Do you have an all time favorite fishing reel?

[Hulkster]

Although its not for bass, my Tranx 400A is amazing. 

[shackman]

Chronarch 50mg, I have 6 of them that I've been using for years. 

I installed brass gears in two of them that I use for braid to be more durable

[J._Bricker]

Probably this one, my first JDM reel. I just wish I would’ve started using reel covers much sooner…

[Jrob78]

8 minutes ago, J._Bricker said:

Probably this one, my first JDM reel. I just wish I would’ve started using reel covers much sooner…

That was one of my first JDM reels too and I still use it some.

[soflabasser]

My favorite reels are Shimano and Penn.

[Tatulatard]

11 hours ago, J._Bricker said:

Probably this one, my first JDM reel. I just wish I would’ve started using reel covers much sooner…

Polish it.  It's not like it's painted.

[Darth-Baiter]

no.  no flat out favorites. I have some I use more, but I dont think its because it is a favorite.

 

I oddly have a least favorite.  haha.

[J._Bricker]

2 hours ago, Tatulatard said:

Polish it.  It's not like it's painted.

True and thanks for your experience and expertise. The finish of the reel was damaged due to saltwater incursion into the California delta over the years, which was caused by various times of drought and state water policies. But hey, it’s still a great little reel that works now just as it did back ‘03 when I got it. Continued good fishing 

[AlabamaSpothunter]

16 hours ago, J._Bricker said:

Probably this one, my first JDM reel. I just wish I would’ve started using reel covers much sooner…

Yeah any reel over a hundred or two should include them, and most do....but I have them on all reels.   

[Junk Fisherman]

On 8/9/2022 at 4:57 PM, AlabamaSpothunter said:

I have a TD-X with the rarer 5.1:1 ratio.     Designed in 1998, and to me it's still as good of a reel as you can find on the market.   It's almost as light as the new flagship Steez, casts a mile, silky smooth drag, and has been fished hard for over 20 years.    By far and away my most treasured reel, even though I have technically "nicer" and more expensive reels.  

 

I want to love the Shimano high end reels I've gotten through the years, but nothing has ever competed with Team Daiwa reels for my usage.   I have a newer steez rod/reel combo that is wicked light and sweet, but I still find myself reaching for old Team Daiwa reels the most.   The Shimano reels are always much bulkier, heavier, and over complicated in comparison.   Only owned one Lews Speed Spool, and outside of that have no other experience with reel makers.

 

So let's here your take of reels, and your favorite of all time 

 

I've got a couple of those TDXs that I still use.  They were the best in the game at their time and they are still fantastic reels more than 20 years later.  But if I had to say a favorite it would be a Zillion I received as a wedding gift from my wife 14+ years ago.  It's still an excellent reel and one of my main reels in my arsenal.  It's the 2nd reel from the left on the top row.  You can see my 2 TDXs all the way on the left.  

[AlabamaSpothunter]

1 minute ago, Junk Fisherman said:

 

I've got a couple of those TDXs that I still use.  They were the best in the game at their time and they are still fantastic reels more than 20 years later.  But if I had to say a favorite it would be a Zillion I received as a wedding gift from my wife 14+ years ago.  It's still an excellent reel and one of my main reels in my arsenal.  It's the 2nd reel from the left on the top row.  You can see my 2 TDXs all the way on the left.  

Very nice collection!  TDXs are such tanks....Daiwa builds super robust reels 

[Eric 26]

18 hours ago, J._Bricker said:

Probably this one, my first JDM reel. I just wish I would’ve started using reel covers much sooner…

The refurbishment of this reel is right up @bulldog1935 ‘s alley. 

[redmeansdistortion]

19 hours ago, J._Bricker said:

Probably this one, my first JDM reel. I just wish I would’ve started using reel covers much sooner…

Sweet reel, always wanted one of those.  The Daiwa SV105 and JDM Alphas SV105 spool is a direct swap on that one if you are looking for something different.  That spool is great from about 3g on up, weighs 11g vs the 16g of the factory spool.  

5 hours ago, J._Bricker said:

True and thanks for your experience and expertise. The finish of the reel was damaged due to saltwater incursion into the California delta over the years, which was caused by various times of drought and state water policies. But hey, it’s still a great little reel that works now just as it did back ‘03 when I got it. Continued good fishing 

You can clean up the salt corrosion with white vinegar, it does a knockout job.  It works a lot faster than products such as Salt X.  Just make sure you rinse it very, very thoroughly afterward.  You can always hit the frame with some Brasso or Simichrome and a Dremel with a wool polishing pad.  It won't look like new, but it'll look a lot better.

[Rob St Croix]

Shimano Sidestab spinning reel I bought around 1992.

My first "Decent" spinning reel.

Caught thousands of fish on it until she finally died on me a few years ago.

[bulldog1935]

42 minutes ago, redmeansdistortion said:

Sweet reel, always wanted one of those.  The Daiwa SV105 and JDM Alphas SV105 spool is a direct swap on that one if you are looking for something different.  That spool is great from about 3g on up, weighs 11g vs the 16g of the factory spool.  

You can clean up the salt corrosion with white vinegar, it does a knockout job.  It works a lot faster than products such as Salt X.  Just make sure you rinse it very, very thoroughly afterward.  You can always hit the frame with some Brasso or Simichrome and a Dremel with a wool polishing pad.  It won't look like new, but it'll look a lot better.

Mild acid passivates aluminum - white chalk on aluminum is active corrosion.  Vinegar removes the salt and passivates the metal. 

You can't cure scratches in the anodizing, but you can darken them with a jeweler's aluminum blackener (aluminum is bronzed with arsenic + sulfuric acid).  Just avoid Birchwood Casey, it turns everything blue. 

You have to be careful with aluminum with soap and alkalies, but aluminum likes mild acid.   

(Magnesium is the opposite, you leave residual soap, but don't get acid anywhere near it.)

When I'm touching up scratches on OP's valuable antique Hardy, Meek, etc., I use a product made by Jax.   (below is 1917 St. George, definitely all-time favorite fly reel)

[ska4fun]

Calcutta Conquest 51 and the Daiwa Millionaire, side by side.

[VolFan]

A Shimano Curado 200D DHSV and a Daiwa Pixy. I can do anything with those two.

[Jaderose]

My OG Pro Qualifier.  I think I've had it for about 15 years at this point and it has just gotten better over the years.  It's a tough SOB and is now butter smooth.  

[Mike L]

27 minutes ago, Jaderose said:

My OG Pro Qualifier.  I think I've had it for about 15 years at this point and it has just gotten better over the years.  It's a tough SOB and is now butter smooth.  

Yep

I’ve had mine about the same length of time and use it every outing.
Those things are built like a tank!

 

 

 

 

 

Mike