Picked one up from Japan on Thursday, it’s a beautiful reel, very smooth and a different feel than my Metaniums and Bantams. I like it though I have yet to line it up. Opinions on power as well as the braking system , long cast ability are appreciated. It’s been pouring rain.. 

Great reel with heavy fluorocarbon.  The tws let's line flow out smoothly and the braking system can handle stiff heavy fluorocarbon without needing to use spool tension to compensate.

You'll find MagZ to boom out large lures and have no start-up problems.  

I've found the current generation of MagZ magnets are also strong enough to fish lighter SV inductor and even fixed-inductor BFS spools.  

10 minutes ago, bulldog1935 said:

You'll find MagZ to boom out large lures and have no start-up problems.  

I've found the current generation of MagZ magnets are also strong enough  to fish lighter SV inductor and even fixed-inductor BFS spools.  

Now that’s interesting.. so basically no spool limitations as long as it’s a 34 mm ? So if I wanted to easily throw lighter baits, what spool would you recommend? (Here I go down the rabbit hole ) 

13 minutes ago, Bigbox99 said:

Great reel with heavy fluorocarbon.  The tws let's line flow out smoothly and the braking system can handle stiff heavy fluorocarbon without needing to use spool tension to compensate.

Got some 22 Samurai to put on it, after I make a 100 casts with Yozuri 10

To me it's the Mack truck of "normal" sized reels.    I've never used a more robust 100-200 sized baitcast reel.   

 

I exclusively throw 20lb FC on mine, and 95% of the stuff I throw with it is between 2-3ozs.     

 

It's my A-Rig, and standard sized Glide reel.    I wish I had another one to see how well it does with 1/2-2oz baits.       

 

 

2 minutes ago, AlabamaSpothunter said:

To me it's the Mack truck of "normal" sized reels.    I've never used a more robust 100-200 sized baitcast reel.   

 

I exclusively throw 20lb FC on mine, and 95% of the stuff I throw with it is between 2-3ozs.     

 

It's my A-Rig, and standard sized Glide reel.    I wish I had another one to see how well it does with 1/2-2oz baits.       

 

 

What’s your opinion on power? I’m using the 7.1 

18 minutes ago, F14A-B said:

Now that’s interesting.. so basically no spool limitations as long as it’s a 34 mm ? So if I wanted to easily throw lighter baits, what spool would you recommend? (Here I go down the rabbit hole ) 

Got some 22 Samurai to put on it, after I make a 100 casts with Yozuri 10

My bread-and-butter on SLPW-Z ('22 HD) is Ray's Studio SV spool fishing PE#1.2.  

Two weeks ago, I was fishing 15 g w/ MagZ1012, PE#2 and it was a rocket - I couldn't see my cast land in the dark.  When I first set this up, went through SV Boost and (tiny) fixed-inductor AMO - on the latter, it took mag scalar set to 12, but it blasted out 2-3-g distance.  

(Ray's SV)

3 minutes ago, bulldog1935 said:

My bread-and-butter on SLPW-Z ('22 HD) is Ray's Studio SV spool fishing PE#1.2.  

Two weeks ago, I was fishing 15 g w/ MagZ1012, PE#2 and it was a rocket - I couldn't see my cast land in the dark.  When I first set this up, went through SV Boost and (tiny) fixed-inductor AMO - on the latter, it took mag-set scalar set to 12, but it blasted out 2-3-g distance.  

(Ray's SV)

Wow that’s amazing. Glad I listened to your recommendation on this reel, certainly seems it has aftermarket support. I’m still wondering about power though.. it won’t be much longer and I’ll be on the big water, but till then I’ve got some decisions to make. 

33 minutes ago, F14A-B said:

 I’m still wondering about power though.. it won’t be much longer and I’ll be on the big water, but till then I’ve got some decisions to make. 

 

Maybe I'm misunderstanding you.  My stock Zillion HD lives on my Tequila Bacarac and I regularly throw the entire rod weight range, 3/4-4oz and it bombs for me.  Now it's mostly for NLB, but I have run into some powerful pike over the years.  Never a question that this reel couldn't do it.  I'm more sad that when Amazon was on the blowout, I only bought one additional zillion instead of two.

 

scott

5 minutes ago, softwateronly said:

 

Maybe I'm misunderstanding you.  My stock Zillion HD lives on my Tequila Bacarac and I regularly throw the entire rod weight range, 3/4-4oz and it bombs for me.  Now it's mostly for NLB, but I have run into some powerful pike over the years.  Never a question that this reel couldn't do it.  I'm more sad that when Amazon was on the blowout, I only bought one additional zillion instead of two.

 

scott

I’m referring to gear power/ raw cranking power. It will likely go on my GLX xtra heavy flip stick. It’s only rated to 1 1/2 ounce though. 
 

I do have a sweet IMX crank bait rod that’s a heavy and it needs a proper power reel for 3/4 to the monster RC which weighs in at 1 1/2 the rod can handle it but I’m thinking this isn’t the reel for that work

Just now, F14A-B said:

I’m referring to gear power/ raw cranking power. 

I've deep cranked with a G20 on my TB a few times, not to mention glides and big soft swimmers.  Not an issue at all.  I don't see any hints of issues with lack of power.  Just smooth and powerful, I think you'll love it.

 

scott

 

 

2 minutes ago, softwateronly said:

I've deep cranked with a G20 on my TB a few times, not to mention glides and big soft swimmers.  Not an issue at all.  I don't see any hints of issues with lack of power.  Just smooth and powerful, I think you'll love it.

