21 hours ago, treble hook said:

Yeah, I put one in the cart and it went to $247. That is a bummer. I’m going to a big fishing show Saturday. I’m going to try to get one in my hand before pulling the trigger on one.

At Digitaka there is a place for a coupon code at checkout. Does anyone know a coupon code?

There is a guy called rx angler on YouTube/ instagram, text him for the code(you have to follow first) or if he has a recent youtube video it will have the code. It’s a very small percent tho. Maybe $5 off the zillion.

So @redmeansdistortion if I were to remove the bearings in my Shimano mgl”s and clean the grease what “lubes” the bearing?

Just put it back together dry, oil ?

So my opinion on what reel to get:

Before the tariffs, maybe a year ago or so I got the tatula 100 for $130 shipped. At the time i think that was the best value. If we’re looking at just us market reels, the curado 150 definitely stands out and I would pick it over the tatula 100. It is so smooth and casts great. But, I Ben on sale it is $200. I have to agree with everyone, my pick is the zillion from Japan if you have the money to spend. It is a beautiful reel and very versatile. I think it’s just as smooth as my Steez 1016, although I do feel the difference in frame material. The zillion can cast far with the right line and it also throws light or hard to throw lures well.

3 hours ago, Motoboss said:

So @redmeansdistortion if I were to remove the bearings in my Shimano mgl”s and clean the grease what “lubes” the bearing?

Just put it back together dry, oil ?

Yes, a drop of oil, spin until they quiet down, install.

Just now, redmeansdistortion said:

Yes, a drop of oil, spin until they quiet down, install.

No issues with the shields removed? Just have to clean more frequently?

And it’s just the spool bearings you leave the shields removed?

6 hours ago, redmeansdistortion said:

15% duty and shipping ran me about $35 through ECMS. You need to buy through a proxy service, I use Buyee.

Alright thanks will order some spool bearings to see whats up.

3 hours ago, MiceNReets said:

No issues with the shields removed? Just have to clean more frequently?

And it’s just the spool bearings you leave the shields removed?

Yes, just spool bearings I remove them. Other bearings I leave the shields on. You can leave the shields on the spool bearings, but the grease is harder to remove then. If I'm leaving shields on, I run in an ultrasonic cleaner for 1/2 hour, spin test, and if they're not moving good enough, another 10-15 minutes. With the shields off the time is reduced to 10 minutes. Clean and dry (no oil) NMBs will spin for 20-30 seconds on a bearing check tool depending on size.

@treble hook if you haven't purchased a reel yet, let me give you some truly unbiased options. The JDM Zillion is a great reel. It is made Japan while the Tatulas and USDM Zillion are made in Thailand. If you don't think it makes a difference, pick a Tatula up and shake it. The JDM Shimano SLX DC XT is a great option in the same price range. Also if you want to order a reel and it not be coming from overseas look at the Bates EDC. The Kastking AL Ti is getting a lot of love from people who are willing to try it. Unfortunately too much Kastking hate out there. The Curado MGL 150 is also a great choice. If I were you the list would go as follows.

JDM Zillion

Curado MGL 150

Bates EDC

Kastking AL Ti

And one honorable mention that is stupid good for the price especially If you can find one for 100 bucks now is the Okuma Hakai. Started as a 180 dollar reel. But is slowly being put on sale and clearance now. Been out for a couple of years. I have no problem saying for the money the Hakai is the best casting, lightest, easiest to setup, smoothest baitcaster on the market. I have 4 of them and My 12 year old son throws one. Only reel that I have that will bomb cast and I don't have to touch the spool.

I held a Zillion today and I do like it a lot. I came home to order and just my luck, the price went up. I need a coupon code for digitaka. I’m going to wait until Monday since it’s the weekend. Does the price sometimes go back down. And I’m looking for that coupon code.

On 3/22/2026 at 7:56 PM, redmeansdistortion said:

Yes, just spool bearings I remove them. Other bearings I leave the shields on. You can leave the shields on the spool bearings, but the grease is harder to remove then. If I'm leaving shields on, I run in an ultrasonic cleaner for 1/2 hour, spin test, and if they're not moving good enough, another 10-15 minutes. With the shields off the time is reduced to 10 minutes. Clean and dry (no oil) NMBs will spin for 20-30 seconds on a bearing check tool depending on size.

I agree that removing shields can make initial flushing easier, I don’t find it as difficult to flush shielded as you describe. 10 minutes in acetone , vigorous agitation by hand followed by a solvent refresh and final rinse. Not all bearings react the same.

