ALUMINUM Daiwa Steez vs Metanium MGL vs Conquest 100

[freelancer27]

Hi all,

my all around reel broke and I am in the market for a new one.


The requirements for the reel would be:

* Smooth caster
* sturdy
* salt water safe
* light

Techniques that I would use the reel for are:

* Spinnerbaits
* Chatterbaits
* Jigs
* smaller swimbaits (up to 1.5 oz)


Would be interested in your thoughts!

Thanks!

[LowRange]

The Steez A appears to be made for your critera but there are conflicting reports on how well it casts. Is a round reel such as a Conquest or Ryoga an option?

[freelancer27]

The Steez A appears to be made for your critera but there are conflicting reports on how well it casts. Is a round reel such as a Conquest or Ryoga an option?

Yeah, definetely. The Conquest is probably one if not the most refined reel on the market. Though it is almost 2 oz heavier than the other two reels. So that is the trade off. I am not sure how sturdy the Steez and the Metanium are. I lean towards the Steez to be honest here if the sturdiness would get close to the Conquest.

[alafly]

Conquest 100 new version or old one?

[freelancer27]

Conquest 100 new version or old one?

I think it is the 2015 version. I ordered from TW.


Here are some choices for rods that I am thinking of pairing the reel with:

Daiwa Steez XT Casting Rod 7' Med Hvy
Destroyer USA Casting Rod 7'1" FMJ
Destroyer USA Casting Rod 7'2" Daemos
St. Croix Legend Elite Casting Rod 6'8" Med Hvy
St. Croix Legend Xtreme Casting Rod 7' Med Hvy
St. Croix Legend Xtreme Casting Rod 7'1" Med Hvy X Fa
G. Loomis GLX Casting Rod 7' Heavy 844C MBR


Would be great to get some thoughts on this as well.

This will be my all around (I can only one) combo for mainly Spinnerbaits, Jigs, lipless crankbaits and small swimbaits

Thanks.

[alafly]

Based on my own experience, Shimano little gold reel will look great with any full cork handle rod.

G. Loomis's blank is excellent but cork handle quality is just so so. I never like them.

I paired new conquest 101HG with Legend Elite 7'. It's balancing well.

My conquest 101HG is smoothest reel I have. Thanks for those micro gears, when I am spinning the handle, I feel almost nothing comparing with Daiwas(old zillion and old steez). But someone might disagree with me and does like those "connection feeling" from gears.

Conquest 100 new version or old one?

I think it is the 2015 version. I ordered from TW.


Here are some choices for rods that I am thinking of pairing the reel with:

Daiwa Steez XT Casting Rod 7' Med Hvy
Destroyer USA Casting Rod 7'1" FMJ
Destroyer USA Casting Rod 7'2" Daemos
St. Croix Legend Elite Casting Rod 6'8" Med Hvy
St. Croix Legend Xtreme Casting Rod 7' Med Hvy
St. Croix Legend Xtreme Casting Rod 7'1" Med Hvy X Fa
G. Loomis GLX Casting Rod 7' Heavy 844C MBR


Would be great to get some thoughts on this as well.

This will be my all around (I can only one) combo for mainly Spinnerbaits, Jigs, lipless crankbaits and small swimbaits

Thanks.

[freelancer27]

Based on my own experience, Shimano little gold reel will look great with any full cork handle rod.

G. Loomis's blank is excellent but cork handle quality is just so so. I never like them.

I paired new conquest 101HG with Legend Elite 7'. It's balancing well.

My conquest 101HG is smoothest reel I have. Thanks for those micro gears, when I am spinning the handle, I feel almost nothing comparing with Daiwas(old zillion and old steez). But someone might disagree with me and does like those "connection feeling" from gears.

Conquest 100 new version or old one?

I think it is the 2015 version. I ordered from TW.


Here are some choices for rods that I am thinking of pairing the reel with:

Daiwa Steez XT Casting Rod 7' Med Hvy
Destroyer USA Casting Rod 7'1" FMJ
Destroyer USA Casting Rod 7'2" Daemos
St. Croix Legend Elite Casting Rod 6'8" Med Hvy
St. Croix Legend Xtreme Casting Rod 7' Med Hvy
St. Croix Legend Xtreme Casting Rod 7'1" Med Hvy X Fa
G. Loomis GLX Casting Rod 7' Heavy 844C MBR


Would be great to get some thoughts on this as well.

