First Bait-caster Reel Recommendations

[Chase Ford]

Hello everyone,

 

I am really looking for help on what casting reel should be my first. I have spent many hours looking up reviews and looking online. I thought I was sold in the Shimano slx DC but the more I dig the more I am unsure. Looking for something under $300 preferably and something that will be easy on me when I make mistakes while learning. Thanks in advance! 

[roadwarrior]

$185 for a $300 reel:

 

[AlabamaSpothunter]

JDM 21 Zillion SV TW 1000  

 

Heavily biased but this is one of the greatest reels on the market at any price, and it's 50 below your budget, it's a no brainer imho.    A Zillion HD is right at your budget, epic reel as well, and I do mean epic.    

 

Zillion, Zillion, and oh yeah get a Zillion ?

 

edit... the Zillions are also the most user friendly, set and forget reels I've ever used.   You have to try to backlash them, seriously.  

[PBBrandon]

8 minutes ago, roadwarrior said:

$185 for a $300 reel:

 

Still got one for sale ?

 

Zillions are amazing reels too, can get them from Japan for 220-230

[PressuredFishing]

I learned on multiple reels, which hindsight 2020 helped me a ton.

 

Old 2010ish revo stx with 22g spool, helped me learn basics.

 

Abu bmax3. Taught me how to adjust spool tension and magnets based on lure weight, now I can throw as heavy as a 1 oz jig to as light as a weightless lizard or even trick worm (but maybe only 30 feet)

 

Diawa tatula was much more punishing at times at first compared to the revo stx heavy spool and super strong duel breaking system, but allowed for much longer casts, more accurate pitching flipping sidearm casts etc.

 

 

Any reel will work to learn on, trying different ones can also help teach you how to use a magnetic vs centrifugal vs hybrid or even a adjustable centrifugal.

 

Diawa cc 80 is a good cheap reel to learn on in case you don't like casting equiptment.

 

Use zebco omniflex in 12lb, it's only 3$ a spool of 800 yards (was 1.50 but inflation) and will give you the confidence to pitch flip cast etc. I still use it when practicing my skipping, expecially with very hard to skip baits like a spinnerbait.

 

 

[LonnieP]

Another vote for a Zillion SV from Japan. SV reels are really forgiving and easy to learn on

[Chase Ford]

3 hours ago, AlabamaSpothunter said:

JDM 21 Zillion SV TW 1000  

 

Heavily biased but this is one of the greatest reels on the market at any price, and it's 50 below your budget, it's a no brainer imho.    A Zillion HD is right at your budget, epic reel as well, and I do mean epic.    

 

Zillion, Zillion, and oh yeah get a Zillion ?

 

edit... the Zillions are also the most user friendly, set and forget reels I've ever used.   You have to try to backlash them, seriously.  

Which website is the best to order through for JDM models? 

[T-Billy]

3 hours ago, AlabamaSpothunter said:

JDM 21 Zillion SV TW 1000  

 

Heavily biased but this is one of the greatest reels on the market at any price, and it's 50 below your budget, it's a no brainer imho.    A Zillion HD is right at your budget, epic reel as well, and I do mean epic.    

 

Zillion, Zillion, and oh yeah get a Zillion ?

 

edit... the Zillions are also the most user friendly, set and forget reels I've ever used.   You have to try to backlash them, seriously.  

I'll second this. I only have the HD, but I liked the first one so well that I bought three more. Absolutely outstanding reels.

[JediAmoeba]

4 hours ago, AlabamaSpothunter said:

JDM 21 Zillion SV TW 1000  

 

Heavily biased but this is one of the greatest reels on the market at any price, and it's 50 below your budget, it's a no brainer imho.    A Zillion HD is right at your budget, epic reel as well, and I do mean epic.    

 

Zillion, Zillion, and oh yeah get a Zillion ?

 

edit... the Zillions are also the most user friendly, set and forget reels I've ever used.   You have to try to backlash them, seriously.  

This is the way.

[Pogues2300]

Zillion is a great choice, I have a couple US versions. Tatula sv is around 200$ and is very user friendly. 

[dodgeguy]

6 hours ago, Chase Ford said:

Hello everyone,

 

I am really looking for help on what casting reel should be my first. I have spent many hours looking up reviews and looking online. I thought I was sold in the Shimano slx DC but the more I dig the more I am unsure. Looking for something under $300 preferably and something that will be easy on me when I make mistakes while learning. Thanks in advance! 

This is a no brainier. At 299$ I would get a Lew's Custom lite at 4.9 oz. It casts great and is extremely hard to backlash. I have 2 and find it hard to put them down. At a 7.5 to 1 ratio it can do a lot of things. It has a carbon drag with more than enough power.

[AlabamaSpothunter]

2 hours ago, Chase Ford said:

Which website is the best to order through for JDM models? 

I've bought three reels including the zillions from Digitaka.

 

5 stars.....ship faster than CONUS companies.    Pay with CC to avoid paypal screwry 

[MN Fisher]

3 minutes ago, AlabamaSpothunter said:

I've bought three reels including the zillions from Digitaka.

 

5 stars.....ship faster than CONUS companies.    Pay with CC to avoid paypal screwry 

I picked up 4 reels from Digitaka this past winter - all were in my hands within 3 days of my ordering them...free shipping, no tax.

