Got the new Zillion on a custom WickedStyx rod. 7’2” Med Hvy Fast. Spooled it up and it’s ready for the water. Thanks to some of you for helping make the decision to get the JDM Zillion. I think I’m going to like it.

You are going to really like it, its a great reel. I would definitely recommend a reel cover though. Scratching my zillion was the reason i bought them for all of my reels.

42 minutes ago, Brycecover said:

You are going to really like it, its a great reel. I would definitely recommend a reel cover though. Scratching my zillion was the reason i bought them for all of my reels.

I put covers on all of my baitcasters. I really do like clean reels. I have 5 and 6 year old reels that still look new. I have read that Zillions scratch easy. I’m just going to have to accept that it is a tool and stuff happens.

26 minutes ago, treble hook said:

I put covers on all of my baitcasters. I really do like clean reels. I have 5 and 6 year old reels that still look new. I have read that Zillions scratch easy. I’m just going to have to accept that it is a tool and stuff happens.

Mine scratched very easily, but it may have just been how it was set down.

Daiwa does a lot of things right, but one thing I feel Shimano has over Daiwa is the durability of the finishes. The spinning reels hold up well, but the bait casters, especially the dark Tatulas get a good rash if they're within 50' of an AL boat. They remind me of the oler graphite bodied Penn SS reels. The rotors would get that trademark Penn rash seemingly overnight.

I think there's a new Zillion coming at icast. Im curious to see what they do with it.

Shimano sure does have far superior finishes. In most cases the paint doesn't look as good (way more colors from Daiwa over the years, too), but so many poor finishes as well. TDZ, PX68 SPR, Z2020, 2014 steez limited, T3's, 21 zillion, etc, etc, etc. So many examples of just pure dumpster fire durability of their finishes. I mean, i have a buddy that has a TDZ that he has been using for 6 years, purchased NOS, and after all this time, there's not a single scratch because he's babying it, but because of the sweat, and friction of the palm over the years, the paint on the top of the frame and palming side plates is mostly gone. I don't understand kind of paint is this, Daiwa? Sometimes i wish the fishing community were way more critical, and actually complained about stuff, because too many flaws from Daiwa and Shimano are just going under the radar for 1-2+ decades.

On 4/18/2026 at 4:07 PM, treble hook said:

I have read that Zillions scratch easy. I’m just going to have to accept that it is a tool and stuff happens.

Mine's 5 years old and doesn't have a mark on it and I'm often walking the banks from spot to spot with 5-7 rods sat on a shoulder like one would while carrying a stack of 2X4s. Reel covers take seconds to put on and if there aren't trees nearby to lean a rod against, poking a rod holder into the ground is easy.

My bro in law is headed to Tokyo. Zillion or Zillion HD is my mental dilemma. Ha

12 minutes ago, Darth-Baiter said:

My bro in law is headed to Tokyo. Zillion or Zillion HD is my mental dilemma. Ha

Don't even think about it, HD is far far far superior, and is the best bang per buck there is atm, especially in the high end.

I agree with many others. I don't doubt that I have at least $300 in reel covers. If a rod isn't in hand, it has a reel cover on it. Learned that the hard way when I didn't put one on a pristine Chronarch 101A when we trailered between lakes. I about cried. Well...not really, but I was sick about it.

OP, I think you will really enjoy that reel. Nice looking combo and a very well taken picture.

This is what it looks like with a fish on it…