The bait monkey has gotten ahold of me again. I went a good while without buying any new rods or reels while saving up for an engagement ring (she said yes lol). I also sold off a lot of my reels in the process, which has left me reel poor. I got 5 more casting rods than reels and 1 more spinning rod than reels. 

 

I’m currently jumping back into refilling my reels. I was fine where I was at but for some reason I think I got a curse on me. I have yet to catch a 3+ pound bass this year and I think it’s because the fish don’t like the fact that I am not dumping hundreds of dollars into my hobby. I picked up a Penn Battle 3 combo a couple weeks ago for big game, and the other day I found a Kage LT at Scheels on sale for 170 which fixes my spinning rod dilemma.

 

as far as my casting rods, I’m about to pull the trigger on a Steez A2 because I’ve always wanted one, but I also am considering getting 2 Alphas SVs because I love them and it would accelerate the process of evening out my rods and reels. But the Steez looks so enticing lol. 
 

what would yall do in this situation? Thanks!
 

Get the Steez. I have two A’s and love them! If I didn’t just buy a Zillion, I’d get another one. 

I would go Alphas or Zillion to speed up your dilemma but if you really want the Steez go for it, the bait monkey doesn’t care as long as you buy something 

JDM Zillion done.  Has your fiancé met the Bait Monkey Yet?  Might be a good time to make the introduction.

The Engagement Ring Monkey is a distant cousin to the Bait Monkey and can definitely drain your bank account.  The good thing about him is he hits you hard once, then disappears to greener pastures while making both you and your significant other happy. The Bait Monkey will be there every day of your life.  In a very short time He can undo all the good karma you gained by working with the Ring Monkey and not just drain your bank account, but leave you divorced and bankrupt.  Good news is you will still have a nice reel.  

1 hour ago, PBBrandon said:

The bait monkey has gotten ahold of me again. I went a good while without buying any new rods or reels while saving up for an engagement ring (she said yes lol). I also sold off a lot of my reels in the process, which has left me reel poor. I got 5 more casting rods than reels and 1 more spinning rod than reels. 

 

I’m currently jumping back into refilling my reels. I was fine where I was at but for some reason I think I got a curse on me. I have yet to catch a 3+ pound bass this year and I think it’s because the fish don’t like the fact that I am not dumping hundreds of dollars into my hobby. I picked up a Penn Battle 3 combo a couple weeks ago for big game, and the other day I found a Kage LT at Scheels on sale for 170 which fixes my spinning rod dilemma.

 

as far as my casting rods, I’m about to pull the trigger on a Steez A2 because I’ve always wanted one, but I also am considering getting 2 Alphas SVs because I love them and it would accelerate the process of evening out my rods and reels. But the Steez looks so enticing lol. 
 

what would yall do in this situation? Thanks!
 

dont get one… oh who am I kidding?   Just get the steez a2 if you’ve already set your mind on it.   You can get the alphas and zillions and try to be happy but in the back of your mind you’ll still be wondering about the steez a2.     Happened to me.. LoL     I will say at first I found the steez a2 very underwhelming and kept fishing the zillions but once I just started using it more and more it started to get better and better and now it’s my most used reel.    I really enjoy using it but I probably wouldn’t get another with the zillion being so good but I am glad I got the steez a2.   I almost traded it for an Antares 70a but I just can’t bring myself to it.    Treat yourself.   You deserve it. 

I would get the Steez AII. I have two as well. Great reel. One for soft plastic and the other is crankbaits.  At the JDM price, you can't go wrong but the Zillion is probably the better value. 

I don't have the Steez A2 but do have the Zillion SV TW 1000L.  I have to say my older Steez reels are a lot better looking....at least to my eyes.  I'd have to agree with those suggesting you go with the Steez first.

 

Yes, the Zillion might be a better value, but you know you (and the Bait Monkey) want a Steez. 

 

My Alphas reels are older models (I do have an SV105) and like them a lot.

 

So many reels....so little time. 

 

Don’t.  There you go.

Well my paycheck was bigger than I thought, and I stumbled across the 2024 Steez for a little over 400. Anyone have that reel? I’ll probably get that or the A2 and then maybe an alphas or a zillion as well

20 minutes ago, PBBrandon said:

Well my paycheck was bigger than I thought, and I stumbled across the 2024 Steez for a little over 400. Anyone have that reel? I’ll probably get that or the A2 and then maybe an alphas or a zillion as well

Well if you put it that way.. I’d say go for the brand new 2024 steez or you’ll be wondering what you missed out on.   Then let me know how it is.    Either way either reel is a win.   

35 minutes ago, MiceNReets said:

Well if you put it that way.. I’d say go for the brand new 2024 steez or you’ll be wondering what you missed out on.   Then let me know how it is.    Either way either reel is a win.   

