Super User Montanaro Posted October 25, 2017 Super User Posted October 25, 2017 Best value is fuego ct hands down My t3 1016 can cast without backlash when brakes set appripruately and max braking switch on. I literally set it up this way and give this reel to my fiance as she uses no thumb. 1 Quote
Super User rippin-lips Posted October 25, 2017 Super User Posted October 25, 2017 The SV103 is probably hands down the best value Daiwa you can pick up right now. Obviously, that’s my opinion and people have different budgets to work with. Right around $200-230 and offers endless options to upgrade it if you choose to do so. Built solid as a rock and will easily cast without issues. 34mm spool - 90mm handle - metal drag star - fast levelwind on the 7.9 model - aluminum frame and gear side plate - uses zillion internal parts. 2 Quote
Super User Montanaro Posted October 25, 2017 Super User Posted October 25, 2017 Sorry, I put my hands down first. Fuego ct is a workhorse reel and I would have no issue having one on every rod and would save me enough money to splash on other things. Quote
Super User rippin-lips Posted October 25, 2017 Super User Posted October 25, 2017 Your hands down for what? I t’s a decent reel for $100 but it’s lacking a lot of things. The handle side plate is plastic. There’s not even a single bearing under the knobs. Plastic drag star. The gear on the level wind is plastic. Yes, it’s $100 decent but it’s a throw away reel. Use it until it breaks and replace it. As I said we all have different budgets and opinions. 1 Quote
Super User Angry John Posted October 25, 2017 Super User Posted October 25, 2017 1 hour ago, rippin-lips said: Your hands down for what? I t’s a decent reel for $100 but it’s lacking a lot of things. The handle side plate is plastic. There’s not even a single bearing under the knobs. Plastic drag star. The gear on the level wind is plastic. Yes, it’s $100 decent but it’s a throw away reel. Use it until it breaks and replace it. As I said we all have different budgets and opinions. Most people equate cheap with best. Fustration sets in trying to convince higher priced reel or rods can represent value. Now the proud owner of 3 sv103 reels I get what you mean. Not a steez but still super nice. Quote
Super User J Francho Posted October 25, 2017 Super User Posted October 25, 2017 If you can afford $100, then there’s a few choices. Increase that, and you can have one of the best reel platforms out there. 20 years of evolution and tons of aftermarket options. 1 Quote
Big-Bass Posted October 26, 2017 Posted October 26, 2017 I agree. I honestly think that after many years of using only Shimano, the SV103 reels that I own are truly some of the best reels I have ever had the pleasure of using. And yes, the options are endless! I have 5x103H and 3x103XS. I don't know if anybody still have them in stock in RH but I could always use another new XS! Quote
DaveT63 Posted October 27, 2017 Posted October 27, 2017 I recently bought a used SV103, and all I can say is WOW!! LOVE IT! If that is a little steep for you, the SV105 is a sweet reel as well. Don't let the 105's smaller size fool you. That thing is a fishing machine! 1 Quote
Super User Montanaro Posted October 27, 2017 Super User Posted October 27, 2017 On 10/25/2017 at 4:08 PM, rippin-lips said: Your hands down for what? I t’s a decent reel for $100 but it’s lacking a lot of things. The handle side plate is plastic. There’s not even a single bearing under the knobs. Plastic drag star. The gear on the level wind is plastic. Yes, it’s $100 decent but it’s a throw away reel. Use it until it breaks and replace it. As I said we all have different budgets and opinions. Can be had for much less than $100 and performs the same as my tatula CT. just because its cheap and a "throw away" (a bit of a pretentious statement) doesnt mean its performance is any less than higher priced reels. I have T3 1016s (can be had for $150 now) and daiwa tdz and none of them perform noticeably better than my fuego. The t3 at skipping may be the only appreciable difference. If spending an additional 70 dollars for your knobs to spin fast when you flick them or for some extra chrome then thats your choice (I do like flicking my rcs knobs while deadsticking). Quote
Super User Montanaro Posted October 27, 2017 Super User Posted October 27, 2017 On 10/25/2017 at 5:16 PM, Angry John said: Most people equate cheap with best. Fustration sets in trying to convince higher priced reel or rods can represent value. Now the proud owner of 3 sv103 reels I get what you mean. Not a steez but still super nice. Oh Im one of the most vain people I know. I prefer quality and longevity over cheapness. The opposite can be said about convincing people that the most expensive or popular item represents the best value. There is a continium of price vs percieved quality and being that a lot of suggestions are pushing the top of his budget, I am not convinced through personal experience that those options' quality matches or exceeds the price line. Quote
Super User MickD Posted October 27, 2017 Author Super User Posted October 27, 2017 Thanks to all who have contributed; I've learned a lot. For me, if I have to spend a few more bucks to go first class on fishign, I'll do it and find ways to find the money. 1 Quote
Super User Angry John Posted October 28, 2017 Super User Posted October 28, 2017 10 hours ago, Montanaro said: Oh Im one of the most vain people I know. I prefer quality and longevity over cheapness. The opposite can be said about convincing people that the most expensive or popular item represents the best value. There is a continium of price vs percieved quality and being that a lot of suggestions are pushing the top of his budget, I am not convinced through personal experience that those options' quality matches or exceeds the price line. I would have to agree with this. I dont use rods below avids in the st croix line. They may be just as good but i will spend the money for made in America, if its better or not i am sure many people are willing to argue some are just as good cheaper. Each person has there own value system and i put a lot of value in supporting the American worker. Many layers to why some people do things and my choice is easy for me but would be easily passed over by others. Recently i have gone to the extreme having rods built to support American rod builders on American made blanks. My handle are from CFX an american company. Guides are harder to source but i try and do my part... Quote
