Good baitcaster under $200?

[PourMyOwn]

2 hours ago, new2BC4bass said:

I have to agree with PhishLI.  The SVS is more finicky to dial in than my older Shimanos.

 

I had my 50th Anniversary Zillion at a boat ramp when a guy started talking to me.  He had one baitcast reel that he seldom used.  Said he'd make 4-5 casts and backlash.  I let him try the Zillion.  About 15 minutes later he came back and asked, "How to you backlash this reel?"  ?

I want one of those Zillions so bad. Please tell me how horrible they are.

[newapti5]

Compared to Daiwa's SV brakes, the current SVS brake is a bit finicky, especially when you cast too hard.  However, the first generation of SVS, those red brake shoes found on Curado I, Chronarch Ci4+, and 13 Metanium, they are relatively less touchy and have more control during the cast, which results in a bit less casting distance. 

[PhishLI]

1 hour ago, PourMyOwn said:

I want one of those Zillions so bad.

Don't walk. Run, Forrest, run!

[Revival]

3 hours ago, PourMyOwn said:

I want one of those Zillions so bad. Please tell me how horrible they are.

Price already went up $10.  Hurry!

[Tony Christian]

On 11/12/2022 at 10:21 PM, Revival said:

Price already went up $10.  Hurry!

Is it really that good. What reel would you compare it to? A metanium, Curado DC, or even better?

[Revival]

1 hour ago, Tony Christian said:

Is it really that good. What reel would you compare it to? A metanium, Curado DC, or even better?

Tons of reviews and info all over the place especially here.  In my opinion they are really  THAT good.  I’ve previously stated that if didn’t buy another reel, and I had to use these Zillion SVs for the rest of my life, I would be happy.

 

I’m not a baitcasting Shimano guy so I’m sure someone else would be better suited to answer that question.

[PhishLI]

2 hours ago, Tony Christian said:

Is it really that good.

Yes!

2 hours ago, Tony Christian said:

What reel would you compare it to?

Itself. If you like stress-free casting reels, this is it. It has no quirks. It's not touchy. It won't do anything wonky out of the blue like many reels seem to occasionally. It delivers on the promise of SV (stress free/versatile), and without the distance penalty of the original SV types. It's great, and I seriously doubt hardcore fans of any other brand would deny that if they fished with it. I could replace every reel in my arsenal with these and not miss them. First time I can say that and mean it. If your testosterone levels are such that a 6.3-6.7 ounce reel isn't too much to bear, you'll be as happy as a clam.

[Tony Christian]

8 hours ago, PhishLI said:

Yes!

Itself. If you like stress-free casting reels, this is it. It has no quirks. It's not touchy. It won't do anything wonky out of the blue like many reels seem to occasionally. It delivers on the promise of SV (stress free/versatile), and without the distance penalty of the original SV types. It's great, and I seriously doubt hardcore fans of any other brand would deny that if they fished with it. I could replace every reel in my arsenal with these and not miss them. First time I can say that and mean it. If your testosterone levels are such that a 6.3-6.7 ounce reel isn't too much to bear, you'll be as happy as a clam.

https://www.amazon.co.jp/gp/aw/d/B01BG9L44Y/ref=ox_sc_act_image_1?smid=A9FTPL5GD8GY5&psc=1&th=1

 

Is this the one you are talking about? Because for only 150 bucks it's a steal.

[warefisher]

19 minutes ago, Tony Christian said:

https://www.amazon.co.jp/gp/aw/d/B01BG9L44Y/ref=ox_sc_act_image_1?smid=A9FTPL5GD8GY5&psc=1&th=1

 

Is this the one you are talking about? Because for only 150 bucks it's a steal.

I believe they’ve been talking about this one, a newer model:  https://www.amazon.co.jp/-/en/Daiwa-Gillion-1000P-Right-Handle-dp-B08NP6PKZM/dp/B08NP6PKZM/ref=dp_ob_title_sports?th=1&language=en_US&currency=USD

[bulldog1935]

On 11/12/2022 at 6:43 PM, newapti5 said:

Compared to Daiwa's SV brakes, the current SVS brake is a bit finicky, especially when you cast too hard.  However, the first generation of SVS, those red brake shoes found on Curado I, Chronarch Ci4+, and 13 Metanium, they are relatively less touchy and have more control during the cast, which results in a bit less casting distance. 

Daiwa's MagForce/SV is the Marhoff of casting brakes. 

1918 Douglas LW patent, discontinued when Marhoff's LW patent expired. 

When Daiwa's patent expires, it will be the only casting brake made by anyone. 

Of course, it will have a new name. 

[PhishLI]

1 hour ago, Tony Christian said:

Is this the one you are talking about?

No. The reel in the link you posted is very good, but it's not a Zillion 1000 which is what people are thinking about when they mention the new Zillion.

[Tony Christian]

53 minutes ago, bulldog1935 said:

Daiwa's MagForce/SV is the Marhoff of casting brakes. 

1918 Douglas LW patent, discontinued when Marhoff's LW patent expired. 

When Daiwa's patent expires, it will be the only casting brake made by anyone. 

Of course, it will have a new name. 

Still, for 220 bucks, not a bad price. I'm gonna put the Curado MGL and the Zillion up against each other on the reservoir this week, and see who wins

Thank you all for helping me narrow down my reel selection to two. A Curado MGL and a Daiwa Zillion. I'll keep you posted on what I think of each.

