9 hours ago, FishTank said:

 

Ya, they had the Core in the US and Metanium MG7 in Japan, which I own one of as well. I can tell you it is not the same reel. It's not bad but it just feels different and the retrieve is not as smooth. 

 

As far as JDM used reels, I would be cautious. I have bought a few on eBay and returned a few. They may look great on the outside but the insides can be a hot mess. They are often fished in multiple types of water (fresh, salt and brackish) and the insides can be corroded. Often times Japanese anglers beat their reels to death as they mainly fish from the bank in places we probably wouldn't venture.  If you find a mint reel in Japan, it's usually one that someone purchased to collect or keep as a status symbol. Those can fetch a big price, like the TD-Ito. 

 

The best deals can be found on used lures, especially glide baits and swimbaits. Stores like Tackle Berry and Josuya are worth checking out.  I also have gotten stuff from Sansui (great store). Personally, I have never been there but I use to have a co-worker that would shop around for me but I found it was a hassle and just easier to order from JDM sites.  I do have a family member that is going to Japan in April. I am hoping to convince her to hunt down a few things for me that can't be found here. 

 
 

I’ve often wondered about this scenario when buying used from Japan.   I’ve seen some really beat up reels in my searches and the descriptions do seem to be honest with appearance.  And I’ve also bought used ones with descriptions making them seem worse than they actually are and when I get them, there is no issue or a simple clean will do it.   I’m sure I’ll eventually get a mint reel on the outside and a bomb went off on the inside.   Hopefully not though

13 hours ago, MiceNReets said:

 
 

I’ve often wondered about this scenario when buying used from Japan.   I’ve seen some really beat up reels in my searches and the descriptions do seem to be honest with appearance.  And I’ve also bought used ones with descriptions making them seem worse than they actually are and when I get them, there is no issue or a simple clean will do it.   I’m sure I’ll eventually get a mint reel on the outside and a bomb went off on the inside.   Hopefully not though

That's been my experience as well.  The reels were all honestly described or were better than described.  Usually the reels have been flawless and even came with after market parts like spools and/or color parts.  I'll get a reel that is graded B or "good" and it will look brand new except in one tiny scuff in the clear coat that you have to turn the reel just right to see in strong lighting and a price that makes me feel like I am stealing the reel.  This is in stark contrast to my Ebay experiences of blurry images of "excellent condition" reels with numerous small defects in the paint with a price just below already inflated US retail.

On 1/3/2026 at 11:45 PM, Micro Module Police said:

Generally speaking, are you still interested in buying older models released between the 2000s and say 2015, or are you mostly sticking to the newer stuff?

I always prefer the newest model because you get the latest tech. Diawa and Shimano religiously update their products on a regular basis and you can decide for yourself whether its worth it or not. Most of the time it is.  One caveat - I purchased a Daiwa T3 SV around 2015 because it performs well and has a unique way to engage the clutch which I find really nice when pitching and Flipping.  I ended up finding a couple more in new condition on eBay so there you have it!

1 hour ago, Patrick Oliver said:

I always prefer the newest model because you get the latest tech. Diawa and Shimano religiously update their products on a regular basis and you can decide for yourself whether its worth it or not. Most of the time it is.  One caveat - I purchased a Daiwa T3 SV around 2015 because it performs well and has a unique way to engage the clutch which I find really nice when pitching and Flipping.  I ended up finding a couple more in new condition on eBay so there you have it!

I have one of those T3 SV reels too. It was the first T3 I had bought. Bought it used, nice and clean on the big auction site.

 

Liked it so much I picked up a couple other versions. Mine is an 8 spd.... Maybe all the T3 SV's are for all I know. I currently have it on a 6'6" Carrot Stick M/MF throwing Rocket Shads. That thing casts great and the 8spd lets me burn those little Rocket Shads by lay downs and rocks for reaction bites.

 

Really like that setup!!

I bought a 2005 chronarch the other day in a lot of 4 reels. It’s great! If I didn’t have like 11 or 12 reels already I’d keep it. 

Which model Chronarch?

 

I was in a thrift store today and found a 1987 Shimano BX25 spinning reel in great shape. They had $4.99 on it and 50% off of that. I picked it up and gave it a spin and was amazed by 2 things. One, it was super smooth. I could not feel the gear teeth. Not geary at all. That was amazing to find in such an old reel. And it was fully functional, a testament to the quality of Shimano.

 

But what got me hooked was the anti-reverse was from the era of clicker reels, but this one did not click. Smooth and quiet.

 

So I spent $2.50 on it plus tax. I figure if it has lasted 38 years without fail and is still this smooth, I am sure I will get another 25 to 30 years out of it just as smooth- only I probably won't be around that long. My son will inherit it.

 

I don't think I have ever seen one of these before. I'll start overhauling it tonight replacing 3 bushings with ball bearings, and start fishing with it in a couple of days. It has one of the best rear drags I've ever used. Has some stopping power. I'll see if I can beef it some more. Not a bad deal for under $3.00. And its made in Japan too. This might explain the quality of it.

 

So yes, I still buy old reels. Especially when this cheap and this smooth and this solid.

 

 

On 1/6/2026 at 4:52 PM, FrnkNsteen said:

I have one of those T3 SV reels too. It was the first T3 I had bought. Bought it used, nice and clean on the big auction site.

 

Liked it so much I picked up a couple other versions. Mine is an 8 spd.... Maybe all the T3 SV's are for all I know. I currently have it on a 6'6" Carrot Stick M/MF throwing Rocket Shads. That thing casts great and the 8spd lets me burn those little Rocket Shads by lay downs and rocks for reaction bites.

