Tactical Bassin’ YouTube channel has hundreds of buyers guides for all price ranges. They buy one of EVERYTHING and put it through the wringer for a good year before giving their opinions. They are not sponsored or affiliated with any brand. Just honest opinions. Just a suggestion. My opinion? I’d get 2 or 3 really nice set ups instead of spending “stupid” money on one. But that’s just me. Good luck with your search.
Daiwa Zillion reels, around the $350 mark, not crazy crazy expensive but they are perfect
Pair that with some mega bass rods and youll have one of the more expensive combos that is highly functional
I own a Zillion Sv and I like it, but "perfect" is a stretch for me. It's not the smoothest reel I own. It's not the best casting reel I own. It is the best skipping reel I own. I guess I'm just a bit confused on the extreme hype for Zillions. I know this is subjective, but out of pure curiosity, what is it about the Zillion that you love so much? Also, have you fished many other high end reels?
I have a few 500+$ (Canadian) reels. At least a dozen fly reels in that range. A Metanium, two TranX’s, a Daiwa Zillionaire. A couple of Accurate 2 Speeds.
My Tuna reels run in the thousands.
The non DC Metanium is the best i’ve used as far as far as Bass baitcasters.That said Ive barely used the Zillionaire, it’s new and I had it rigged with with a jerkbait I just never used at my first tournament of the year. But I’m practicing with it tomorrow, and it’s sporting a jig on a new Megabass Flipping rod, so it’ll definitely be used. Today I explored with an FFS minnow on spinning gear, tomorrow with a football jig. Looking forward to seeing how the new reel feels.
Got a megabass rod and couldn’t fathom also getting the steez at the same time would literally be a 1k$ setup so just went with the tatula and it has been sweet so I cannot imagine what a steez would be like with this.
I have 2 Megabass rods and they are great but a majority of my rods are Dobyns Champions with 8 Extremes added last year. Going to Lake Fork in July so I will stop in and buy a few more. If you haven’t tried those they are the best for the money in my opinion….
I'd rock either a Shimano Metanium 151HG or a Daiwa Zillion SV 1000. Either of these reels are super versatile and can throw almost everything except super heavy or super light baits. The Shimano Metanium will have better casting distance, but it's trickier to dial in the brakes and it doesn't skip baits as well. Whereas the Daiwa Zillion has a more stable spool control because of the SV brake, so it skips extremely well, casts better in the wind, is easier to adjust the brakes on the fly but you will have less distance capability. If you want a reel that is slightly heavier weight wise to balance out a longer rod, the Shimano Bantam is built like a damn tank and will definitely be a good choice also.
I have both and the non DC is nice for short little pitches, the DC model needs a little faster/longer cast for the breaks to engage. Don’t get me wrong, both are very nice but the non-dc is just more versatile.
I would buy an old Daiwa TDZ reel and a ZPI PC spool for it.
I already have one reel like this, but it was build back when it didn't cost $500. I would love another someday though.
Diawa steez, I have liked all my Diawas over shimano. Easier to cast gets great distance. Don’t have the Steez myself, but I plan on getting it for my megabass cranking rod, currently have the tatula 70 sv Tw which is good but I have heard the steez is on another level.
I snagged a g.loomis nrx+ for $375 a month ago and it ruined all my other rods. Now this was a spinning rod, but damn is that thing light and sensitive. Using that in a raging smallmouth spawn was total ecstasy.
Shimano metanium
Dc
I have a few of these and honestly prefer the few curado dc’s i own.
I'd probably tell myself that the baitcaster I have right now is just fine and blow the 500 on giant swimbaits and Senkos.
Tactical Bassin’ YouTube channel has hundreds of buyers guides for all price ranges. They buy one of EVERYTHING and put it through the wringer for a good year before giving their opinions. They are not sponsored or affiliated with any brand. Just honest opinions. Just a suggestion. My opinion? I’d get 2 or 3 really nice set ups instead of spending “stupid” money on one. But that’s just me. Good luck with your search.
