Educate Me on TD-Z 103GL-RZ Limited Edition

This is the place to talk shop about all the enthusiast and import tackle for the truly afflicted
goldrod
Pro Angler
Pro Angler
Posts: 6241
Joined: Sat Jun 02, 2007 4:30 pm

Educate Me on TD-Z 103GL-RZ Limited Edition

Post by goldrod » Mon Jun 17, 2019 8:34 pm

TD-Z 103GL-RZ Limited Edition AND Cover Hacking Reels

What type of gears, spools and drags did they have?
Who has one for sale they are parting with?
Which is the most sought after and which should be avoided?
Was any RIGHT HANDED ?

I’m thinking of going in a entirely new direction as a gift for my so whose just completed his first deployment ( Thanks be unto God) and NOW understands that mental, physical and emotional elevation that is required to endure.
For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible

User avatar
LgMouthGambler
Pro Angler
Pro Angler
Posts: 2529
Joined: Thu Jan 17, 2013 7:04 am
Location: S FL

Re: Educate Me on TD-Z 103GL-RZ Limited Edition

Post by LgMouthGambler » Tue Jun 18, 2019 3:11 am

I have no idea about the reel. But thank your son for me for his service. =D>
<")))><{

hoohoorjoo
TT Moderator
TT Moderator
Posts: 6789
Joined: Mon Feb 28, 2011 1:56 pm
Location: Oxford GA

Re: Educate Me on TD-Z 103GL-RZ Limited Edition

Post by hoohoorjoo » Tue Jun 18, 2019 5:58 am

LgMouthGambler wrote:
Tue Jun 18, 2019 3:11 am
I have no idea about the reel. But thank your son for me for his service. =D>
Thanks to you and your son, since you're both on active duty. =D> =D> =D>
Try not to let your mind wander. It is much too small to be outside unsupervised.

User avatar
Gone Phishin
Pro Angler
Pro Angler
Posts: 1948
Joined: Fri Sep 29, 2006 8:08 pm
Location: Wisconsin

Re: Educate Me on TD-Z 103GL-RZ Limited Edition

Post by Gone Phishin » Tue Jun 18, 2019 7:19 am

LgMouthGambler wrote:
Tue Jun 18, 2019 3:11 am
I have no idea about the reel. But thank your son for me for his service. =D>
Hear hear!

goldrod
Pro Angler
Pro Angler
Posts: 6241
Joined: Sat Jun 02, 2007 4:30 pm

Re: Educate Me on TD-Z 103GL-RZ Limited Edition

Post by goldrod » Tue Jun 18, 2019 7:28 am

Thank You all
I appreciate the support and will let him know.
For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible

User avatar
bronzefly
Pro Angler
Pro Angler
Posts: 5029
Joined: Wed May 16, 2007 5:21 pm
Location: www.tackletrap.com
Contact:

Re: Educate Me on TD-Z 103GL-RZ Limited Edition

Post by bronzefly » Tue Jun 18, 2019 8:03 am

Thanks to you both for your service - I didn't know your son was also active duty, congrats!

On the reels - those are all left hand built on the "flipping frame" design. I had that reel, and several other with that odd shaped frame, but no matter how I tried, I couldn't get used to them and got rid of them all. If I recall, the GL-RZ had basically a Steez 103SHA spool, there was also a standard HL version and an R+ version. 6.3:1 gearing, standard (terrible TDZ) drag washers easily replaced with Daiwa #1 carbontex.
www.tackletrap.com
facebook.com/tackletrap

goldrod
Pro Angler
Pro Angler
Posts: 6241
Joined: Sat Jun 02, 2007 4:30 pm

Re: Educate Me on TD-Z 103GL-RZ Limited Edition

Post by goldrod » Tue Jun 18, 2019 4:52 pm

bronzefly wrote:
Tue Jun 18, 2019 8:03 am
Thanks to you both for your service - I didn't know your son was also active duty, congrats!

