I've been looking at a scorpion mgl as well as a used antares 12, does anyone have experience with the JDM shimano reels? Any advice would be appreciated.

It's all good usually slightly better than USD reels. And the gear ratios are more diverse. 

I have a Scorpion MGL and had a 12 Antares. IMO the Scorpion is the better reel. I am sure everyone will disagree, but the 12 Antares didn't do much for me.

almost all my reels are JDM, they are very good specially the Antares line up. Go for it and you'll be happy fisherman.

I grabbed another Metanium last week from Digitaka for $285 (free shipping).  I’ve never had a bad experience with new JDM reels but I have only bought through Digitaka.  I’m sure there are others that are good as well.  I have never bought used.

On 4/8/2021 at 3:26 PM, RDB said:

I’ve never had a bad experience with new JDM reels but I have only bought through Digitaka.  

Thinking about dipping my toe into JDM reels.  When you order through Diditaka do you get hit with an import duty or tax?  I'm wondering if the price I pay for the reel will be my all in cost.

Nope...I just checked their site and the price I paid for my last Metanium is the same as currently listed - 30,900 JPY (283.93 USD).  That was my total cost.  Shipped FedEx and I received in about 4 days.

My wallet hates you.  The thought of paying an astronomical duty fee was the last thing holding my back from ordering a 21 Scorpion DC when they become available. 

 

Thanks for the info.

All I’m going to say is flagship rods and reels are most likely to be the most disappointing.

I have 4 (and one on the way).  I have yet to have an issue.  I have two Antares 12's, an Antares 70A left, and a Vanquish C3000 XG.  All are great.  

I buy most of my reels from Digi. Got my Steez A for $350 which is a considerable savings over US prices and I get them quicker than I do when dealing with US sellers. And no, there's no import or duty fees.

Just ordered a Luvias with a shallow spool which is not available in the US and it was $80 less than what US sellers ask for the deep spool version. 

It's almost a given for me to shop at Digi. Another example of savings is a Steez CT SV....$470 from Digitaka vs. $700 from TW....?

 

1 hour ago, Deplorable Fisherman said:

I buy most of my reels from Digi. Got my Steez A for $350 which is a considerable savings over US prices and I get them quicker than I do when dealing with US sellers. And no, there's no import or duty fees.

Just ordered a Luvias with a shallow spool which is not available in the US and it was $80 less than what US sellers ask for the deep spool version. 

It's almost a given for me to shop at Digi. Another example of savings is a Steez CT SV....$470 from Digitaka vs. $700 from TW....?

 

 

Just curious, how do you like the Steez CT SV?  What do you use it for?  Is it strictly a BFS type reel?  

21 minutes ago, FishTank said:

Just curious, how do you like the Steez CT SV?  What do you use it for?  Is it strictly a BFS type reel?  

Sorry....I didn't actually get the Steez CT SV. I was just using that as an example of pricing between the JDM market and US.

I have an older Steez SV that I use for BFS/Light line and lure application as well as a Alphas CT SV and Alphas SV TW. Didn't see a need to get a Steez CT SV. I have three Steez...as mentioned, the 2014 Steez SV, a 2016 Steez SV TW and a 2018 Steez A. 

10 minutes ago, Deplorable Fisherman said:

Sorry....I didn't actually get the Steez CT SV. I was just using that as an example of pricing between the JDM market and US.

I have an older Steez SV that I use for BFS/Light line and lure application as well as a Alphas CT SV and Alphas SV TW. Didn't see a need to get a Steez CT SV. I have three Steez...as mentioned, the 2014 Steez SV, a 2019 Steez SV TW and a 2019 Steez A. 

I have the Steez SV TW and had been debating on a Steez A when the CT caught my eye.  The more I looked at it, the more I was like how would I fit this into my rotation of setups.   I had the A in my cart at  #@%#$ (it won't let me type it) Japan tackle shop for $360 shipped but ended up getting an old Shimano Metanium Mg7 V2 Limited.  It was Shimano's kind of failed attempt at a limited run reel. Since I recently lost a Core (same reel sort of) to the depths, I couldn't resist.   If the Steez A is still floating around next year, I will have to check out Digitaka. 

The Steez A is probably my favorite reel. I think of it like a Bentley Continental . . . luxury and a beast all wrapped up in one package. Only minor disappointment was no reel cover with that model, but that was hardly a deal breaker. 

11 minutes ago, Deplorable Fisherman said:

I think of it like a Bentley Continental

Yes when Jeeves brings my Bentley around next time I’ll have to compare them. ?

On 4/11/2021 at 5:49 PM, BaitFinesse said:

The Scorpion 70 based Engetsu is another good one.  I have that one and its basically a 70 MGL with aluminum handle side plate, clicking drag and and shallow spool that bombs 4 inch senkos on 20# braid.

 

Digging out this post because with the new Engetsu coming out, the old version is on sale on Amazon.co.jp, $165 shipped for the lefty PG version. Very tempting...

 

The Daiwa Steez CT SV and the Shimano Alderbaran MGL 30HG (JDM) are awesome finesse reels.  I'm using them with 6 lb and 4 lb test, respectively.  Functionally brilliant and excellent build quality.