I have a TD-X with the rarer 5.1:1 ratio.     Designed in 1998, and to me it's still as good of a reel as you can find on the market.   It's almost as light as the new flagship Steez, casts a mile, silky smooth drag, and has been fished hard for over 20 years.    By far and away my most treasured reel, even though I have technically "nicer" and more expensive reels.  

 

I want to love the Shimano high end reels I've gotten through the years, but nothing has ever competed with Team Daiwa reels for my usage.   I have a newer steez rod/reel combo that is wicked light and sweet, but I still find myself reaching for old Team Daiwa reels the most.   The Shimano reels are always much bulkier, heavier, and over complicated in comparison.   Only owned one Lews Speed Spool, and outside of that have no other experience with reel makers.

 

So let's here your take of reels, and your favorite of all time 

Zebco 33.  It reminds me of when I was kid and fishing with my dad.  It is inferior to everything I have on my deck, but it is still my favorite. 

 

 

1 minute ago, Happybeerbuzz said:

Zebco 33.  It reminds me of when I was kid and fishing with my dad. 

 

Wholesome, and I've seen a couple of true trophy Bass come from those reels.     Watched a bank fisherman with live worms catch a 12lber meanwhile I'm throwing a $1000 combo with hundreds in lures in a tacklebox....go figure 

I’ve got fond childhood memories of fishing with my Dad with the Zebco 33 as well. 

I have terrible memories of my dad fishing 808 while I was fishing Mitchell 300. 

I bought his first Ted Williams (Daiwa Millionaire) baitcaster, and later a couple of birthday Lew's. 

 

In terms of mileage and total results, Lew's BB-25-SW, which I just retired 4 years ago.  Close second is a Penn 4200SS, which both I and my daughters used. 

 

Much better memories of my daughters fishing Zebco UL-1. 

 

In terms of immediate results and insane reliability, it's my Zillion with Ray's spool and light braid in ML niche.  It wouldn't know what a backlash is. 

My Pflueger President XT. One of the cheaper reels I own, but it’s my favorite to fish with. Comfortable, looks good, it’s dialed in so that I couldn’t backlash it if I tried, and it slings 1/4oz Pop Xs a mile every trip out. 

My Lew's custom lite. I've owned Shimano Diawa Abu Garcia round reels including a morrum . Owned a MGX that turned into a coffee grinder.Loved my Pflueger Patriarch but it is now underwater.

The only reel I saved for 67 years is my Langley 330 Lure Cast, the reel learned to bass fish with.

Tom

The original Abu Garcia Gold Max. In the summer of ‘92 I worked in my uncle’s mechanic shop for a week as a 12 year old in order to earn enough to buy it. 
 

 It’s been lost to time for decades now, and unfortunately my uncle is no longer with us anymore either, but I have equally fond memories of that reel and that week in my uncle’s shop. 
 

16 minutes ago, KSanford33 said:

The original Abu Garcia Gold Max. In the summer of ‘92 I worked in my uncle’s mechanic shop for a week as a 12 year old in order to earn enough to buy it. 
 

 It’s been lost to time for decades now, and unfortunately my uncle is no longer with us anymore either, but I have equally fond memories of that reel and that week in my uncle’s shop. 
 

I remember being a little kid, and thinking these were the coolest looking reels.   Sorry to hear about your uncle.

ABU 4600C. I have two. One is 25yrs old, and still going strong. It's my favourite

Have never been able to answer the 'Favorite Reel' question.  I like reels, and have many 'favorites'.  The list can get long, but these three are near the top: 50th Anniversary Zillion, TD-Z 105H, Helios Air.  Could easily add another dozen. 

10 minutes ago, new2BC4bass said:

Have never been able to answer the 'Favorite Reel' question.  I like reels, and have many 'favorites'.  The list can get long, but these three are near the top: 50th Anniversary Zillion, TD-Z 105H, Helios Air.  Could easily add another dozen. 

