Get the four of the same reel, or mix it up?

[10,000 lakes Bassin]

I’m going to start tournament fishing this upcoming season and I’m planing on buying some high end casting combo’s. I have a good idea of what I’m going to do for rods, but now I’m trying to decide on reels. I should start by sayingthat I haven’t fished hardly any higher end reels, really just a JDM zillion, not sure if a SLX 70 mgl counts as higher end. I should also add that I’m planing on buying all JDM reels. 
My question is whether to just throw a zillion on all the rods, or to get different reels to fit the rod more specifically.
I could probably get away with getting 4 zillions, but if wondering if I should get one zillion for a jig rod, a 20 met for a chatterbait rod, a zillion HD for a frog rod, and a met 100 for a crankbait rod. By doing that I could also see what I liked best for future purchases (don’t think buying all these will stop the bait monkey 😄) I’d love to hear some thoughts on this. 

[bulldog1935]

My spinning reels are Shimano and swap spools - my baitcasters are mostly (34-mm) Daiwa and swap spools.  

The thing about Zilllion, you can set it up to fish 2 grams to 2 ounces.  

I've never understood try everything and see what sticks.  

Doesn't what doesn't stick end up in the closet?  

[10,000 lakes Bassin]

2 minutes ago, bulldog1935 said:

Doesn't what doesn't stick end up in the closet?  

Very good point. The thing it is I wasn’t exactly blown away by my zillion. Even though it was by far the most I’d ever spent on a reel. It felt a little gritty to me right of the bat and stayed like that. 

[MediumMouthBass]

4 hours ago, August said:

The thing it is I wasn’t exactly blown away by my zillion.

The Zillion felt like a small toy compared to my SLX MGL 70. Still a nice reel but not for me, i honestly didnt get the hype this reel has.

(Be prepared for backlash by not conforming and talking out against the Zillion)

 

I would say get different reels. Why? Well the SLX MGL and Zillion you already have (depending on gear ratio of course) would be very good for weightless soft plastics, jerkbaits, and crankbaits that most other reels struggle either alot or a little throwing (talking about lighter jerkbaits and cranks without a weight transfer system) But with the Zillion you will need to spend extra money on aftermarket spools. Or both reels can also be used for stuff like pitching heavy jigs/t rigs into brush, or skipping stuff under docks.

A heavier duty reel like a Zillion HD, Tatula 150, Lews Superduty would be better off for stuff like smaller although still big swimbaits (up to 3oz) but also some heavy duty frogging.

Not sure where the Metanium you mentioned would fit anywhere since i stopped at the SLX MGL 70 in Shimanos lineup, really dont think any more expensive Shimano reel can do anything better than this one can for me. So my knowledge on that reel and anything higher up in their lineup is 0.

But any reel can fish a jig/chatterbait, its more the rod that plays into that.

 

Back to crankbaits, this is where it gets odd. For deep divers youll want a reel thats meant to cast far think Lews BB1 Pro (one of the only reels that was made 100% for cranking) or something like a Tatula Elite Long Cast. Deep diving cranks take awhile to get to depth.

For squarebills, shallow-mid divers you want the opposite type reel, something like your SLX MGL or Zillion with upgraded spool. Since these lures arent very heavy. But again you need the right ratio, unless you like burning them over shallow areas and grass.

 

[webertime]

I'm going to be Mr Pragmatic Debbie Downer...  stick with the SLX and Zillions.  I've fished a lot of tournaments and the ratio of boost in performance over what you have/know vs the money spent isn't great.  Rods?  Totally different beast, go nuts with what suits your needs and desires but reels I'd be perfectly fine running SLX and zillions, Stradics and Kages.

Save money for fees, line, terminal and (oddly my favorite) storage that works for you.

 

[MiceNReets]

I’d agree… just stick with Zillions and SLX MGLs… those SLX MGL reels are great.  I prefer them over the more expensive curado mgl 70s and 150s.   At their price point you can’t go wrong.   Going above them would just be curiosity kicking in to find out you won’t get much gains.   if you want a step up from the SLX mgl you can try the SLX dc xt.   It has the MGL III spool.  Whole different beast from the standard SLX mgl. I don’t care for the DC aspect but the reel itself is extremely nice for what you get.   It punches above the SLX name and I’m not sure why it’s even an SLX lol

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

I have a friend and customer who is adamant about having all the same reels to eliminate adjustments in technique from one to the next. I don’t do that personally but can see the logic. Each brand has models that shine in certain applications so there’s a good argument for an eclectic collection which is how I lean. For serious tournament angling I stress the importance of bullet proof workhorse reels over anything more refined and “pleasurable “ to fish. 

[new2BC4bass]

I'm not qualified to answer.  I have 10 brands of reels from $30-$300 (on closeouts).  Like them all. 

 

[Catt]

@Delaware Valley Tackle 

 

[10,000 lakes Bassin]

I should clarify that I only have one slx and zillion, and I would be buying all new zillions to put on the new rods, I’m mainly just curious about the difference between the zillion and the met and the met 100, they are pretty close price on digitaka. 

