Thoughts on this reel? Can it cast light baits well? How does it perform for the price, because I may want to start saving up so I can get one for Christmas. Or would I be better off getting a Zillion?

Hell, what in your guys' opinion would be the best reel for 1/8 - 1/2 ounce in the 150-250 ish range.

id say e7 for a new reel in that price range but if you wait you could get a zillion on TW black friday sale for around that too. just make sure you do a search in google shopping make sure you get the best deal TW will match most prices out their so you can get some pretty good deals sometimes. good luck, hard to chose zillion is defiantly more substantial feeling, but compared to the e7 performance is about the same. bolth good choices though. 

If you want to stick w/ daiwa I would look for a daiwa sol. I have the japanese version, alphas ito and it cast light weight lures w/ no problem.

If you want a new reel out there then I would suggest you check out the shimano curado 50/51. The spool is very light, low line capacity (not a problem if you are fishing fw bass) , and it has HEG Which you will feel the difference if you used a shimano w/ and w/o it.

I dont think you would be happy w/ the aggrest because it feels and look cheap.

I bought one, used it once and returned it. Casting distance was great but the thumbar wouldn't always re-engage when the handle was turned. I also had to tighten the drag star as tight as I could turn it to keep even a few small fish from taking line. May have been a lemon but I wouldn't recommend it.

Daiwa Sol. $160 on ebay these days

I picked up a new in box Daiwa SOL for $135 and a new in box Daiwa Fuego for $125

Either one of these reels would handle that easily.

Later,

Look for a Sol.  I have a few.  Great reels, can cast light baits, and heavy just fine.

i bought two new from cabelas when they first became available, one righty and one lefty. i played around with 'em at home but never fished either. absolutely nothing remarkable about these reels in appearance, build quality or feel, especially at this price point so i returned them. for light lures, get a sol...i regret selling mine.

If you want to stick w/ daiwa I would look for a daiwa sol. I have the japanese version, alphas ito and it cast light weight lures w/ no problem.

If you want a new reel out there then I would suggest you check out the shimano curado 50/51. The spool is very light, low line capacity (not a problem if you are fishing fw bass) , and it has HEG Which you will feel the difference if you used a shimano w/ and w/o it.

I dont think you would be happy w/ the aggrest because it feels and look cheap.

If you ever decide to sell that Alphas Ito, you know who to contact. 

For light baits, I would recommend a Daiwa simply for the ability to adjust on-the-fly with their magforce.