Daiwa TD Zillion & Cousin Collection

[ghost]

Left to right: Daiwa TD Zillion Type R, TD Zillion 50th Anniversary, TD Zillion Coastal, TD Zillion 100SHLA and Daiwa TD Fuego. All pre T-Wing system. It's not a big collection, but all that were available to the U.S. market.

 

I've had these Zillions and Fuego since when they were first introduced. I always liked the Zillions and the original Fuego. These were pricey reels in the day and I have taken good care of all of them. The 100SHLA is the only Zillion with a slight boat rash, but all the others including the Fuego are pristine. All are stock, no upgrades to any of the reels. Besides using the BFS spool in which reel I want to use for BFS fishing.

 

I bought a shallow BFS spool that is compatible with all reels pictured.

 

I do use these reels still and they have through the years caught some good bass, here in SoCal and when I lived in Indiana. 

 

I reckon these are all collector items now. I'm quite proud of this little collection. 

 

Since getting the BFS spool, the Zillions and Fuego have a different lease on life, and I gotta say; it's fun using them as a converted BFS reel.

[bulldog1935]

@ghost - very nice reel collection, doing what a reel collection ought to do.  

The Ray's Studio SV spool is still really versatile, and lets you fish threadline braid with a wide lure weight range.  Rather than giving up anything, look at this spool swap as adding new range and capability.  

 

When I began studying BFS for my salt winter niche, I went with 34 mm Daiwa because of the spool options out there, and especially, because the lighter fixed-inductor spools (Roro-X, AMO) take the last gram from the light-end capability.  Matched with the right rod, this one will cast 2 g past 130'.  The fixed-rotor spools do give up the ability to fish over 1/2 oz.  

 

BTW, Steez (with Roro-X) was the first Daiwa I bought since 1978.  I didn't consider Daiwa after '85, when they wouldn't support parts on my Millionaire 6H, and went to Lew's.  Jun Sonada's copy on JapanTackle talked me back into Daiwa, and the last I added was Silver Wolf - these 3 reels swap spools.  

[FrnkNsteen]

Looking for a drooling emoji,..... Wait,.. Here is is!! 🤤🤤🤤

 

I've recently developed a strong fondness for the older TD reels, and am a big fan of lefty reels,..... So I applaude you good sir! Nice grouping you have there!

 

Glad to hear you are using them too!!

[webertime]

I've got 3 TD Fuegos, a TDZ 100ml, Zillion HSLA and 3 of the newest Zillions.  The new ones are definitely better reels but those older reels are still better or as good as most 100-200 reels performance wise.

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

That’s an awesome collection. These, the Core and E series Shimano’s are my all time favorites. 

[Eric 26]

@ghost 

[MiceNReets]

 

 

love those TD Zillion.    Still use one for frogging.   It’s a tank.  
 

I still need to try one of those TD Fuego! 

[PourMyOwn]

21 minutes ago, MiceNReets said:

 

 

love those TD Zillion.    Still use one for frogging.   It’s a tank.  
 

I still need to try one of those TD Fuego! 

The Fuego is a nice reel. And the 5.7 ratio US Trail is a great mid crank reel. 

[MiceNReets]

2 minutes ago, PourMyOwn said:

The Fuego is a nice reel. And the 5.7 ratio US Trail is a great mid crank reel. 

Some guy locally has been trying to sell a near mint TD Fuego for the past 3 years.   It hasn’t sold yet so either it’s not as good as he says or people locally just don’t know.   I came close to buying it but couldn’t make up arrangements to meet up.   He lives closer to my work but I don’t have transportation when I’m at work and I don’t really want to drive 3.5hrs away for a reel when the guy lives 10 mins from work.  Lol.     Maybe I’ll meet up with the guy in the spring if it’s still available.   

