Is the new Zillion the best reel made in a decade?

[SSS]

I personally feel like this is the best baitcaster from any reel manufacturer in the last ten plus years. Its generic paint color is the only negative, and a reel looking bland is the industry standard, so i can't even criticize it for that.

What's your opinion? Do you like the new Zillion over any other reels released in a long while, or are the likes of the 2020 Met MGL, Steez TW, Conquest, etc take your pick?

[freelancer27]

To me (price being irrelevant), the Steel SV TWS is the best. It casts a wide range of lures, casts far, can skip, has a decent line capacity and is the smoothest (lasting) reel I have ever fished. And I have fished with basically any high end reel that has been released in the last 6-7 years.

[DirtyD64]

I'd say yes. I could replace all of my reels with the new Zillion, in the 7.1 gear at that. Would work with 8lb fluorocarbon and 20lb fluoro or 50lb braid. The reason I answered "yes" to this poll is what reel is better? I had a Steez A (same dimensions as the SVTW Steez) but for me the Zillion palms better. Also if you ARE considering price, you could get 2 JDM Zillion 1000s for the price of one US Steez right now.

I think this question comes down to what reel is better than the new Zillion. If it isn't the best, it's definitely up there, top 2 or 3 in last 10 years. I have been recently disappointed with the plastic cover feeling loose and cheap, but that's a small issue. As long as reliability holds, the new Alphas should be mentioned as a competitor, just not as versatile for heavy stuff. Even though I don't own one, the Metanium 2020 would be a competitor. Just has an unreal $450 domestic price now.

Back to the Zillion, offering a 34mm spool with a ton of interchangeability, clicking drag, clean brake adjustment, fair price, aluminum construction w/ good ergonomics, VERY smooth gears, 90mm stock handle, decent knobs, etc. make this a very hard reel to beat. I understand again there might be more expensive options that best it (I personally could only use my Conquest and never touch another reel), but there aren't many and the ones that do are MUCH higher in cost.

[Kimbro1014]

My vote is yes but I’m a bit ignorant to offerings outside of Daiwa. I’ve played with all the new Shimanos in store and haven’t felt compelled to pick one up. Before moving to Okinawa in October I picked up my first 2021 Zillion. Since October I’ve picked up six more. All I need to get my hands on is a 5:1 and I think I’m done for now…they’re incredibly smooth and fit how I palm a reel perfectly. I hope they stick around for several years!

[fishonsc]

I like the Daiwa steez sv tw and the steez A. They just palm better to me. Plus I like the brake dial being on the side of the palm plate.

[njbasscat]

I voted yes. I absolutely love the way they cast, palm, and the smooth retrieve. The only negative is the bland paint color.

[SSS]

I voted yes. I absolutely love the way they cast, palm, and the smooth retrieve. The only negative is the bland paint color.

That plastic engine cover is also disgusting Looks great on the HD version, but its too bad that the standard zillion doesn't have a metal engine cover.

[Just_Bass]

I don’t vote but Alphas SV TW become my favorite more and more. I give up on Shimano after own and really use both Zillion and Alphas. The reason I don’t wanna vote because I got left hand Zillion. I’m right handed and don’t have such problem with SS SV. BTW I’m gonna own the third Alphas soon (right hand) and will put it to the test even more for medium heavy stuff with braid like 3/8-1/2 jig and frog. I also plan to add 800S and might get rid the rest of my Shimano.

[Dalleinf]

I voted no. Great reel especially for the price. But so many great reels out there - Steez sv tw, morethan sv tw, metaniums, conquets, different dc reels

[LowRange]

Great design. Hasn't really been out long enough to know how well they are made. So far so good though.

[Hogsticker2]

To me (price being irrelevant), the Steel SV TWS is the best. It casts a wide range of lures, casts far, can skip, has a decent line capacity and is the smoothest (lasting) reel I have ever fished. And I have fished with basically any high end reel that has been released in the last 6-7 years.

This, plus the Steez SV TW (Original) is quite a bit more versatile imo.

[DirtyD64]

The only thing I would change on the new Zillion SV1000 would be the paint scheme. A matte black or any black would be better, like the HD version has. Just tired of silver. I don't mind the black plastic handle nut cap, but I do think the flat metal lock plates of the Steez SVTW or CTSV look better. I had to change to a black one of those for my Alphas SVTW, the plastic cover wouldn't fit a standard 90mm Daiwa handle.

[FishNrace]

I love the newer Sv Boost spools on these zillions, doesn't overbrake like the previous Sv spools, imo. Brass gear has held up well on my yearly reel service. I enjoy the clicker drag when fish is peeling line too. Just a joy to palm/fish. Hopefully the paint holds up..... And it casts way better than my 20 Metaniums too.

[SSS]

the reel test wouldn't like this thread one bit

[reason162]

I love the newer Sv Boost spools on these zillions, doesn't overbrake like the previous Sv spools, imo.

I've delegated a prev gen Zillion SV TW 1016 to saltwater duty this year - and the SV Boost spool from the new zillion drops right in.

The distance on 3/8 - 5/8oz total payloads is night and day when you're bombing a cast - easily 25% more on the boost spool with less effort.