I have an Aldebaran (ALDMG51HG) on an Expride 6'10" MF right now. I throw stuff like 2.8" - 3.5" paddle tails and 3/8 - 1/2oz jerkbaits with it. I'd like to work on skipping weightless plastics with this rod, and I'm thinking about checking out something from Daiwa. I was eyeing a Steez SV TW. What interests me about this reel is simplicity of operation combined with good performance in a variety of conditions. Would this be a good jumping off point for me in terms of Daiwa, or is there a better option? Thanks.

1 minute ago, jimanchower said:

I have an Aldebaran (ALDMG51HG) on an Expride 6'10" MF right now. I throw stuff like 2.8" - 3.5" paddle tails and 3/8 - 1/2oz jerkbaits with it. I'd like to work on skipping weightless plastics with this rod, and I'm thinking about checking out something from Daiwa. I was eyeing a Steez SV TW. What interests me about this reel is simplicity of operation combined with good performance in a variety of conditions. Would this be a good jumping off point for me in terms of Daiwa, or is there a better option? Thanks.

What's high end to me may not be high end to you but diawa (for me) is really good in that 100-150 price point, I like the fuego over a t wing tatula because on my tatulas you can feel the small amount of extra pressure needed to flip over the t wing when pressing down the thumb bar. Yes is a small complaint but I prefer the standard cone style level winds. If you are going to dump 300+ dollars into a brand you have not tried yet like a diawa, I STRONGLY encourage you to go to your local tackle shop and ask if you can hold it and play around with it, see how it feels in your hand.

My Steez SV TW is a couldn't pry from my etc fingers. 

 

 

The Zillion is a nice substitute wearing an extra ounce in aluminum v. magnesium

 

there are great aftermarket spool options for these reels, but you might consider the shallower 1012 spool if you can find it - lighter total line mass for skipping. 

The new Zillion SV TW G is perfect for your application.

Tom

1 hour ago, WRB said:

The new Zillion SV TW G is perfect for your application.

Tom

 

That does look like a compelling value relative to the Steez, especially when I don't absolutely have to have the lightest reel. Thanks for the tip.

I have the Steez SV TW on a  6'8'' St. Croix Legend Elite MF and it works pretty well for skipping but skipping weightless plastics can be tricky (at least for me it is).  I tend to start low and sort push the bait instead of flicking it or pitching it.  For a weightless senko, I set the brakes to about 8 or 9 which is somewhat higher than I would if I were casting.  I am not out for distance usually when skipping. I guess accuracy without backlashing would be my main goal.  Great reel for just about anything.  I would highly recommend it. 

I have a Steez SV on a Steez AGS 7'5" MH-H/F "Bottom contact" rod. It's fairly compact and very light and I have skipped with the brake on 6 because I forgot to turn them up and when I did get a birds nest, it was surprisingly not that bad.

 

It's safe to say you will like that reel.

mid to high end zillion is the obvious choice 

Can’t recommend the 2021 Zillion enough. Light, smooth, great caster, simple brake adjustments. Hard to imagine anything beating it for the price. 

Daiwa Steez CT SV TW, either the current one or the soon-to-be-available 2021 version.  Similar in form factor to your Aldebaran which you apparently like and a fairly low mass spool which works well for skipping.  It's a brilliant reel.  The Aldebaran BFS works well for skipping too.  Skipping implies low mass spools and line length isn't an issue, so similar requirements to BFS.  Or you could just get a lightweight spool and bearing upgrade and race out your existing reel...

Besides Steez SV and the new Zillion, I'd also like to recommend the new Alphas SV. It's the most "affordable" one among the three. It is small in size yet sturdy, very smooth. And its 32mm spool is quite suitable for the usage you mentioned and a M rod. It doesn't have the new SV Boost brake, but the casting is quite good for light lures, as long as they're not BFS level lures.  I put 12lb Tatsu on it and use it for everything light - jerkbaits, 1/4oz jigs, soft plastic...  The catch is it's a JDM reel; you can't find it on TW.

 

 

I’ve been pretty impressed with the curado mgl’s, I just about gave up on shimano but this reel has instilled my confidence in them once again, so far…[knocks on wood]

 

edit: my bad, you asked about daiwas

9 hours ago, Bassjam2000 said:

I’ve been pretty impressed with the curado mgl’s, I just about gave up on shimano but this reel has instilled my confidence in them once again, so far…[knocks on wood]

 

The reel that has pleasantly surprised me the most in my short time bass fishing is the SLX MGL. It certainly doesn't feel as solid/smooth as the Metanium, but I like the way it feels in the hand and it casts great. I agree that a Curado MGL is probably a good option here - I just wanted to give Daiwa a try.

I have Daiwa Fuego series bait cast reels that are nice for the money and are fairly user friendly . Stepping up to the Tatula , Zillion , etc. could  get even better .

Very pleased with my Tatula SV reels, both the current and prior versions. Trouble free and user friendly.