Best Reel Under $300 for Jerkbait/Cranking/Topwater?

[Turtle Angler]

1 hour ago, LonnieP said:

I’d get a Zillion. $250 from Digitaka

I played around with a Zillion in a store and man does it feel good. Are the 20 Zillion SV TW's on Digitaka the same as the ones I'd find on Tackle Warehouse (labeled as "new"), or are the TW a newer version?

 

Also, I just realized that they are out of stock in the right-handed 7.1:1 ratio model...

[Jrob78]

2 hours ago, Turtle Angler said:

I played around with a Zillion in a store and man does it feel good. Are the 20 Zillion SV TW's on Digitaka the same as the ones I'd find on Tackle Warehouse (labeled as "new"), or are the TW a newer version?

 

Also, I just realized that they are out of stock in the right-handed 7.1:1 ratio model...

They are the same reel with a couple of minor differences. If I'm not mistaken the US Zillion has larger knobs and brass gears while the JDM version has aluminum gears. I have 2 of the JDM Zillions and they are awesome reels. I wouldn't buy Shimano or Daiwa anything from a US site right now, no reason to over pay.

[TNBankFishing]

11 hours ago, Turtle Angler said:

I played around with a Zillion in a store and man does it feel good. Are the 20 Zillion SV TW's on Digitaka the same as the ones I'd find on Tackle Warehouse (labeled as "new"), or are the TW a newer version?

 

Also, I just realized that they are out of stock in the right-handed 7.1:1 ratio model...

Jrob is correct, one other point is they are made in Japan. This matters to some people because few reels these days are manufactured there. 
 

 

[Jrob78]

12 hours ago, Turtle Angler said:

I played around with a Zillion in a store and man does it feel good. Are the 20 Zillion SV TW's on Digitaka the same as the ones I'd find on Tackle Warehouse (labeled as "new"), or are the TW a newer version?

 

Also, I just realized that they are out of stock in the right-handed 7.1:1 ratio model...

Another thing I will add is that since you mentioned the Curado lineup in your original post, look at the Scorpion on JDM sites. It is the JDM counterpart to the Curado.

[Turtle Angler]

19 minutes ago, Jrob78 said:

Another thing I will add is that since you mentioned the Curado lineup in your original post, look at the Scorpion on JDM sites. It is the JDM counterpart to the Curado.

After reading the TT review, I think I’m set in getting a Scorpion DC. It seems like a Curado with MGL, a better breaking system, and an extra ball bearing, right?

[Jrob78]

32 minutes ago, Turtle Angler said:

After reading the TT review, I think I’m set in getting a Scorpion DC. It seems like a Curado with MGL, a better breaking system, and an extra ball bearing, right?

So someone else might have a little more knowledge on those specific models than me but I believe the Curado DC on TW is an older model, from 2018 and the Scorpion DC on JDM sites is a newer model from last year. So the Scorpion should definitely be an upgrade all the way around from the Curado.

[Turtle Angler]

On 5/17/2022 at 12:17 PM, TNBankFishing said:

Asianfishingportal, and digitaka are my go to sites as their prices are usually lower, and they both do free shipping. 
 

Secondary sites are japanlureshop and plat.co.jp

 

Ive ordered multiple items over years from these 4 and trust them completely. They also accept PayPal if you’re wary which covers you if something doesn’t show up as described. 
 

DISCLAIMER: Don’t blame me if you start buying JDM gear or get hooked on trying new brands. The bait monkey needs no encouragement.

Ok, so all four of the sites you mentioned are out of the right-handed Scorpion 150 HG. Any other reputable sites out there?

 

(I just don't want to get scammed with a counterfeit product)

[TNBankFishing]

Japan tackle. I haven’t picked up anything from anywhere else and won’t recommend a shop I’ve not used.