Choosing a good all rounder reel, Curado MGL and Tatula SV TW top choices

[fishinnont]

I've been looking for a reel primarily for freshwater, mostly bass but the occasional salt water. I just want a reel that is durable and enough to be worth the money. I have looked at some of the DC reels like the curado, slx and scorpion but ive been wondering if I need the chip. I am unsure if the chip will restrict distance or if it is worth the price. I have also been looking at JDM reels like the SLX DC 71 but do not know how durable they are compared to the curados. It is a concern that there is no warranty and that they are not as easy to repair with parts. I am primarily a bank  fisherman so I want to know if the 70 spool size will be enough. Is the I-DC-5 worth getting the JDM vs the I-DC-4? I am an intermediate baitcaster user so I am wondering if I need the DC to help reduce backlashes and also skip lures. (This is one of my weak points) The Tatula I have hard great things about especially when it comes to skipping, but I am concerned about the durability and how smooth it is compared to the Curado. I also do not want a reel that is only good for skipping. I will be pairing whatever reel I decide to get with a Dobyns Fury 734C which Ive heard runs light.

 

I know its a lot so basically:

• Need a durable, somewhat salt resistant reel
• An all rounder
• Left retrieve
• Under $300
• Are DC models worth it?
• Are JDM models a risky purchase?
• Are JDM models worth it?
• Is a 70 size spool enough to hold the amount of line that I need?
• Is the Curado MGL a good purchase or is the Tatula better?

 

• I fish mostly 3/8 ounce lures and above
• Senkos weighted and unweighted
• I am a intermediate level angler when it comes to baitcasters

 

Any answers would be appreciated and I am open to suggestions on different reels.

[new2BC4bass]

I fish from shore.  I don't feel a 70 size reel holds enough line.  I personally am not capable of emptying the spool on a 70 size with most lures I use (unless I was using heavy mono/fluoro...12# or larger).  However, long casts won't leave much line.  IPR will be reduced much more than on a 'normal' size reel.

 

I really like my Exsence DC, but feel a DC reel isn't necessary.  I don't feel a JDM reel is a risky investment.  They are definitely worth it.  I don't worry if I need to send a reel out for work, so not having a warranty isn't on my radar.

 

I lean more towards Daiwa, but acknowledge an MGL spool makes for a very capable reel.  I'm going by comments made here as my MGL reels haven't been used yet.  I feel Daiwa reels are extremely easy to dial in.

 

An SV spool will cut down on distance a little.  Not sure about the SV Boost spool.  Only had mine out once, and distance was virtually the same (going by eye on the lake casting from the same spot) as the Hakai (which TT review says is a long caster).

 

I also feel distance with an SV spool will only come into play when reaching for the maximum distance possible.

[GReb]

Look at the Daiwa coastal. It’s build really solid, holds a lot of line, and is salt proof. 
 

In general you’ll get a few more feet on average with Shimano over Daiwa but Daiwa has better cast control in the wind. You can’t go wrong with either but the salt is the X factor in your decision 

[Columbia Craw]

Zillion over both .

[MiceNReets]

Just go for the jdm ‘21 zillion sv and don’t look back.  Best of every world, durable, reliable, holds enough line; skips and casts.

[JN94]

Curado all day. I like Shimanos build quality and brake system over Daiwas. I also like the frame better

[fishinnont]

1 hour ago, JN94 said:

Curado all day. I like Shimanos build quality and brake system over Daiwas. I also like the frame better

are the centrifugal brakes easy to adjust on the water?

8 hours ago, MiceNReets said:

Just go for the jdm ‘21 zillion sv and don’t look back.  Best of every world, durable, reliable, holds enough line; skips and casts.

will I be able to get parts or get repairs done on this if its jdm?

[ConnorC]

29 minutes ago, fishinnont said:

are the centrifugal brakes easy to adjust on the water?

will I be able to get parts or get repairs done on this if its jdm?

Yup you can get parts from hedgehog studios for the zillion. I’ve taken mine apart to clean and regrease and it was fairly simple there’s a good youtube video on tearing one down if you ever needed to. The zillion is probably the best bang for buck reel with current JDM prices

[MiceNReets]

29 minutes ago, fishinnont said:

 

will I be able to get parts or get repairs done on this if its jdm?

Uses the same parts as the usdm model except the jdm has aluminum gears instead of brass.   The aluminum gears on the daiwa are actually good and don’t wear like the Shimano aluminum MM gears.  But I know nothing

 

daiwa reels are easier to dial in and skip with their brake system than shimanos.  You’ll get a touch more distance with Shimano but you’ll get more consistency and accuracy with daiwa.   As for how each palm it’s subjective to your own hands.    I have half Shimano and half daiwa reels.   Whenever I use my bantam or scorpion mgl or slx reels I feel like they palm really well and very comfortable.   If I switch to my steez and zillion reels after using Shimano then I can’t go back to the shimanos for the day because they don’t feel right in hand after.  But that’s just Me.    If you can go to a store to hold a couple in hand that’ll help.  Also find a rod to just put them on as well to get a good feel

[fishinnont]

So it seems as though I am looking for a 21 Zillion Sv Tw. 

A few final questions. 

First does the finish chipping off bother you?