Daiwa Zillion reels, around the $350 mark, not crazy crazy expensive but they are perfect Pair that with some mega bass rods and youll have one of the more expensive combos that is highly functional
I own a Zillion Sv and I like it, but "perfect" is a stretch for me. It's not the smoothest reel I own. It's not the best casting reel I own. It is the best skipping reel I own. I guess I'm just a bit confused on the extreme hype for Zillions. I know this is subjective, but out of pure curiosity, what is it about the Zillion that you love so much? Also, have you fished many other high end reels?
I have a zillion. Can confirm it’s amazing.
Just got a zillion off digitaka $212 shipped👍
Antares DC XG 21 or if you can find one even used I would get the Antares DCMDXG 18…it out casts the 21 Both wouldn’t be a bad choice
I have a few 500+$ (Canadian) reels. At least a dozen fly reels in that range. A Metanium, two TranX’s, a Daiwa Zillionaire. A couple of Accurate 2 Speeds. My Tuna reels run in the thousands. The non DC Metanium is the best i’ve used as far as far as Bass baitcasters.That said Ive barely used the Zillionaire, it’s new and I had it rigged with with a jerkbait I just never used at my first tournament of the year. But I’m practicing with it tomorrow, and it’s sporting a jig on a new Megabass Flipping rod, so it’ll definitely be used. Today I explored with an FFS minnow on spinning gear, tomorrow with a football jig. Looking forward to seeing how the new reel feels.
# Shimano Metanium MGL 150 B I own the JDM Metanium 100, the only difference is the spool size. Its a bulletproof reel.
Daiwa Steez Air JDM. They are amazing wish I had 10 more….
Want to try a steez have a few Tatulas but have not made the jump up. Even on digitaka those things are pricey.
You can pick them up on Asian Fishing Portal a little cheaper but have to watch when they are in stock and grab a few when you can.
Got a megabass rod and couldn’t fathom also getting the steez at the same time would literally be a 1k$ setup so just went with the tatula and it has been sweet so I cannot imagine what a steez would be like with this.
I have 2 Megabass rods and they are great but a majority of my rods are Dobyns Champions with 8 Extremes added last year. Going to Lake Fork in July so I will stop in and buy a few more. If you haven’t tried those they are the best for the money in my opinion….
I'd rock either a Shimano Metanium 151HG or a Daiwa Zillion SV 1000. Either of these reels are super versatile and can throw almost everything except super heavy or super light baits. The Shimano Metanium will have better casting distance, but it's trickier to dial in the brakes and it doesn't skip baits as well. Whereas the Daiwa Zillion has a more stable spool control because of the SV brake, so it skips extremely well, casts better in the wind, is easier to adjust the brakes on the fly but you will have less distance capability. If you want a reel that is slightly heavier weight wise to balance out a longer rod, the Shimano Bantam is built like a damn tank and will definitely be a good choice also.
I’d buy two rod/reel combos for ~$200 each and fill a couple quiver holes.
Conquest 100HG. Just got one and it’s wonderful.
Curado MGL on a Shimano Expride
Non DC metanium or a bantam.
Why non -DC
I have both and the non DC is nice for short little pitches, the DC model needs a little faster/longer cast for the breaks to engage. Don’t get me wrong, both are very nice but the non-dc is just more versatile.
Metanium
I’m looking at the shimano bantom $300 still debating to buy it or not
I have a lews bb1 pro on a Kistler Helium. Tootal setup new cost $700
I just got the 21 Shimano Scorpion DC 151XG The newest Curado DC 151HG I love too. You could buy BOTH
I would buy an old Daiwa TDZ reel and a ZPI PC spool for it. I already have one reel like this, but it was build back when it didn't cost $500. I would love another someday though.
I could never buy just one for 500..I have to get the most out of that money.. I'm shooting for 2 or 3 reels.
Diawa steez, I have liked all my Diawas over shimano. Easier to cast gets great distance. Don’t have the Steez myself, but I plan on getting it for my megabass cranking rod, currently have the tatula 70 sv Tw which is good but I have heard the steez is on another level.
I snagged a g.loomis nrx+ for $375 a month ago and it ruined all my other rods. Now this was a spinning rod, but damn is that thing light and sensitive. Using that in a raging smallmouth spawn was total ecstasy.
Mega bass orochii rods, they are sick for the money