Advantages of high end JDM reels?

[LetMeSeeThatBass]

Do any of you own some of the high end jdm reels like Daiwa exist, airity, Shimano Stella, vanquish, etc? Do you guys notice a difference and is it worth it? I’d like to purchase one of them someday but scared that it might feel just like my Pfleuger reels. Thanks!

[AlabamaSpothunter]

I never bought a Spinning reel over $200 before I bought a JDM 19 Certate 3000CXH.

 

It's not as expensive as those you listed, but I'd personally consider it at the high end price point of JDM reels.

 

The advantages will be unique to every reel, and relative to how much you fish, and what your previous reel experience has been.

 

All I can say is that I won't fish cheap spinning reels after getting the Certate.   The drag, weight, materials, actually made in Japan....the spool, the better line cap vs USDM model.    The level of refinement on the higher end spinning reels is exceptional.    All the ones actually made in Japan.    

 

Just my 2cents, and I'm a small spender haha

[roadwarrior]

Well, I have some high end reels, but the "Best Value" is in the middle.

The Shimano Stradic is a GREAT reel at an affordable price.

https://www.digitaka.com/items/5/4/1/STRADIC

 

12000 yen = $156.49

[KP Duty]

Drag performance on the $200ish models has become very good, so weight and refinement seem to be the main factors IMO.  The Vanquish gives you Vanford weight with magnesium rigidity and Stella refinement.  '23 Vanquish FTW.

[AlabamaSpothunter]

18 minutes ago, roadwarrior said:

Well, I have some high end reels, but the "Best Value" is in the middle.

The Shimano Stradic is a GREAT reel at an affordable price.

https://www.digitaka.com/items/5/4/1/STRADIC

 

12000 yen = $156.49

As long as I've been in the sport a Shimano Stadic has been the easy button.  

 

I suspect you have many high end spinning reels just based on the flee market posts.....not to long ago I remember you claiming a great deal on a JDM 19 Certate ?

[JediAmoeba]

33 minutes ago, LetMeSeeThatBass said:

Do any of you own some of the high end jdm reels like Daiwa exist, airity, Shimano Stella, vanquish, etc? Do you guys notice a difference and is it worth it? I’d like to purchase one of them someday but scared that it might feel just like my Pfleuger reels. Thanks!

I don't own any but have used a bunch- I noticed very little difference between a 600 dollar reel and a 250-300 dollar reel. Casting performance isn't an upgrade so I don't see the appeal. 

[roadwarrior]

I have fished the Certate a few times now. You might like it, too!

 

 

 

                                         

[bulldog1935]

I own a Steez and a Vanquish. 

My Steez is tuned for salt finesse, and I fish it on a Yamaga Blanks rod.  

The magnesium frame and max number of bearings makes the Steez light and smooth, and good match for a 73-g rod.  

I own a Vanquish C2000S.  Without question, it is the best finesse spinning reel.  Also on a Yamaga Blanks rod.  

You can feel the wind inertia difference, which has no resistance to start, and the reel does not keep pushing your hand when you stop winding.   

@roadwarrior

It's lighter than Stella because of the alloy gears vs. stainless, plus a lightened rotor - otherwise, it's the same, and comes off the same Japan bench.  The mass difference in the drive gives it lower wind inertia than Stella.  You couldn't guess without having the reels side-by-side.  

[roadwarrior]

Better than the Stella?

 

https://www.digitaka.com/item/5/4/1/4969363043825

[DaubsNU1]

I keep fishing with my 30 year old Shimano reels....

 

Because I know that if I were to purchase just one new, high-end reel...I would be quickly replacing all my reels(!)

[AlabamaSpothunter]

4 minutes ago, DaubsNU1 said:

I keep fishing with my 30 year old Shimano reels....

 

Because I know that if I were to purchase just one new, high-end reel...I would be quickly replacing all my reels(!)

Bingo, and it's absolutely true for all reels and rods in general. 

 

You don't know what you're missing until you know lol.  

