First Bait-caster Reel Recommendations

[JediAmoeba]

1 hour ago, Fishin Dad said:

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!!  

And at that price you can get 2...

[Fishin Dad]

3 minutes ago, JediAmoeba said:

And at that price you can get 2...

Absolutely.  Every time I see them at that price, I want another one or two.  I have plenty, but really like them.  A lot!

[JediAmoeba]

1 minute ago, Fishin Dad said:

Absolutely.  Every time I see them at that price, I want another one or two.  I have plenty, but really like them.  A lot!

They are my main reels I use - I paid around 180 for them and I would still pay that. I can do anything with them and I prefer that bigger size reel for most things.

[suzuki2903]

Tatula sv is a perfect beginner reel, only issue is you won’t get the casting distance like a shimano dc or any other reel .

[Phil77]

1 hour ago, Tatulatard said:

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.  

No way it can come close to the old TDZ's and zillions with the t wing and zero adjuster. Those were some of the best reels they ever produced along with the original Sol's and Fuego's. Such a shame, the one pictured below is still in use but my TDZ'S are just too hard to find parts for anymore.

Don't know the size of the new zillion but here is my steez SV tw next to the lite for size comparison. Much more comfortable for me and performs way better.

[Tatulatard]

1 minute ago, Phil77 said:

No way it can come close to the old TDZ's and zillions with the t wing and zero adjuster. Those were some of the best reels they ever produced along with the original Sol's and Fuego's. Such a shame, the one pictured below is still in use but my TDZ'S are just too hard to find parts for anymore.

I too love those old platforms and have many.  The zero adjuster isn't a real thing.  It's a hard to turn knob to get people to stop turning that knob.  You don't turn that knob on those old reels either making them "zero adjusters" too.  Set and forget.  The new zillion is awesome though.  I say this as someone who has considered all zillions after the td zillion like you have there to be tatulas masquerading as zillions.  That new zillion 1000 is the 1st real zillion to some out since the original IMO.  It's actually very similar to a td-z in weight, palmability, color and braking profile to an R+ making it more td-z like than zillion with the zillion HD being a better modern td zillion replacement.  That sv boost spool isn't like the other sv spools.

[Fishin Dad]

14 minutes ago, JediAmoeba said:

They are my main reels I use - I paid around 180 for them and I would still pay that. I can do anything with them and I prefer that bigger size reel for most things.

Agreed.  My favorite reel is the older Zillion SV.   I actually like it better then the new one ( I know that will make people wild).   There is just something about how connected that reel feels.   I would have a whole arsenal of those.   I have heard the old SV 105 reels were unreal.  I just missed out on getting some of those.   Once I realized Daiwa reels were awesome, they were just phasing those out.  

[Chase Ford]

16 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. 

Just curious what has you leaning towards the custom lite vs. the custom Pro.
. 

[PhishLI]

7 hours ago, Phil77 said:

No way it can come close to the old TDZ's and zillions with the t wing and zero adjuster.

I didn't take you for someone who speculates about gear. Most of your posts insinuate first hand experience. I mostly agree with you on Lew's ACB, and while it's better than SVS Infinity, IMO,  and my favorite centrifugal system, it's still a bit touchy for a beginner if set for free casting. On the other hand, SV Boost is painless, and not restrictive like typical SV braking. If the ergos work for a particular user, the new Zillion is a desert island reel.

[Armin J]

My recommendation is Curado MGL 150 paired with Falcon Lowrider MHF and 12 lbs Sufix Advance. You can fish anything from 1/16 Trick worm to 3/8 Rage Craw to weightless Senkos.

 

[Boomstick]

The Tatula SV or SLX MGL 70 or possibly the DC comes to mind as a good reel for beginners.

 

That used Chronarch MGL earlier in this thread is a great choice!

[Phil77]

6 hours ago, PhishLI said:

I didn't take you for someone who speculates about gear. Most of your posts insinuate first hand experience. I mostly agree with you on Lew's ACB, and while it's better than SVS Infinity, IMO,  and my favorite centrifugal system, it's still a bit touchy for a beginner if set for free casting. On the other hand, SV Boost is painless, and not restrictive like typical SV braking. If the ergos work for a particular user, the new Zillion is a desert island reel.

Any reel is touchy if you turn the brakes off. I'd wager my old zillion is the better of the two, might be a bit chunkier but looks like a true zillion should. As for the SV boost it just sounds like the old mag force V and Z and I'm glad they brought it back. Will that boost spool fit my 1016 steez?

[PhishLI]

1 hour ago, Phil77 said:

Any reel is touchy if you turn the brakes off.

Who said that?

[dodgeguy]

13 hours ago, Chase Ford said:

Just curious what has you leaning towards the custom lite vs. the custom Pro.
. 

