Just thought I would rip the bandage off...... Daiwa is raising their prices on Jan. 1st. Upper end reels are going up $100 and most other reels are going up $50. For example, a Steez AII will be $749 instead of the current $649.  I'll give you three guesses as to why but you already know. 

 

Updating this..   This is USDM. Not sure about JDM. 

I just wish they would fishing alone. I think it should exempt from all the BS. It’s freaking crazy 

Daiwa or Daiwa US?  Daiwa US prices have been bonkers for years.   

Ouch..

I should have asked for more gift cards this year for Christmas.

ahh......

Rods are going down though

The problem with reels is adding aluminum- and steel-derivative tariff.  

Rods ship with straight 15-21% import duty.  

Not surprising in the least.

Makes me wonder if I should order 1 more Tatula and that Zillion I was eying right now.

 

Yeah..... this thread just cost me $540.

Edited December 28, 2025Dec 28 by Junk Fisherman

There goes my idea of trading up to a Zillion at the Cabela’s trade in event this upcoming year.  
 

Now, maybe I have to stick with the Daiwa Tatula Elite. I was on the fence about the Zillion because of cost, it is at $399. I’m a casual BASS angler so spending the money on the Zillion would be a luxury spend for me. 
 

I feel like I don’t necessarily need the Zillion but I want the Zillion.  I’m trapped. 😂😂

horse hockey

https://www.digitaka.com/items/4/4/2/ZILLION+SV+TW

13 minutes ago, FLYING HIGH said:

Now, maybe I have to stick with the Daiwa Tatula Elite. I was on the fence about the Zillion because of cost, it is at $399.

Digitaka. Look at the price in USD. Less than an Elite purchased stateside. Be brave.😁

 

 

 

15 minutes ago, FLYING HIGH said:

There goes my idea of trading up to a Zillion at the Cabela’s trade in event this upcoming year.  
 

Now, maybe I have to stick with the Daiwa Tatula Elite. I was on the fence about the Zillion because of cost, it is at $399. I’m a casual BASS angler so spending the money on the Zillion would be a luxury spend for me. 
 

I feel like I don’t necessarily need the Zillion but I want the Zillion.  I’m trapped. 😂😂

I have Zillions as well as Tatula Elite. I far far prefer the Elite for everything except skipping lures. The SV spool in the Zillion really restricts normal casting distance whereas the Tatula Elite will go 30% farther. If I could also skip as well with the Elite I would not own any Zillions. 

FLYING HIGH said in his opening sentence that he planned to trade in via Cabelas…USA. Pretty sure he’s not talking about Japan. 

 

14 minutes ago, FryDog62 said:

I have Zillions as well as Tatula Elite. I far far prefer the Elite for everything except skipping lures. The SV spool in the Zillion really restricts normal casting distance whereas the Tatula Elite will go 30% farther. If I could also skip as well with the Elite I would not own any Zillions. 

Not sure what you think a normal cast is, but my SV Zillions are killer at both short work and bomb casting. 

2 hours ago, Bigbox99 said:

Daiwa or Daiwa US?  Daiwa US prices have been bonkers for years.   

Daiwa US.

19 minutes ago, PhishLI said:

Digitaka. Look at the price in USD. Less than an Elite purchased stateside. Be brave.😁

I definitely like that price better and I do see some of you all ordering through this site. Thank you!  

 

18 minutes ago, FryDog62 said:

I have Zillions as well as Tatula Elite. I far far prefer the Elite for everything except skipping lures. The SV spool in the Zillion really restricts normal casting distance whereas the Tatula Elite will go 30% farther. If I could also skip as well with the Elite I would not own any Zillions. 

I think this answers my issue. I really want more casting distance because I am fishing from banks and shorelines and if the Tatula Elite is not much different from Zillions except for price  and a little more fine tuned then I should go that route. Thanks!
 

My first bait-caster ever is the Daiwa Tatula CT 7.1.1. I like that reel and currently have it on the St Croix Legend Bass Tournament 7’1 MHF. For me, that is my top setup that I have. 

19 minutes ago, F14A-B said:

FLYING HIGH said in his opening sentence that he planned to trade in via Cabelas…USA. Pretty sure he’s not talking about Japan

Yes, I definitely like using that event. That’s how I’ve purchased my reels and rods.
 

I also strongly support the program that takes all trade ins and gives to young children to help encourage B.A.S.S. fishing for the youth.

 

I actually got a pic with Mark Zona at one of those events a couple years ago. Super cool moment for me. 

 

I might be getting a little softer in my older age(51) but I definitely enjoy helping and supporting others in this B.A.S.S. fishing sport I love. 🤩

@FLYING HIGH I much like yourself have always used the trade in event and I am still planning on it with the caveat being careful selecting what it is I’m buying. BPS  branded reels are nothing more than rebadged versions of others reels such as Doyo and in some instances Daiwa’s at least from what I’ve been told. I will also add I’ve purchased a few reels from Japan as well after being informed thanks to our fine members here.

I really like my Zillion for casting big spinnerbaits into the wind, pretty much idiot proof, but other than that, really like my Shimano baitcasters a lot more... I used to have a few of the current model Zillions and found myself getting rid of all of them but the one. 

 

If you are willing to spend that kind of coin, perhaps try a Bantam. I just really love the solid feel of the Bantam and it casts as well as anything I have ever used. Like it more than the Metanium...

maybe start a Shimano 2026 thread

 

And while you're there, write a simple why and how to set up Shimano casting brake.  

Quote

Generally, the correct way to set MagZ and SV mag scalar on Daiwa, you cast a high arc using the lightest weight you ever plan to cast, and dial out mid-cast backlash.  (MagZ and SV moving inductor takes care of start-up backlash and heavier weights.)  Use this scalar setting as your base number - you may dial it down a notch or two to increase heavy-lure distance.  You increase it a notch or two for casting into wind.  

 

Wind backlash is mid-cast backlash, and you dial it out with (any) linear mag brake.  The motion of SV and MagZ inductor is a non-linear start-up response, giving mag brake the increased force of centrifugal to prevent start-up backlash.  

Will this effect Japan prices? 

38 minutes ago, FLYING HIGH said:

Yes, I definitely like using that event. That’s how I’ve purchased my reels and rods.
 

I also strongly support the program that takes all trade ins and gives to young children to help encourage B.A.S.S. fishing for the youth.

 

I actually got a pic with Mark Zona at one of those events a couple years ago. Super cool moment for me. 

 

I might be getting a little softer in my older age(51) but I definitely enjoy helping and supporting others in this B.A.S.S. fishing sport I love. 🤩

Do you remember the specifics from the event last year? How much did you get off? 

1 hour ago, PhishLI said:

Digitaka. Look at the price in USD. Less than an Elite purchased stateside. Be brave.😁

 

 

 

 True, you can get it cheaper in Japan, 

What you get: A made in Japan reel. No warranty. You get an Alloy main gear, unless you order the JDM 1000HD Zillion with a brass main gear and Stainless pinion. Plus it’s Mag Z boost. I think that even the 21 Zil or 22 (non HD model) alloy gear model comes with a stainless pinion but I’m gonna call backup on that. @bulldog1935

USDM Zillion G SV already comes with brass hyperdrive digigear w stainless pinion and warranty, made in Thailand 

 

There is no HD “black” 1000HD per se.. available in the USDM. 

@FLYING HIGH

@Brycecover So the deal is trade in a rod or reel in working order they give you a coupon and you get a certain amount off based on the purchase price of a new rod or reel. Also there is no limit and I watched a gentleman trade in I believe it was a dozen reels one year. Here’s the flyer from the 2025 sale, hopefully this helps.