I procrastinated until early spring to deep clean the newly acquired used PX68L, and it got me thinking: from the internal design perspective, it basically uses the same design that TD-Z, TD-Zillion, or Alphas uses. It's great and bulletproof, but not much different from the others. So what makes the Pixy reels so popular? Is it because of their finesse casting ability? Or the magnesium frame and sideplate? Or something else? What's your opinion?

The Pixy is a 20 year old reel, coming out at a time when both an enthusiast level reel meant something and we weren't so flush with options in the finesse category. Most full size "normal" baitcasters now throw much better at the lower weights than the average reel did back then.

On 4/6/2026 at 2:51 PM, brophog said:

The Pixy is a 20 year old reel, coming out at a time when both an enthusiast level reel meant something and we weren't so flush with options in the finesse category. Most full size "normal" baitcasters now throw much better at the lower weights than the average reel did back then.

So feel free to send that Pixy to my home address. Especially if is a left handed model!! 😁😁

It's the Ambassadeur of low profile fishing reels. 5.8:1 and 6.8:1 gears work. Many spool options like 28-31mm by using spacers, but with a 28-30mm you'll need 6.3 or 7.2:1 Alphas CT SV gears as the pinion is shorter to work with the more narrow spool offerings. You would also want the higher speed level wind if you intend to run thinner braid, which can be sourced from a Alphas CT SV 7.2R or L. You could run an Alphas Air Stream Custom spool, a Alphas/Steez/Millionaire CT spool, SV700S, SV PE 700, Alphas Air TW spool, Silver Creek Air Stream Custom, etc. The options are nearly endless.

3 hours ago, FrnkNsteen said:

So feel free to send that Pixy to my home address. Especially if is a left handed model!! 😁😁

That shouldn’t be read as a complaint as I love my older reels. Simply putting the reel in a historical context.

9 hours ago, redmeansdistortion said:

You would also want the higher speed level wind if you intend to run thinner braid, which can be sourced from a Alphas CT SV 7.2R or L.

Thanks for the suggestion!

11 hours ago, newapti5 said:

Thanks for the suggestion!

The SS SV level wind also works and it's wider pitched than even the Alphas CT 7.2. Plenty of stuff you can do, just build it out to suit the line and lures you intend to use.

On 4/6/2026 at 1:51 PM, brophog said:

The Pixy is a 20 year old reel, coming out at a time when both an enthusiast level reel meant something and we weren't so flush with options in the finesse category. Most full size "normal" baitcasters now throw much better at the lower weights than the average reel did back then.

Yeah, I ordered 2 Airy red Pixies from Japan Tackle back in '04 because Brooklyn Bill didn't get any in. And the Airy red wasn't the first model. They were nice, but I never tested the low end of its casting ability.

Timely thread, I picked up a couple last year and am finally ready to use them. I plan on using them with finesse football jigs.

I don't know how it is for everyone else, but to me is many things. First, the looks. For once, actual colors on a fishing reel that isn't anodized red or anodized gold. Love the look of the frame, it palms well, and a very light reel. I also like the capacity on these, it's the perfect capacity as a spinning reel replacement. Big fan of the PX68 Finnesse Special spool these have, it's the longest casting spool i've ever tried to cast compact aero dynamic lures.

If you ugrade the reel to make it more modern, i don't feel like you're missing out on anything currently produced reels have. In fact, considering how easy it is to service, and how solidly built they are, they have an advantage over current productions.

Of every reel that i currently have, the Pixy would be the very last i'd sell.

22 hours ago, redmeansdistortion said:

It's the Ambassadeur of low profile fishing reels. 5.8:1 and 6.8:1 gears work. Many spool options like 28-31mm by using spacers, but with a 28-30mm you'll need 6.3 or 7.2:1 Alphas CT SV gears as the pinion is shorter to work with the more narrow spool offerings. You would also want the higher speed level wind if you intend to run thinner braid, which can be sourced from a Alphas CT SV 7.2R or L. You could run an Alphas Air Stream Custom spool, a Alphas/Steez/Millionaire CT spool, SV700S, SV PE 700, Alphas Air TW spool, Silver Creek Air Stream Custom, etc. The options are nearly endless.