Super User fishwizzard Posted October 28, 2017 Super User Posted October 28, 2017 The SV103 is a really really great reel. I love the Alphas series for how light they are and how well they palm, they disappear in my hand. But the SV103 feels like the insides are full of melted butter, just perfectly smooth with no wiggle or play anywhere. I was a little leery of it at first due to the weight, but man am I glad that I took the chance on one. 1 Quote
RPreeb Posted October 28, 2017 Posted October 28, 2017 7 hours ago, BaitFinesse said: Psssst. Buy more TD Zillions if you like the SV103 platform. If you like "SV103s" then you'll like TD Zillions because that is what the reel is. It's a 103 spool variant of the TD Zillion platform. I recommend an IP68 or J-Dream. TD Zillion Type R and HLC are also popular. More of my ignorance showing, but what does all the alphabet soup actually mean? What is the difference and why would one be better than another for a given application? Quote
Super User Montanaro Posted October 28, 2017 Super User Posted October 28, 2017 Can of worms... Opened Quote
Super User rippin-lips Posted October 28, 2017 Super User Posted October 28, 2017 9 hours ago, BaitFinesse said: Psssst. Buy more TD Zillions if you like the SV103 platform. If you like "SV103s" then you'll like TD Zillions because that is what the reel is. It's a 103 spool variant of the TD Zillion platform. I recommend an IP68 or J-Dream. TD Zillion Type R and HLC are also popular. None allow the use of a 34mm spool though. That’s the beauty of the SV103. You get the internals of the og but have 30 different spool choices. Zpi blue emblem - RCS 1010 - RCS 1016 - Zpi 001 - Zpi 002 - Zpi pg - 1012SV - tdz r+ and r and so on. The og zillion platform uses a 36mm spool and there’s only a few aftermarket choices. All the stock spools are more geared towards 3/8+ stuff. The j dream and IP have a lighter stock spool that are a little more capable of going lighter but both reels carry a decent price tag and wouldn’t be a good choice for an all around reel. Quote
Super User fishwizzard Posted October 28, 2017 Super User Posted October 28, 2017 10 hours ago, BaitFinesse said: Psssst. Buy more TD Zillions if you like the SV103 platform. If you like "SV103s" then you'll like TD Zillions because that is what the reel is. It's a 103 spool variant of the TD Zillion platform. I recommend an IP68 or J-Dream. TD Zillion Type R and HLC are also popular. Hah, part of the appeal of the SV103 is that it takes the Steez sized spools. I am trying to keep to as few spool sizes as possible. Quote
Super User rippin-lips Posted October 28, 2017 Super User Posted October 28, 2017 3 hours ago, RPreeb said: More of my ignorance showing, but what does all the alphabet soup actually mean? What is the difference and why would one be better than another for a given application? The IP68 is the Megabass version of the original td zillion. The J dream is a limited edition version of the og zillion. The zillion type r is a dressed up version of the og zillion. HLC is a model of the og zillion. It stands for hyper long cast. It’s a ‘tuned’ spool, but honestly it’s just a heavier spring that takes more centrifugal force to apply braking. You could swap an hlc spring into a og zillion spool and get close to the same results. All of those though would be better suited for heavier applications. Frogs - jigs in cover - punching - etc They aren’t going to perform as well with lighter baits since they aren’t designed for that. They have heavier spools that weigh around 13-14 grams, and hold a bit more line. Quote
brandon0921 Posted August 5, 2019 Posted August 5, 2019 On 10/28/2017 at 3:13 PM, rippin-lips said: The IP68 is the Megabass version of the original td zillion. The J dream is a limited edition version of the og zillion. The zillion type r is a dressed up version of the og zillion. HLC is a model of the og zillion. It stands for hyper long cast. It’s a ‘tuned’ spool, but honestly it’s just a heavier spring that takes more centrifugal force to apply braking. You could swap an hlc spring into a og zillion spool and get close to the same results. All of those though would be better suited for heavier applications. Frogs - jigs in cover - punching - etc They aren’t going to perform as well with lighter baits since they aren’t designed for that. They have heavier spools that weigh around 13-14 grams, and hold a bit more line. Resurrecting an old thread as you seem very knowledgeable on the reel. I recently bought an IP68 which i paired with a 7'6" MB Valdivia. I plan on using this rod mostly for bombing 1oz topwater baits along with frogs. Problem I am having is casting distance being knocked down with side brakes turned all the way off. I've read swapping the spool for a HLC may increase distance requiring more braking, but it sounds like you have an easier method by changing the spring if Im understanding you correctly? Can you elaborate on this more and possibly provide a part number? Edit: Is this the compatible spring for the IP68? https://japantackle.com/tuning-parts/spools-casting-reels/tu001003.html Quote
brandon0921 Posted August 5, 2019 Posted August 5, 2019 47 minutes ago, BaitFinesse said: If you go the HLC spool route the reel will bomb frogs. I have an IP68 with an HLC spool on a gen 1 Perfext Pitch. The stock spool was capable of casting down to the backer with a frog but the HLC does it in an instant and effortlessly. I now use my stock spool with flouro for pitching and skipping jigs/plastics and braid on the HLC for frogging. Which HLC spool fits the reel? I've seen a few variations of it searching around. https://japantackle.com/tuning-parts/spools-casting-reels/daiwa/tu001338.html Quote
EGbassing Posted August 5, 2019 Posted August 5, 2019 Everyone's already said this I guess but I would go with Tatula CT. Quote
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