 

scott

 

 

Thank you. 

1 hour ago, F14A-B said:

What’s your opinion on power? I’m using the 7.1 

I've got the 7.1 as well.    It's got all the power you need, and then some.    

 

I don't play any fish on this reel, the drag is locked down for the most part and I winch them in as fast as I can.     It has no problem winching big fish in so again power is not a problem at all.

 

I don't use it as a frogging reel, but many do and say it really excels in that role.   

 

Hopefully that's what you meant by power.

I have a 8.1 on a Steez Power Pitch . I use it for pitching 3/8 and 1/2 ounce jigs and absolutely love it. I recently bought a 7.1 and plan on throwing cranks with it. I don’t like the knobs that come on them so I changed them out to the Zillion SV knobs. 

16 minutes ago, LonnieP said:

I have a 8.1 on a Steez Power Pitch . I use it for pitching 3/8 and 1/2 ounce jigs and absolutely love it. I recently bought a 7.1 and plan on throwing cranks with it. I don’t like the knobs that come on them so I changed them out to the Zillion SV knobs. 

Sweet! Thanks for the feedback on that weight range. As far as the eva knobs I’m of a similar opinion, I don’t prefer it on rod handles either. 

17 minutes ago, AlabamaSpothunter said:

I've got the 7.1 as well.    It's got all the power you need, and then some.    

 

I don't play any fish on this reel, the drag is locked down for the most part and I winch them in as fast as I can.     It has no problem winching big fish in so again power is not a problem at all.

 

I don't use it as a frogging reel, but many do and say it really excels in that role.   

 

Hopefully that's what you meant by power.

Thanks brother, that’s exactly what I was getting at. 

I use an 8 speed zilly  on Cara heavy for froggin. 50 lb j braid, big frogs. That reel has never flinched pullin 6,7,8, lb bass out of that beautiful thick florida vegetation!! On the inside, it has great deep cut brass gears. Built like a tank. A joy to use!

15 hours ago, little giant said:

I use an 8 speed zilly  on Cara heavy for froggin. 50 lb j braid, big frogs. That reel has never flinched pullin 6,7,8, lb bass out of that beautiful thick florida vegetation!! On the inside, it has great deep cut brass gears. Built like a tank. A joy to use!

You’re fishing in my favorite way, excepting the frog lol. My favorite is pitching Hydrilla. Second would be throwing a trap and very close to that is LC squarebills.. 

 

Super glad to hear from everyone on their experiences with the reel. 
 

I spooled her up, with 10# Yozuri Hybrid & mounted it on my GLX 844C and tied on a 1/2 lead weight started throwing on brake setting 6 and backed down to 4. However it’s really chilly out and my 128 pound male German Shepherd wanted to play  destroy the rod 🤣😂🤣 I fear one day he could succeed 😉

 

Thank you for your feedback. 
 

PS. Right now I believe it’s outcasting my Bantam’s and so far I’m loving it..

Its more tank-y than a tat300, if that tells you anything. I use one for frogging and one for heavy punching. It feels like it is made for the heavy winching of big fish out of nasty grass. 

Been outside off and on all day and I’ll say one thing for sure: It will easily out pitch my Bantam XG, and it’s no contest really. I can fire this thing at a low trajectory but with great speed. The Bantam just doesn’t have that speed… as far as distance, I give the advantage to the 1000 yet again. But it’s close, with the Daiwa though it’s just a smoother and quicker cast. These EVA grips: I’ve never been a fan, I guess I can make do but any suggestions on replacement grips? 
@bulldog1935 @AlabamaSpothunter

 

Totally loving this reel. I might be a convert 😂 I can always count on BR to either open my eyes or just peak my curiosity.. I need another one, plus a crazy cranker and maybe a steez? 

I obviously like my giant Avail and Studio composite handles and knobs.  

Both the handles and the giant knobs are lighter than the stock Daiwa handles and small I-shaped rubber knobs.  The knobs are carbon tube, and the handle spindles are titanium.  

There are also grades of EVA, and you might be surprised by the quality of these.  

Avail handle Avail A knob; Studio Composite handle and knobs; Avail handle with S/C knobs

  

I prefer the Avail handle in longer lengths, 8+ gears, and the shorter Studio Composite carbon handle in lower gears.  The Ryoga bought used came with Avail handle, and I had the S/C knobs in the parts bin.  

Here's a BFS spool "kit" Avail just introduced for '24 Steez, which is 32-mm spool dia.  

Many people are griping about '24 Steez smaller spool, and also the new bigger price.  

I got my replacement knobs from the Tackle Trap

@bulldog1935 Is the expert on these reels, and especially modifying them, so I'll default to his judgement.   

 

Personally, I don't mind the stock knobs and still have them on mine.   

 

IIrc @T-Billy has one or two of these and he didn't like the OEM knobs and replaced them, maybe he can give a good suggestion.  

11 minutes ago, LonnieP said:

I got my replacement knobs from the Tackle Trap

Can you shoot me a pic?

57 minutes ago, F14A-B said:

Can you shoot me a pic?

I would but I recently moved and my fishing gear is still in storage. 

4 hours ago, AlabamaSpothunter said:

IIrc @T-Billy has one or two of these and he didn't like the OEM knobs and replaced them, maybe he can give a good suggestion

Just the opposite. I love 'em, and added them to several other reels.