On 3/21/2026 at 11:26 AM, treble hook said:

Yeah, I put one in the cart and it went to $247. That is a bummer. I’m going to a big fishing show Saturday. I’m going to try to get one in my hand before pulling the trigger on one.

At Digitaka there is a place for a coupon code at checkout. Does anyone know a coupon code?

Register to have an account and any extra cost should show as you expect them to.

Now yall have talked me into buying the Zillion. But the price went up. Will it come back down? I’m going to be watching now for it to come back down. I was really liking it at $225. Those tariff fees were still putting it at $250 and I was willing to take that, but that’s about as much as I want to put into it.

They're like $205 on amazon jp
https://www.amazon.co.jp/-/en/Daiwa-Zillion-1000HL-Handle-Model/dp/B08NP21Q2D/ref=sr_1_1?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.aSyX-OrnxvbZPmQ7mxdiDzumW4aHpg3bWlqVwKY03BoU11BNWwQ2zLn3XjS9zA0cPGS7nGzXdKTPUAekL2fnQtfKTS6Pf3no2JJtvFz9LmF5371pUfOmoiZROuhK7jQj0O5SRwwUUrA4-rGlJJCW2P4yslyCrYwkpmKfIpD08AyGKpWSO1jOS_8NH3NhC8yqKtIICXF-M2KGAXyAkFteWC3Ehxs1X9_6rWDCSPIYPqOGwvhuPHsfz-8ZPBE7KDW0SyEHFBLZ1wHUMn0gqe1-aJPKvqQSQoLi6SAelOYvfq0.MwxDElTZfe6vOxVP8m3sXQvUGUN-74kZKZtYos3HQL8&dib_tag=se&keywords=%E3%82%B8%E3%83%AA%E3%82%AA%E3%83%B3svtw&qid=1775047075&sr=8-1&th=1

On 3/21/2026 at 12:17 PM, Swimbaitstud said:

Keep in mind, more bearing doesn’t mean better quality bearings.

I've also slowly come to hate handle and levelwind bearings. Just another bearing to rust and grind and need to be cleaned/replaced. In my workhorse reels I've actually swapped in Delrin/Nylon bushings. Are they quite as smooth as a brand new bearing? No. But I don't have to worry about them and they end the season in the same condition they started it in. Give me high quality spool and frame bearings in a 5+1 bearing reel any day over these "11+1" reels with 4 in the handle and 2 in the levelwind that will rust after a day in the rain.

1 hour ago, WetBlanket said:

They're like $205 on amazon jp
https://www.amazon.co.jp/-/en/Daiwa-Zillion-1000HL-Handle-Model/dp/B08NP21Q2D/ref=sr_1_1?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.aSyX-OrnxvbZPmQ7mxdiDzumW4aHpg3bWlqVwKY03BoU11BNWwQ2zLn3XjS9zA0cPGS7nGzXdKTPUAekL2fnQtfKTS6Pf3no2JJtvFz9LmF5371pUfOmoiZROuhK7jQj0O5SRwwUUrA4-rGlJJCW2P4yslyCrYwkpmKfIpD08AyGKpWSO1jOS_8NH3NhC8yqKtIICXF-M2KGAXyAkFteWC3Ehxs1X9_6rWDCSPIYPqOGwvhuPHsfz-8ZPBE7KDW0SyEHFBLZ1wHUMn0gqe1-aJPKvqQSQoLi6SAelOYvfq0.MwxDElTZfe6vOxVP8m3sXQvUGUN-74kZKZtYos3HQL8&dib_tag=se&keywords=%E3%82%B8%E3%83%AA%E3%82%AA%E3%83%B3svtw&qid=1775047075&sr=8-1&th=1

Is this a good place to buy? Is it the same reel?

1 hour ago, treble hook said:

Is this a good place to buy? Is it the same reel?

Of course. Bunch of people on here bought it from amazon before the tariffs.

7 hours ago, WetBlanket said:

They're like $205 on amazon jp
https://www.amazon.co.jp/-/en/Daiwa-Zillion-1000HL-Handle-Model/dp/B08NP21Q2D/ref=sr_1_1?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.aSyX-OrnxvbZPmQ7mxdiDzumW4aHpg3bWlqVwKY03BoU11BNWwQ2zLn3XjS9zA0cPGS7nGzXdKTPUAekL2fnQtfKTS6Pf3no2JJtvFz9LmF5371pUfOmoiZROuhK7jQj0O5SRwwUUrA4-rGlJJCW2P4yslyCrYwkpmKfIpD08AyGKpWSO1jOS_8NH3NhC8yqKtIICXF-M2KGAXyAkFteWC3Ehxs1X9_6rWDCSPIYPqOGwvhuPHsfz-8ZPBE7KDW0SyEHFBLZ1wHUMn0gqe1-aJPKvqQSQoLi6SAelOYvfq0.MwxDElTZfe6vOxVP8m3sXQvUGUN-74kZKZtYos3HQL8&dib_tag=se&keywords=%E3%82%B8%E3%83%AA%E3%82%AA%E3%83%B3svtw&qid=1775047075&sr=8-1&th=1

