Got one of these in a hope to throw smaller crankbaits like Frittside 5 and 5 Jrs.  Paired it with a medium light rod with 10 lb fluro and this reel does phenomenal job of throwing these lighter cranks.   

How are you liking the reel still?   Have you used a tatula 80 to compare it too or a ‘21 zillion?  

43 minutes ago, MiceNReets said:

How are you liking the reel still?   Have you used a tatula 80 to compare it too or a ‘21 zillion?  

I'm a huge fan of the Alphas 800S.  I have 2, 1 on a 7'8M/RF and the other on a 6'9M/F.  Both have pe#1.2 and sling 1/8oz plenty far enough for me.  My Zillion is on a M+ and it's super smooth and casts really well.  For me, the Alphas are more comfortable palming, and I see and feel no difference in performance, so I actually prefer them over the Zillion.  Being $50 cheaper is a great bonus.  I have no experience with the tat 80.

 

scott

I'd take the Tatula 80 for cranks.  I prefer the braking profile of Magforce Z for that kind of work.  The Alphas is great for jigs and plastics though.  

1 hour ago, Bigbox99 said:

I'd take the Tatula 80 for cranks.  I prefer the braking profile of Magforce Z for that kind of work.  The Alphas is great for jigs and plastics though.  

Ive got both the Alphas SV TW and the 80H and the Coastal 80H.  Both of the 80s dont throw light crankbaits as well as the Alphas SV TW.  I use my Alphas SV TW for anything equal to or less than a Frittside 5 which is 1/3rd oz

2 hours ago, MiceNReets said:

How are you liking the reel still?   Have you used a tatula 80 to compare it too or a ‘21 zillion?  

See below.  If you are looking to throw light crankbaits the Alphas SV TW will do a better job.  I dont have a zillion but I do have both the 80H and the Coastal 80.  Both are great reels they just dont do light very well.  

1 hour ago, Huckfinn38 said:

Ive got both the Alphas SV TW and the 80H and the Coastal 80H.  Both of the 80s dont throw light crankbaits as well as the Alphas SV TW.  I use my Alphas SV TW for anything equal to or less than a Frittside 5 which is 1/3rd oz

See below.  If you are looking to throw light crankbaits the Alphas SV TW will do a better job.  I dont have a zillion but I do have both the 80H and the Coastal 80.  Both are great reels they just dont do light very well.  

I throw a frittside 5 on a MH rod rated down to 3/8 oz.  It's not a light bait.  It's a "3/8 oz" class bait to me and TW states irs 3/7 oz.  

6 minutes ago, Bigbox99 said:

I throw a frittside 5 on a MH rod rated down to 3/8 oz.  It's not a light bait. 

I have too. It flies. Weighs a whisper under 10 grams and not very wind catching either. No problem using a Tat 80 or even the 150 for this bait, but I'm not disputing that the Alphas isn't better because I don't have one. Just saying I've had no issues slinging the Frittside 5.

The Alphas 800 is a slept on reel.

I’ve had two since they were first released. One of mine has 20lb braid and is used for small crankbaits, finesse spinnerbaits, and poppers. The second Alphas has 30lb braid and is and everything reel, used for jigs, t rigs, swimbaits, chatterbaits, spinnerbaits, and top water, and it excels with them. Both are as smooth and solid feeling as day. Both reels have been fished hard, and are as solid as my Zillions.

22 minutes ago, Bigbox99 said:

If you are looking to throw light crankbaits the Alphas SV TW will do a better job.

I agree with this. It throws a Rapala Tiny, and a Rebel Wee R great.

I agree with the previous comments that this reel is an absolute gem! You can get these for well below $200 through various Japanese websites. It is smooth, cast anything from 1/8- 1 oz pretty well and also palms pretty nicely! 

 

Line capacity is the only downside to the reel that I can see, which can partially be overcome through braid to leader adjustments. 

.I have mine on the NRX 852c and it is well balanced, capable combo!!

Well I guess I opened a can of something with reviving this thread.  Convinced me to just go ahead and order one!  Looking forward to trying it out now.  👍🏼 

 

5 hours ago, Bigbox99 said:

I throw a frittside 5 on a MH rod rated down to 3/8 oz.  It's not a light bait.  It's a "3/8 oz" class bait to me and TW states irs 3/7 oz.  

The Frittside 5 is 1/3 oz per tackle warehouse. The frittside 5 biggun is 3/7 oz. 1/3 oz is pretty light.  

I can throw it on heavier combos as well. Not saying you have to have an Alphas 800. Just saying it performs really well

14 hours ago, Huckfinn38 said:

The Frittside 5 is 1/3 oz per tackle warehouse. The frittside 5 biggun is 3/7 oz. 1/3 oz is pretty light.  

I can throw it on heavier combos as well. Not saying you have to have an Alphas 800. Just saying it performs really well

1/3 oz is pretty close to 3/8 oz and I treat my frittside 5s as "3/8 oz" baits.  Great baits.  Last fish of the season, a nice walleye, slammed it when I was burning and pausing it in frigid water along a wind swept shore.  I was using a MH rod rated 3/8 to 1 oz and a Ryoga 1016 with 14# sniper.  Admittedly that was at the very low end of what the rod could cast ans u was making do with what I had but that little flatside casts great imo.

Alphas SV is the best reel I’ve ever used besides the Zillion SV. If I could start all over on reels, I’d only get a mix of those 2. They are perfection.