Japanese Zillion.

[king fisher]

I lost two rods out the back of a friends boat yesterday.  Don't ask how!  I have decided to buy a Zillion reel from Japan to replace one of the reels. I have two questions.  

 

1.  What importer should I use?

2.  What is the difference between models?  How are they different from the new Zillion that is sold in the states?  Which one would members recommend?  I would be using it for spinnerbaits, chaterbaits, crankbaits up to 3/4 OZ. and other moving baits.   Line will be 15 pound mono.

[LCG]

I have had good luck ordering from asian portal fishing and Digitaka. The JDM has aluminum gears and made in japan while the US version has brass gears and made in Thailand. Not sure about handle length differences.

 

I don't have the zillion but just ordered the alphas, waiting for delivery. Looked hard the JDM Zillion but prefer smaller reels.

 

Sorry for your loss of equipment, that is rough. 

[LrgmouthShad]

I got mine from Digitaka and members here recommended. Difference between JDM and US is the JDM comes with duralumin gears, not brass. US comes with brass. Wish I researched this before purchasing but it will be a good experiment using duralumin gears for me regardless…. 
 

Believe JDM might also come with a smaller handle? Not sure about this one. 
 

I bought 5 gear ratio JDM Zillion with the intent to try it for spinnerbaits and if don’t like it, some lighter moving baits perhaps. However, with the aluminum base gears, a reel like that does not seem to be meant for power fishing techniques/heavy line/heavy fish/heavy rods. Daiwa explained in selling the two versions that they chose Japanese version to have lighter gears because generally Japanese anglers fishing lighter tackle for lighter fish and they also get a significant weight reduction in the reel by using duralumin. 
 

I am looking forward to testing the reel but am afraid that 5 gear ratio and meant for lighter tackle is a bit contradictory for me. 
 

Darn bait monkey. Who knows I might be pleased though

[bulldog1935]

1016 capacity on '21 Zillion is just right for 15-lb mono - right at 100 yds. 

When I bought mine, went for the 8.5, partly because I already had the longer Avail handle I wanted to swap in. 

[king fisher]

I see three Zillions offered on Digitika.  1. SV TW. 2. HD. 3.HLC.  I have been wanting to buy a SV TW  for a while now, but would like to know the differences between the three before making a decision.  The HD is more expensive, is it worth the extra money?  I hope replacing lost rods and reels is reason enough to get the Monkey off my back.

[bulldog1935]

The SV TW is more versatile for wide weight range, especially at the light end, with lighter spool/rotor, stronger brake magnets. 

The HD is Mag-Z, heavier spool and rotor, and better suited for heavy weights,

The two above are 34-mm dia spool. 

The HLC is the same Mag-Z brake and with larger 36-mm dia spool. 

If you're throwing big swim baits, I would go for one of the big H reels for lures over an ounce. 

Check JapanTackle listings for good descriptions of all 3. 

https://japantackle.com/casting-reels/daiwa.html

 

[JustJames]

For the techniques you listed, I would feel more comfortable with brass gear, but that is just me. No matter you pick, tackle trap has Zillion brass gear in stock for only 70 bucks. 
 

[LrgmouthShad]

18 minutes ago, Bass_Fishing_SoCal said:

No matter you pick, tackle trap has Zillion brass gear in stock for only 70 bucks. 

Excellent. So if the dang aluminum gears crap out on me, then I've got some nice brass gears as an option. 

[PhishLI]

2 hours ago, LrgmouthShad said:

Wish I researched this before purchasing but it will be a good experiment using duralumin gears for me regardless…. 

I wouldn't sweat it. My Lew's TP Pro, Quantum Tour S3, and Vapor PT all have aluminum gears and have all winched in very good fish through dense weeds and pad fields. They all remain what they were when new, The glass smooth Vapor, which is a Banax build, would be the first to show slippage regarding smoothness, but it hasn't yet. I imagine Daiwa's aluminum gears to be better. Also, @iabass8 has already testified that his 2 year old JDM Zillions have held up just fine.

 

[newapti5]

3 hours ago, king fisher said:

I would be using it for spinnerbaits, chaterbaits, crankbaits up to 3/4 OZ. and other moving baits.

 

As a Daiwa fanboy, I'd suggest Shimano's new 22 Bantam for the task. Line capacity, brass gears, castability, Bantam is made for this.  It's priced similarly as the new Zillion.  If you're set on Daiwa, I'd also suggest the Zillion HD version, which is about $50 more. 

[Revival]

The JDM Zillion SV has smaller handle knobs than the US Zillion SV.

[bulldog1935]

The whole brass gear thing is overrated. 

