I’m about to order a new Falcon Cara and need a reel for it. I’m a recent Daiwa fan, my “highest end” being the Tatula Elite (have purchased nothing but Daiwa reels since then.) 
 

Thinking about a JDM Zillion for this rod. I see a lot of hype about them but I’m just curious about makes them special. The one thing I’m not sure how to feel about is the clicking drag.. That just seems weird on a baitcaster.

 

JDM Zillion or maybe one of the nice Shimano’s, like a Metanium? Will mainly use for Texas rigs, jigs, c-rig, etc.. Bottom contact stuff. 

I personally have mixed feelings on the Zillion at the moment.

 

When it first came out, I picked one up in a 6spd, mainly planning to use for cranking or running a Spinnerbait, and was blown away by the smoothness of the reel and how comfortable it was in the hand.

 

My only complaint was where they moved the brake setting dial, I tend to bump it with my index finger on the cast. For some reason, the dial on mine rolls extremely easy towards increasing the brakes and when I cast in the palming position, my index finger bumps the dial and randomly bumps the brakes up a click or two at a time until casting distance starts to be reduced. 

 

As for smoothness,... It's still great, but I have to say other models and brands have made pretty big strides and the difference isn't as big as it once was.

 

I'm pretty impressed with the SLX 71 MGLs I have. My Curado MGLs and Bantams are very nice and smooth. I will also say the Tatula 70, 80, and the new Tatula 100 I picked up are extremely smooth compared to the previous model Tatula (SVTW and Tatula 100).

 

I just checked Digitaka and it seems exchange rates are creeping back up with the Zillion marked at $247.... It's still a nice price on a nice reel, but I have to honestly say that in my opinion, the quality of the Zillion doesn't separate itself quite as much as it did when it first came out. 

@FrnkNsteen the current price on JDM was a new year price increase for '25 - it was across the board in Japan.  Last year, you could get a JDM Zillion for $200 through vendors or Amazon (w/ Prime free delivery)  Inflation is very bad in Japan.  JY144/ US$ is still a strong exchange rate for us.  

20 years ago, we considered Japan shopping a good deal any time it was over JY100/ US$.  

 

If Zillion were not a good reel, it would be hype.  This one has been in the salt since the month they were introduced, and got its first internal lube over this past winter (pristine inside).  

It has also never backlashed in 4+ years.  

 

@dk2429 Zillion is Daiwa 34-mm free-floating spool, which gives you a ton of spool options, and the same frame can fish 2 g to 2 oz.  The fixed-inductor Roro spool on left will cast 1/16 oz to 130' (l-r, Roro-X29, Ray's Studio SV, Steez 1016 SV)

SV is in the spool - it's the moving inductor spring + thin inductor.  

@Tennessee Boy you can fish RCS MagZ spool to improve heavy-weight distance, which is the stock spool on Zillion HD (+ brass gears).  

 

1 hour ago, FrnkNsteen said:

I personally have mixed feelings on the Zillion at the moment.

 

When it first came out, I picked one up in a 6spd, mainly planning to use for cranking or running a Spinnerbait, and was blown away by the smoothness of the reel and how comfortable it was in the hand.

 

My only complaint was where they moved the brake setting dial, I tend to bump it with my index finger on the cast. For some reason, the dial on mine rolls extremely easy towards increasing the brakes and when I cast in the palming position, my index finger bumps the dial and randomly bumps the brakes up a click or two at a time until casting distance starts to be reduced. 

 

As for smoothness,... It's still great, but I have to say other models and brands have made pretty big strides and the difference isn't as big as it once was.

 

I'm pretty impressed with the SLX 71 MGLs I have. My Curado MGLs and Bantams are very nice and smooth. I will also say the Tatula 70, 80, and the new Tatula 100 I picked up are extremely smooth compared to the previous model Tatula (SVTW and Tatula 100).

 

I just checked Digitaka and it seems exchange rates are creeping back up with the Zillion marked at $247.... It's still a nice price on a nice reel, but I have to honestly say that in my opinion, the quality of the Zillion doesn't separate itself quite as much as it did when it first came out. 

