Steez 103H or 100H...??

[frogpond11]

I've been doing a lot of reading about these 2 reels and I still can't seem to decide between the two. I may be buying one within the next few weeks and with a $400+ investment, I want to make the right decision. I know the 100H is designed for larger baits and longer casts...while the 103H is designed for smaller baits and more pitching apps. However, for the applications I want this reel for, I want it do a little bit of everything well.

The reel will go on 1 of 2 rods...when it is on my bcr853 GLX, I will use it for pitching/casting 3/16-5/16 oz t-rigs or jigs. It will be on that rod probably 50-60% of the time for those apps. But the other 40-50% of the time, it will be on my 6'9" MH Kistler Helium for all purpose duty...including lipless cranks ranging from 1/4-1/2 oz, regular cranks ranging from 1/4-3/8 oz, spinnerbaits from 1/4-3/8 oz, and other random things like 1/4-3/8 oz buzzbaits, etc. Would the 100H be able to handle casting 1/4 oz cranks/spinners/buzzers?? I know the 103H would be better with the 1/4 oz stuff..but I really like the idea of having the 90mm handle that comes on the 100H.

Any help in this decision would be greatly appreciated..thanks in advance!



Justin

[dragon1]

My guess is that the 100H will handle the 1/4 as well but still provide for more line capacity and ultimately longer casts with bigger baits.

Also consider that you can always get the 103 spool, but with the 100H, at least you already have the larger handle.

BTW...I will be VERY interested in your comments about this reel and hope that it will be good enough to stay in your arsenal being a Daiwa.

[frogpond11]

I've got nothing against Daiwa... I had a few bad experiences with them but I own a Fuego that has the 4-bearing TD-Z handle and I really like it a lot. Plus I hear everyone praising the Steez all the time, so I figured I'd give it a shot.

2 questions to add to the ones listed above -> 1) Does the 103H have a different braking system than the 100H? Magforce V vs Magforce Z..?? 2) How much is the 103H spool by itself?



Justin

[ChuckE]

The 100H spool has Magforce Z, while the 103 spool has Magforce V. The braking system and line capacity (depth and sides), is the major difference between the spools. Magforce V requires a tapered sided spool for the tabs to ride on, while Magforce Z has a seperate tapered edge the braking tabs ride on.

A 103 spool ran ~$100 the last time I checked. Daiwa USA has them in stock most of the time now.

I'd be inclined to go with the 103. I haven't had any problem casting some of the heavier stuff and it is a pitching machine! Swapping a reel between rods is cumbersome, and I've found I prefer different line on my reels that I use for distance casting, heavier baits, etc. anyway. Chances are you'll eventually get both anyway, so save the $100 toward a 100 Steez........ Maybe even use the Fuego for the heavy stuff?

Chuck

[backcast]

The 103 casts at least as far as I can reasonably expect to accomplish a hook set. For all around casting it equals or beats anything else I have. Yeah the Pixy and Conquest 50 may do better on really light stuff, and the 100DC may be better for heavy stuff, but the differences are slight, and for general use the Steez is as good or better than all the other reels I have. Have no first hand knowledge of the 100.

I have use a 103 on a 6'9" Helium and it is a great combination.

ChuckE, in your earlier review of the Steez, you mentioned the possibility of using a Steez (103 at that time) spool in a TD-Z. What are you thoughts about this now? Thanks

[ChuckE]

bcast,
The Steez spool works in the TD-Z, with similar but not exactly the same results. (I suspect this has more to do with the travel of the inductor and magnets in the TD-Z. The magnets are a little different in the Steez.) Although the spool is a little lighter and has more bling, I've purchased more TD-Z 103 spools, than I have Steez spools lately. Considering the spool's price (about twice as much as a TD-Z103 spool), I'm not sure it is worth it in a TD-Z. In addition, I've pretty much elected to just go with new Steez's.

Chuck

[Want]

Backcast wrote:

Yeah the Pixy and Conquest 50 may do better on really light stuff, and the 100DC may be better for heavy stuff, but the differences are slight, and for general use the Steez is as good or better than all the other reels I have

I find this discussion kind of timely. Hope I'm not highjacking the thread. I'm deciding which way to go in terms of my next reel (MG7, Conquest 101DC, Steez) but keep going back to the idea of "rounding out" my set of Daiwas. I own a D.R. tuned Pixy and a D.R. tuned Fuego. From what I gather from you and Chuck is that the Steez 103 would be a pretty good addition for 1/4-1/2 oz applications? Is that the best weight range for this reel?

[ChuckE]

wantthat asked:

...is that the Steez 103 would be a pretty good addition for 1/4-1/2 oz applications?

It works great in that range. You can go a little lower if you select the right rod, but that's what you have the Pixy for. Going higher isn't a problem either.

Chuck

[Want]

Thanks Chuck. I think it's a done deal for me. Steez 103 it is.

[backcast]

ChuckE - thanks for the update and your advice on the spools.

wantthat2 - I have 2 Steez and only one 100DC. There is a reason for that. Like both, but the Steez a little more. Sold a Calais DC to buy the second Steez. Was not a matter of the Calais DC being at least an equal performing reel to the Steez, but I really like the weight and ergonomics of the Steez that much more. I could see reasons to opt for the Calais DC over the Steez such as heavier fishing (built like a tank) or possibly salt, but for general bass weight fishing the Steez tops my list (at least for now).

[phatbass]

I use 2 steez 103h reels and they pitch and cast great,1 is on a helium 6'9'apc and the other on a mbr 844 imx.I like the steez 103 h so much ,that Isold a nib typeR+ to buy my second one.

[Want]

Thanks for the feedback guys. I own a Conquest 201 DC but I wasn't sure how much more the 101DC would add to my Shimano sets. (I've only been thinking about this for 4 or so months )

I think the Steez 103 is definitely the right move. Thanks again. Vic

[dragon1]

frogpond...I find generally, if fishermen choose Daiwa or Shimano and not both it is usually due to past experience/loyalty/bias/etc OR they prefer the feel/design of one over the other.

These two companies IMO are the best at making bass reels but have diff philosophies for engineering/design and fishability. I like both of them for diff purposes.

[Dave079]

I just got my 103HA in a few hours ago. I have played around in my pond a little while this afternoon with it and all I can say is wow. I have never experienced such a nice reel. With just an underhand flick of the wrist I am amazed how far and accurate I can throw a Senko.

[LATERAL LINE]

[font=Courier][/font] I just got a Daiwa Steez 100h Deep spool reel with a DAIWA STEEZ STZ671MHFBA rod.........where do I get instructions for the reel in English.......

Thanks......LATER LINE