If anything needs brass gears, it's spinning reels, where the long spindle multiplies gear contract stress with added bending load.  Nobody wants to add the weight to their spinning reel - everybody wants Vanford. 

Why add cantilevered weight that's going to twist your hand on your nice casting reel. 

[RDB]

1 hour ago, bulldog1935 said:

The whole brass gear thing is overrated. 

Completely agree…also, if your buying through Digitaka (my preferred site) drop a few bellows gills in your cart.  They are ~40% cheaper JDM and since you are buying a reel, the shipping will be free.

[FishTank]

I picked up my Zillion from Asian Portal Fishing and it has been fantastic so far. I almost picked up the Limited Edition Steez SV when it finally came back in stock at Digitaka but I have liked this reel so much I couldn't bring myself to fork over the extra cash as I like it almost as much as I like my regular Steez SV.  

 

I think it's a toss up between Digitaka or A.P.F. Both are great.  I have never had an issue with either of them. I think Digitaka is a little cheaper and I like their site a little better but APF carries some of the harder to find crankbaits and jerkbaits I like. 

[roadwarrior]

Japan is on sale right now!  

[zpelletier]

Amazon.co.jp is a little cheaper, but I’ve yet to order anything through there so I can’t speak to reliability or shipping

[LonnieP]

1 hour ago, zpelletier said:

Amazon.co.jp is a little cheaper, but I’ve yet to order anything through there so I can’t speak to reliability or shipping

Takes about 10 to 14 days for delivery vs 3 to 4 days from Digitaka 

[bulldog1935]

You can upgrade shipping on most Amazon.jp orders to DHL for only $5 more, and it arrives in 4 days. 

Amazon.jp ships from both their warehouses and individual sellers, the latter may charge much more for shipping, so look closely at your cart and shipping cost before you buy. 

 

[king fisher]

I just ordered a 2021 SV TW Zillion from Digitaka.  Thanks to everyone for the help.

     Now I need to replace the second reel I lost.  The reel I had was a Coastal 200. Digitaka does not have the Coastal, and Tackle warehouse has it for $240.  I was thinking of getting a Tatula 150 at $170 in order to save some money.  I used the Coastal 200 for deep cranks, A rig, and light saltwater use.  I was very happy with the reel, but was wondering if The Tat 150 would work as well for the same applications, and save me some money, or if I should bite the bullet and buy another Coastal 200.  I was also thinking about replacing it with the new Shimano Bantam, but am worried about line capacity and use in salt water.  Any advice appreciated.  Thanks. Tim 

 

[Hammer 4]

Why not grab the Tatula 200, TW list's the same price as the 150.

[txchaser]

9 hours ago, zpelletier said:

Amazon.co.jp is a little cheaper, but I’ve yet to order anything through there so I can’t speak to reliability or shipping

No issues for me here. 

2 hours ago, king fisher said:

 Now I need to replace the second reel I lost.  The reel I had was a Coastal 200.

I think JDM also has a bunch of inshore reels, consider emailing digitaka as you'll save on some shipping too. 

 

[newapti5]

A little reminder when ordering reels from third party sellers on Amazon.co.jp:  Some of the third party sellers list reels as new, but only one available, as if it is the last one. Often time it is a used one. It may be in "like-new" condition, but technically, it's not brand-new.

[Cbump]

3 hours ago, king fisher said:

I just ordered a 2021 SV TW Zillion from Digitaka.  Thanks to everyone for the help.

     Now I need to replace the second reel I lost.  The reel I had was a Coastal 200. Digitaka does not have the Coastal, and Tackle warehouse has it for $240.  I was thinking of getting a Tatula 150 at $170 in order to save some money.  I used the Coastal 200 for deep cranks, A rig, and light saltwater use.  I was very happy with the reel, but was wondering if The Tat 150 would work as well for the same applications, and save me some money, or if I should bite the bullet and buy another Coastal 200.  I was also thinking about replacing it with the new Shimano Bantam, but am worried about line capacity and use in salt water.  Any advice appreciated.  Thanks. Tim 

 

Tat 150 or 200 for $138. Buy with confidence. I’ve purchased 5 reels from him. 
 

https://discountfishingdeals.com/shop/ols/categories/daiwa

[king fisher]

17 hours ago, Cbump said:

Tat 150 or 200 for $138. Buy with confidence. I’ve purchased 5 reels from him. 
 

https://discountfishingdeals.com/shop/ols/categories/daiwa

Thanks.  I just ordered a TAT 150 from this link.  Great Price and shipping was free.  Thanks again.

[Cbump]

Nice!