I really appreciate this reply. That’s my whole thing too.. even the $120-$150 reels now are incredibly smooth and built nicely, how can that get any better? I scored one the new Tatula 100’s for $85 like new in the box and it’s as good as my Elite. 
 

I’ve never owned a reel that is $360 (if we’re talking American retail, although I’d be buying it from Digitaka) so I’m just trying to understand what the deal is with it 

I personally love the SV reels for light baits but can't stand them for heavier baits.  I think the reel would be great for t-rigs but you mentioned C-rigs.  I like to use 1/2-3/4 oz weighs on C-Rigs and I hate the SV reels for that.  They seem to have a maximum distance you can cast.  That max distance is beyond what you can throw a light lure so you don't notice it but with a 3/4 oz weight it drives me crazy.

I have mostly all Tatula Elites, but one Steez SV TW and one Zillion SV TW. In my opinion, the only reason to own an SV reel is to skip lures. And they do a phenomenal job at that. 
 

However, SV reels, including the Zillion even with booster, lack greatly in terms of casting distance.  I find myself over-casting to get normal range and find them frustrating, especially when switching rod/reels with Elites on them throughout the day. 

 

I know SV spools are touted for casting light lures, but I think they are a dud there too. I use BFS reels for that and can really zing a light lure quite effortlessly and farther. 

 

I’ll take my Elites, or even the Tatula 100, over my Zillion any day. Besides skipping… 

@dk2429 I have a zillion sv tw and absolutely love it. Then I bought 2 zillion hd. I feel the hd is the better reel, built a bit better on the inside. They are on 2 Cara's- a MH and a heavy. If comparing either with shimano, compare to the Metanium or Bantam. I have the Metanium 101 hg which is a great reel as well. All are jdm.

Thank y’all for your input. I’ve never used an SV or any reel that has a cast control feature (like a Shimano DC). That’s kind of why I wanted this Zillion, to give the new technology a try. 
 

What I might do given what y’all are saying, is put my Elite on this new rod (which will MAINLY be a c rig/jig rod) and put the Zillion on my already dedicated Texas rig rod. Sounds like I could actually benefit with the SV technology to skip Texas rigs under docks and what not (usually throwing 1/4oz tungsten with a rage craw). That rod is a Cara Heavy Cover Jig. The new one is going to be Cara Amistad most likely 

The first SV reel I tried came from BPS, wasn’t impressed and returned it. Grossly over braked. However this year I tried an Zil HD and was impressed. Me being me I bought a second one and then snagged a Zil SV model that was new old stock built during the 2016-2019 time frame. It is an exceptional long bomb reel. Trying to understand why, considering everything I’ve heard about these being short range casting reels etc I dug deep. It seems the braking profile is tweaked from a typical SV reel. I believe it. It will out throw any other reel I own and it’s not close. Jun from Japan Tackle said it was Daiwa’s best baitcast reel of all time. A long distance caster. It’s true, it’s been a pleasure casting a stock reel further than would ever realistically be needed. The HD reels are phenomenal also, excellent casting distances and amazing pitching reels. My advice is try one… if you don’t love it, flip it. I’m sure it’ll move rather quickly. 
 

My Bantams are much quieter though and I appreciate that. 

13 minutes ago, F14A-B said:

The first SV reel I tried came from BPS, wasn’t impressed and returned it. Grossly over braked. However this year I tried an Zil HD and was impressed. Me being me I bought a second one and then snagged a Zil SV model that was new old stock built during the 2016-2019 time frame. It is an exceptional long bomb reel. Trying to understand why, considering everything I’ve heard about these being short range casting reels etc I dug deep. It seems the braking profile is tweaked from a typical SV reel. I believe it. It will out throw any other reel I own and it’s not close. Jun from Japan Tackle said it was Daiwa’s best baitcast reel of all time. A long distance caster. It’s true, it’s been a pleasure casting a stock reel further than would ever realistically be needed. The HD reels are phenomenal also, excellent casting distances and amazing pitching reels. My advice is try one… if you don’t love it, flip it. I’m sure it’ll move rather quickly. 
 