Man!!! I'm looking hard at this but already have more reels than rods. ☹️ Resisting the Bait Monkey, resisting the Bait Monkey, resisting the Bait Monkey.

The price went up again today on Digitaka so I ordered the Zillion SV from Amazon jp today. I’ve never used them so I hope the transaction goes good and I hope the reel is authentic. I’ll be standing by the mailbox. I have a Wickedstyx Custom Rod that I am going to pair it with. Should make a great combo. Thank you all for the help and the info. You guys twisted my arm and put the bait monkey on me.

Let us know how the Amazon jp transaction turned out. I was thinking of buying from them as well.

On 4/1/2026 at 9:31 AM, MassYak85 said:

I've also slowly come to hate handle and levelwind bearings. Just another bearing to rust and grind and need to be cleaned/replaced. In my workhorse reels I've actually swapped in Delrin/Nylon bushings. Are they quite as smooth as a brand new bearing? No. But I don't have to worry about them and they end the season in the same condition they started it in. Give me high quality spool and frame bearings in a 5+1 bearing reel any day over these "11+1" reels with 4 in the handle and 2 in the levelwind that will rust after a day in the rain.

Bushings are not bad in the right applications. I have a good customer that spent a lot of time and money putting bearings in handles just to switch back to bushings after corrosion from fishing brackish water. One example

9 hours ago, zell_pop1 said:

Let us know how the Amazon jp transaction turned out. I was thinking of buying from them as well.

Others said they had bought from Amazon jp with good results. The expected delivery date is April 20th so it will be a while, but I'll let you know how it turns out.

12 hours ago, Delaware Valley Tackle said:

Bushings are not bad in the right applications. I have a good customer that spent a lot of time and money putting bearings in handles just to switch back to bushings after corrosion from fishing brackish water. One example

I did the same thing. Bought some bearings to swap in for the stock bushings. Feels great during the winter tuneup. Not so great in July after a few outings in the rain.

3 hours ago, MassYak85 said:

I did the same thing. Bought some bearings to swap in for the stock bushings. Feels great during the winter tuneup. Not so great in July after a few outings in the rain.

It depends on your definition of smooth as well. The customer referenced like an “airy” feel where as I prefer a more connected feel.

I bought my first Tatula SV as soon as they came out, and another one the following black friday sales, and my friend bought one on the same black friday sales which ended up with me after he passed. They all still work as good as new. I got another one later that did not have enough grease on the gears, which I hear is somewhat common but adding grease solved that and no issues since. The newer Tatulas are much smaller in footprint (my kid has a couple).

The SV is what you want for fishing something like jigs where you might pitch it or skip it and control is more important than distance. With Daiwa reels, you set the tension knob to the point the spool just begins to click and set it and forget it. Max the brakes and you're good to skip. Set the brakes at 8-10 depending on the rod and weight you're using, and you don't have to worry about thumbing the spool and it'll cast beautifully and as long as you don't mess up your casting motion, have high wind or snag a tree, it won't birds nest.

The Tatula Elite casts further than other Tatulas. I picked one up a couple of years ago to use with crankbaits, and it really does cast noticeably further than the other SV, CT or 100. But you will have to thumb the spool a bit.

So the correct answer here is there are good uses and reasons to buy both. And there are also cases where a Tatula 100 is fine. A 100 will feel much closer to a SV in terms of control more than the Elite, but it's cheaper. If you're using it for a lure you will never skip or pitch and just want a controlled cast or are throwing a lure you don't really need distance, save money and go with a 100.

I will also mention that I own one Steez SV. It has slightly better control than the Tatula SV with better distance (but not as much as the Tatula Elite still). I hear the Zillion SV performs closer to the Steez SV in those regards as well, but the Tatula SV's absolutely get the job done.

Buy what fits the need.

I've bought a bunch of reels from amazon Japan and it has always turned out great.

They get here fast too.

If you decide to go back for more, pick up a new tat100 while you are there. I'm very upside surprised by this reel for applications where the SV Boost spool doesn't do much for me.