Spend my money- want a new baitcaster

[casts_by_fly]

Hi Gents,

 

I haven't gotten a new toy for a little while now so am looking at a new baitcaster.  Before I decided I thought I'd give you all a chance to pick it out for me.  I'll tell you what I like and have and you make the suggestions.  I have a couple thoughts in mind, but want to see if I'm missing something.  I'll let the thread run for a week or two and make a decision.

 

I currently have a bunch of Abu garcia revo reels.  I have a pair of gen 4 SX, a gen 4 STX, 2x Gen 3 STX, and an MGX.  I also have a Shimano Chronarch MGL in the rotation.  I have a couple others on spare rods or sitting here loose, but these are what I typically have in the boat.  I like the size and low profile of the Abu reels, and the MGX's smaller size is great, though I have no problems with the others.  Of all of these reels, the IVCB-6 braking system is my preference but I can get on fine with all of them.  I fish low spool tension and loose brakes.  The MGX and the Chronarch have aluminum main gears and micro gearing (Shimano) and I prefer that smoothness.  I don't prefer the shimano's height off the rod, though I can manage with it.  I wouldn't go any higher and would prefer lower.  I palm every reel and don't have huge hands.

 

The reel could go on a number of rods.  The reel rotating out will be a Gen 3 STX that is on my heavy flipping stick/frog rod.  I could replace it directly and be happy.  I'd need at least 60 yards of 50 lb braid capacity to do that (the Lews SP was a consideration but is out due to capacity).  The new reel could go on another rod and I rotate that reel to the flipping stick.  In that case, I'd be looking at all around reels for either my light crankbait rod (which has my Gen 4 STX) with 30 lb braid or for my 6'10" heavy which is a 17# mono rod for pitching jigs and light texas rigs or it does backup duty for bladed lures (which has an SX that would be fine for the flippin stick).

 

I don't mind used reels from reputable places.  New is obviously fine.  I'd consider JDM given the exchange rate for something interesting.  I don't mind going to 'odd' brands if there is something special about it.  I missed another MGX when BassPro had marked them to $200 (it was in my cart and when I checked out it changed price) and I'd have one for $200, though not at $250 that they have been running.  If the STX goes back to $150 that I got the last one at I'd be done.  I don't want another SX (i like both of mine but want to go higher end).  I love getting a lot for my money (hence STX at $150) but don't mind spending to get quality if its noticable (the Chronarch is a fantastic reel aside from height).

 

Price wise I'd consider up to $250 or so, but I wouldn't rule out an SLX MGL for instance to put it on my big stick and be done at a cheaper price.  I don't think you'll talk me into a $400 reel, but you can try.  

 

RH, 31" or more retrieve rate, no round reels.

 

What should I get?

[NorthernBasser]

Curado 70 MGL. That thing will disappear in your hands. Awesome reel. 

[MiceNReets]

21 Zillion SV. 
 

[Tatulatard]

Jdm zillion

[FishTank]

JDM Zillion.  Love mine so far.

[GReb]

JDM zillion. 

[casts_by_fly]

1 hour ago, MiceNReets said:

21 Zillion SV. 
 

 

59 minutes ago, Tatulatard said:

Jdm zillion

 

57 minutes ago, FishTank said:

JDM Zillion.  Love mine so far.

 

19 minutes ago, GReb said:

JDM zillion. 

 

So I see a bit of a pattern here and having zero practical knowledge of Diawa I'm going to need more info here.  What about it is so great?  I get the SV spool is the shallower spool.  The TW is the open wing line guide.  I can read a spec well enough to see that much.  What makes this reel so great?

[Tatulatard]

It's just great.  The brand knows what they are doing when it comes to making reels.  They are among the top 3 if not the #1.  This particular reel showcases some of their newest technologies in a small package while also retaining a 34 mil spool compatibility with other daiwa and aftermarket spools.  The combination of size, weight, smoothness and casting performance is top of the market.  It'll bomb anything you want and then turn around and send it under a dock without a 2nd thought.  it will do it while being incredibly smooth and palm perfect.  Its a steal at $360 and down right bonkers at $260 with the current exchange rate.  They are going to start banning foreign customers or something these reels are going for so cheap for how good they are.  

[GReb]

It’s effortless, smooth, powerful, and built well. The same brake setting can bomb a weightless fluke, skip a swim jig, flip a 1/2oz creature bait, and cast pretty much anything. 

[FishTank]

15 minutes ago, casts_by_fly said:

So I see a bit of a pattern here and having zero practical knowledge of Diawa I'm going to need more info here.  What about it is so great?  I get the SV spool is the shallower spool.  The TW is the open wing line guide.  I can read a spec well enough to see that much.  What makes this reel so great?

 

I have several Shimano and Daiwa reels. If you compare the top of line ones I have (Steez and Antares), straight out of the box the new Zillion is best out of them, in my opinion.  It's smooth, cast a mile, and the drag is a little different but for the money, I haven't found it's equal.