How would you run the CT spools in the Pixy? 1mm gap isn't enough for the fishing line to get stuck in there? I never even thought of trying a CT spool on my Pixy. Also, which spacers are you referring to?

37 minutes ago, WetBlanket said:

How would you run the CT spools in the Pixy? 1mm gap isn't enough for the fishing line to get stuck in there? I never even thought of trying a CT spool on my Pixy. Also, which spacers are you referring to?

Via spool spacers. This is how Daiwa uses different diameter spools in their reels. Take for instance the Millionaire CV-Z, which is set up for a 34mm spool. In order for Daiwa to make the Millionaire CT SV, they used spacers to adapt a 30mm spool. Same with the Alphas platform, which is set up for a 33mm spool. Spacers were used to adapt a 32mm with the Alphas Air, 31mm for the Alphas Air Stream Custom, and 30mm for the Millionaire CT SV.

Here is a 30mm spool with spacers to adapt it to an Alphas SV TW, which uses a 32mm spool.

59 minutes ago, redmeansdistortion said:

Via spool spacers. This is how Daiwa uses different diameter spools in their reels. Take for instance the Millionaire CV-Z, which is set up for a 34mm spool. In order for Daiwa to make the Millionaire CT SV, they used spacers to adapt a 30mm spool. Same with the Alphas platform, which is set up for a 33mm spool. Spacers were used to adapt a 32mm with the Alphas Air, 31mm for the Alphas Air Stream Custom, and 30mm for the Millionaire CT SV.

Here is a 30mm spool with spacers to adapt it to an Alphas SV TW, which uses a 32mm spool.

I am aware, but where are you getting those spacers? The only spacers i am aware are the ZPI ones, and they've only made two sizes. I wouldn't mind being able to use 28-30mm spools on my pixy.

33 minutes ago, WetBlanket said:

I am aware, but where are you getting those spacers? The only spacers i am aware are the ZPI ones, and they've only made two sizes. I wouldn't mind being able to use 28-30mm spools on my pixy.

I have them made. One of my customers is a machinist and did them for me. He also made me a frame jig to realign Ambassadeur frames.

15 minutes ago, redmeansdistortion said:

I have them made. One of my customers is a machinist and did them for me. He also made me a frame jig to realign Ambassadeur frames.

Lucky. Your bud should start selling them, for whatever reason, nobody makes these spacers. Can't believe China hasn't discovered the mini gold mine this can be.

3 hours ago, WetBlanket said:

I don't know how it is for everyone else, but to me is many things. First, the looks. For once, actual colors on a fishing reel that isn't anodized red or anodized gold. Love the look of the frame, it palms well, and a very light reel. I also like the capacity on these, it's the perfect capacity as a spinning reel replacement. Big fan of the PX68 Finnesse Special spool these have, it's the longest casting spool i've ever tried to cast compact aero dynamic lures.

If you ugrade the reel to make it more modern, i don't feel like you're missing out on anything currently produced reels have. In fact, considering how easy it is to service, and how solidly built they are, they have an advantage over current productions.

Of every reel that i currently have, the Pixy would be the very last i'd sell.

How would you run the CT spools in the Pixy? 1mm gap isn't enough for the fishing line to get stuck in there? I never even thought of trying a CT spool on my Pixy. Also, which spacers are you referring to?

What line are you using with the PX68 finesse special spool. I finally got a hold of one a couple months ago and want to use it in my PX-R on the major craft Volkey rod. I ordered a spool last year and the seller sent me the factory px68 spool in a finesse special case so I didn’t get to try one last season. I spooled up for now with 6lbs YZH

I made my own spacers to try a Presso spool in a Sol. Had no Pixies back then. Now I do, so the Presso will go in one of them. Gave a few sets away. Gave my lathe program to one of the guys I gave spacers to. He had a machinist friend use the program to make spacers for him from aluminum which he then sold. I just wanted to help my comrades. Wasn't looking to make money.