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

32 minutes ago, MiceNReets said:

Some guy locally has been trying to sell a near mint TD Fuego for the past 3 years.   It hasn’t sold yet so either it’s not as good as he says or people locally just don’t know.   I came close to buying it but couldn’t make up arrangements to meet up.   He lives closer to my work but I don’t have transportation when I’m at work and I don’t really want to drive 3.5hrs away for a reel when the guy lives 10 mins from work.  Lol.     Maybe I’ll meet up with the guy in the spring if it’s still available.   

You work 3hrs away from home?!

[MiceNReets]

2 minutes ago, Delaware Valley Tackle said:

You work 3hrs away from home?!

Depends on the day.   Sometimes  5hrs.   LoL.   
 

I run freight trains so when I’m away from home I’m at a hotel or a bunkhouse.   My only transportation away from home is a taxi to and from the hotel.  

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

1 hour ago, MiceNReets said:

Depends on the day.   Sometimes  5hrs.   LoL.   
 

I run freight trains so when I’m away from home I’m at a hotel or a bunkhouse.   My only transportation away from home is a taxi to and from the hotel.  

Ahh that makes sense. 

[FrnkNsteen]

2 hours ago, PourMyOwn said:

The Fuego is a nice reel. And the 5.7 ratio US Trail is a great mid crank reel. 

Agreed^^ I've got a 5.7 speed 100ML US Trail on an older Techna AV I use for throwing a MiniMax Chatterbait on. It works great!!

[WRB]

How much $$ does “some guy” want for his original red TD Fuego?  in box? The initial TD Fuego had an issue with the spool brake disk separating and need to be fixed or it backlashes.

Always doing business by mail!

Tom

[ghost]

Hi WRB, I've had the TD Fuego since it came out. I've never had a problem with the Fuego backlashing. I've used the reel for years and still stock. Even with the shallow spool installed, no issues with backlash. I guess I got a good one that has lasted all these years.

[new2BC4bass]

Nice collection.  I'm also a fan of the TD-Z reels.  TD-Z 103ML, 3 TD-Z 105H, TD-Z 103HL Type R, TD-Z US Trail, TD-Z ito 103M, Zillion PE 100H. Zillion 50th Anniversary, Zillion 100SHLA, and 3 TD Fuegos.  Also have 5 TD-X reels.

 

I have a cell phone and older DSLR, but no pictures stored on my laptop.  Sorry.

[ghost]

new2BC4bas, no problem Bruddah. Nice collection you have. I've always wanted a TD-Z, maybe one day.

[newapti5]

What a nice collection! What you're missing is one of these bad boys: 

https://jp.mercari.com/item/m39222096897

 

Or this: 

https://jp.mercari.com/item/m47389571421

[WRB]

3 hours ago, ghost said:

Hi WRB, I've had the TD Fuego since it came out. I've never had a problem with the Fuego backlashing. I've used the reel for years and still stock. Even with the shallow spool installed, no issues with backlash. I guess I got a good one that has lasted all these years.

Daiwa recalled initial release with a dealer fix and I had one. The fix was a simple dot of super glue.

Tom

[bulldog1935]

8 hours ago, newapti5 said:

What a nice collection! What you're missing is one of these bad boys: 

https://jp.mercari.com/item/m39222096897

 

Or this: 

https://jp.mercari.com/item/m47389571421

If you're going to Japan, bring home a Zonda

https://noppin.com/yahoos/detail/l1117891174  

 

My friend Jeff just bought his first ever Freespool reel - it's not this Ted Williams direct-drive combo (Shakespeare).

 

He couldn't stray too far from the style, though.  

https://noppin.com/yahoos/detail/j1115215391

[new2BC4bass]

15 hours ago, newapti5 said:

What a nice collection! What you're missing is one of these bad boys: 

https://jp.mercari.com/item/m39222096897

 

Or this: 

https://jp.mercari.com/item/m47389571421

Any J-Dream I've seen for sale is a bit above my price range.  Would love to have one, tho.