This will be my all around (I can only one) combo for mainly Spinnerbaits, Jigs, lipless crankbaits and small swimbaits

Thanks.

The St.Croix Legend elite is my favorite right now as well, due to the full cork handle. What are you using the set up for?

[freelancer27]

So, I received the order today. 

The Metanium is definetely out. Just not loving it, also it is too close in look and feel to my Antares. 

Now the surprising part: I am really digging the Steez. Finish is great and it palms sooo much better than the Conquest. I was also a bit disappointed on just how little line I could get onto the conquest, it almost felt like half the line capacity of the Steez.


I am strongly tending towards the Steez at this point.  I will throw a 2-3 times with the reels in my backyard to see if there is a significant difference between the two reels that would make me change my mind.


Rod wise I narrowed it down to: 

St. Croix Legend Elite Casting Rod 6'8" Med Hvy (the Extremes just did not feel that comfortable and customer service of St.Croix said that the guides of the Elite are a bit more robust than the Extreme's)

+ I love the tip (just what I am looking for)
+ Handle has a good feel to it 
+ Hook keeper design is great
+ 50 USD cheaper than the G.Loomis
- I wish the handle was a bit longer
- Micro guides not as robust
- reel seat not as nice as the one on the G.Loomis

G. Loomis GLX Casting Rod 7' Heavy 844C MBR
+ Reel seat feels and looks very nice
+ has a broughter lure weight spectrum (1/4oz - 1oz vs 3/8 - 1 on the St.Croix)
+ 'Regular' Guides (I think they are more robust which is important to me as a bank fisherman)
- Hook keeper design not as robust as on the St.Croix

--> My mind tends to the G.Loomis (seems more robust and more versatile, though the tip is not fast enough for my taste). My heart though tends a bit more towards the St.Croix.
​​​​​​​
Any thoughts on my thinking process? 

[paulito]

The MGL has issues with water pooling in the tension knob part. I have had several bearings rust and the channel where the bearing knob is supposed to be is some cheap plastic/cast metal or something. It's corroded. My curado and conquest still work fine in the salt. I always use deionized water to wash my reels after saltwater use and use a mister, not under flowing water so taht water does not get in places it shouldnt. The conquest is sturdy and I have no issues using it in the salt (2 yrs). Go with the HG from japan, and you should be able to pick up line quick enough for all the methods you want to use the reel for!

[freelancer27]

The MGL has issues with water pooling in the tension knob part. I have had several bearings rust and the channel where the bearing knob is supposed to be is some cheap plastic/cast metal or something. It's corroded. My curado and conquest still work fine in the salt. I always use deionized water to wash my reels after saltwater use and use a mister, not under flowing water so taht water does not get in places it shouldnt. The conquest is sturdy and I have no issues using it in the salt (2 yrs). Go with the HG from japan, and you should be able to pick up line quick enough for all the methods you want to use the reel for!

The Metanium is definitely out of the equation. It looks and feels too similar to my Antares DC. Also the look and feel of the Steez A and the Conquest is just soo much better.

I am tending more towards the Steez A at the moment to be honest. Feels just so awesome in the hand and the finish seems to be almost on par with the Conquest as well.

I think I am also bringing the Daiwa Steel ST rod back into the equation. I looked at it more and I like it actually a lot. I was just not able to get some quality reviews on the rod. Anyone with experience on the rod Daiwa Steez XT Casting Rod 7' Med Hvy

[jigapig]

Steez A has a clicking drag that is cool too.

[MardukFIN]

Steez A has a clicking drag that is cool too.

How about Ryoga? It's sturdy, smooth and have that sound also!

[alafly]

Conquest BFS has clicking drag as well.

Steez A has a clicking drag that is cool too.

[freelancer27]

Steez A has a clicking drag that is cool too.

How about Ryoga? It's sturdy, smooth and have that sound also!

Hm, I prefer the Conquest over the Ryoga for a round reel. Though in this case, I think I am leaning towards the Steez.

[spookybaits]

Steez A mounted on a Legend elite 7' mh fast would make a nice all around combo. That's what I'd lean towards.