My Bantams are much quieter though and I appreciate that. 

The SV spool in the old SV Zillion was always considered to be a good caster/all arounder compared to other SV spools at the time.  The going rate for a few years for one of the spools used in mint condition was $70.  I actually bought a used reel from Japan as a parts reel mainly to get that spool.  I use mine in a T3 MX and use the long cast mode of the 3D braking to get even more distance then put it in all around mode for normal spool behavior and skipping.  I don't use the max brake setting with this spool because I can get what I need skipping wise out of it on all around mode.

3 minutes ago, Bigbox99 said:

The SV spool in the old SV Zillion was always considered to be a good caster/all arounder compared to other SV spools at the time.  The going rate for a few years for one of the spools used in mint condition was $70.  I actually bought a used reel from Japan as a parts reel mainly to get that spool.  I use mine in a T3 MX and use the long cast mode of the 3D braking to get even more distance then put it in all around mode for normal spool behavior and skipping.  I don't use the max brake setting with this spool because I can get what I need skipping wise out of it on all around mode.

Appreciate that information, it truly is a great casting reel for sure and I was definitely taken by surprise. I’m on setting 3, using 1/2 tungsten on a GLX 844c, reel is 9.0. I had T3, my son just had to have it.. 😂 I loved the braking system on those reels for sure. 

Grab the Zillion HD and forget about everything else. They're still only $265 on Amazon JP. In this price range, nothing is even close to it.

3 minutes ago, F14A-B said:

Appreciate that information, it truly is a great casting reel for sure and I was definitely taken by surprise. I’m on setting 3, using 1/2 tungsten on a GLX 844c, reel is 9.0. I had T3, my son just had to have it.. 😂 I loved the braking system on those reels for sure. 

That's pretty low on the dial.  Are you using spool tension on that reel?  

Just now, Bigbox99 said:

That's pretty low on the dial.  Are you using spool tension on that reel?  

😂 yup just enough lol I wouldn’t fish it that way though that was pushing the engineering to see what she could do. 

Of course my HD reels typically are set 6-8 up to 10 

You set Daiwa mag to prevent mid-cast (wind) backlash throwing the lightest thing you plan to throw.  I always set Zero for incipient spool end play.  

SV or MagZ prevent start-up backlash.  

If you're casting heavy-enough that a low mag set works, you've set it up perfectly.  

 

Where I use high mag-set values is throwing weightless fixed inductor (i.e., 4-g spool), and then may need 10 to 12 on mag scalar.  

 

 

I should clarify I’m using 10# Yozuri Hybrid on the SV Zil.. 

2 hours ago, bulldog1935 said:

@FrnkNsteen the current price on JDM was a new year price increase for '25 - it was across the board in Japan.  Last year, you could get a JDM Zillion for $200 through vendors or Amazon (w/ Prime free delivery)  Inflation is very bad in Japan.  JY144/ US$ is still a strong exchange rate for us.  

20 years ago, we considered Japan shopping a good deal any time it was over JY100/ US$.  

 

If Zillion were not a good reel, it would be hype.  This one has been in the salt since the month they were introduced, and got its first internal lube over this past winter (pristine inside).  

It has also never backlashed in 4+ years.  

 

@dk2429 Zillion is Daiwa 34-mm free-floating spool, which gives you a ton of spool options, and the same frame can fish 2 g to 2 oz.  The fixed-inductor Roro spool on left will cast 1/16 oz to 130' (l-r, Roro-X29, Ray's Studio SV, Steez 1016 SV)

SV is in the spool - it's the moving inductor spring + thin inductor.  

@Tennessee Boy you can fish RCS MagZ spool to improve heavy-weight distance, which is the stock spool on Zillion HD (+ brass gears).  

 

The Zil you serviced after many seasons of saltwater use, that is an aluminum drive gear, correct? What is your opinion on that material for a drive gear? 
 