[GPtimes2]

I can tell a big enough difference in the high end that I want them. There is a diminishing beterness (is that a word)as you go up in price though. I have a Calais dc (since 2006), two Stellas (I purchased for the wife but she insists on triggers), so I claimed them), and 5 $200 to $400 various reels. Well, I found I would rather change lures than use the lesser. So now I have 3 Antares dc's and 2 more Stellas.  I will be selling the others at a swap meet coming up. In the end, it's your money, spend it like you can or want.

[LetMeSeeThatBass]

41 minutes ago, KP Duty said:

Drag performance on the $200ish models has become very good, so weight and refinement seem to be the main factors IMO.  The Vanquish gives you Vanford weight with magnesium rigidity and Stella refinement.  '23 Vanquish FTW.

Ahh d**n that’s what I was looking at!!!

[waymont]

I bought two  09 Aldebaran, and an 09 CORE used a few years ago.

All are crazy smooth, cast great, and leave me wanting for nothing.

All of my (3) Curado 70 reels one silver one black K all felt rough after 1.5 seasons.

The silver one didn't make it one season. I have a bunch of JDM Zillions, Alpha 800, and Metanium reels that are all still in beautiful operating condition. I'm hoping they all stay that way.

[Kelvin]

I own a Stella, Van Staal,  Steez (3 of them) Metaniums, Calcutta Conquest (two) and Conquest BFS.  Daiwa Zilllion JDM.  Aldebaran JDM. 

 

The main difference is fewer backlashes, smoother performance and that extra little refinement that comes with a high price tag.  

 

 

[GRiver]

I started out with low end gear, $40.00 bait caster, $20.00 spinning reel …. It worked, I caught fish. I still don’t own high end gear, nothing over $200.00 except my Shinano chronarch. I did notice the difference, and I didn’t have them give up on me in the middle of a fishing trip. I never was going for the casting distance record, I just wanted a smooth and quiet reel. I like the consistency of they way the reel acts and with that, I feel I’m more accurate in my casting.

Overall I have a more pleasurable fishing trip, and I only have midrange gear.

[Kyhokie]

1 hour ago, JediAmoeba said:

I don't own any but have used a bunch- I noticed very little difference between a 600 dollar reel and a 250-300 dollar reel. Casting performance isn't an upgrade so I don't see the appeal. 

I think the OP is more interested in $50 versus $250, than 250 vs 600. There is the law of diminishing returns, and I find the sweet spot is around 350$, imho. 

[SproDD79]

After I got my Exsence C3000MHG, every other spinning reel feels inadequate. Buttery smooth, the drag is equally smooth. It is far superior to my Sustain and Vanford, I favor it over my 19 Vanquish as well.

[mrpao]

Its a slippery slope for most of us.

Once you go high end, you'll keep wanting high end. 

Is it worth the extra money for slightly more refinement? That's up to the person.

I have cheap reels, mid range reels and high end ones. I enjoy using them all. But i enjoy playing and looking at the high end ones more.

[bulldog1935]

1 hour ago, SproDD79 said:

After I got my Exsence C3000MHG, every other spinning reel feels inadequate. Buttery smooth, the drag is equally smooth. It is far superior to my Sustain and Vanford, I favor it over my 19 Vanquish as well.

My 3000MHG is Twin Power, but in general, that's a bad boy size, spindle and drag from large frame - big bass to big redfish.  

Where Vanquish really shines is in the lighter sizes.  

 

[FishTank]

4 hours ago, KP Duty said:

Drag performance on the $200ish models has become very good, so weight and refinement seem to be the main factors IMO.  The Vanquish gives you Vanford weight with magnesium rigidity and Stella refinement.  '23 Vanquish FTW.

 

I am on a list for a new Vanquish. Can't wait. Love the previous version I have.

 

I have played with the new Stella and it is what it is but I am not blown away by it. 

 

[ska4fun]

13 hours ago, LetMeSeeThatBass said:

Do any of you own some of the high end jdm reels like Daiwa exist, airity, Shimano Stella, vanquish, etc? Do you guys notice a difference and is it worth it? I’d like to purchase one of them someday but scared that it might feel just like my Pfleuger reels. Thanks!

The Stellla actually is departing from the JDM traditional quality for sometime.