Cranking Reel Suggestions

[Drakestar]

Looking for a new cranking reel for a dedicated squarebill/lipless crank rod (possibly as a Black Friday purchase). I'm thinking Bantam MGL by default, US version (or JDM version with an upgraded handle). What other reels should I consider? I got a Met20 I could try (but I'd have to put new line on it and burn a good spool of Tatsu). I like high-end Daiwas but don't have any model pegged as a good cranking reel. (Maybe a Steez A?)

[Kimbro1014]

I have a couple of 21 Zillions in 6:1 and a couple in 5:1. I also just dropped a set of 5:1 Zillion gears into a Steez A. All my money is on the Zillions at this point, albeit I’m not a Shimano guy. I prefer the Zillions to anything I’ve held in the last 20 years, they just fit my hand that well. I throw my lipless on a 7:1 Zillion as well.

[Drakestar]

I have a couple of 21 Zillions in 6:1 and a couple in 5:1. I also just dropped a set of 5:1 Zillion gears into a Steez A. All my money is on the Zillions at this point, albeit I’m not a Shimano guy. I prefer the Zillions to anything I’ve held in the last 20 years, they just fit my hand that well. I throw my lipless on a 7:1 Zillion as well.

Hmm, a 22 Zillion HD TW might work with a smaller handle. I got one on my frogging reel already and I won't frog for a while, so I just put a 90mm handle and I'll respool it with fluoro to try that out.

Still interested in all opinions and suggestions, though!

[Gone Phishin]

Conquest gets my vote.

[goldrod]

Conquest gets my vote.

Conquest gets all the votes
Including all of mine

[aqua71]

I have a couple of 21 Zillions in 6:1 and a couple in 5:1. I also just dropped a set of 5:1 Zillion gears into a Steez A. All my money is on the Zillions at this point, albeit I’m not a Shimano guy. I prefer the Zillions to anything I’ve held in the last 20 years, they just fit my hand that well. I throw my lipless on a 7:1 Zillion as well.

I wasn't aware the Zillion was available in 5:1 gear ratio. Which Zillion specifically? Brass gears? I would love to convert a Steez A (lefty) into a 5:1 (brass gears) deep cranker.

[DirtyD64]

I have a couple of 21 Zillions in 6:1 and a couple in 5:1. I also just dropped a set of 5:1 Zillion gears into a Steez A. All my money is on the Zillions at this point, albeit I’m not a Shimano guy. I prefer the Zillions to anything I’ve held in the last 20 years, they just fit my hand that well. I throw my lipless on a 7:1 Zillion as well.

I wasn't aware the Zillion was available in 5:1 gear ratio. Which Zillion specifically? Brass gears? I would love to convert a Steez A (lefty) into a 5:1 (brass gears) deep cranker.

It is the aluminum set. Only available in 5.5 in JDM version. I have the same issue, moved an old Zillion TWS to my swimbait rod because I missed the TackleTrap closing sale. Wanted to order some of the old 5.5 gears for it, but I will make it work with 7.3's. I looked into the Bantam too, because moving the TWS (big oldest T-wing Zillion) left a gap in my setups. For cranking I would want the bigger handle too. I don't know if the Bantam A comes with a 96mm in the US model, but the part number for the "handle shank" is the same for the 6 and 7 gear, but the USDM 8 gear is a different part number.

[Kimbro1014]

I have a couple of 21 Zillions in 6:1 and a couple in 5:1. I also just dropped a set of 5:1 Zillion gears into a Steez A. All my money is on the Zillions at this point, albeit I’m not a Shimano guy. I prefer the Zillions to anything I’ve held in the last 20 years, they just fit my hand that well. I throw my lipless on a 7:1 Zillion as well.

I wasn't aware the Zillion was available in 5:1 gear ratio. Which Zillion specifically? Brass gears? I would love to convert a Steez A (lefty) into a 5:1 (brass gears) deep cranker.

That’s exactly what I did, made a Steez A crazy cranker with the butter smooth Zillion 1000PL gears and dropped a Zillion spool in as well. She’s a fun little reel.

[aqua71]

So, just as I assumed, 5:1 gears don’t exist and certainly not in brass.

[Kimbro1014]

They sure do exist, they’re duralumin or whatever the not brass gears of the JDM 21 Zillions are.

[flipper502]

Not afraid of the duralumin gears from Daiwa. I have not had a set fail.

[SSS]

Zillion zillion and more zillion. No point of looking at anything else