish. And these are permanent, you will never need to recoat your cork after a few years like with the U40.

i wonder for how long the smoothness will last with a reel like this.

Currently waiting on parts to arrive from a cerakote paintjob on a Steez SH. Expecting to look hot.

Got a NOS 2011 Calcutta DC in the 100 size. Have had the first gen one from the early 2000s, and the calcutta dc 50 in the past. Loved them both but the 50 didn't have enough adjustments on their brakes, so i sold it, and the first gen calcutta dc i had was in the 200 size, so i've sold it as well. Curious how the 100 will feel, and for once, a Shimano reel that i buy without the micro module😁

A sealer for cork is absolutely worth it in my option. Keeps the cork clean, cork filler won't fall out, and the color it gives the cork is better to me. I don't use U-40 anymore, though.

Just bought a brand new in box 2011 Calcutta DC. Paranoid fishing begins with this one in April 2026.

I fish mines. But the way i fish them is the paranoid way of doing things. Would prefer losing a PB than scratching the reel🤣Not for everyone lol.

Both T3's gone. Chronarch MGL gone. Zillions SV (i assume its the tatula framed ones?) gone. Lexa gone. First gen tats gone. No idea about both spinning reels since i don't use any.

You wouldn't force me to use it. But when they were on sale, i watched a decent amount of vids of 1rod1reelfishing using them, and they looked and sounded like some $19.99 reels from amazon.

Their 1pc rods are known to become 6pc rods within a few days of fishing. Their baitcasting reels were so atrocious that they discontinued them within months. Why would their spinning reels be anywhere near acceptable?

Never bought anything from them for obvious reasons, but back in 2023 i found one of their cranks on a tree. Tried it, and it was impossible to burn or use in the curent because it would rise up. Few months later, i got snagged with it, line snapped, i said FINALLY, and that's that.