[FryDog62]

If you plan to skip or cast light lures - then a Daiwa SV spool is what I would recommend. Tatula, Zillion, etc. 

 

If you want maximum distance, then a Daiwa Tatula Elite absolutely bomb casts lures a country mile ~

 

 

[ErieCan]

Can you swing a JDM Metanium MGL? It's an awesome reel (and I'm typically a Daiwa guy). 

 

The 21 Zillion SV is a great reel too. 

[A kid from Canada]

The JDM Zillion will have the Aluminum gears you want, but I would try the JDM Zillion HD which should work well on your Flippin Stick. I don't own one though it's just what I'd be buying. 

[dodgeguy]

Get a Lew's tournament pro LFS.

[king fisher]

     I was happy with my reel arsenal and checked out this thread simply out of curiosity.  Now the Bait Monkey is screaming at me to buy a new Zillion.  Once the Monkey gets this excited the only one that can calm him down is my wife.  Please someone post something about a Tatula CT being all the reel anyone could possibly want.  It might help shut the Monkey up.

[Bird]

It's been said many times, spend more on the rod then the reel so your looking at $800. Lol

Be curious what you decide.

 

[Blaine Donders]

You need a Revo4 Rocket for your Abu collection!

[PhishLI]

34 minutes ago, king fisher said:

Please someone post something about a Tatula CT being all the reel anyone could possibly want. 

You're SOL on this one. Pass him a banana.

3 hours ago, GReb said:

It’s effortless, smooth, powerful, and built well. The same brake setting can bomb a weightless fluke, skip a swim jig, flip a 1/2oz creature bait, and cast pretty much anything. 

Yup. I have mine on an Ark Essence 7'6" spooled with 12lb copoly. Fishing in the dark I keep the brakes set on 7, and sling 1/4oz cranks to 1 oz rats, and anything in between effortlessly, trouble free, and far. This isn't an over-braked Tatula SV. Distance casting is fantastic.

[dodgeguy]

https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Lews_HyperSpeed_LFS_Casting_Reel/descpage-HYS.html

[PhishLI]

5 hours ago, casts_by_fly said:

I'd consider JDM given the exchange rate for something interesting. 

There are plenty of very good reels you could pick up anytime, but with the exchange rate being what it is, getting something special is within reach, and the Zillion is special. Just get it and find a place for it. I seriously doubt you'll regret doing so.

[QED]

5 hours ago, casts_by_fly said:

[stuff deleted] What should I get?

 

You seem to have well defined wants, needs, and budget constraints so this is a case where a little deep dive research will serve you better than random opinions of strangers who have varying and unknown (for the most part) degrees of skill/experience.

[Bird]

2 minutes ago, QED said:

 

You seem to have well defined wants, needs, and budget constraints so this is a case where a little deep dive research will serve you better than random opinions of strangers who have varying and unknown (for the most part) degrees of skill/experience.

Wait, us bass fisherman ain't got no skills or experience.

Thought this was the place to prove otherwise. ?

[MiceNReets]

5 hours ago, casts_by_fly said:

 

 

 

 

So I see a bit of a pattern here and having zero practical knowledge of Diawa I'm going to need more info here.  What about it is so great?  I get the SV spool is the shallower spool.  The TW is the open wing line guide.  I can read a spec well enough to see that much.  What makes this reel so great?

It was built by the hands of god and brought down to earth by angels.    Once you get one in your hand.  You’ll understand.   

1 hour ago, king fisher said:

     I was happy with my reel arsenal and checked out this thread simply out of curiosity.  Now the Bait Monkey is screaming at me to buy a new Zillion.  Once the Monkey gets this excited the only one that can calm him down is my wife.  Please someone post something about a Tatula CT being all the reel anyone could possibly want.  It might help shut the Monkey up.

Not winning this one.  Just give in and feel the greatness of the new zillion.  
 

[casts_by_fly]

1 hour ago, Bird said:

It's been said many times, spend more on the rod then the reel so your looking at $800. Lol

Be curious what you decide.

 

I'm very happy with my experts so no worries there.

 

1 hour ago, Blaine Donders said:

You need a Revo4 Rocket for your Abu collection!

 

It is on the possibles list AND it’s on sale right now. I don’t truly need 39” but it doesn’t hurt to have it. 

 

42 minutes ago, QED said:

 

You seem to have well defined wants, needs, and budget constraints so this is a case where a little deep dive research will serve you better than random opinions of strangers who have varying and unknown (for the most part) degrees of skill/experience.

Ive done the deep dive already and have a short list.  I wanted to see if anything was missing from the short list. The zillion was not on it, and it now is. 

[Lead Head]

You have experience with nice Abu and Shimano reels. If you're truly curious, get the Zillion. Then you will have experience with all the big names.