I like to toss 1/2 - 5/8 oz spinner baits a lot.  My question is...do I need to be concerned about the aluminum gears in these reels holding up to that?  Thanks, Joe.

No

Think most people here are going to say no. We’ve had some discussion on this recently. I’ll be interested to hear more opinions. I’ll be trying the zillion for the same thing but I do not expect it to replace the Revo Winch. Reason is simple. Revo has much more line capacity, made for cranking for hours, long handle, powerful and a reliable drag, smooth casting. If you are looking at a spinnerbait reel you should look heavily at the Winch. Think it is on close out sale. If you like left-handed models though you may have to wait and see if gen 5 comes out with one or go for other options. 

 

I saw in an article recently that Terry Bolton -  a spinnerbait wizard- uses a setup very close to mine. 6’10 rod and REVO Winch. I don’t even think he is sponsored by Abu.

 

People that know more than me on here have recently answered this question.....you want one of the models with an H in it for heavy baits like that.   

 

The AI vs Brass gear thing seems to be way overblown by many, that wouldn't be my concern for not selecting the SV TW vs the TW HD.   Again, I've read here the HD is the better option for heavier baits like you throw.  

If you search on 2016 Metanium MM aluminum gear, you will see a lot of complaints about buzzing gear.
For Daiwa Zillion with bigger gear teeth, it harder to say yes and no. if regular fishing, I would believe aluminum gear should handle just fine, for frog, pulling deep crank or big Colorado spinnerbait, you would put a lot of stain on gear. IMHO though, opinion always that opinion.

I’d like to add that my current plan for the JDM zillion 1000PL (5:5 gear ratio) I got is to use for spinnerbaits 1/4oz and under with light line and a lighter rod. After giving it its fair due of trying to toss heavier spinnerbaits, of course. But in all likelihood, I’m going to use tiny baitcaster to do small things that are big in their own way and let big baitcaster do big things.

Aluminum gears get a bad rap because Shimano’s have had issues in the Metanium 16. Daiwa has been successfully using aluminum for years with little issue 

1 hour ago, LrgmouthShad said:

But in all likelihood, I’m going to use tiny baitcaster to do small things

This is how I look at the TW 80, 'cause it "seems" miniature to me. I'm throwing Neds and such with it. I'm chucking baits up to an ounce with the Zillion.

Just now, PhishLI said:

This is how I look at the TW 80, 'cause it "seems" miniature to me. I'm throwing Neds and such with it. I'm chucking baits up to an ounce with the Zillion.

Zillion is a small reel for me. I have small hands but like the size of my larger reels. I really, really like the Tatula 200 the little bit that I used it while working through this injury. I've also said before that I gravitate towards heavy rods for some reason. Maybe I'm compensating for something? I have no idea. I'm like one of those guys who drives an F-250 or a lifted truck for no reason.

 

My most comfortable reel though is curado mgl 150 and that is just a little larger than zillion I think, and not by much.

Do you get charged taxes if you order from Japan?  Thanks

27 minutes ago, PhishLI said:

This is how I look at the TW 80, 'cause it "seems" miniature to me. I'm throwing Neds and such with it. I'm chucking baits up to an ounce with the Zillion.

Please don’t think like that. I made a mistake once with my Alphas SV105. I considered it as finesse reel only from that small brass gear. In the meantime, I used Curado 70 for everything from Ned to Frog. I never be able to get that out of my head every time I was using it. I plan to use Alphas SV TW and I believe that big teeth brass Digigear can handle everything or better than Curado 70.

It should work great. I have had no issues with mine.  

 

44 minutes ago, Joe Henry said:

Do you get charged taxes if you order from Japan?  Thanks

hit or miss. I didn’t.  Lots don’t. Some do.