Is the TD-ITO Still King??

[Nitroman77]

Between the TD-ito, Steez, Conquest 51, Type R+, Custom TDZs I would rate them as such..Both of my top 2 reels have the spool tension knobs loose enough to where the bait drops like a rock on free-spool and I can cast the heck out of them without any backlash, Unless really windy..My steez I had to tighten that thing down and it still would have problems with backlash. The conquest is one sweet lil reel and is very close to the others, but that ITO is such a sweet casting/pitting reel.

PS: all 4 reels are with stock bearings, and spools.

TD-ito/ Worming reel
Type R+/ my SB reel
Steez/ Was a jig reel then sold.
Conquest/ My Crank Reel

[tonym]

Someone just about sold me on Gan Craft.. and if I dont like it hes getting crap listed (j/k but im serious ).

And if you don't like it you can send it to me for further testing.

[Cal]

This is why you really need to take advice from members like Johnny A. Gamblerhydra, and Illini. They either have or have had all these reels in question and will give you a non biased opinion.

I think someone is missing from that list, but... I can't seem to put my finger on whom...

Cal sold me on the Elseil so I take his word even more serious then before with purchases.

Oh gee... thanks, nice to know I've earned your trust

[phatbass]

I think the TD ITO is a nice reel ,but its just to overpriced right now,the biggest avantage to this reel was the performance from the spool,casting distance and throwing lighter baits was a big plus.ITS nice to have a reel like that that not alot of people own. but the problem with these reels is that they are way overpriced ,you pay 450.00 with a reel with scratches on it,when I could buy a brand new steez for that price.Its hard find a reliable source for these reels ,because they lie about the condition of them.and the only guy you can trust has them charges too much.

[mhood]

Just would like to remind that for the purposes of this thread, we'll limit it to Low profile baitcasters that are "stock" or in the condition you can buy them. As if we would tackle "all" reels, there would be no end to this discussion. And if we open the pandoras box of tuning, swapping parts and upgrading. That would be a long and winding road which ends in personal preferences.

Illini, although the Ito is "tuned", it is still a production reel limited or not, no sense in comparing it to a reel that you have upgraded to your preferences.

Sorry but I don't buy that at all. What difference does it make whether Yuki Ito, D.R., Illini or Daiwa tunes a reel? All the top contenders are tuned. If tuning didn't improve on stock, why tune? I don't think all these TD Ito lovers appreciate their reels for the baby puke green color. And I don't think the Ito Alphas AI is loved for the clear side plate.

A list of the best should include tuned models because tuned models *are* the best.

Pixillas Rule!!!!

[GamblerHydra]

This is why you really need to take advice from members like Johnny A. Gamblerhydra, and Illini. They either have or have had all these reels in question and will give you a non biased opinion.

I think someone is missing from that list, but... I can't seem to put my finger on whom...

SDESIGN?

[tonym]

I think someone is missing from that list, but... I can't seem to put my finger on whom...

Yeah, but the dark one seems to have an unfair advantage in numbers and seem prone to leaning to the side of the custom colored TD-Z. As in one or more of each.

[Cal]

This is why you really need to take advice from members like Johnny A. Gamblerhydra, and Illini. They either have or have had all these reels in question and will give you a non biased opinion.

I think someone is missing from that list, but... I can't seem to put my finger on whom...

SDESIGN?

[illini]

This is why you really need to take advice from members like Johnny A. Gamblerhydra, and Illini. They either have or have had all these reels in question and will give you a non biased opinion.

I think someone is missing from that list, but... I can't seem to put my finger on whom...

SDESIGN?

Man whatever happend to that cat

[Cal]

I think someone is missing from that list, but... I can't seem to put my finger on whom...

Yeah, but the dark one seems to have an unfair advantage in numbers and seem prone to leaning to the side of the custom colored TD-Z. As in one or more of each.

Hmm... i see.. jealous are we?

plus I'm liable to give you some kind of answer like, there really is no BEST... only best for YOU crap, hah?

[tonym]

I think someone is missing from that list, but... I can't seem to put my finger on whom...

Yeah, but the dark one seems to have an unfair advantage in numbers and seem prone to leaning to the side of the custom colored TD-Z. As in one or more of each.

Hmm... i see.. jealous are we?

plus I'm liable to give you some kind of answer like, there really is no BEST... only best for YOU crap, hah?

This is why there is an alter ego who not on staff.

[GamblerHydra]

Someone just about sold me on Gan Craft.. and if I dont like it hes getting crap listed (j/k but im serious ).

Hopefully, not the $700 model. Let Yendor and I be the guinea pigs for a while. Start with the base model first. I saw your response ,and I still would recommend you get a Shiryu and the base Dictator before the new rod.

[Cal]

Someone just about sold me on Gan Craft.. and if I dont like it hes getting crap listed (j/k but im serious ).

Hopefully, not the $700 model. Let Yendor and I be the guinea pigs for a while. Start with the base model first. I saw your response ,and I still would recommend you get a Shiryu and the base Dictator before the new rod.

no no no... let him get it and be the guinea pig then we can get it at a discount if he doesn't like it and decides to sell it later

[BassFreak]

Just would like to remind that for the purposes of this thread, we'll limit it to Low profile baitcasters that are "stock" or in the condition you can buy them. As if we would tackle "all" reels, there would be no end to this discussion. And if we open the pandoras box of tuning, swapping parts and upgrading. That would be a long and winding road which ends in personal preferences.

Illini, although the Ito is "tuned", it is still a production reel limited or not, no sense in comparing it to a reel that you have upgraded to your preferences.

Sorry but I don't buy that at all. What difference does it make whether Yuki Ito, D.R., Illini or Daiwa tunes a reel? All the top contenders are tuned. If tuning didn't improve on stock, why tune? I don't think all these TD Ito lovers appreciate their reels for the baby puke green color. And I don't think the Ito Alphas AI is loved for the clear side plate.

A list of the best should include tuned models because tuned models *are* the best.

Pixillas Rule!!!!

I understand what youre saying here, but its a looong road which might end up in a "I like gold knobs better than cork knobs" discussion. As for performance tuning, its all good and well, but for guys who dont care to work on their reels, a non production "tuned" reel (i.e. Pixzilla) is pretty much impossible to get. all in all, I just wanted to narrow the choices a bit or else we'd have a hundred different reels with different upgrades in the discussion.

Some reels might be great for certain applications and do horrible in others. Basically, I was curious if the ITO is outdated at this point in time with the advent of new technology and reels that have come out. If I was walking around the local lake with only 1 rod & reel set up, which would be my best choice for various techniques and applications that I may encounter during the day. Right now, I'd be bringing the TD-ITO, and wonder if theres something that is significantly better out there. as for the rod, we'll probably have to save that for anothe discussion.. hehe..

[GAMEOVER]

You guys are too much sometimes.