TimTheGearNerd

I started watching THEREELTEST before he started to put the annoying bible verse in his intros. I liked that there were some quantitative data that I couldn’t get elsewhere and I loved reel porn and gear talk, I do trust Bass resource gear advise more for sure. I often don’t feel like the reel test knows how to set up his reels which results in crappy results so I stopped watching. I don’t trust TheReelTest I am a huge fan of PunchFishing for entertainment purposes. His videos are just fun to watch. I’ve 100% purchased gear because he pushed it only to find I don’t like the same things. I do agree with his opinion about Daiwa Reels but I still enjoy Shimano reels more. I did buy a Zillion when I kept seeing praises pop up on the rod and reel forum. So far, cool reel but not blown away yet. Perfect click bait title, I’m glad you did it. These posts are great.

I was a big fan of both companies. bottom line, the Helium is more sensitive and lighter. I’d go with Helium for your purpose especially if you see that sweet deal they had for under $100 bucks. I own a 7’2 MH Fast helium. I have a handful of dobyns mostly XP and HP. I have a DX745 which is closest to what you’re considering. It’s heavier but well balanced so weight isn’t really a factor and it’s got more aesthetics and a great tip for versatility. This is always true about Dobyns. As some have said, I don’t know what’s going on with Dobyns the company so I’d be careful when getting these rods and just purchase the rod and don’t expect any backing from the company or warranty. I can answer any specific questions you have.

Appears to be just spool size

If I were buying reels for tournament I’d get the same reel because that would help me win and have more time with line in water. I have the 20 Met and a steez. Sometimes as wind picks up or I retie a different lure on the Met, I’m more prone to having backlash. Steez doesn’t cast as far but mag breaks are just fool proof. Punchfishing on you tube has a good video & compare. Your JDM Zillion has aluminum gear vs USDM has brass gear. Maybe you like USDM zillion better, can’t say that explains everything you don’t like about the zillion. if you’re curious about what else is out there maybe try one at a time on used market when you see a good deal. Don’t like it, just sell it. I have the Bantam too. It’s heavier and for some long rods like my 894 NRX it balances way better. Seems like the Bantam should be something for you to try as well! My favorite is my 20 Met but I wouldn’t bet my entry fee on it.

It makes sense to up the braid size. I thought my casting set up would be similar to a jig set up. Interesting to know folks up size to something more like 50/56 pound. I have 20# YZH on now. Might try heavy braid if I get issues with the YZH line.

Broken a few in ten years. first rod was broken standing up in a kayak and the rod got broken by a over hanging tree. then I found one with tip broken off after pulling out of rod mule another rod had an eye pop out of of guide and got a free replacement rod. I had a Cheap academy spinning rod break twice on hook set. Same rod back to back. Must have been that rod. I do have a few megabass. I heard those will explode after a few years. Time will tell

Recently, I got into throwing 6 in swimbaits and a-rig on a 7ft XXH rod. I’ve been preferring 20# copoly or Flouro over 30# braid with leader. I know the braid cast further and I have less risk of line breaking from bird nest but for me, braid will bird nest once and become a nightmare. The line starts to dig into itself and I get a ton of break off on cast from Braid getting stuck. I think I spool the braid correctly. I put a ton of tension on the braid when spooling up. For my heavy casting lures I’m choosing not to use braid. I feel better about casting a copoly line harder too since I won’t have this braid line getting stuck in spool problem. Anyone else run into this situation?

This topic is still relevant! Zillion is still great value but if we’re talking about JDM, I can’t see how the Zillion beats out the Bantam or the scorpion DC. Both shimanos are cheaper on Digitaka.

I don’t own one but I’ve always wanted to try it out. I would totally be down to own one! Couple things happen over past few years which led to my never buying one. Some time around when the new reel came out I had a job that had policy which paid for a steez A. This was basically a more expensive made in Japan version of the zillion reel. I also ended up getting spinning reels and a Conquest BFS from Japan. I already have a solid line up. Between the Curado K, Bantam, Met MGL, and OG tatula and OG zillion, T3 SV. I never found a place for the new zillion. Based on the steez A and my T3 SV, I think the zillion would be good for moving baits and the mag breaks would be great for changing out lures often and SV spools super easy to use especially if it’s windy. For heavy stuff and frogging I like the core solid design on Shimano. I also find, I cast farther with Shimano stuff. I hope you get one and Share your thoughts.

I had the stradic ci4+ then it was sacrificed it to the lake gods. Both old Vanford and the new Vanford was discounted so I got both. I can’t say what the differences were from the old ci4+. It was a great reel. Between the two Vanford, both 2500, I don’t think anyone will notice the difference unless it’s side by side. The new Vanford was a bit quieter and to my eyes the level wind was a bit slower so the line layer a bit better. there was also lower inertia so starting and stopping required less effort but again. I don’t think it’s noticeable especially when I’m just drop shotting or doing finesse presentation. I kept the new because it was the latest and greatest and I got a discount. Otherwise, functionally , you’d get a great reel in the old Vanford and save 100 bucks with the old model.

I found my people here. I have to confess the bait monkey has been running wild this year. just to name a few and the deal that made the Bait Monkey perk up. Calcutta conquest BFS - from digitaka when yen was low savings $200 Dobyn’s Sierra BFS -trade in deal at Dobyn’s. Savings $100 p5 tequila baccarac -ship from Japan savings $ 150 Kistler chromium -got that sale savings $200 expride 7’3 XH -Alf crazy pricing savings $100 expride 7’2 ML -bait monkey said, replace the rod that was sacrificed to the lake gods. No savings. Vanford FA -found a price match. Saved $50 bucks. orochi XX jerkbait special. -got that recent deal savings $100 Just thinking about these combos made me smirk. Nothing to see here I guess. Just a guy with more combos than space. Carry on.

I don’t do tournaments. Collecting gear is fun and I like to try out the products out there. I lose count but I think I have at least 15 combos. The high end stuff in the $300-500 range keeps their value better if you get it used. ?

I’m surprised no one has used both rods and added some insight. I’ve been contemplating the same purchase. I’m leaning towards expride B due to weight and rumored sensitivity. I have other dobyns and I like them overall. With sales coming up for dobyns. Those two rods are basically the same price. maybe the dobyns FB group has opinions on this.

Looking to trade OG NRX 894c (9.5/10 condition) for a NRX 873c CRR. Willing to consider conquest, Steez AGS, or other similar price range. Thanks for reading.

I have the 50e. I still love that reel. Its good looking cast great and palms great. I’m always looking to pick up another or a core 50