I've read repeatedly over the years that Daiwa has that alloy figured out while Shimano doesn’t seem too. I’ve seen more than a few Shimano aluminum gears that had broken gear teeth but never one by Daiwa. Just curious about your thoughts on it. 

@F14A-B

My black Zillion is SLPW, which came without spool and handle (I would swap, anyway).  

It's based on '22 HD with improved clutch and brass Hyperdrive gears.  

I wouldn't notice the difference until I fish them side by side, which I did in last year's fall Redfish Rodeo, along with Zillion Silver Wolf.  The brass gears stood out for subtle smoothness that I never noticed before in the other 2 aluminum gear sets.  

Again, after 4 years of this, can't complain about Daiwa's alloy gears - and if I decide, can always swap in hyperdrive brass, which I did when I rebuilt my Ryoga (bought used on Yahoo).  

Note the difference in teeth profile between installed hyperdrive, and the removed stock Ryoga pinion laying across the frame.  Without doubt, the brass gears will keep going harder, longer.  

Ryoga 1016, btw, also swaps these same spools.  

 

8 minutes ago, bulldog1935 said:

@F14A-B

My black Zillion is SLPW, which came without spool and handle (I would swap, anyway).  

It's based on '22 HD with improved clutch and brass Hyperdrive gears.  

I wouldn't notice the difference until I fish them side by side, which I did in last year's fall Redfish Rodeo, along with Zillion Silver Wolf.  The brass gears stood out for subtle smoothness that I never noticed before in the other 2 aluminum gear sets.  

Again, after 4 years of this, can't complain about Daiwa's alloy gears - and if I decide, can always swap in hyperdrive brass (which I did when I rebuilt my Ryoga).  

Note the difference in teeth profile between installed hyperdrive, and the removed stock Ryoga pinion laying across the frame.  Without doubt, the brass gears will keep going harder, longer.  

Ryoga, btw, also swaps these same spools.  

 

Good stuff. Thank you. 

I have a boat deck full of zillions.

 

Theyve been fantastic and I ended up selling all of my Mets to get more Zillions. The noisy gears in the Mets just bothered me. The zillions are still quiet and smooth after years of use.

 

I don’t find casting distance to be that much of a limiter for my use but I don’t do a lot of ‘need to cast a mile’ fishing.

 

Also, I have a few of the new Steez SV TW’s and I honestly think I prefer the zillions.

42 minutes ago, dk2429 said:

Thank y’all for your input. I’ve never used an SV or any reel that has a cast control feature (like a Shimano DC). That’s kind of why I wanted this Zillion, to give the new technology a try. 
 

What I might do given what y’all are saying, is put my Elite on this new rod (which will MAINLY be a c rig/jig rod) and put the Zillion on my already dedicated Texas rig rod. Sounds like I could actually benefit with the SV technology to skip Texas rigs under docks and what not (usually throwing 1/4oz tungsten with a rage craw). That rod is a Cara Heavy Cover Jig. The new one is going to be Cara Amistad most likely 

 

I have all of the things you're consideering and I even used my Zillion on my Cara HCJ the last two years.  This year I moved the zillion to my finesse jig rod and put a bantam on the HCJ.

 

why did I swap?  the Zillion on the HCJ was a great setup.  I ran 17 lb mono (suffix elite) and it was primarily used for texas rigs, jigs, and buzzbaits (all 3/8-3/4 total bait weight).  If you want maybe the easiest casting, smoothest combination, I have to say that throwing a 1/4-3/8 oz buzzbait in the dark and pinpointing cover was as smooth as butter.  One of the easiest casting fool proof setups ever.  I can't say a bad thing about the combo and uses.  I was upgrading a couple other reels in my lineup and decided that a Bantam is an even better pair and I don't regret that decision.  I had one on my amistad and tried it on the HCJ before deciding.

