[Theflyingplatypus]

Ok, so I own two diawa advantage baitcasters and love them. The most used lures I own are - buzzbaits, frogs/toads, jigs, and brush hog type baits. I have a rod for general jigging worms ect, that is paired with one of my advantages. And one rod for buzzbaits that I have the other advantage on. I find my self useing frogs,jigs so much that I want to get a rod made just for those two. So my question is, how long would you say my rod should be for flipping and casting jigs and frogs? I was thinking a 7ft to 7ft 3" in medium heavy with a limber tip and split grip. That part I am not really having trouble with. The part I am having trouble with is the reel. I can't decide what reel to get for these baits. Of course it is going to be baitcast but I can't decide what is best. I am looking at the fuego, zillion, veinto, and the NEW super tuned advantage. I don't know if it will be worth it to get the zillion at its high price, or if the fuegos' magnesium frame will really make that much of a differance in noticable weight. I also want a slightly smaller reel then the advantage series. I am not looking at any other brand then daiwa, so please don't say curado or something like that. I am kinda leaning towards the fuego for its weight and price. But I like the fact that the zillion has a 7.1:1 gear ratio and some powerfull gearing. But we are only talking a 50-70 dollar difference between the New advantage and the fuego. So what i'm asking in all this is it worth getting a 200+ dollar reel?

Thanks in advance

[Theflyingplatypus]

Oh and the viento looks and feels cool but I don't care much for blue reels. But I kinda wonder if its worth the 200 bucks just to have the twitching bar.

[Dean McClain]

Daiwaman,
You've already decided on the rod; go buy it. Now try one of your Advantages on it. If you're 100% happy, you're home. Now, 28" of line per turn is very, very fast, so I wouldn't let 3" more per turn concern me at that point. I'd throw out the Viento unless you plan on doing a lot of walking retrieves (wonderful for that on your off side!!) Now it's down to ounces, 2.2 on the Fuego, which will feel significantly lighter than the Zillion. The Zillion has "Dura-Loc" pinion which sounds like some kind of upgrade from the standard non-reversing roller bearing. As the inside of the pinion is where most reel failures have traditionally occured, especially on a rell that must also absorb the shock of a low or no-stretch line,this sounds worth investigating. The Steez also has this, and at 26" per turn is still plenty fast enough for your usage; and at 5.5 ounces, I'd save another $200 somehow and buy this, since we can't buy a Shimano. If you have a problem justifying the price, just consider how much money, time, and love you have wrapped up in this oh so significant part of your life, and that no part of this happens without the reel in your hands. I've felt one, they are pure butter for sure. I used 10 ounce reels for years and have gone to 6 ounce Shimano's; I have some hand and wrist problems that I'd bet I wouldn't have if I'd been able to use 6 ounce reels my whole life.

Dean

[dampeoples]

I use the Japanese version of the Viento, and while it's a nice reel, I find the twitch bar kind of useless. You might like it though. There is a Megaforce coming out with this bar at a lower price point later this year, if that helps. There are also a few more middle of the road offerings, such as the Tierra that might warrant a look, but I don't know anything about them at all.

The TDA is one helluva reel, and easily worth it's asking price, you cannot go wrong with this reel at all. I've got one in the P series, as well as a Black Widow II, which is a modified TDA.

Never had any experience with the Fuego, but if you want small, look to the Sol

I almost bought a Zillion Crazy Cranker, until I read on TT that it didn't handle lighter baits as well as the other picks you mentioned, not an issue if your offerings are gonna be 3/8 or more, though.

If you've not picked the rod, let me suggest the Light and Tough series from Daiwa, nice rods, and a steal at $100. If you get them from Tackle Warehouse, it's only $6 for shipping, since orders over $50 are free, and rods are $6 to ship.

Good luck!

[Theflyingplatypus]

I was going to get a custom rod. I just had a split grip buzzbait/spinnerbait rod done and love it. So I was thinking of getting my jig rod custom made to. I am seriously looking at getting the new advantage http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/te...331&hasJS=true

But the fuego still looks nice. I don't think I will get the zillion cause Its not made to cast 1/4 ounce baits that well. And I heard that the fuego casts small baits well. I like the sol but I don't think it will hold up to the stress of jigging.

[dampeoples]

I'm gonna vote for another custom!! I just left a forum members house this morning $200 poorer cause of one

[Theflyingplatypus]

Do ya have a pic of the rod? Who built it for you?

[dampeoples]

He's not done yet, I just left some money over there. Skeet's Custom Rods is building it.

[Skeeter]

If you are stuck on Diawa then I would go with the Fuego. It is the same real that was sold in Japan for years known as the Air Metal. Exact same reels except the Air Metal was silver in color. The Air Metal (which is no longer made) is the exact same reel as the $350 TDZ's only with less ball bearings. That is the only difference. So you are basically getting a TDZ with less bearings. Weight and everything else is the same.
Skeeter

[Theflyingplatypus]

What about the ardents?