Looking for a sub 250 USD reel for frogging and pitching

Reels are the hottest topic for TackleTour. Everyone wants to know what the latest and greatest is and how they compare to the old guard. What's the best for light stuff, or what's your suggestion for heavy cover. Do we really need different retrieve ratios? It's all in here.
freelancer27
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Re: Looking for a sub 250 USD reel for frogging and pitching

Post by freelancer27 » Mon Aug 14, 2017 10:10 pm

Leaning towards the 9.1 model of http://japantackle.com/casting-reels/da ... w2015.html

Anyone has experience with the reel or a link to a review?

Thx!

freelancer27
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Re: Looking for a sub 250 USD reel for frogging and pitching

Post by freelancer27 » Tue Aug 15, 2017 10:03 pm

The more I search the more I find.


I think I will make a decision between the following three reels:


*Daiwa SV103*

+ Sturdy
+ Affordable (230 USD)
+ SV spool for lighter lures
+ good line capacity
+ good (fast) gear ratio
- not officially safe for saltwater
- bit heavier


*DAIWA 15 ZILLION TW 1516 XXHL*
+ Sturdy
+ Super Fast gear ratio
+ Salt water safe
+ cool looks
+ TWS for pitching bigger braid
- only available through Japanese websites (shipping time + no local warranty)
- More expensive (270 USD)
- Unsure about the torque for big bass
- line capacity not as much (12mono /110 yards)

*Shimano Curado 200K*
+ seems to be sturdy enough from the first reviews
+ fast gear ratio
+ nice looks
+ decent price
- line guide seems too small for big braided lines
- not enough reviews out there
- not available till end of september


What would you do guys?

Thanks for your help!

freelancer27
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Re: Looking for a sub 250 USD reel for frogging and pitching

Post by freelancer27 » Thu Aug 17, 2017 10:32 pm

Went ahead and order the SV103 and the ZIllion HD from TW.

Will have a look and see how they feel. Just saw that I could get the Zillion HD for 315 USD shipped from TTT vs the 245 USD for the SV103.

Based on those prices, is the HD the better pick?

Thanks!

DenhamBruce
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Re: Looking for a sub 250 USD reel for frogging and pitching

Post by DenhamBruce » Fri Aug 18, 2017 6:10 pm

I'd say no. The SV103 would have better tolerances I bet since its made in Japan. Only thing the HD has over it is leverage with a longer handle and big EVA knobs. However, you could get the same handle and throw it on your SV103!

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Re: Looking for a sub 250 USD reel for frogging and pitching

Post by Teal101 » Fri Aug 18, 2017 8:38 pm

SV103
I like TD-Z's
Instagram: teal_101_jdm

freelancer27
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Re: Looking for a sub 250 USD reel for frogging and pitching

Post by freelancer27 » Fri Aug 18, 2017 10:46 pm

Tested the reels a bit and I am really impressed with the SV103. Only issue could be line capacity. I bombed a 1oz lipless crank out until there was maybe 5m of line left (50# Berkley Trilene Professional Grade Braid). Which was just for testing purposes.
I have different set ups for for lipless and 'bombing' ;)

Also I was impressed by the skipping ability. I am a veeery long way from calling my self a decent skipper. But I was able to skip a unconvenient lure quite a bit.

Its a keeper!

Thanks all for your opinions and guidance!

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