But I did make out like a bandit from one of the guys I gave a few sets. (Don't know if it was the previously mentioned gentleman.) Sent me 3 well used TD-X reels that he had gone thru. Can't recall if any had internal upgrades. May not look so good but cast great. Plus he gave me a couple other items. Can't beat that with a 10 foot stick.

Please don't ask me for spacers as I'm retired now. However, you can use my program. Will need some speeds and feeds changes for aluminum as I used PVC and a couple other plastics.

2 hours ago, MiceNReets said:

What line are you using with the PX68 finesse special spool. I finally got a hold of one a couple months ago and want to use it in my PX-R on the major craft Volkey rod. I ordered a spool last year and the seller sent me the factory px68 spool in a finesse special case so I didn’t get to try one last season. I spooled up for now with 6lbs YZH

It depends what kind of weights you'll be throwing. I usually run between 6 to 15lb (braid). Right now it's spooled with 8lb Sufix 832, and i use it primarily for smallies and walleye.

2 hours ago, WetBlanket said:

Lucky. Your bud should start selling them, for whatever reason, nobody makes these spacers. Can't believe China hasn't discovered the mini gold mine this can be.

I don't ask him for much, don't want to wear out my welcome so to say. He does prototype car parts and will do stuff for me if he has time. It took almost a year for me to get my frame jig.

5 minutes ago, WetBlanket said:

It depends what kind of weights you'll be throwing. I usually run between 6 to 15lb (braid). Right now it's spooled with 8lb Sufix 832, and i use it primarily for smallies and walleye.

I plan to use it for smallies in the river where i wade. Was thinking using a karashi, small jerkbaits, small t-rig plastics, ned rigs and small poppers. Just all around whatever. Was thinking 6-8lbs braid but thought maybe the YZH would be a bit easier in rocky areas.

10 minutes ago, MiceNReets said:

I plan to use it for smallies in the river where i wade. Was thinking using a karashi, small jerkbaits, small t-rig plastics, ned rigs and small poppers. Just all around whatever. Was thinking 6-8lbs braid but thought maybe the YZH would be a bit easier in rocky areas.

I use braid to a fluoro leader pretty much exclusively, and mostly fish from the bank. No issues with rocks.

2 hours ago, MiceNReets said:

I plan to use it for smallies in the river where i wade. Was thinking using a karashi, small jerkbaits, small t-rig plastics, ned rigs and small poppers. Just all around whatever. Was thinking 6-8lbs braid but thought maybe the YZH would be a bit easier in rocky areas.

I have 6# braid on a BG 1500 spinning reel. I would not go that light on a baitcast reel. It says 1.5# mono equivalent on the box. Zero abrasion resistance. Your choice, tho. Let us know the results if you elect to use that light of a braid. I'd be interested.

I also have 6lb suffix 832 on a shallow spool Miravel and I’m with @new2BC4bass in that it is as thin as sewing thread and probably doesn’t have much in the way of abrasion resistance.

On 4/8/2026 at 11:37 AM, brophog said:

That shouldn’t be read as a complaint as I love my older reels. Simply putting the reel in a historical context.

LOL!! No worries on my end. I was just wanting to tease the OP that he could feel free to take your advice and send it on over my way! 😁

I've been wanting to pick up a left handed Pixy for a while now, but you don't see the lefties very often!

12 hours ago, FrnkNsteen said:

you don't see the lefties very often

I'm gonna kill your excuse here: currently jp.mercari.com has a nice leftie one. Actually it's reltively common to see them on used JDM.

Ok... Let me clarify... You rarely see them here is the U.S. I agree you see them from Japan sellers, but have always been leary buying from individual seller in Japan