The Daiwa Zillion hit the market in 2021, combining four decades of research into a baitcaster designed to provide smooth casting, a controlled retrieve, and a lightweight, low-profile feel.
Daiwa is hands-down one of my favorite brands because of their dedication to technology in their reels. In a lot of ways, I see them as a tech company first and a fishing company second.
In this Daiwa Zillion SV TW review, I want to cover the main features that make this such a great baitcaster and why it’s worth the somewhat hefty price tag.
The Bottom Line: Daiwa Zillion
The Daiwa Zillion SV TW is the end result of Daiwa’s premium technology combined and included in a single piece of fishing equipment. This reel is loaded with top-notch features like the hyperdrive, SV booster, and T-Wing system.
All of these features produce a reel that casts smoother than butter and hits the right spot every single time. The reel offers exceptional casting distance and a rigid aluminum body that doesn’t flex or wear down over time.
What will put things into perspective pretty quickly is the price tag. At nearly $400, this reel comes at a cost. But is it worth it? You’ll have to continue to find out.
Daiwa Zillion SV TW Specs
Gear Ratio: 6.3:1 – 8.5:1
Mono Capacity: 14/100, 16/85
Braid Capacity: 30/100, 40/80
Weight: 6.7 oz
Max Drag: 11 lbs
Check out the Daiwa Zillion SV TW here!
Features: Daiwa Zillion
The features of a reel can tell you a lot about how you’ll feel when you hold it in your hands, cast it out, and present your lures. Let’s take a look at some of the main features that make this reel a little bit different from the competition.
Hyper Drive Design
Precision and control are the name of the game with premium baitcasters. You pay the price to get a reel that doesn’t backlash and offers total control over the rotation of the spool, resulting in a more accurate cast and a line that flows nicely off the spool.
With that comes improved accuracy. The Hyper Drive feature reduces friction and optimizes the gear train, which increases your casting distance. You’ll be able to effortlessly reach your targets, no matter what the conditions are.
Lastly, this exceptional engineering ensures long-lasting performance and durability, even with frequent and intense use. You can rely on the Daiwa Zillion SV TW reel to maintain its peak performance over countless fishing adventures.
Aluminum Body
Baitcasters with aluminum bodies have two major pros: First, it’s a rigid material that prevents bending and flexing, which increases the reel’s sensitivity and reduces the likelihood of wear and tear when battling larger and more aggressive fish offshore.
Despite its incredible strength, aluminum is surprisingly lightweight. Incorporating an aluminum body allows Daiwa to maintain a balanced and manageable reel without unnecessary bulk. This reduction in weight minimizes angler fatigue during long casting sessions or extended days on the water.
SV Booster System
The booster system is a feature not seen in very many reels, even Daiwas. This feature was specifically added to the Zillion with the intention of reducing backlash and maximizing casting control.
It has a smart brake system that utilizes a combination of magnets and centrifugal force to slow down or speed up the spool to keep the line flowing smoothly off the spool. When your lure hits the water, cheaper reels keep spinning.
With the SV booster, as soon as your lure hits the water, the brakes kick in to slow down the spool to prevent bird nests.
T-Wing System
The T-Wing System is a line management feature that’s been around for years, so you might be familiar with it. It’s a proprietary Daiwa technology designed to provide a wider clearance area for the line to fly off the spool.
This reduces line friction and resistance and maximizes casting distance and accuracy.
During retrieval, the T-Wing closes, transforming into a narrow slot that guides the line back onto the spool. This controlled line management prevents line tangling and bunching, resulting in a smoother and more even line lay, ultimately increasing casting distance and reducing the chances of future line issues.
If you can’t tell by this point, most of the features baked into the Zillion are designed to make your fishing experience as enjoyable and effortless as possible.
Daiwa Zillion: Field Test
I’ll be honest; I’m the kind of angler who thinks he can have success anywhere with any gear. So I immediately put my walls up when I saw the price of the Daiwa Zillion. At nearly $400, this is a pricey reel.
When I got it in my hands, I knew exactly what to do. I took it to Promised Land State Park, a highly popular destination in Northeastern Pennsylvania loaded with northern pike, largemouth bass, and musky. I wanted to really stretch the boundaries by using a dense 20-lb braided line and tossing a few square-billed crankbaits off the dam.
The first thing that stood out was how effortless the casting is on this reel. I was fishing out of my kayak and had to row back about 25 feet from where I would normally cast because I kept hitting the shore.
The SV booster system is a dynamite feature because, no matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t manage to tangle my line. This makes the Zillion a great choice for spinning reel anglers who are looking to dive into the world of premium baitcasters.
Folks, let me sum it up for you. You’ll be hard-pressed to find a better baitcaster than this. Daiwa combines all elements of technology to produce a reel that truly exceeds my expectations.
Model Breakdown
| Model | Bearings | Gear Ratio | Weight (oz) | Mono Capacity | Braid Capacity | Max Drag |
| ZLNSVG100 | 9(8BB+1RB) | 6.3:1 | 6.7 | 14/100, 16/85 | 30/100, 40/80 | 11 |
| ZLNSVG100L | 9(8BB+1RB) | 6.3:1 | 6.7 | 14/100, 16/85 | 30/100, 40/80 | 11 |
| ZLNSVG100H | 9(8BB+1RB) | 7.1:1 | 6.7 | 14/100, 16/85 | 30/100, 40/80 | 11 |
| ZLNSVG100HL | 9(8BB+1RB) | 7.1:1 | 6.7 | 14/100, 16/85 | 30/100, 40/80 | 11 |
| ZLNSVG100XH | 9(8BB+1RB) | 8.5:1 | 6.7 | 14/100, 16/85 | 30/100, 40/80 | 11 |
| ZLNSVG100XHL | 9(8BB+1RB) | 8.5:1 | 6.7 | 14/100, 16/85 | 30/100, 40/80 | 11 |
Pros
The Ultimate in Precision Casting: With the SV booster and T-Wing system, you get the epitome of casting precision and control.
Premium Fishing Experience: Fishing is supposed to be fun, and with the Daiwa Zillion, every feature is intelligently included to enhance your experience and provide you with more opportunities to catch fish.
Durable Construction: The aluminum body of the Daiwa Zillion SV TW reel ensures robustness and longevity. Its corrosion-resistant properties make it suitable for both freshwater and saltwater fishing, providing anglers with a reliable and durable reel built to withstand the rigors of intensive fishing.
Cons
Premium Price: All of these features definitely come at a price, and this reel might be out of your budget. That said, the performance justifies the hefty price tag.
Learning Curve: There is a learning curve for all baitcasters, and the Zillion does a nice job of providing features that reduce the overall learning curve.
Final Thoughts
Conducting this Daiwa Zillion SV TW review has been one of the most enjoyable fishing experiences I have ever had. This baitcaster offers top-of-the line technology drizzled into a reel that offers a boatload of features for those with decades of experience or days of experience.
I highly suggest you check out the Daiwa Zillion SV TW by clicking the link below to learn more!
Shop for the Daiwa Zillion SV TW here!
If you enjoyed this review, please check out my previous article here:
Lew’s Mach Crush Baitcast Reel: Unleashing Precision and Power for Anglers
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- Daiwa Zillion SV TW Review: Revolutionizing Effortless Baitcasting - July 22, 2023