Hey guys, I just traded a rod for this. It is the 7.1 100SHLA model. I know it is quite outdated compared to the all the new reels and but anyone who've owned one care to share their experiences and uses for this reel? It honestly still feels pretty solid and smooth. Looking foward to using it once open water comes back around. Any thoughts or opinions on it are highly appreciated. 

http://www.tackletour.com/reviewdaiwazillion.html

 

I didn't get a Zillion until a few years after this article was written.  Because of the article I keep mine on a MH rod.  I have more than enough reels for lure weighs below 3/8 oz.  I did use it (well...truthfully the 50th Anniversary) a couple times on a Zillion 7'6".  It will cast a 3/4 oz. spinnerbait a looong ways.  The 50th is pretty much a set and forget reel for some reason.  My regular Zillion (as depicted in the article) requires a little more adjusting.

 

Mount it on a rod where you won't use below 3/8 oz. (1/2 oz. even better) and you won't regret it.  Great workhorse reels.  I won't be getting rid of mine. 

I have this reel and they are tanks!  It’s probably one of the finest reel platforms  ever.

GOAT!

 

Karl

Awesome, thank you all for your inputs. Traded a ice rod for this since the guy knows I'm a baitcaster junkie. Gonna try using it with all applications except finesse things and see what I like best with it. Is the carbon drag worth upgrading? Probably gonna be mainly open water fishing with a little bit of dock fishing on the side.

The OG zillion, which is what you have and what it's referred to, is a tank of a reel. It's an essence, bulletproof. The stock spool isn't anything to write home about for a universal use standpoint. It's, as said above, a phenomenal 3/8+ total weight reel. There are aftermarket 36mm spools avaiable but they are getting harder to find as of late. Fortunately, parts are still widely available in japan. The Jdream and PE special zillion share the same gear dimensions and are still available. It's not the lightest reel but it is a tank of a reel and is butter smooth when maintained correctly. m