What is Your “Cadillac” Reel?

[Bucks Bass and Bourbon]

I re-allocated a couple reels this winter and after adding a spinnerbait-specific rod and moving a reel over to that I am in need of a topwater reel. I’ve been considering which reel to pick up and I’ve been looking at a lot of different options. In doing so started to notice the higher end options, which led me to the question.  What’s your “Cadillac” reel? The one that when you can afford it you get that one. 
I have a couple Daiwa Zillions and they really are nice but looking at the high end options I wonder how much nicer they really are. Anyway, just curious. Interested to hear your s sweee and why. 

[bulldog1935]

When this reel isn't covered, I can't walk by the rod stand without looking at it.  

Custom Ambassadeur 4600C, I call my Black Cherry.  In a kayak frogger niche, 45-lb YGK braid on Avail 5-mm-deep spool. Full-BB-LW, mag plus 4-pin centrifugal.  From my bench, it's 100% backlash-proof from 1/8 to 1 oz.  Flame-treated titanium Haneda Craft handle is a different color from every direction.  

Photography doesn't quite do it justice, needs moving light to show how shadow and iridescence play on the reel.  This photo is the closest I've come.  

[casts_by_fly]

14 minutes ago, bulldog1935 said:

When this reel isn't covered, I can't walk by the rod stand without looking at it.  

Custom Ambassadeur 4600C, I call my Black Cherry.  In a kayak frogger niche, 45-lb YGK braid on Avail 5-mm-deep spool. Full-BB-LW, mag plus 4-pin centrifugal.  From my bench, it's 100% backlash-proof from 1/8 to 1 oz.  Flame-treated titanium Haneda Craft handle is a different color from every direction.  

Photography doesn't quite do it justice, needs moving light to show how shadow and iridescence play on the reel.  This photo is the closest I've come.  

this reel is absolutely beautiful.  I’ve always loved deep red as the accent color for fishing gear. 
 

it’s also not my answer to the question (I can’t do round reels). 
 

BBB,

 

I have a zillion, a bantam, and a met.  All similar prices. I can’t tell you anything higher end but between these three the quality is the same and you’re talking preference. I prefer shimano’s shape, but the zillion is also excellent. And with the jdm prices a zillion at $215 is the Best Buy on the market. 

[Bucks Bass and Bourbon]

1 hour ago, bulldog1935 said:

When this reel isn't covered, I can't walk by the rod stand without looking at it.  

Custom Ambassadeur 4600C, I call my Black Cherry.  In a kayak frogger niche, 45-lb YGK braid on Avail 5-mm-deep spool. Full-BB-LW, mag plus 4-pin centrifugal.  From my bench, it's 100% backlash-proof from 1/8 to 1 oz.  Flame-treated titanium Haneda Craft handle is a different color from every direction.  

Photography doesn't quite do it justice, needs moving light to show how shadow and iridescence play on the reel.  This photo is the closest I've come.  

That is gorgeous. 

 

1 hour ago, casts_by_fly said:

this reel is absolutely beautiful.  I’ve always loved deep red as the accent color for fishing gear. 
 

it’s also not my answer to the question (I can’t do round reels). 
 

BBB,

 

I have a zillion, a bantam, and a met.  All similar prices. I can’t tell you anything higher end but between these three the quality is the same and you’re talking preference. I prefer shimano’s shape, but the zillion is also excellent. And with the jdm prices a zillion at $215 is the Best Buy on the market. 

I absolutely love my zillions. I had one on a topwater last year but felt like it was not living up to that reels abilities. It’s on my spinnerbait rod now which should be great. That thing is a joy to cast. I’d like to give a Bantam a try since that seems to be right in line with the Zillion. Maybe my answer would be an Antares or a Steez. 

[txchaser]

I have one steez (sv). Had to try it to see if it was worth it vs the zillion G's. Eh, it's not worth it. Zillion's too good. Both butter smooth. For almost everything I throw the SV boost is a better spool than the SV.

 

If you get one, put it on a light moving bait rod, you'll get more out of it. 

 

If you just want to check out a new reel, buy the zillion HD (JDM) and put it on your frog rod, and use that reel on your topwater rod. The reel is *stout* and the handles feel just right for frogging and punching. It's a joy to use. 

[JediAmoeba]

This one right here. I have wanted it for years....

