Where does the 21 Zillion SV TW Fit in my 2024 rod and reel lineup?

[MediumMouthBass]

Last year i bought the US version for $220 shipped and taxed and have had it sitting in storage section of the fishing room since, wasnt sure what to do with it then and have no clue what to use it for now. Ive been seeing alot of talk about them recently and i really want to take it out of the box and give it the fishing it deserves.

 

Heres what ive got for my 2024 bass fishing lineup for the baitcasting rods and reels.

 

Daiwa Aird X 7' Medium rod - Shimano SLX MGL 70 7.2:1, 40lb braid = Jerkbaits and unweighted soft plastics.

 

Lews TP1X 7'  Medium Heavy rod - Shimano SLX A 7.2:1, 12lb Yo Zuri Hybrid = Football jigs and night spinner baits.

 

Daiwa Aird X 7'3" Medium Heavy rod - Daiwa Tatula CT 7.3:1, 12lb YZH = Lipless cranks/Chatterbaits (i use this combo to fish them fast over shallow grass so i need that extra speed with the gear ratio).

 

Daiwa Aird X 7'3" Medium Heavy rod - Daiwa Fuego CT 6.3:1, 65lb braid = Spinnerbaits/Chatterbaits (in areas with lots of weeds that are deeper where i need to slow the lure down).

 

Dobyns Fury 7'3" Medium Heavy rod - Shimano SLX XT 7.2:1, 10lb YZH = Lighter weight texas rigs.

 

Lews David Fritts 7'6" Medium Heavy Crankbait rod - Lews LFS 6.8:1, 12lb YZH = Square bills, and other lighter crankbaits.

 

Lew's KVD 7'4" Medium Heavy rod (-2oz) - Lews BB1 Pro 7.5:1, 15lb YZH = Bass Mafia Daingerous swimbait (Magdraft).

 

Daiwa Aird X 7' Heavy rod - Daiwa Tatula SV TW 103 7.3:1, 12lb YZH = Heavier jigs/texas rigs, close flipping and pitching, also dock skipping.

 

Lews KVD 7'4" Heavy Composite Crankbait rod (-2oz) - Lews BB1 Pro 6.3:1, 12lb YZH = Deep cranking, and 1oz bladed jigs. (i know the line should only be 8-10lb but for fishing the bigger bladed jigs in some wood and rocks id rather the extra strength).

 

Daiwa Beefstick 8' Salmon/Striper/Steelhead Medium Heavy rod (1/4oz-4oz) - Daiwa Tatula 150  7.3:1, 15lb YZH = Swimbaits/glide baits with treble hooks.

 

I have everything covered (that i fish) so not sure where i should put it or what to do with it. Do i go light lures or heavy lures? Do i replace it with an existing reel already in the line up? Or take one of my spare rods to put it on and use it for a different technique? Not sure what to do here.... (The 3 other rods i have in storage but can use with it are the, Daiwa Aird X 7'3" MH rod, Daiwa Aird X 7' H, Lew's KVD Series Dock Skipping/Frog 7'2" MH).

 

 

[PhishLI]

45 minutes ago, MediumMouthBass said:

Do i replace it with an existing reel already in the line up?

The 7'3" MH is the standout of the Aird X lineup. Put the Zillion on it with 15lb Tatsu and you'll be able to do so much with that rig due to the slightly moderate action of that rod. Super versatile setup.

[KP Duty]

22 hours ago, PhishLI said:

The 7'3" MH is the standout of the Aird X lineup. Put the Zillion on it with 15lb Tatsu and you'll be able to do so much with that rig due to the slightly moderate action of that rod. Super versatile setup.

I know line is important, but a 200yd spool of 15lb Tatsu is roughly the same price as that Aird-X.

[PhishLI]

29 minutes ago, KP Duty said:

I know line is important, but a 200yd spool of 15lb Tatsu is roughly the same price as that Aird-X.

That's why it's wise to buy it on sale then break that 200yd spool into three 200' runs and use the correct amount of backing so the spool tops off correctly. I do it all the time with pricey fluoro. We've already entered the realm of wackiness planting a $369 reel on a $59 rod, so why not.

[MediumMouthBass]

@PhishLI i was going to put it originally on a $275 St Croix cranking rod but after reading some reviews on their handles coming lately off ive decided to sell it (but only got it for $75 so its made quite the investment so far) and the Aird X was actually bought for $33 so it gets even wackier😂

[FrnkNsteen]

What gear ratio is your Zillion? 

 

My opinion,.... If the ratio is right,.... Put it on the technique you like to fish a lot. Whatever that favorite technique happens to be. If you like spinnerbaits, put it on your spinnerbait rod. If you like chatterbaits, put it on that rod!

 

Doesn't make sense to put a good quality reel on a rod for a technique you rarely fish.

 

Put it in a place where you will use it A LOT and get some good enjoyment out of it!

 

 

[MediumMouthBass]

@FrnkNsteen well said, my problem is the techniques i use the most already have my favorite reels on them, and if i replace one of them with the Zillion i think i would like it too much and go bankrupt buying several more.... But today i found out my SLX XT doesnt do to good with lighter texas rigs so ill probably put the Zillion on the Dobyns rod for 1/8-3/8oz texas rigs and weightless soft plastic flukes.

 

Oh and its 7.1:1

[rickdeez1]

You need a swimjig setup.