I'd love to have a TD-Z, seems to be just a more modern TD-X....it was the next flagship reel for Daiwa after the TD-X.    There is a great informational site that lists all specs and pics of old reels and tackle, but not sure if I'm allowed to link it.  On the same comparable model as I posted in the TD-X, they shaved a half oz. on the TD-Z

I’m going to cheat as I have 2 favorites for different reasons. First is a old (30+) year Daiwa spinning reel, it was given to me by my older brother 30 + years ago when I got back into fishing. This reel in my possession has been on a minimum of a 1/2 dozen spinning rods from a 5’-0” Berkeley ultralight to a 6’-6” bps med hvy. It’s currently mounted on a 6’-6” st croix premiere light powered rod. I’ve caught everything from panfish, bass and catfish from retention ponds to lake perch out of Navy Pier on Lake Michigan. I remember it made its debut in the beautiful state of Minnesota outside of a little town by the name of Melrude catching everything from panfish to pike. On second thought I lied this is without a doubt my favorite reel ever. Although I fondly remember my Zebco 33, definitely not the one I would call my favorite.

Never gets discussed here,but the worm-drive Daiwas from the '90s still have a fan club, and they're still making the same basic reel as the SS700 Tournament today. 

Pretty sure Europe is their biggest market. 

Easy answer: Ambassadeur!!!!

 

This is my favorite that I own, it was my grandpa’s. Ambassadeur 5000c

 

 

my dream reel would be a 5500c with a bit faster gears, like this. I’ve used several but never had one 

 

I have several 4600c and I like them a lot, but I prefer the metal button spool release off to the side. I’ve broken a few of the plastic fast cast buttons on the 4600s, somebody thought they could make a better mouse trap but as always it was worse than the original 

 

notice a theme? Haha

Favorite? That’s hard to say. What’s one combo I’ll never part with? Easy. A ‘60s vintage Garcia Mitchell 300 and a ‘70s vintage Eagle Claw fiberglass rod with ceramic guides. 
 

Do I have better rigs? Oh my, yes. But that’s the rig I learned to fish with and I still have it. I’ll part with it when I leave this veil of tears. 

23 minutes ago, Catt said:

Ah yes, surprised a calcutta hasn't been mentioned yet.   That was THE gold standard in the late 90s, early 2000s around my neck of the woods.   IIrc it was 100, a 150, and 200 model.   The small one like you got is the one I loved so much....normally a round profile just doesn't tickle my fancy but the little calcutta felt great.   You could cast those things a mile too.   I had the digital one that was like 500 bucks.....I'd put it near the top of the list for worst reels I've owned.   Horrific piece of junk. 

For me, it's my TD Sols, I own three of them and they're always on my deck. I've upgraded the drags and bearings on them, but even right out of the box I fell in love with them.  All my TD's, two Advantages and a Fuego are hands down preferred over  my Shimanos.

Shimano 50E Series. Had 28 of them at one time, down to 2 now. Brian.

Shimano Core 50mg7

I'm most impressed by recent, high-end BFS reels, some of which weigh less than 5 oz.  Coupled with a light rod, such as a Shimano PA BFS, you can have a great performing rig that is at or just under 8 oz.  Just amazing.

11 hours ago, AlabamaSpothunter said:

I have a TD-X with the rarer 5.1:1 ratio.     Designed in 1998, and to me it's still as good of a reel as you can find on the market.   It's almost as light as the new flagship Steez, casts a mile, silky smooth drag, and has been fished hard for over 20 years.    By far and away my most treasured reel, even though I have technically "nicer" and more expensive reels.  

 

I want to love the Shimano high end reels I've gotten through the years, but nothing has ever competed with Team Daiwa reels for my usage.   I have a newer steez rod/reel combo that is wicked light and sweet, but I still find myself reaching for old Team Daiwa reels the most.   The Shimano reels are always much bulkier, heavier, and over complicated in comparison.   Only owned one Lews Speed Spool, and outside of that have no other experience with reel makers.

 

So let's here your take of reels, and your favorite of all time 

I think I have at least 6 of these TD-X,and three or four TD-S. They are just fantastic reels. I agree with you 100%!

 

The TD -Z is worth trying too, love my Zillions and the 105 for throwing Bandit 200s. I really doubt I will ever get a reel newer than 2010.

My grandpa bought me Zebco 202 and 404's when I was a kid. Lots of great memories growing up fishing with them. Caught my first bass with a 404 and a Big O. Been hooked ever since. Bought a 404 off of the auction site several years ago for nostalgia's sake. What a hunk of junk!!! LOL. 

Modern reels? Gotta go with my Super Duty G's. They're up for anything from light Trigs to punching and A-rigs. I have other reels I really like, some I even like better for a particular niche, but if I had to pick just one for everything, this would be my choice.