This Daiwa Zillion SV TW review will hopefully show you why this reel is considered one of the best in its class.
Introduced in 2016 as part of Daiwas ongoing “Project T,” this reel’s claim to fame is its ability to deliver on basically no chance of you getting backlash while casting. Due to the innovative shallow SV-free floating spool design and the T Wing, we would have to agree with Daiwa that we have not been able to get a big ‘ole bird nest, no matter what we try.
If you like to pitch lightweight jigs, this might be just the reel you have been looking for due to the SV Free Floating Spool design.
I would classify this reel as being at the higher end of bait casters as it is approaching the $300 range.
The Bottom Line
- Extremely smooth baitcasting reel with innovative “T Wing” design to eliminate backlashes.
- There is a great casting distance with the SV spool design.
- High-quality manufacturing
- Very durable anodized body
The Daiwa Zillion SV TW is an awesome reel and is available here.
Features
Zaion Body
The body of the Daiwa Zillion SV TW is made of a proprietary material that Daiwa calls Zaion, composed of carbon resin and long carbon fibers. The material is high-density and very lightweight, with a strength superior to Magnesium.
TWS T Wing System
The TWS from Daiwa is extremely innovative in dealing with the line when casting and retrieving. Snapping up to retrieve creates a conduit for the line to flow, assuring you get an even line laid on the spool every time.
When casting, the T portion of the guide pops down and creates a wider opening for the line to feed out, creating less friction, which means you can cast further.
SV Spool
The free-floating SV spool is one of the best things to come along in baitcasting reel design, in my opinion, as it makes it so easy to learn how to fish this type of reel. The SV design allows for the spool to keep pace with whatever weight lure you are casting without getting any backlash.
Air Brake System
The Air Brake System from Daiwa has very similar attributes to the Magforce Z system also from Daiwa in that it matches the spool speed to the speed of the line and lure, which means that you will eliminate backlashes.
The brakes can be adjusted from zero to twenty (0-20); somewhere between 5 and 8 works best for me.
4CRBB + 4BB +1RB
The Daiwa Zillion features 9 + 1 bearings, all high-quality corrosion-resistant Japanese ball bearings that deliver a smooth cast and retrieve.
Ultimate Tournament Drag (13.2lb)
Daiwa uses oversized carbon washers to create smooth and strong drag. Not only does carbon provide a smooth drag, but it also lasts longer. When retrieving a large fish, there is no bouncing on the drag. It is very smooth.
Cut-Away 90mm Swept Handle
The large cut-away swept handle design allows you to have a large handle that, at the same time, feels compact as it brings the knobs closer to the main body of the reel.
By getting the handles in closer, you also create a much better experience when fighting a larger fish, as there is less wobble since your hand is closer to the centerline of the reel and rod.
Features at a Glance
- SV Concept
- AIR BRAKE SYSTEM
- 4CRBB + 4BB +1RB
- Ultimate Tournament Drag (13.2lb)
- Cut-Away 90mm Swept Handle
- Lightweight Soft-Touch Cork Handle Knob
- Right/Left Hand Models
- H: Gold, SH: Red
As I have touched on earlier, the Daiwa Zillion SV TW is such a special reel that it is easy to cast without any worry of backlash.
The combination of the innovative “T Wing System” or TWS line control, SV-free floating spool design, and the Air Brake system allows you to cast this reel without even using your thumb on the spool and still not getting any backlash.
When you cast, the TWS design snaps the guide down, allowing the line to flow through smoothly and reducing the friction between the line and the guide, which means you get the same distance with less effort.
After you have cast your lure, the guide pops back into the retrieving position, where the lower guide portion ensures that even lines are laid on the SV spool.
The SV Spool is free-floating. It sits on its shaft with its own ball bearings instead of being attached to the pinion gear. This creates a very smooth cast that allows the spool to keep up with the pull of the line and lure when you cast.
I have found that I can cast much smaller and lighter lures and jigs with ease using this reel.
When I first started using baitcasting reels, it took a bit of practice before I could get any distance without either burning my thumb from putting too much pressure on the spool or getting a bird’s nest that would take precious time to pull apart.
The body of the Daiwa Zillion is made of a material that Daiwa calls Zaion, which is composed of carbon resin with long carbon fibers. This combination produces a high-density and lightweight body with a strength superior to Magnesium.
The other thing that the Zaion material does very well is transferring the vibration from a hit through the reel.
Daiwa Zillion SV TW Field Test
When testing the Daiwa Zillion SV TW, I was impressed that I could fish lightweight and heavier lures with the same setup. I loaded the reel with a ten lb. braid and headed out into the Matlacha pass to target trout, reds, and snook.
The first was the trout, which I targeted using a short fluorocarbon leader. The tide was coming, so I decided to live line some shrimp around one of my favorite oyster bars.
I was amazed at how far I could cast shrimp with no additional weight, much better than with a Daiwa SW BG 2500, which is my standard setup for inshore. The SV spool made it easy to get my bait out where I wanted it.
Next, I decided to use a variety of soft plastics, including some paddle tails with a 1/8 owner-weighted twist lock. I was able to get great distance with a lightweight lure.
The wind started to pick up, and I thought now was a great time to test this reel out and see if I could get any backlash. I cast the reel several times into the wind hard without my thumb touching the spool and was stunned that I could not get a backlash—amazing!
I hooked a nice red, probably around 4.5 – 5 lbs, and the reel performed flawlessly. The drag was smooth, as was the retrieve.
Pros
- SV spool is awesome; no backlash
- Lightweight and durable construction
- Good with both light and heavy baits
Cons
- Higher price point
Alternatives
If you want to stay with Daiwa and save a few dollars, you can always look at the Daiwa Tatula SV TW, which weighs a bit more and has slightly heavier braking, which will cost you some distance.
From Shimano, you can look at the Shimano Curado 70, which features the Super Free Spool design, or the Shimano Tranx 300 if you are targeting larger fish.
In Conclusion
Overall, I am very impressed with this reel as I expected it to be at the near $300 price point. I think the thing I can appreciate the most is how easy it was to cast a very lightweight lure or bait and get some distance.
For someone who has spent 90% of their time using spinning reels, I have a new appreciation for a quality baitcasting reel.
This reel is at the higher end of the price range for this reel. However, I have always firmly believed in purchasing quality equipment and maintaining it well. This reel will be part of the fishing arsenal for years to come.
I’ll be heading to Maine in early June and can’t wait to put this reel to the test with some smallmouth during the spawn.
Daiwa Zillion SV TWS Baitcasting Reels feature long cast with minimal backlash and comes in compact size. Made for freshwater fishing applications.
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