On the reels - those are all left hand built on the "flipping frame" design. I had that reel, and several other with that odd shaped frame, but no matter how I tried, I couldn't get used to them and got rid of them all. If I recall, the GL-RZ had basically a Steez 103SHA spool, there was also a standard HL version and an R+ version. 6.3:1 gearing, standard (terrible TDZ) drag washers easily replaced with Daiwa #1 carbontex.
Thanks !!


On the reel, did it palm bad or was it the mechanics of the reel that turned you off ?
For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible

User avatar
bronzefly
Pro Angler
Pro Angler
Posts: 5029
Joined: Wed May 16, 2007 5:21 pm
Location: www.tackletrap.com
Contact:

Re: Educate Me on TD-Z 103GL-RZ Limited Edition

Post by bronzefly » Tue Jun 18, 2019 6:33 pm

goldrod wrote:
Tue Jun 18, 2019 4:52 pm
Thanks !!

On the reel, did it palm bad or was it the mechanics of the reel that turned you off ?
This platform was always awkward no matter what I tried to do with it. I appreciated and understood the concept, the design seemed to make sense, but in practice, it just was a failure for me in my hands. I couldn't get comfortable with it at all and I really tried to like it. Palming the reel wasn't comfortable, just fishing with it in general wasn't comfortable - the mechanics were fine as a quality Daiwa reel, but there were a plethora of more comfortable and fun to fish platforms. It simply just didn't work for me so I no longer have any of them or any interest owning another one.
www.tackletrap.com
facebook.com/tackletrap

adam lancia
Platinum Angler
Platinum Angler
Posts: 1464
Joined: Sat May 10, 2014 12:24 pm
Location: Donkin, Nova Scotia

Re: Educate Me on TD-Z 103GL-RZ Limited Edition

Post by adam lancia » Thu Jun 20, 2019 3:19 am

I live flipping and pitching with these reels. I have bigger hands and find them part pretty comfortable, but what I like most is that when I palm it and make a pitchy or flip, my heelpad isn't resting on a thumb bar. I tried to use a 7.9 ratio Zillion but keep parlay tripping the thumb bar with the heel of my thumb.

User avatar
Teal101
TT Moderator
TT Moderator
Posts: 4884
Joined: Thu Jul 14, 2011 5:59 am
Location: Central Washington
Contact:

Re: Educate Me on TD-Z 103GL-RZ Limited Edition

Post by Teal101 » Fri Jun 21, 2019 8:08 am

The 103GL-RZ has the sub par stock rubber TD-Z washers from the factory. It does have the Steez 103SHA Duralumin R+ tuned spool stock as well as a swept star, handle, and it came with red aluminum knobs with a rubber coating that are the same shape as the champagne gold millionaire I'ze aluminum knobs. It was a limited release of 500 reels and a collaboration by Daiwa and Valley Hill. Interesting fact, it was the last TD-Z reel produced. They were only made left hand and only available in 6.3:1 ratios. There is this model, the standard 103HL, a standard 105HL, the Megabass 10CHL and the TD-Ito 105HL which is the only reel to feature a R tuned 105 spool.

I personally love this frame. It palms perfectly and allows me to pitch, flip, punch, and skip without ever moving the position of my hand. I am always at the ready to flip the clutch and drop the bait if needed when stroking it in cover. When you palm the reel your thumb naturally falls onto the clutch mechanism, an ingenious design. I only wish there was an option to get faster gears than the 6.3:1. All of these reels were made in the 6.3:1 ratio and due to the two extra gears to engage the levelwind there isnt a kit to convert them to anything faster. That being said, I rarely have an issue with the 6.3:1 as I'm short range with these reels and I can speed up my retrieve rotations by keeping the 80mm handle.