It's lighter. They are both good reels. Custom pro might be a better value.

[Tatulatard]

5 hours ago, Phil77 said:

Will that boost spool fit my 1016 steez?

Yes.  It's a popular swap.

[GravelGavel]

I’m afraid all I can do in honesty is add to the “jerk”.  There’s a lot of relatively easy bait casters out there (I learned on an Ambassador 5000D…NOT an easy one!).  However if I had a 250 up budget and was buying for a beginning loved one it’d be a JDM Zillion.  247.28 to your door via FedEx (likely on Wednesday) from Digitaka.  If you go Digitaka, don’t forget to sign up for an account so you’ll accumulate points and get their 5% off coupons.  As said, use a credit card, preferably with a no or 1% foreign transaction fee.  There are several other great JDM dealers I’m sure but I started with Digitaka and they’ve never given me a reason to stray.  3 Zillions and an Alphas from them all in 3 days or less.

[WIGuide]

I haven't jumped up to the Zillion even though I'm hoping to get one this year. I will say the Tatula SV is a great reel to learn on and takes some serious effort to backlash. I'm sure the Zillion is even better, but for the beginner the Tatula is a great option. 

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

I’d stick closer to the $100 point for your first one. Get a feel for what you may like in a higher end reel and invest later. A $100 reel will perform well yet you won’t “outgrow “ it as skill develops. Either a Daiwa Fuego, Shimano SLX or something else with with centrifugal brakes. Yes Daiwa are mag brakes but in a class by themselves. 

[Phil77]

14 hours ago, Tatulatard said:

Yes.  It's a popular swap.

Ordered a 6.3 from asian portal this morning. I hate the looks of the zillion so I'm going to swap spools and see if it makes my steez usable. I'll throw the SV spool in the zillion and put it on Facebook. Lots of morons on there who won't know the difference and I'll hopefully get to enjoy my steez.

[Jrob78]

18 minutes ago, Phil77 said:

Ordered a 6.3 from asian portal this morning. I hate the looks of the zillion so I'm going to swap spools and see if it makes my steez usable. I'll throw the SV spool in the zillion and put it on Facebook. Lots of morons on there who won't know the difference and I'll hopefully get to enjoy my steez.

So you bought a Zillion for the spool, with the hopes of selling the "new" Zillion with the old Steez spool to some unsuspecting person on Facebook? Am I reading that right? 

[WRB]

4 hours ago, Delaware Valley Tackle said:

I’d stick closer to the $100 point for your first one. Get a feel for what you may like in a higher end reel and invest later. A $100 reel will perform well yet you won’t “outgrow “ it as skill develops. Either a Daiwa Fuego, Shimano SLX or something else with with centrifugal brakes. Yes Daiwa are mag brakes but in a class by themselves. 

^^^^good advice^^^^

Tom

[PhishLI]

24 minutes ago, Phil77 said:

if it makes my steez usable. I'll throw the SV spool in the zillion and put it on Facebook. Lots of morons on there who won't know the difference and I'll hopefully get to enjoy my steez.

What if your villainy backfires where the Steez spool makes the Zillion amazing, but the Zillion spool in the Steez is poop because of its weak magnets? You coulda simply bought a Zillion 1000 spool and avoided all the deviousness by selling it if it didn't work out. Oh, and by the way, wow.

[Phil77]

2 hours ago, PhishLI said:

What if your villainy backfires where the Steez spool makes the Zillion amazing, but the Zillion spool in the Steez is poop because of its weak magnets? You coulda simply bought a Zillion 1000 spool and avoided all the deviousness by selling it if it didn't work out. Oh, and by the way, wow.

If it doesn't make the steez any better both of them go up for sale in their original configuration. I paid less than a hundred more for the whole reel than just getting a spool, kinda seemed like a no brainier to spend the extra knowing I can flip the reel if it works to my advantage. As for the villainy, whatever there's a sucker born every minute and I'll laugh my you know what off if my plan works. I'll try the zillion out but I highly doubt it does anything better than any of my other reels.

[Catt]

On 3/4/2023 at 6:16 PM, dodgeguy said:

This is a no brainier. At 299$ I would get a Lew's Custom lite at 4.9 oz.

 

On 3/5/2023 at 12:43 AM, Phil77 said:

Second this, sorry to break up the zillion circle jerk but the lite is the most comfortable reel you will ever fish.

 

That be 3 of us ?

[Darth-Baiter]

i like Delaware's advice.  at this point, he doesnt even know what he likes or dislikes.

 

Everyone is quick to jump on the JDM train.  but i kinda think a newbie needs a robust warranty.  just me.  i dont think casting a BC is all that difficult, and i started as a kid.  it was a Magforce.   it was easier than i thought and my younger brother actually explained and showed me the moves.  he was a natural.  he was maybe 12 or 13.