[Tatulatard]

1 hour ago, bulldog1935 said:

Daiwa's MagForce/SV is the Marhoff of casting brakes. 

1918 Douglas LW patent, discontinued when Marhoff's LW patent expired. 

When Daiwa's patent expires, it will be the only casting brake made by anyone. 

Of course, it will have a new name. 

There are actually a number of attempts out there already with a different approach to the same end.  Doyo has two or more brakes that move the magnets closer to the spool on the cast.  Achieving the same effect as moving the rotor closer to the magnets as daiwa does.  The new flagship lews uses this system and cheap bps extreme does this with a rotating flat plate on the spool that extends as it turns like a cheap sv brake. The new kastking bfs reel and ark reels use magnetic holder that moves closer to the spool on the cast too.  Shimano has had something similar with their ftb system but it resides within the inside diameter of the spool and is limited to shallow spool only applications.

[bulldog1935]

as I said, everything else is a stop gap until Daiwa's MagForce patent expires, then everything else will disappear with a new name but still magforce taking their place. 

I hope this thing is on. 

[GreenPig]

On 11/12/2022 at 11:56 AM, zell_pop1 said:

Just go with the standard $99 SLX and get two of them in different gear ratios. The old VBS brakes work great.

Great reels. I fish 3 and they simply work.

[new2BC4bass]

18 hours ago, PhishLI said:

Yes!

Itself. If you like stress-free casting reels, this is it. It has no quirks. It's not touchy. It won't do anything wonky out of the blue like many reels seem to occasionally. It delivers on the promise of SV (stress free/versatile), and without the distance penalty of the original SV types. It's great, and I seriously doubt hardcore fans of any other brand would deny that if they fished with it. I could replace every reel in my arsenal with these and not miss them. First time I can say that and mean it. If your testosterone levels are such that a 6.3-6.7 ounce reel isn't too much to bear, you'll be as happy as a clam.

My testosterone level is down, but I'd still be as happy as a bear in a berry patch.

[Tony Christian]

I know I will get a lot of backlash for saying this (pun intended), but I pitted both of these reels together with 40 lb PowerPro, and put both of these reels to the test, flipping, casting balsa, and punching. The mgl and Zillion were pretty equal, and I didn't get a backlash on either. One thing I did notice was the MGL casted a tad bit farther, and it did pretty well at everything. Thanks to everyone for helping me select my reels. 

 

Tight lines,

Tony

[PhishLI]

30 minutes ago, Tony Christian said:

I pitted both of these reels together

That was fast. Overnight shipping from Japan? Pricey.

[Revival]

2 hours ago, Tony Christian said:

I know I will get a lot of backlash for saying this (pun intended), but I pitted both of these reels together with 40 lb PowerPro, and put both of these reels to the test, flipping, casting balsa, and punching. The mgl and Zillion were pretty equal, and I didn't get a backlash on either. One thing I did notice was the MGL casted a tad bit farther, and it did pretty well at everything. Thanks to everyone for helping me select my reels. 

 

Tight lines,

Tony

Which reels did you compare?  The Curado 150 MGL vs 21 Zillion SV?

[Tony Christian]

The Zillion 1000 and the curado mgl 150.

[Revival]

10 hours ago, Tony Christian said:

The Zillion 1000 and the curado mgl 150.

I’m excited to hear the back story on how you were able to get your hands on the Zillion SV and MGL 150 in just one day?  Just two days ago, you weren’t sure which Zillion everyone was talking about.

[Tony Christian]

1 hour ago, Revival said:

I’m excited to hear the back story on how you were able to get your hands on the Zillion SV and MGL 150 in just one day?  Just two days ago, you weren’t sure which Zillion everyone was talking about.

I used the link warefisher gave me and got the mgl both on Amazon next day delivery. I had some pretty old stuff and wasn't posted onto the way bass fishing was changing. This is my first Shimano reel, and my second Daiwa. Now my abu garcias feel old and cheap. 

[PhishLI]

11 minutes ago, Tony Christian said:

I used the link warefisher gave me and got the mgl both on Amazon next day delivery.

Really? He posted the link at 7:38 am on Wednesday morning, which was 9:38 pm Wednesday night in Japan.

 

On 11/16/2022 at 7:38 AM, warefisher said:

I believe they’ve been talking about this one, a newer model:  https://www.amazon.co.jp/-/en/Daiwa-Gillion-1000P-Right-Handle-dp-B08NP6PKZM/dp/B08NP6PKZM/ref=dp_ob_title_sports?th=1&language=en_US&currency=USD

Then you paid intergalactic shipping costs, received it and the MGL when you were capped at spending $200 in your thread starter, then did a casting battle on a reservoir in near freezing temps with high winds sometime the very next day on Thursday all before darkness fell at 5pm? Was it sent by rocket? Particle beam transporter? Uh huh...

On 11/17/2022 at 9:35 PM, Tony Christian said:

but I pitted both of these reels together with 40 lb PowerPro, and put both of these reels to the test, flipping, casting balsa, and punching.

Right.

 

Is that you, Jeffrey?

[Revival]

Once you use intergalactic shipping, it’s hard to use anything else.

[PhishLI]

3 minutes ago, Revival said:

Once you use intergalactic shipping, it’s hard to use anything else.

So true.?