Pixzillas are highly thought of. I like to tinker and over time I can build it up. First would be drag then gear set. I've yet to hear a bad thing about them but they are pushing my budget.

Tdz can be had at good price and are a step up from fuego. Carbontex upgrade is cheap and easy. However it and the fuego have a low ipt.

The Alphas ito 103ai weighs 6 oz. so if you need 7 oz. to balance the rod, then....?  It is an Alphas so I'm pretty sure the gears could be upgraded to the 6.8 as mentioned.  I have a set in my Alphas F.  I am not someone who can easily detect how smooth one reel is compared to another (not as critical for me as some).  However, the first time I used this reel I was amazed.  Felt like greased ice on the retrieve. 

 

I don't pitch, but I do have an older TD-S 103HL which has the flippin' switch instead of a thumb bar.  I prefer a thumb bar.  No idea how it stacks up as a pitching reel to what is available today.

 

OP, I wish you lived closer.  I'd let you try a few Daiwa models to see if one I have would suit you.  Wouldn't sell one, tho, with the possible exception of the TD-S for the previously stated reason.  Besides the TD-S I also have the Tatula and Tatula Type R, TD-X 100HSDF, Fuego, Alphas, T3 1016, TD-Z 103ML, Zillion 100 SHLA, PE and 50th, older Cabela's Prodigy (very nice reel) and a Procaster 100HN.  The TD-Z 103HL Type R probably couldn't be found within your price range.  I doubt you would want to use a Sol or PX.

 

Tested the Procaster out after getting it back from cleaning (a new reel) by pitching with it off my rear porch deck (2 steps off ground).  Reel was on a 6' MH Lightning.  Not exactly a pitching rod.    Combo was for my oldest grandson.  I was getting 30 feet on some casts.  First and only time I have ever pitched.  This was shortly after I got into b/c reels so hopefully I could now better that distance with that same combo.

7oz is just my opinion on this rod. Some people may feel differently.

Alphas, Ito Ai, Pixy <> heavy applications. I don't even know why they're in this discussion.

Also, decreasing the reel mass will move the balance point toward the tip of the rod. Not really ideal in a "pitching stick."

I pitched with Tds, Tdx, Tdz, Fuego, then the Zillion, my opinion is Palmabity is real important, but weight @ over 7 oz. do you plan to live with a pitching/ flipping rod and reel day in and day out? If so, then that is what determines my choice. I love this style of fishing, better have a fairly comfortable rig if you plan to persist for 8 to 10 hrs. A day. Also, 8.8 llb of drag is plenty sufficient imo..

Alphas, Ito Ai, Pixy <> heavy applications. I don't even know why they're in this discussion.

Read numerous places where they are great pitchers and with a carbontex upgrade they are used even for punching (don't think I'd go that far)

I have a few MH and H rods that feel like absolute slugs with a dinky, light reel on them. Put a nice, heavy duty, 8 oz. or so reel on them, and they become balanced, crisp, and a joy to use. But, conventional wisdom - on paper and during winter, lol - is to go lighter.

Also looking at daiwa t3 1016. Still on light side but better drag and can engage clutch with the hood system. Will be pushing budget. The 8 to 1 ballistic is interesting but not as refined.

I know I'm throwing a lot out there, but I've got a few months to get my ducks in order.

That would be a cool pitching reel.

Maybe I missed it but how heavy of lures are you pitching, what kind of cover will you be fishing, and what's your budget on the reel?

200 budget give or take. Over 200 with super tuning.

Lowest I'd go is 3/8oz maybe slightly less for a 1/4oz+soft plastic. Highest is 1/2 oz maybe 3/4.

Fishing timber and brush piles and while I have a punching set up I may be tempted to toss into some water shield which isn't as thick as a grass mat.

Also looking at daiwa t3 1016. Still on light side but better drag and can engage clutch with the hood system. Will be pushing budget. The 8 to 1 ballistic is interesting but not as refined.

I know I'm throwing a lot out there, but I've got a few months to get my ducks in order.

 

I really like using the hood to engage the spool.  Casting machines.  IMHO it has the best braking system I have ever used.  (And I have used at least 4 or 5 different types.)  I can set on Longcast with zero brakes and not overrun or backlash.  Absolutely can't cast any other reel with zero brakes so I assume Longcast does apply some braking.

I have TD-A  HST & HSTA's, TD-Z's, Fuego's and Tatula's and I pitch with Shimano Castaic CA-200's.  Go figure that one out!  I do still like those old reels with the Insta-Gage thumb bar.

Tywithay mentioned it but that new 9.1 Zillion TWS would be the perfect pitching reel.  They can be had for way below MSRP too.

The TWS,  low weight. Magforce 3D and the ability to engage the clutch by pressing down on the hood make the T3 reels (stay away from the ballistic) good Daiwa pitching reels.    

If you like the high speed, but want the refinement of the 1016, look at an MX. It can be had for about $220, which is a little higher. A lot of folks think it feels better than the 1016.

That's what I'm looking at now and the 8 to 1 ratio is amazing. Hard to find though! I'd probably bump my budget for it. I read on TT about a tatula sv coming out.

That's what I'm looking at now and the 8 to 1 ratio is amazing. Hard to find though! I'd probably bump my budget for it. I read on TT about a tatula sv coming out.

They're not hard to find at all. The best price I've seen is roughly $220 on Digitaka. The 8.1 T3 MX is a sweet little reel, plus it looks cool with the black and purple. There's not many reels that will pitch as well.

While the t3 mx 8.1 is super cool...

I scored an eBay deal for the 7.1 t3 1016 for $160 brand new.

If I got an mx I'd want to get the 1016 spool so total cost would be approaching 300. I think I came out alright.

Thanks for the help everyone!!!

P.s. earlier today I put my tdz 103h (6.2oz) on my *** and it balanced almost perfect. A pixy or alpha would have made it tip heavy and the t3 1016 should balance perfectly.

That's what I'm looking at now and the 8 to 1 ratio is amazing. Hard to find though! I'd probably bump my budget for it. I read on TT about a tatula sv coming out.

Check out the Daiwa Morethan PE SV

While the t3 mx 8.1 is super cool...

I scored an eBay deal for the 7.1 t3 1016 for $160 brand new.

If I got an mx I'd want to get the 1016 spool so total cost would be approaching 300. I think I came out alright.

Thanks for the help everyone!!!

P.s. earlier today I put my tdz 103h (6.2oz) on my *** and it balanced almost perfect. A pixy or alpha would have made it tip heavy and the t3 1016 should balance perfectly.

The MX spool is essentially the same as the 1016 spool. It's not an upgrade.

Are you sure about that? I dont think the MX has the 1016 spool. Maybe someone else can elaborate on it since I'm not too familiar with the MX.

Digged up an old thread I saved when I was all crazy about the T3 variants.

T3 1016 Spool = 14.9 grams

T3 MX spool = 18 grams

Are you sure about that? I dont think the MX has the 1016 spool. Maybe someone else can elaborate on it since I'm not too familiar with the MX.

I didn't say it was the 1016 spool, I said it wasn't an upgrade. The MX spool performs equally as well. The RCS1016 only has a slight edge when you dip into the 1/8oz range. Anything 1/4oz or above, you will not see a difference.