Image
Image
Image
I like TD-Z's
Instagram: teal_101_jdm

User avatar
Cal
Site Admin
Site Admin
Posts: 12763
Joined: Tue Oct 05, 2004 5:31 pm
Location: TT Headquarters
Contact:

Re: Educate Me on TD-Z 103GL-RZ Limited Edition

Post by Cal » Fri Jun 21, 2019 8:34 am

Teal101 wrote:
Fri Jun 21, 2019 8:08 am
I only wish there was an option to get faster gears than the 6.3:1.
Hey... at the time that platform was originally made, 6.3:1 was super high speed! :lol:
Cal, Managing Editor
"fish with mindfulness : beware the darkside"

User avatar
Teal101
TT Moderator
TT Moderator
Posts: 4884
Joined: Thu Jul 14, 2011 5:59 am
Location: Central Washington
Contact:

Re: Educate Me on TD-Z 103GL-RZ Limited Edition

Post by Teal101 » Fri Jun 21, 2019 8:46 am

Cal wrote:
Fri Jun 21, 2019 8:34 am
Teal101 wrote:
Fri Jun 21, 2019 8:08 am
I only wish there was an option to get faster gears than the 6.3:1.
Hey... at the time that platform was originally made, 6.3:1 was super high speed! :lol:
:lol: :lol: :lol:

Luckily the torque of the 6.3:1 set makes it perfect for winching fish from heavy cover! Maybe they were just ahead of their time in knowing this!
I like TD-Z's
Instagram: teal_101_jdm

User avatar
Cal
Site Admin
Site Admin
Posts: 12763
Joined: Tue Oct 05, 2004 5:31 pm
Location: TT Headquarters
Contact:

Re: Educate Me on TD-Z 103GL-RZ Limited Edition

Post by Cal » Fri Jun 21, 2019 8:50 am

Teal101 wrote:
Fri Jun 21, 2019 8:46 am
Cal wrote:
Fri Jun 21, 2019 8:34 am
Teal101 wrote:
Fri Jun 21, 2019 8:08 am
I only wish there was an option to get faster gears than the 6.3:1.
Hey... at the time that platform was originally made, 6.3:1 was super high speed! :lol:
:lol: :lol: :lol:

Luckily the torque of the 6.3:1 set makes it perfect for winching fish from heavy cover! Maybe they were just ahead of their time in knowing this!
Who winches anything? Just tighten down that drag with a wrench and flip the fish into the boat at the same time you set the hook! It's all about efficiency! ;)
Cal, Managing Editor
"fish with mindfulness : beware the darkside"

User avatar
Teal101
TT Moderator
TT Moderator
Posts: 4884
Joined: Thu Jul 14, 2011 5:59 am
Location: Central Washington
Contact:

Re: Educate Me on TD-Z 103GL-RZ Limited Edition

Post by Teal101 » Fri Jun 21, 2019 8:53 am

Cal wrote:
Fri Jun 21, 2019 8:50 am
Teal101 wrote:
Fri Jun 21, 2019 8:46 am
Cal wrote:
Fri Jun 21, 2019 8:34 am
Teal101 wrote:
Fri Jun 21, 2019 8:08 am
I only wish there was an option to get faster gears than the 6.3:1.
Hey... at the time that platform was originally made, 6.3:1 was super high speed! :lol:
:lol: :lol: :lol:

Luckily the torque of the 6.3:1 set makes it perfect for winching fish from heavy cover! Maybe they were just ahead of their time in knowing this!
Who winches anything? Just tighten down that drag with a wrench and flip the fish into the boat at the same time you set the hook! It's all about efficiency! ;)
In a perfect world :lol: Doesnt work 10-15ft back in reeds that are 4-5ft deep with a heavy cover of cheese mat on top. Stripped more driveshafts than I care to admit winching fish out of that kind of cover. They're all Steez bolted now :mrgreen:
I like TD-Z's
Instagram: teal_101_jdm

Aquaftm45
Platinum Angler
Platinum Angler
Posts: 1073
Joined: Sun Dec 17, 2017 7:50 pm

Re: Educate Me on TD-Z 103GL-RZ Limited Edition

Post by Aquaftm45 » Fri Jun 21, 2019 8:54 am

Teal101 wrote:
Fri Jun 21, 2019 8:08 am
Image
Hmnn..An Unlimited Rod, never seen one stateside, usually built on a Designo Blank, not cheap. Produced by Dream Work Lures, who also makes a sweet punch shot set-up and an A-Rig called the Treasure Trap.

How did you happen across that gem and what are your thoughts on it?

Post Reply