 

At the time I was ordering, the bantams were the same cost as the Zillions at $225 or so (if the zillion had been $200 like it was previously I'd have gotten another one of them).  The bantam is just a little heavier than the zillion and while the HCJ is very light in swing weight anyway the extra ounce in the bantam balances it just a tiny bit better.  The Zillion also is right on the border for line capacity for heavier line.  I was using suffix elite which is 0.016" in 17 lb and on the thicker end for a given poundage.  I'd get 55-60 yards of line on the reel on a fresh spooling.  With a choppo 105 I could just about cast all of the line off the spool.  With a buzzbait or texas rig that didn't come into play, but after a half season of use you definitely wanted to respool to fill it back up.  The bantam holds a decent bit more so no issues there.  I still have the other bantam on my Cara Amistad.

 

I considered a met for the HCJ also, but it is the same weight as the Zillion and a little smaller physically.  I put a new met on the swim jig rod and it's lovely there (I also have one on my head turner that hasn't left that rod in 3 years).

 

 

 

 

@ReelDr everyone on TackleTour forum complains about the 32-mm spool on new Steez.  

But the Avail green aftermarket parts for it are cool.  

 

9 minutes ago, bulldog1935 said:

@ReelDr everyone on TackleTour forum complains about the 32-mm spool on new Steez.  

But the Avail green aftermarket parts for it are cool.  

 

Does that forum still work for you?

 

I can’t seem to get in or get anyone to respond in years now.

14 minutes ago, casts_by_fly said:

 

I have all of the things you're consideering and I even used my Zillion on my Cara HCJ the last two years.  This year I moved the zillion to my finesse jig rod and put a bantam on the HCJ.

 

why did I swap?  the Zillion on the HCJ was a great setup.  I ran 17 lb mono (suffix elite) and it was primarily used for texas rigs, jigs, and buzzbaits (all 3/8-3/4 total bait weight).  If you want maybe the easiest casting, smoothest combination, I have to say that throwing a 1/4-3/8 oz buzzbait in the dark and pinpointing cover was as smooth as butter.  One of the easiest casting fool proof setups ever.  I can't say a bad thing about the combo and uses.  I was upgrading a couple other reels in my lineup and decided that a Bantam is an even better pair and I don't regret that decision.  I had one on my amistad and tried it on the HCJ before deciding.

 

At the time I was ordering, the bantams were the same cost as the Zillions at $225 or so (if the zillion had been $200 like it was previously I'd have gotten another one of them).  The bantam is just a little heavier than the zillion and while the HCJ is very light in swing weight anyway the extra ounce in the bantam balances it just a tiny bit better.  The Zillion also is right on the border for line capacity for heavier line.  I was using suffix elite which is 0.016" in 17 lb and on the thicker end for a given poundage.  I'd get 55-60 yards of line on the reel on a fresh spooling.  With a choppo 105 I could just about cast all of the line off the spool.  With a buzzbait or texas rig that didn't come into play, but after a half season of use you definitely wanted to respool to fill it back up.  The bantam holds a decent bit more so no issues there.  I still have the other bantam on my Cara Amistad.

 

I considered a met for the HCJ also, but it is the same weight as the Zillion and a little smaller physically.  I put a new met on the swim jig rod and it's lovely there (I also have one on my head turner that hasn't left that rod in 3 years).

 

 

 

 

I didn’t even think about line capacity. I like 16# Sniper for my Texas rigs right now.

 

Looks like the Zillion is rated between 43-87yds yards of 16# test??? Why do all of the JDM reels have such small line capacity? I was going to get a JDM Stradic recently but opted out because of how little line it held. I guess 87yds is enough, that just seems like very little line. I believe my Elite holds 125yds

 

Any idea why it’s rated for 43-87yds of 16#? Under what circumstance would it only hold 43, but hold 87 in another situation? I don’t get that 

@ReelDr - you have to be registered and logged-in - go through the front end and send an e-mail to Cal.  

They had to restrict access this way (all php.board) because AI web crawlers were using 1000x more bandwidth than members.  

 

@dk2429 - reduced loaded spool mass reduces inertia for quicker start, needs less brake force, and overall improves cast distance and reliability.