What is the smoothest stock Daiwa reel you've ever used?

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.
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Hobie-Wan Kenobi
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Re: What is the smoothest stock Daiwa reel you've ever used?

Post by Hobie-Wan Kenobi » Thu May 06, 2021 8:53 am

Steez CT for me. That thing is BUTTER.
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Re: What is the smoothest stock Daiwa reel you've ever used?

Post by SSS » Thu May 06, 2021 11:23 pm

Are the Steez CT gears made the same way as the newer zillion? The Hyperwhatever thing Daiwa is calling it.

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Re: What is the smoothest stock Daiwa reel you've ever used?

Post by Slazmo » Fri May 07, 2021 1:43 am

Spin - 2013 2004 Certate... Was like running your hands through a bucket of talcum powder...

Baitcaster - a OG Zillion I rebuilt and swapped for a CT50B - wish I kept that Zillion...

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Re: What is the smoothest stock Daiwa reel you've ever used?

Post by LowRange » Fri May 07, 2021 5:51 am

SSS wrote:
Thu May 06, 2021 11:23 pm
Are the Steez CT gears made the same way as the newer zillion? The Hyperwhatever thing Daiwa is calling it.
I think the new zillion, alphas and steez ct all have compatable gears.

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Re: What is the smoothest stock Daiwa reel you've ever used?

Post by njbasscat » Fri May 07, 2021 7:30 am

Steez CT for casting and Exist for spinning. I have a new Zillion but need more time on the water with it before I judge it.

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Re: What is the smoothest stock Daiwa reel you've ever used?

Post by hoohoorjoo » Fri May 07, 2021 8:40 am

LowRange wrote:
Fri May 07, 2021 5:51 am
SSS wrote:
Thu May 06, 2021 11:23 pm
Are the Steez CT gears made the same way as the newer zillion? The Hyperwhatever thing Daiwa is calling it.
I think the new zillion, alphas and steez ct all have compatable gears.
You, sir, are correct.
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Re: What is the smoothest stock Daiwa reel you've ever used?

Post by Hogsticker2 » Fri May 07, 2021 10:38 am

SSS wrote:
Thu May 06, 2021 11:23 pm
Are the Steez CT gears made the same way as the newer zillion? The Hyperwhatever thing Daiwa is calling it.
The gears on the new Zillion and Steez are cut a little differently. So not exactly the same.

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Re: What is the smoothest stock Daiwa reel you've ever used?

Post by toddmc » Fri May 07, 2021 10:43 am

I've had maybe 60 Daiwa's since the 80's, and every one has been smooth to start. I tune them all anyway. My 50th Anniversary Zillion is the one that has stayed the smoothest the longest. It has caught a lot of big fish and has been used very heavily. It is still buttery. That's why you will see Seth Feider still has one on his deck. Your lighter reels (Alphas/ Steez) have a lot different feel because of the lighter parts, which cause less winding resistance. These will feel like nothing is there if you wind them with a spool that is 10g or less.

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Re: What is the smoothest stock Daiwa reel you've ever used?

Post by bronzefly » Fri May 07, 2021 11:36 am

The 2019 Steez CT is indeed smooth, but it does not feature "hyperdrive" cut gears. How could I not include 2018 Exist LT - simply an amazing reel. I have a few of the new JDM reels - Steez A TW HLC (Mag-Z Boost) and Steez Limited SV TW (SV Boost) and while I haven't put as much time on them, they are very smooth reels as well.
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Re: What is the smoothest stock Daiwa reel you've ever used?

Post by ftl1951 » Fri May 07, 2021 12:00 pm

So, I only use spinning reels, but the smoothest stock Daiwa I’ve ever owned and used is the Team Daiwa Fuego A series. Still have them, and they are still the silkiest, smoothest spinning reels I own.

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Re: What is the smoothest stock Daiwa reel you've ever used?

Post by SAGISI CUST0MS » Fri May 07, 2021 12:17 pm

Steez CT and Millionaire CT

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Re: What is the smoothest stock Daiwa reel you've ever used?

Post by BARRAMANIAC » Fri May 07, 2021 4:13 pm

J-Dream 5.3 definitely number one for smoothness, But plenty of them come close.

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Re: What is the smoothest stock Daiwa reel you've ever used?

Post by DirtyD64 » Fri May 07, 2021 6:43 pm

I don't own a ton of super expensive Daiwas, but my Steez A is much more smooth than my Zillion SV (older one) and other Daiwa reels. I have not bought the new Zillion yet, torn between JDM vs US or maybe a new Alphas. Got the money ready from a yard sale today though!!!

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Re: What is the smoothest stock Daiwa reel you've ever used?

Post by peterJDM » Fri May 07, 2021 8:13 pm

DirtyD64 wrote:
Fri May 07, 2021 6:43 pm
I don't own a ton of super expensive Daiwas, but my Steez A is much more smooth than my Zillion SV (older one) and other Daiwa reels. I have not bought the new Zillion yet, torn between JDM vs US or maybe a new Alphas. Got the money ready from a yard sale today though!!!
I vote US 21 Z for brass gears :D

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Re: What is the smoothest stock Daiwa reel you've ever used?

Post by 78Staff » Sat May 08, 2021 10:40 am

Stock another vote for the J-Dream. a tad heavy and 36mm spool (plus JDM limited release) keeps more people from enjoying this reel.

Tuned, I'd put the various TD-Z's up against pretty much anything though. Same profile, magnesium so lighter, 34mm so many, many spool options and you can make it do anything you want, from BFS to Big Swimbait fishing.

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