You Gotta get one of these!

Sweetness in the palm of your hands! Daiwa has hit a home run with this new reel... compact, light, powerful, sleek, silky drag, effortless casting, numerous control settings and fits in your hand like a glove.

The Daiwa Millionaire™ has been a staple in the steelheading world for years. As a kid when I broke into the steelhead world, I couldn't wait to get my first baitcaster. In my eyes, and the eyes of many still, if you weren't using a baitcaster then you're not a Steelheader. Of course my first baitcaster wasn't that much of a reel, but I did get one. Always my eyes on a Millionaire™ as I considered that the ultimate steelheading reel back then, it took me a few years before I could save up and afford one. Once I got it, it treated me great for years to come and has since landed many steelhead. It's been torn apart many times and the drag replaced many times as well, but it still performs great.

Since then I've broadened my technique and don't always use a baitcaster, but when I do, I found my new best friend. You ask what could be better than a Millionaire™? How about a Zillionaire? Or in this case the appropriately named Team Daiwa Zillion™.

This baby is just loaded with features: Choice of ultra-fast 7.1 : 1 retrieve or all-purpose 6.3 : 1 Six ball bearings (including CRBB) plus roller bearing wept handle for less wobble, better feel and maximum winding leverage Free-Floating perforated aluminum spool starts faster, spins longer. Fast spool change Magforce®-Z automatic anti-backlash system Eight-disc wet drag with precision click adjustment Aluminum guard plate protects finish on top of reel Rigid aluminum frame and handle-side sideplate firmly support the drive train Soft Touch grips

I chose to go with the 6.3:1 model as the 7.1:1 seems more designed for Bass fisherman trying to retrieve a crank bait. The 6.3:1 is plenty fast enough retrieve to get your presentation back in for another cast, but also gives you the ability for a slow retrieve without having to hesitate with the handle. This comes in handy with spinners!

Weighing in at only 8.6 ounces, you barely notice it atop your rod. I paired it up with a G. Loomis STR 1084c IMX 9' rated 8 - 12lb line. Talking about your ultimate light weight combo!

As you can see in the pic above my thumb fits all the way over the spool, but don't let this small profile fool you, there's still plenty of power, especially for the early season brats. When it comes to the big nates you'll have 150 yards of 12lb mono to play with.

Casting control is magnificent with this reel. The Magforce® automatic anti-backlash system has really improved the possibilities for no backlashes. It hasn't eliminated them as you still need to adjust for weight, but even if you have it somewhat close you won't find yourself untangling those awful birds nests. The casting control knob is easy to adjust and maintains the correct adjustment as long as your weight is close to the same each time. When adding or removing weight of course I'd recommend a quick adjustment test before casting.

To test the casting control:

I found casting several different presentations a breeze with this reel. Definitely one of it's strong points!

Another of many strong points is it's drag system. The Zillion™ has a star drag click system that you can dial up or down too without looking. The star itself clicks every increment so you can tell when a new setting actually takes place on those infinite little touch moves that on most reels you're not quite sure if it actually tightened or loosened the drag at all. Once you have the drag set it's all smooth from there, silky smooth.

For such a compact reel the handle is generous with both the overall size and the size of the grips. This comes in handy when you need to quickly engage the spool or your hands are freezing cold. The grips themselves are soft and don't become slippery when wet.

If you want a high end baitcasting reel, take a look at the Zillion™, chances are you'll buy one!