[gulfcaptain]

So mine are no longer available,  either models. Love and still fish both a Quantum EXO 100, as well as the TourMg 100. Also a fan of the Team Lews PRO SP. 

[Big Swimbait]

My just acquired Daiwa Certate spinning reel. Just WOW!

[Wprich]

I got a used but flawless Steez Ct Sv few weeks ago hopefully get to fish it first time tomorrow see if it's as smooth as the reviews say.  Got a Stella and couple Exsences as well that are so sweet really love the Exsence great real.

[roadwarrior]

https://basstokyo.com/products/calcutta-conquest-100#:~:text=The ultimate bass reel designed for performance,durability and a solid grip when reeling.

[Reel]

Same here Conquest 100.

[A-Jay]

I haven't really gone hog wild on any one super high priced reel.

Most are in the 'middle' range price point.

I suppose one of the better ones is the Shimano Bantam MGL 150A ~

I use it as a cranking reel on a LTB I actually 'won' in a drawing here on BR.

A-Jay

 

[Bigbox99]

A whole collection of rare megabass reels.  All the monoblocks.  The dragon reels.  The special color Zondas and IS reels.  The rare spools too.  Then just stare at them.

[NavyToad]

Lew’s Custom Pro. I finally broke down and bought a Zillion, but I haven’t even put it on a rod yet. I don’t doubt that I’ll like the Zillion, but I like all of my reels pretty much equally. They all work flawlessly for me. I don’t know what it would take to convince me that a reel was a “Cadillac”.

[GPtimes2]

Still have and use an original Calais DC and a couple of older Stellas. Also, I had a mixed bag of medium value baitcasters and spinning reals. Then in 2022, I sold most of those and bought 2 Antares DC's, 2 new Stellas, 2 conquest, and I Modified a Shimano Aldebaran that I had with lightweight spool and Hedgehog bearing to use as an BFS reel. I found I would rather switch lures on better reel than use a lesser reel (so to speak), and that led to wanting more, better reels. 

[Pogues2300]

I have two zillions and a few tatula sv’s … not buying anymore zillions if that tells you anything but my Cadillac is usdm metanium mgl b

[MN Fisher]

When I can find one of these used in good condition at a decent price, I snatch it up - right now have 3 of them

Pflueger Patriarch

[Susky River Rat]

I don’t run anything special tranx and ultegra across the board. 

[JN94]

The new Bantams

[bulldog1935]

1 hour ago, Bigbox99 said:

A whole collection of rare megabass reels.  All the monoblocks.  The dragon reels.  The special color Zondas and IS reels.  The rare spools too.  Then just stare at them.

um, you're not going to post Megabass Monobloc photos (MSRP $950) so we can stare at them, too?  

 

How about a Pagani drive by?

[TnRiver46]

14 hours ago, bulldog1935 said:

When this reel isn't covered, I can't walk by the rod stand without looking at it.  

Custom Ambassadeur 4600C, I call my Black Cherry.  In a kayak frogger niche, 45-lb YGK braid on Avail 5-mm-deep spool. Full-BB-LW, mag plus 4-pin centrifugal.  From my bench, it's 100% backlash-proof from 1/8 to 1 oz.  Flame-treated titanium Haneda Craft handle is a different color from every direction.  

Photography doesn't quite do it justice, needs moving light to show how shadow and iridescence play on the reel.  This photo is the closest I've come.  

[MiceNReets]

My “Cadillac” reel is a Steez A2.   Is it worth it over a ‘21 Zillion SV?    Probably not but I know I won’t buy another reel like that and I’m ok with the Zillion SV being as high as I go.     After all I’m ok driving my Mazda 3 (zillion sv is definitely not a Mazda 3) to work and only need my one Cadillac to go from A to B to C.  

[Hulkster]

i'd give my pecker away to upgrade my Curado 200i to a Bantam 150 mglA. 

 

but they are over $500 up here in Canada. 

[Eric 26]

I drive Ford, Toyota and a Honda 😆😂 All jokes aside my current favorite is my Tatula 80 which has me seriously wanting to grab a new Tatula 100 with the new gear set. 

[MiceNReets]

1 hour ago, Hulkster said:

i'd give my pecker away to upgrade my Curado 200i to a Bantam 150 mglA. 

 

but they are over $500 up here in Canada. 

$333 from Japan and you can keep your pecker…