We are in an industry where everything is getting better. Our boats are top notch, engines are better and more reliable, trolling motors have more bells and whistles and our rods and reels continue to be smoother and more powerful. Fishing is an industry that mandates that companies have to be on their game and there is little question that those that sit on their hands get left in the dust.
Technical talk
For the last few months I have been testing a sweet bass fishing reel—the Daiwa TWS 100H. Just like the bait business the reel business is filled with great reels. The Zillion I tested has a 6.3:1 gear ratio, weighs a manageable 7.3 ounces and can hold 150 yards of 12-pound line. Not revolutionary by any respect but it’s how it’s put together that makes the difference. Nine bearings, an aluminum frame, a proprietary Zaion side cover, 13.2 pounds of drag pressure and the close-cut brass gearing are great, but I have truly fallen in love with the TWS T-Wing Casting System. This reel has 105 parts working in concert.
Excellent line management
The T-aperture allows the line to flow smoothly through the cast and free spool and when engaged, the line funnels down through the lower channel for plenty of power. Don’t get me wrong, tuning and getting used to this reel took a little time for me but once I got it dialed in, there was a noticeable increase in casting distance without worry of backlashes and bird nests. You won’t have any line management issues with this reel.
Powerful with a finesse feel
The Daiwa Zillion TWS baitcaster has a sturdy feel, no slop and I love the 90mm swept handle. It is powerful and combines durability with a finesse feel. That means you can crank and wind all day without any fatigue. I have been throwing everything from spinnerbaits to squarebills to lipless crankbaits with this reel and it has performed excellently. Although some reels will bind when winching a big fish, the Zillion’s smooth retrieve is noticeable on the first fish catch and after months of testing and riding on the deck of the boat I have seen zero degradation. It is every bit as good as it was the day I got it.
Pricing
Honestly, this reel is not for everybody. Many of you reading this may not spend $299.99 for a reel but those that do and know Daiwa understand that it’s worth every penny of it. In my humble opinion you can purchase a less expensive option—it depends how much you fish and how important it is to have the best—but for my money, confidence and reliability have value too. In my duties here at Wired2Fish I get on the water whenever I can and I don’t want to be stranded with a reel that doesn’t work when I hit the water. That is a hard one to measure and justify for some but it’s money well spent for the savvy tournament angler. Measuring the cost versus the application is the key.
I have been totally impressed with the Daiwa Zillion TWS 100H and would recommend it to those of you who are diehard bass anglers. It’s pretty simple—I believe you get what you pay for with this reel.
The Daiwa Zillion comes in 6.3.1, 7.3:1 and an amazing 9.1:1 gear ratios and is available in right and left-handed models. You can check them out at TackleWarehouse.com.