Will this be salt resistant enough to withstand some salt like 3 times a month?

Should I buy the JDM or USDM? (Leaning towards the JDM for smoothness, but I’ve heard that the brass was more durable) 

Any thoughts on the Zillion would be appreciated.

[PhishLI]

1 hour ago, fishinnont said:

First does the finish chipping off bother you?

Doesn't matter which reel you buy, they typically have a thin coating of paint which will scratch/chip if you're in the habit of dropping them into dirt or onto concrete, or if you have them strapped to a boat deck left to clatter against one another while moving from one location to the other. The simple solution is to use reel covers during transport which go on and off in mere seconds.

1 hour ago, fishinnont said:

Will this be salt resistant enough to withstand some salt like 3 times a month?

That's a vague question. How extreme will the exposure be?

 

[fishinnont]

Just now, PhishLI said:

That's a vague question. How extreme will the exposure be?

On a fishing kayak so basically just the spray of the salt. Sometimes on a jetty so again, salt water spray. Not dunking in the salt water or drenching it. But light exposure a few times a month. 

[MiceNReets]

1 hour ago, fishinnont said:

So it seems as though I am looking for a 21 Zillion Sv Tw. 

A few final questions. 

First does the finish chipping off bother you?

Will this be salt resistant enough to withstand some salt like 3 times a month?

Should I buy the JDM or USDM? (Leaning towards the JDM for smoothness, but I’ve heard that the brass was more durable) 

Any thoughts on the Zillion would be appreciated.

Depends on how rough you are with your gear.   3 years now and I’m always using my zillion and it has no scratches.   I’m not gentle with my gear but I don’t toss it around either.   I do fish from the shore most of the time as well.  End of the day the fish don’t care what colour your reel is or the marks the reel has.  And for yourself you should just care on how the reel performs and not worry about scratches.  If you’re buying for the long run then just enjoy the reel for what it is, a tool.  Battle scars or not it’ll still be a beauty to admire.  
 

I’m not sure on saltwater, I don’t live near so I don’t really pay attention.   
 

I’d go JDM because it’s cheaper.   I have 5 and 3 are usdm and 2 are jdm.   I don’t find a difference in durability  in either brass or aluminum.   The aluminum is excellent and I wouldn’t be afraid of it.  In the end you’re getting a really great do all work horse or a reel.   

[bulldog1935]

Hmm, 4th year in the salt - full time. 

(Bought from Asian Portal the week they were introduced).  

Nothing is chipped, nothing is corroded.  

Before I opened this thread, read the title and thought, "buy them both, sell them, and buy a Zillion"

[fishinnont]

4 minutes ago, bulldog1935 said:

Hmm, 4th year in the salt - full time.  

Nothing is chipped, nothing is corroded.  

Before I opened this thread, read the title and thought, "buy them both, sell them, and buy a Zillion"

thanks for the feedback. It looks like you modded the drag star and handle. It looks sick. Is it slp works or gomexus?

[bulldog1935]

hi friend, I found the last of the last run of ZPI pentagram drag at Carolina Fishing.  

(actually, @Cbump got the very last piece from C/F).  

Matched it with Ray's Studio honeycomb SV spool for PE#1.2 X-braid (27-lb breaking strength) - salt ML kayak niche.  Momo Zero adjust, Avail STi2 handle. 

This photo has a BR fan club. 

[GReb]

Both of my Zillions have paint chipping. I don’t care though. It’s a tool to catch bass and a mighty fine one.   

[new2BC4bass]

If a rod isn't in my hand, then the reel has a cover on it.  Learned that the hard way with a pristine Chronarch 101A.    When I go to pick up another rod, the one in my hand has a reel cover put on before I set it down.  The few seconds it takes is well worth it to me.  I try to keep my gear in as good shape as when I bought it whether purchased new or used with some marks.

 

[bulldog1935]

I don't go quite that far, but all my combos are stored (in stand-up racks) with reel covers, and travel with reel covers.  

  

Also worth noting, when I bought my '19 Steez, and sold my high-end Lew's to buy my Zillion (kept my Super Dutys), I stuck to 34-mm Daiwa, and all spools interchange between Steez SVTW, Zillion SVTW, Silver Wolf, and SLPW Zillion.  

Nice thing inside a kayak, pretty much all surfaces are soft, and kayaks never pound the hull.  

One thing, every rod on a kayak out of sight and mind gets a rod leash.  

Any reel covers taken out here have to go through a wash cycle at home.  

[r83srock]

I can comment on Tatula SV and Curado MGL150. Both are nice reels but to me the SV is way over braked, uncomfortable in my hand, and I don’t like the location of the cast control as I would bump it out of adjustment often. A lot of people like these reels, but they are not for me. 
 

The Curado fits my hand like a glove, is butter smooth, and casts/skips/pitches with ease. I do feel it’s the most well rounded baitcaster I’ve owned.  

[ABU is overpriced]

Getting an SLX DC or a Curdo would be an extreme waste of money over the 21 Zillion. If you don't get the zillion, your budget needs to be in the $100 range, then it makes sense. But if your budget is $300, the zillion is such a nobrainer that anyone without one should just forget everything else exists, and get it before the yen spikes up.

[Columbia Craw]

Life is full of options. You just have to find out out what they are.