Metanium, Bantam or Zillion 21

[Mjmj]

Looking for a new reel  to use in milfoil. I will be using a 3/8 to 3/4 punch weight. Give me your thoughts. 

[PhishLI]

Heavy fluoro, or braid? If you're using thick fluoro the T-Wing shines.

[Mjmj]

Braid. 

[Big-Bass]

Zillion.

[FrankN209]

For me the Bantam. 

[FishTank]

Going to say the Bantam.  It feels like a solid, heavy duty reel.   Not sure on the braid though.  I tend to like heavy FC (15-20lb).

[Columbia Craw]

You can a current Zillion for 211.00 right now and they are tanks.

[CFDoc]

21 minutes ago, Columbia Craw said:

You can a current Zillion for 211.00 right now and they are tanks.

Where?

 

The JDM zillion is aluminum. The USDM is brass.

 

Regardless, punching requires almost no effort as far as the reel is concerned. I feel hardly any difference punching with a $50 Walmart black max than I do with a Met or zillion.

[Sir Shamsalot]

I agree with the Doc above. I'd choose one of the reels listed for overall performance with the least amount of headaches to skip, flip, pitch, and occasionally cast.

 

For a dedicated punch rig (something you do for a relatively short period of the overall fishing calendar year) I'd be looking at a SLX/Curado MGL (higher drag that those reels OP'd, 12lbs drag) or the Daiwa SV TWS with a swapped out 100mm handle (13lb drag). I state those reels because I'm familiar with them.

[SproDD79]

3 hours ago, FrankN209 said:

For me the Bantam. 

 I concur, the Bantam has turned into my favorite reel.

[Columbia Craw]

Model ZLNSV016SH  regular 299.99 on EBay for 211.99 but had since increased to 219.99.  

[freelancer27]

1 hour ago, Columbia Craw said:

Model ZLNSV016SH  regular 299.99 on EBay for 211.99 but had since increased to 219.99.  

I think he is talking about the 2021 veraion of the Zillion which retails for 349usd msrp in the usa when it is released

[Columbia Craw]

1 hour ago, freelancer27 said:

I think he is talking about the 2021 veraion of the Zillion which retails for 349usd msrp in the usa when it is released

No I’m not. 

[txchaser]

Check out the Tatula Elite Pitch/Flip. Nice big handle on it, and allegedly the spool is tuned for that type of cast. 

[Mjmj]

2 hours ago, txchaser said:

Check out the Tatula Elite Pitch/Flip. Nice big handle on it, and allegedly the spool is tuned for that type of cast. 

I looked at that reel first. I really wanted something smaller

[freelancer27]

On 2/20/2021 at 12:23 AM, Columbia Craw said:

No I’m not. 

You might want to update the title of your post then, since it mentions the '21 Zillion. 

[Columbia Craw]

“Give me your thoughts”

 

I gave my thoughts and referenced a Specific Zillion model that would fit the task the OP mentioned with a specific model number.  I mentioned this mod because that model can be had a substantial discount.  I can’t recommend a model that is only available for preorder.

[Mjmj]

I did update the post to recognize the zillion as a 21. I currently have a jdm zillion 21 and have gotten to cast it in the snow. It's an awesome reel, but before I buy another one, I wanted everyone's advice. I have heard incredible things about the bantam and metanium