[AlabamaSpothunter]

33 minutes ago, MN Fisher said:

I picked up 4 reels from Digitaka this past winter - all were in my hands within 3 days of my ordering them...free shipping, no tax.

They ruined me.    Getting close to buying another Zillion from them.  Every Sunday night I open up Digitaka, because I know if I order by then, I'll for sure have it before Friday ?

[Jrob78]

29 minutes ago, AlabamaSpothunter said:

They ruined me.    Getting close to buying another Zillion from them.  Every Sunday night I open up Digitaka, because I know if I order by then, I'll for sure have it before Friday ?

You’ve got the Zillions covered, you should give the Steez A II a try ?

[AlabamaSpothunter]

8 minutes ago, Jrob78 said:

You’ve got the Zillions covered, you should give the Steez A II a try ?

I certainly want one bad enough, the Zillion SV TW is just such a bargain. 

[Jrob78]

1 minute ago, AlabamaSpothunter said:

I certainly want one bad enough, the Zillion SV TW is just such a bargain. 

The Steez at $380 or whatever is too, they'll be $500+ when they hit US stores. I ordered a 2nd one the other day so that's what I keep telling myself anyway ?

[WRB]

9 hours ago, Chase Ford said:

Hello everyone,

 

I am really looking for help on what casting reel should be my first. I have spent many hours looking up reviews and looking online. I thought I was sold in the Shimano slx DC but the more I dig the more I am unsure. Looking for something under $300 preferably and something that will be easy on me when I make mistakes while learning. Thanks in advance! 

What rod do you plan on using and lures??

You can learn to cast using nearly any bait casting reel by simply adjusting the spool tension so it will not over run / backlash.

The high price point reels are designed to cast lighter lures longer distances.

The rod has more to do with lure weight and casting casting distance then higher priced  reel.

There are excellent $150 price range bait casting reels to learn to cast with.

Shimano SLX 70 MGL for example.

Tom

 

[Chase Ford]

8 minutes ago, WRB said:

What rod do you plan on using?

Tom

I was planning on a 7’ MH Fast action. Not sure exactly which brand. 

[FishTank]

10 hours ago, Chase Ford said:

Hello everyone,

 

I am really looking for help on what casting reel should be my first. I have spent many hours looking up reviews and looking online. I thought I was sold in the Shimano slx DC but the more I dig the more I am unsure. Looking for something under $300 preferably and something that will be easy on me when I make mistakes while learning. Thanks in advance! 

 

If you are not planning on getting another baitcaster, a DC reel would be a good choice but if you want to truly learn how to use one, I would get a non-DC reel. The JDM Zillion would be my pick.

 

Also, as stated above the rod will be the key to having a good first experience.  I would consider what you are going to throw and try to find a jack of all trades rod with a soft tip. So most likely a M or MH Fast around 7'. 

[txchaser]

@Chase Ford what rod are you putting it on?

[Phil77]

6 hours ago, dodgeguy said:

This is a no brainier. At 299$ I would get a Lew's Custom lite at 4.9 oz. It casts great and is extremely hard to backlash. I have 2 and find it hard to put them down. At a 7.5 to 1 ratio it can do a lot of things. It has a carbon drag with more than enough power.

Second this, sorry to break up the zillion circle jerk but the lite is the most comfortable reel you will ever fish. The ACB brake system is easy to learn for beginners and not over braked like the SV so once you dial it in you can skip or bomb it with ease. I'm sure the zillion is a fine reel but if you can find an older TDZ those are what daiwa needs to bring back. I would suggest any mid range shimano, lews, abu even 13 fishing. Good luck with whatever reel you choose, set the brakes to max and just use your elbows with an overhand cast. 

[ska4fun]

14 hours ago, Chase Ford said:

Hello everyone,

 

I am really looking for help on what casting reel should be my first. I have spent many hours looking up reviews and looking online. I thought I was sold in the Shimano slx DC but the more I dig the more I am unsure. Looking for something under $300 preferably and something that will be easy on me when I make mistakes while learning. Thanks in advance! 

Daiwa Alphas series, the silver one, TW80 or SV70. Abu Garcie revo EXD (deep and shallow spool included).

[Tatulatard]

7 hours ago, Phil77 said:

Second this, sorry to break up the zillion circle jerk but the lite is the most comfortable reel you will ever fish. The ACB brake system is easy to learn for beginners and not over braked like the SV so once you dial it in you can skip or bomb it with ease. I'm sure the zillion is a fine reel but if you can find an older TDZ those are what daiwa needs to bring back. I would suggest any mid range shimano, lews, abu even 13 fishing. Good luck with whatever reel you choose, set the brakes to max and just use your elbows with an overhand cast. 

The current zillion is basically the 2nd coming of the td-z.  I'm seriously considering getting some red parts to make a td-z type R+ tribute.  The reels are that similar.  

[Fishin Dad]

14 hours ago, Pogues2300 said:

Zillion is a great choice, I have a couple US versions. Tatula sv is around 200$ and is very user friendly. 

I agree.  I actually think the Tatula SV is more controlled than my Zillion SV.  You can find these for $139.99 at times if you look around.  The Tatula SV would be a great choice for your first baitcaster!!