Questions about Daiwa Zillion

[Micro]

I'm wanting a new baitcaster and have been looking hard at Daiwas.  I've looked at Fuegos, Sols and tonight I looked at Zillions.  WOW, these are really sharp reels.  From what I saw, very meticulously made.  But one thing troubled me.  I looked at 3 boxed reels (not display reels) and all of them showed resistance when cranking.  

I thought it might be a tight cast control knob and loosened that.  I played with the drag, and that wasn't it.  They just seemed very tight.  The spools spun very freely in free-spool mode.  But cranking just felt like the cast control knob was screwed down WAY tight.  

Since all three reels were this way, I can only assume that's the way it's supposed to be.  

Has anyone with Zillions experienced this?  Does it loosen up as it breaks in?  

The reel I looked at was the one with the gold spool.  

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Also, how have you found the drag?  The specs show 8.8lbs of drag pressure.  That doesn't SEEM like a lot and wonder how these reels will handle bigger fish like stripers.  

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How do they handle lighter baits?  I like fishing cranks and some of my favorites are 1/4 and 3/8 oz lures.  

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Other than these issues, this is a gorgeous reel and I am seriously considering one.  

[FishTank]

I have the a high speed Zillion and love it. I have fished for two years and have no issues with it what so ever. I do recal the reel feeling tight when I purchased it and questioned the same thing but once I put line on it, it felt fine. I have had no issues with the drag but I don't fish for monster striper. I have caught a few 20+lb catfish and I was surprised at how fast and strong this reel was. It can get fish back to the boat in a hurry.

As far as light weight baits go, it's ok but not great. It does OK with some 1/4oz cranks and great with 3/8oz cranks. Having a rod that will handle light weight baits helps this reel out a lot. I have fished mostly braid on this reel and it handles it quite well.

I think I have said something like this before, the Zillion doesn't excel at one thing or the other but it does all things, on average, better than most other reels. It is the best balanced reel, IMHO, when it comes to casting, strength, smoothness, durability (so far) and price that I have used as of yet.

I believe Redline Robert said something to the effect that other than the weight, the Zillion is very similar in feel and performance to the Steez.

[LakeAnnaBasser]

My zillion feels fine.. At first I had little hard time casting a 1/4 oz jig. Bu then I tried it with a Hollow belly swimbait. It casted the swimbait with ease.

[Redlinerobert]

My favorite workhorse reel.  It's not really made for the lighter baits.  For that I'd use either a Steez 103 or if you want to get something more exotic in the same price range get your hands on the JDM Zillion HLC.

[jhoffman]

Put your thumb on the spool and crank the handle one direction or the other SOFTLY! It will change that!

Looks like your sold on daiwa products anyway from your avatar. Cant blame you, love daiwa. All of my reels are made by them. Except the fly gear.

[bassripper2000]

I love the Zillion. I have noticed some are smoother than others out the box. I broke mine down, took out al lthe grease, regreased the gears, oiled the bearings and worm gear, replaced the drags with Carbontex I got from Reel Mech.

SMOOOOTH AS A BABYS BUT and drag feels alot smoother and stronger.

I like the gold version as it has a 6.3 retrieve insteas of the red_ burner reels 7.1 retrieve.

I can't cast anything below 1/4 with it. I have a Curado 100 for that. But anything above that is awesome. I haven't tapped into the drag yet, but I caught some 4-6lbs bass that was easily subdued. Too easy I would say. Zillion all the way. The Advantage HSTA Supertuned is another one you can look at for smaller baits. Good specs for the money...120 on ebay!

Good luck

[Fish MD]

No issues with mine but yeah they all seemed a bit tight in the beginning.

Doy

[muskyxl]

Just got mine in the mail today...Hurray!!!!

Got it lined up and went out and tossed some weight around the yard and I love it. Mine does not have a tight feeling and is very smooth...cant wait to get to the lake and give 'er a rip.

[Hooked_On_Bass]

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Has anyone with Zillions experienced this? Does it loosen up as it breaks in?

I don't recall mine having any noticeable resistance.

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Also, how have you found the drag? The specs show 8.8lbs of drag pressure. That doesn't SEEM like a lot and wonder how these reels will handle bigger fish like stripers.

The drag seems perfect for what I'm fishing for (Bass). I have no experience using it for any other type of fish.......yet (I'm sure I'll tangle with a few musky with it this year ).

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How do they handle lighter baits? I like fishing cranks and some of my favorites are 1/4 and 3/8 oz lures.

Haven't tried too many light baits on it. Mine is assigned to heavy duty work.

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Other than these issues, this is a gorgeous reel and I am seriously considering one.

They are puuuurty. I love mine! I'm thinking of picking up another.

[Micro]

Thanks for the replies, guys.  

Jhoffman, that's an Abu Garcia revo in my avatar.  I am, indeed, sold on those.  ;D

Bassripper, I'd definately go with the 6.3:1 over the 7.1:1.  The 6.3 will do what the 7.1 will just as well, and some things better.  

[bassripper2000]

Not my auction but a good price nonetheless..

http://cgi.ebay.com/DAIWA-ZILLION-100HA-6-3-1-RH-BAITCAST-REEL-NEW-2008_W0QQitemZ250246870361QQihZ015QQcategoryZ108153QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

[muskyxl]

thats my next one...

[jhoffman]

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Thanks for the replies, guys.  

Jhoffman, that's an Abu Garcia revo in my avatar.  I am, indeed, sold on those.  ;D

Bassripper, I'd definately go with the 6.3:1 over the 7.1:1.  The 6.3 will do what the 7.1 will just as well, and some things better.  

Looks like a Daiwa Exceller.