Just ordered the 2024 Steez CT in 8.5:1 on Amazon. Was gonna have to wait til September 4th but I paid extra to get it this Saturday lol. 
 

Probably gonna put it on my DRX755c for Texas rigs and jigs. Cant wait!

 

 

23 hours ago, PBBrandon said:

The bait monkey has gotten ahold of me again. I went a good while without buying any new rods or reels while saving up for an engagement ring (she said yes lol). I also sold off a lot of my reels in the process, which has left me reel poor. I got 5 more casting rods than reels and 1 more spinning rod than reels. 

 

I’m currently jumping back into refilling my reels. I was fine where I was at but for some reason I think I got a curse on me. I have yet to catch a 3+ pound bass this year and I think it’s because the fish don’t like the fact that I am not dumping hundreds of dollars into my hobby. I picked up a Penn Battle 3 combo a couple weeks ago for big game, and the other day I found a Kage LT at Scheels on sale for 170 which fixes my spinning rod dilemma.

 

as far as my casting rods, I’m about to pull the trigger on a Steez A2 because I’ve always wanted one, but I also am considering getting 2 Alphas SVs because I love them and it would accelerate the process of evening out my rods and reels. But the Steez looks so enticing lol. 
 

what would yall do in this situation? Thanks!
 

Buy a JDM Zillion. The current A2 doesn’t move the needle and is worse to palm. 

40 minutes ago, PBBrandon said:

Just ordered the 2024 Steez CT in 8.5:1 on Amazon. Was gonna have to wait til September 4th but I paid extra to get it this Saturday lol. 
 

Probably gonna put it on my DRX755c for Texas rigs and jigs. Cant wait!

 

 

Very nice.    Glad you came to that choice or anything less and it’ll haunt you for life until you got it.   
 

I'd go alphas SV over steez. Bought an A2 and wasn't impressed, sold it. Like my alphas a lot more

Get the zillion, replace all bushings to quality bearings, and you will ask yourself what's the point of a steez.

Buy the Steez, give it to me, then you're out.  

 

I wouldn't trade my '19 Steez for anything, but you may find closeout prices coming on '21 Zillion when its replacement is introduced.  

I love my AII, it caught my PB striper this year. I might add a second at some point if the conversion rate stays hot.

Is your house/car/college debt paid for?

 

Do you have at least $1,000,000 in your retirement investments?

 

The fish don't care what reel you're using.

 

Guess it didn't help ...😉

 

 

4 hours ago, bulldog1935 said:

Buy the Steez, give it to me, then you're out.  

 

I wouldn't trade my '19 Steez for anything, but you may find closeout prices coming on '21 Zillion when its replacement is introduced.  

Don’t listen to this but instead buy the Steez and give it to me as @bulldog1935 already has one and I don’t 😂🤣

23 hours ago, DogBone_384 said:

Is your house/car/college debt paid for?

 

Do you have at least $1,000,000 in your retirement investments?

 

The fish don't care what reel you're using.

 

Guess it didn't help ...😉

 

 

There is much truth to that 

Steez came in the other day and she is a beaut. I saw I accidentally said I got the “CT” version in an earlier post. I actually picked up the new “SV” model.

 

I love the paint job on it, but if it’s anything like the Zillions, it might be prone to chipping. My Zillions look pretty chewed up lol. At least the Steez comes with a reel cover that I will for sure use. It’s very smooth and a hair lighter than the Zillion. I went ahead and ordered 2, 8 speed Zillions as well. Then I’ll take em out and compare them on the water. Overall so far, I don’t think I’d pay 750 for one, but for a little over 400, it’s a good deal

On 8/25/2024 at 11:20 AM, PBBrandon said:

I love the paint job on it, but if it’s anything like the Zillions, it might be prone to chipping. My Zillions look pretty chewed up lol. At least the Steez comes with a reel cover that I will for sure use.

Just buy and use these religiously and they'll stay nice forever.

The Rod Glove Casting Reel Glove | Tackle Warehouse

On 8/25/2024 at 2:58 PM, PhishLI said:

Just buy and use these religiously and they'll stay nice forever.

The Rod Glove Casting Reel Glove | Tackle Warehouse

I keep covers on all my reels when not in hand.  Learned the hard way after messing up a pristine Chronarch 101A.  Only takes a few seconds.  Time well spent in my book.

My beater magnesium Steez is 5-y-o

The Daiwa Neo reel cover that came with Steez is plenty fine - only photo I had is the same cover on my SLPW Zillion (bought aftermarket).  I only cover my reels for travel and storage, but they're in a rod holder when not in hand.  

 

Do some of you guys throw reels against the wall? 

This is a 1918 rod, and a 1940 reel with Japanned enamel finish.