 

Really like that setup!!

Yes amazing reel and I can't believe they quite making the pivoting top.. BTW, they came in 6.3 and 8.1.   

The past few reels I’ve purchased after been older ones.

Will probably buy new for the next just to see what’s out there

I don't often buy older reels, but I certainly still keep many around. While more modern reels are often far less weight, they often sacrifice durability to achieve that.

7 hours ago, Patrick Oliver said:

Yes amazing reel and I can't believe they quite making the pivoting top.. BTW, they came in 6.3 and 8.1.   

Yep... That's the one I have. Really like that reel, and for what it's worth,... It looks really good on the orange Carrot Stix rod I have it on! 😜

7 hours ago, FrnkNsteen said:

Yep... That's the one I have. Really like that reel, and for what it's worth,... It looks really good on the orange Carrot Stix rod I have it on! 😜

That would look great! Not the only time i've picked a reel to match a rod I have them on Dobyn's Champ extreme

Come to think about it, I have 2 Shimano Chronarch Ci4 (Circa 2014-2016) that I use for crank baits and bladed jigs.  Absolutely no reason to replace them as I recently installed a hedgehog studios upgraded bearing kit and installed anodized clutch leavers because the rubber fell off the factory units. In other words, there's the option to spend less and customize. 

 

On 1/4/2026 at 7:08 PM, Eric 26 said:

I don’t know why I haven’t pursued this route especially after seeing @MiceNReets pull off some totally killer deals.

 

Yeah, the best used JDM would be its auction site, or Mercari if you don't want to wait. Skipping the middleman could yield some great prices for great condition reels, if you have the patience to sift through numerous postings. And you can find some really surprising gems occasionally. I think so far the best deal I got from them is $130 shipped for a mint condition/zero scratch Steez. The $120 mint condition 20 Metanium, or the $200 brand new  14 Calcutta Conquest would be a close second.

Still using Quantum baitcasters that are 20 years old. PT 600, 650 and 860 are what I like. These were made in Japan so no crappy plastic parts. I have tried other reels over the years but always go back to these. One of the issues I have is how I palm the reels. Reels that don't have a cover over the paw pinch my hand. Right now I have about 25 of these reels but always looking for the PT650 as I only have 3 and they have seen better days.

Allen

Just bought a new in box Cabelas

Prodigy. Same reel as a Diawa Tierra/Advantage. Great 200 size reel. 2nd one I have purchased new in the box in the last couple of months. All I do is regrease them and upgrade the handle to a larger handle. I like throwing 5 inch magdraft style swimbaits with them.

I buy Abu round reels. I've got probably 30 or so functional ones and probably 50 or so in a bucket that needs parts or reworked.

2015 is not old for me, I’ll buy any metanium DC 15 or Antares MD DC or Alderaan anytime,I use mine two days per week since I purchased them back in 2015 up to now and they working like brand new. But 2000 is old for me.

11 hours ago, IYAOYAS said:

I buy Abu round reels. I've got probably 30 or so functional ones and probably 50 or so in a bucket that needs parts or reworked.

You're not far from the surf - you can make C3 beastly with stainless gears and blue corundum drag washers.

6500CS Rocket on 8' surf-lure

6500CT Blue Yonder on 14' meat rod

4500CT 8'9" microjig - this combo is light in hand - imitating winter bait and catching cut bait.

Though Akios doesn't sell frames any more, I have one really good p/n 991 non-level-wind frame for 6500CT that's out of service.

RocketReelCo in UK sells frames (spools and stainless gearset - complete loaded brake plate)

Zzeta in Italy sells conversion kits that use your drive pancake and end cap.

Not buying them, but still fishing with them. I haven't bought hardly any new reels in the last several years. If I found a good deal on some older Tatula SVs or Tatula spinning reels that still had the AR switch, I'd be interested.

I have bought four “new” 2021 model Shimano mgl 151 reels to add to my 1990’s Curados, which were the only baitcasting reels I owned up to now.

Other than being smaller in hand I really don’t see them as any great advantage, but I do like them.

1 hour ago, Motoboss said:

I have bought four “new” 2021 model Shimano mgl 151 reels to add to my 1990’s Curados, which were the only baitcasting reels I owned up to now.

Other than being smaller in hand I really don’t see them as any great advantage, but I do like them.

Get a 21 zillion and it will open your eyes on something real quick🙂

On 1/4/2026 at 8:17 PM, Big-Bass said:

Daiwa SV103

Which specific Daiwa SV103 do people keep referring to in this thread? Screenshot?

And it's based on a zillion?

On 1/8/2026 at 4:18 PM, newapti5 said:

JDM would be its auction site

What's the site exactly?

1 hour ago, Micro Module Police said:

Get a 21 zillion and it will open your eyes on something real quick🙂

No Diawa shall pass thru these hands,,,,,I have had one and not impressed.

4 hours ago, Motoboss said:

No Diawa shall pass thru these hands,,,,,I have had one and not impressed.

Fanboyism to the side, and just do it. 2026 is the year. Not some random reel either, but the 21 Zillion.

I'm always on the look-out for another TD Sol or older Fuego. I picked up an older Alphas last September, but I don't know if it's more than 10yrs. old. Some of my baitcasters are more than 25yrs. old.

17 hours ago, Banned User said:

Which specific Daiwa SV103 do people keep referring to in this thread? Screenshot?

Is someone calling my avatar?