 

[casts_by_fly]

13 hours ago, August said:

Very good point. The thing it is I wasn’t exactly blown away by my zillion. Even though it was by far the most I’d ever spent on a reel. It felt a little gritty to me right of the bat and stayed like that. 

if you weren’t blown away by a zillion- don’t buy more!  They are great reels and the best value for a high end reel on the market right now. But if it doesn’t work for your preferences then don’t get more.

 

I have the scenario you describe- one zillion, a bantam, a met, two chronarchs (all from current models), plus a bunch of abu Garcia and some others. I’m partial to shimano ergonomics.  The zillion is a little taller off the rod which I don’t prefer but it’s still a great reel and I’ve toyed with getting another. Like DVT’s friend, I like consistency hence all of my rods are falcons (except my bfs and it feels weird when I pick it up).  Most of my reels are shimano. Given my preferences, if I were in your scenario I’d just pick up a set of bantams and call it a day. Rock solid, great reels, with the mgl spool throw anything from smaller crank baits up to big swim baits. 

[Eric 26]

For me I like the old adage “variety is the spice of life” so I say mix it up, and if you don’t like what you buy sell off what you don’t like during your off time and regroup then.

[J._Bricker]

My answer @August would be to standardize your equipment for tournament fishing. You can decide the price point, reel model, familiarity and ability to change reels out on the fly if necessary without making major adjustments. A couple of guys I know who tournament fish and bought all Bass Pro Shops reels for all their rods. Their logic was the BPS reels were of decent quality and value so they could afford to do it, if one failed the could get another relatively quick because BPS are everywhere and most importantly they could afford to replace all of them every year or two. 
 

Good luck with your decision and on the circuit.

[WRB]

I suggest getting the reels that support your fishing skills. Same make and model if they meet your needs is ideal but in reality difficult to find.

For example tournament fishing requires several different lure presentations. The 2 that stands out is deep diving crank baits and medium to large swimbaits require 300 size reels with lower gear ratio and high line capacity.

Daiwa and Shimano have excellent choices but different braking systems. The Daiwa Zillion can be used in brackish water, the Shimano Met is magnesium and is subject to corrosion.

JDM offer good price without a warranty, domestic suppliers on sale you get both.

No spinning outfits?

Tom

[Rockhopper]

I've gravitated towards buying different sizes and speeds of one reel line. Though there's obvious differences in ergonomics and size, I like having the familiarity of one platform. I've tried enough brands and sizes to know what I like at this point in life. 

[new2BC4bass]

3 hours ago, J._Bricker said:

 Their logic was the BPS reels were of decent quality and value so they could afford to do it, if one failed the could get another relatively quick because BPS are everywhere and most importantly they could afford to replace all of them every year or two. 

That would be a pain.  I prefer quality reels that last me for years.  Probably cheaper in the long run.  You don't need to spend big bucks to get a quality reel these days.

[T-Billy]

If I were to start over today, I'd pick up a half dozen JDM Zillion HD's and be set for a LONG time.

[FishTank]

@August Do you have a plan for rods yet? To me, this is the place I would make my biggest investment. I would also start there first and then fit the reels to the appropriate rods. 

[J._Bricker]

41 minutes ago, new2BC4bass said:

You don't need to spend big bucks to get a quality reel these days.

I’m right there with you on it and my point. I was just giving a different solution on how to achieve standardization of equipment. Sometimes money is the solution, sometimes it’s the problem and sometimes it’s irrelevant.

[Catt]

48 minutes ago, FishTank said:

@August Do you have a plan for rods yet? To me, this is the place I would make my biggest investment. I would also start there first and then fit the reels to the appropriate rods. 

 

My thought process is to buy quality reels first & be done with it for years. At one point I had nothing but Shimano Calcuttas & Cardiffs, served me for well over 30 years. That ment for 30+ years I could spend all my budget on rods. 

[Brian11719]

I actually use about the same pound test line on most of my casting setups so would say get the same for those if you've found one you like unless you have one that you really like or use a bit more than the others...then maybe go a step up for that one. On the other hand if I'm throwing a frog or a swimbait the reel would be different since I'd want a different speed / spool size on it...not necessarily the high end one for those either but still different...so I guess my answer would be same for the most part but with exceptions when it make sense.

[Tackleholic]

I have a lot of reels, all baitcasters are Daiwa, which I have accumulated over the years;  5 are Zillions.  If I were to start over from scratch they would all be Zillions in a 6.3.  Reels perform and adjust differently, but having them all the same reduces mistakes and time adjusting; plus I always know how to change up the tempo without downtime or experimenting.

[Columbia Craw]

Grab four Daiwa Steez SVTW 100HL and  use your winnings to pay them off.

[10,000 lakes Bassin]

6 hours ago, WRB said:

No spinning outfits?

Tom

Thanks Tom, yes some spinning combos to come, but still I wish I wouldn’t have have to use one and could flip a jig all day 😄

[WRB]

^^^Zillion HD^^^

Tom