Best JDM “steals” Right Now?

[JWall14]

With the current exchange rates it’s ridiculous how cheap some reels are compared to the US market. What are the standouts to you?

[AlabamaSpothunter]

I just paid $234 total for a Zillion SV TW 1000.    I'd be buying another one tom if I didn't have other big holes I wanted to fill with the JDM steal-athon.

 

Seriously, everything is a steal.   The most high end stuff is the biggest discounted stuff.   Daiwa's flagship spinning real is like 550 JDM.....same real is 900+ USDM

[PBBrandon]

Zillion, Bantam, Metanium, etc. just about everything is insane. Can get the best of the best reels for 200-250

[Revival]

Everything  

[txchaser]

Zillion HD is a standout.

[casts_by_fly]

In the past couple months I’ve picked up a zillion and a metanium. Both were about $225 or so. Basically pick your price point in dollars and upgrade two or three models in a given manufacturer. 

[Deleted account]

LOL

 

[TheBaitMonkey]

Me earlier:  “I should be set on reels for a while after a few recent JDM deals.”

 

Opens Bass Resource after fishing for a couple hours with a new JDM Zillion I just got on Thursday.

 

5 minutes after jumping on Bass Resource - quickly opens a new Digitaka tab to check out the Zillion HD. ? 

 

It’s a sickness.

[ErieCan]

A 2020 JDM Metanium cost me about $340 Canadian and I didn't pay tax on it.  Most stores here are charging $550 or more, plus our ridiculous 13% sales taxes. 

 

I have two Metaniums, another Shallows Edition Metanium on the way, a 2022 Bantam, a 2021 Zillion SV and Alphas SV TW.  All good deals. 

[FishTank]

Zillion, Metanium, Antares, Steez, Aldebaran BFS..... You name it. It is a great time to be a fisherman that likes JDM stuff or a bargain for that matter.

 

Also, baits.  I picked up 5 new Vision 110's for $13 a piece, Owner hooks for $2 a bag, OSP Dolive Beavers for $5, and so on. 

[redmeansdistortion]

So far for me, tricked out an ABU 2500C and 1600C IAR, bought a few rods; Smith Troutin' Spin BC Classic 6'5" ML, a Daiwa Silver Creek Glass Progressive 5'1" L, and a Valley Hill Raison 6'7" MMM.  I found a really good site for used JDM gear, so it's even more tempting.  I got my Smith for half the price of a new one, sold as used, and looked new.  It even had the plastic still on the grip.

[inferiorfisherman]

I keep buying Zillions in regular and HD, but IMO the Alphas SV doesn't get enough love.  It is the most comfortable reel in hand.  it is very small, but is incredibly solid.  I put a 110 carbon handle on them and use them for all of my pitching, flipping, skipping.  It is not a light lure reel like I originally thought.  It is a heavy duty reel in a compact frame.   can be had for around $170

[redmeansdistortion]

3 hours ago, inferiorfisherman said:

I keep buying Zillions in regular and HD, but IMO the Alphas SV doesn't get enough love.  It is the most comfortable reel in hand.  it is very small, but is incredibly solid.  I put a 110 carbon handle on them and use them for all of my pitching, flipping, skipping.  It is not a light lure reel like I originally thought.  It is a heavy duty reel in a compact frame.   can be had for around $170

The Alphas SV TW, while not a true light duty reel, will cast down to 1/8 or so providing the rod is also capable.  The spool (11g) weighs the same as the older Alphas SV105, which had a similar lower limit.

[JWall14]

6 hours ago, inferiorfisherman said:

I keep buying Zillions in regular and HD, but IMO the Alphas SV doesn't get enough love.  It is the most comfortable reel in hand.  it is very small, but is incredibly solid.  I put a 110 carbon handle on them and use them for all of my pitching, flipping, skipping.  It is not a light lure reel like I originally thought.  It is a heavy duty reel in a compact frame.   can be had for around $170

What is the line capacity for that reel? Debating between an aldebaran and one of those for a wicked light Jerkbait combo.

[JustJames]

Wicked light jerkbait setup I would go with Aldebaran 30 or 50 MGL. It is gonna be hard for Alphas SV to beat Aldebaran in term of lightness and distance wise. Line capacity on Alphas is just a few yards more than 50 and spool about the same weight as 2015 Aldebaran (none MGL model). Just a side note, This frame has been in the market for awhile and new Aldebaran BFS already got newer frame. I think it might been time for Shimano to update old Aldebaran frame.

Truth be told I haven’t take advantage over yen vs dollars quite as much. So far only got a few reels, one travel rod, and a few parts. The “steal” for me would be the one that you’ve been dream off, or the one with quality but dirt cheap compare to US model.

Im not sure if this one considered as steal, and I said I wouldn’t buy any more Shimano. 

 

[NorcalBassin]

4 hours ago, Bass_Fishing_SoCal said:

 

Past couple nights I've had to talk myself out of getting a conquest 200xg to pair with my onager that already has a tranx on it. Fortunately, I see Digitaka is finally down to one in stock... hoping it's gone when I inevitably check tmw!

[inferiorfisherman]

18 hours ago, JWall14 said:

What is the line capacity for that reel? Debating between an aldebaran and one of those for a wicked light Jerkbait combo.

I honestly don't remember, but I have one on my jerkbait rod with 30lb braid (8# equivalent).  I still have plenty of line left over after a max cast.  I tried every real I own on my jerkbait rod and the alphas was the clear winner for me.  the frame size allows me to grip the reel in a way where I can keep my wrist at the best angle to avoid pain.  I have smallish hands though, which might be important in understanding why I am such a fan of this reel.

It isn't a distance casting champion for sure, but the sv spool is nice in the wind with a jerkbait. comparing to the 20 metanium I would say I get 90%+ of the distance with the alphas, but experience substantially less stress casting the alphas.  

[Dwight Hottle]

A 30% sale on the high dollar stuff is more of a steal than the low dollar stuff because of the greater savings. Think Conquest & Bantam & the DC models. Also high end spinning reels.  

[PotatoLake]

I think we've all been hitting the JDM Monkey pretty hard as most of these places are really low on stock now. At least the stuff I've been looking at.

[JustJames]

12 hours ago, NorcalBassin said:

Past couple nights I've had to talk myself out of getting a conquest 200xg to pair with my onager that already has a tranx on it. Fortunately, I see Digitaka is finally down to one in stock... hoping it's gone when I inevitably check tmw!

Just checked it for you still available, ???. I actually should have got the 200 to replace my old Cardiff for 1-2oz swim bait/topwater. I got this last CQ very cheap though, why I can’t resist it.

[TheBaitMonkey]

Well… I cracked, a new Zillion HD has been ordered. You guys can take my monkey sobriety chip back.
 

You guys have me pumped to try the HD. I have the new Zillion and really have been enjoying it a lot more than my Metanium MGL. It’s just so smooth plus it isn’t as finicky. I was out over the weekend and the Zillion made it look easy bomb casting crankbaits and jerkbaits into 10-15mph winds while the Metanium struggled unless I really thumbed it/adjusted it.

[redmeansdistortion]

Welp, just ordered the rest of the parts for my scratch built 2500C.  A year ago it would've been $350 more.  Every part is brand new except for the clutch spring and pinion yoke.