This Daiwa Zillion SV TW review will hopefully show you why this reel is considered to be on of the best in its class.
Introduced in 2016 as part of Daiwas ongoing “Project T,” this reels 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 birds nest — no matter what we try.
Daiwa Zillion SV TWS Baitcasting Reels feature long cast with minimal backlash and comes in compact size. Made for freshwater fishing applications.
If you like to pitch lightweight jigs then this might be just the reel you have been looking for due to the SV Free Floating Spool design.
I would classify this reel at the higher end of baitcasters as it is approaching the $300 range.
The Bottom Line
- Extremely smooth baitcasting reel with innovative “T Wing” design to eliminate backlashes.
- 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 both high density and very lightweight with a strength that is superior to Magnesium.
TWS T Wing System – The TWS from Daiwa is extremely innovative in how it deals with the line when both casting and retrieving. By snapping up to retrieve, it creates a conduit for the line to flow assuring that you get even line lay 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 all without getting any backlash.
AIR BRAKE SYSTEM – The Air Brake System from Daiwa has very similar attributes as the Magforce Z system also from Daiwa in that it matches the spools 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), I find that somewhere between 5 and 8 is what works best for me.
4CRBB + 4BB +1RB – The Daiwa Zillion features a total of 9 + 1 bearings which are all high-quality corrosion resistant Japanese ball bearings that deliver a very smooth cast and retrieve.
Ultimate Tournament Drag (13.2lb) – Daiwa uses oversized carbon washers to create a very 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
Daiwa Zillion SV TWS Baitcasting Reels feature long cast with minimal backlash and comes in compact size. Made for freshwater fishing applications.
- SV Concept
- AIR BRAKE SYSTEM
- 4CRBB + 4BB +1RB
- Ultimate Tournament Drag (13.2lb)
- Cut-Away 90mm Swept Handle
- Light weight Soft-Touch Cork Handle Knob
- Right/Left Hand Models
- H: Gold, SH: Red
As I have touched on earlier of what makes the Daiwa Zillion SV TW such a special reel is that it is very easy to cast without any worry of backlash.
It is the combination of the innovative “T Wing System” or TWS line control, SV free floating spool design and the Air Brake system that allow to you cast this reel and literally not even use your thumb on the spool and still not get any backlash.
When you cast, the TWS design snaps the guide down allowing the line to flow through smoothly 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 assures even line lay on the SV spool.
The SV Spool is actually free-floating, it sits on its own shaft with its own set of ball bearings as opposed to being attached the pinion gear. What this creates is 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 easy using this reel.
I remember when I first started using baitcasting reels, it took a bit of practice before I was able to get any distance without either burning my thumb from putting to much pressure on the spool or getting a birds nest that would take precious time to pull apart.
The body of the Daiwa Zillion is made of a material that Daiwa calls Zaion composed of carbon resin with long carbon fibers. This combination produces a body that is both high density and very lightweight with a strength that is superior to Magnesium.
The other thing that the Zaion material does very well is that it transfers the vibration from a hit through the reel.
For those of you who want all the details I have provided the chart below.
| Model Standard | Action FW / SW | Bearings | Gear Ratio | Retrieve Rate (in) | Wt. (oz.) | Line Cap Mono (lb/yds) | Drag | Retrieve |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ZLNSV1016H | M / L | 8(4CRBB)+1 | 6.3:1 | 26.3" | 6.9 | 14/10016/90 | 13.2 | RIGHT |
| ZLNSV1016HL | M / L | 8(4CRBB)+2 | 6.3:1 | 26.3" | 6.9 | 14/10016/90 | 13.2 | LEFT |
| Model High Speed | ||||||||
| ZLNSV1016SH | M / L | 8(4CRBB)+4 | 7.3:1 | 30.5" | 6.9 | 14/10016/90 | 13.2 | RIGHT |
| ZLNSV1016SHL | M / L | 8(4CRBB)+5 | 7.3:1 | 30.5" | 6.9 | 14/10016/90 | 13.2 | LEFT |
Daiwa Zillion SV TW Field Test
When testing the Daiwa Zillion SV TW, I was impressed with the fact that I was able to fish both very lightweight as well as heavier lures with the same setup. I loaded the reel with 10 lb braid and headed out into the Matlacha pass to target trout, reds, and snook.
First up was the trout which I targeted using a short leader of fluorocarbon. The tide was coming in, so I decided to live line some shrimp around one of my favorite oyster bars.
I was amazed at how far I was able to cast a shrimp with no additional weight, much better than with a Daiwa SW BG 2500 which is my normal setup for inshore. The SV spool just made it very 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 oz. Owner weighted twistlock. I was able to get great distance with a lightweight lure.
The wind started to pick up and I thought now is a great time to test this reel out and see if I can get any backlash. I cast the reel a number of times into the wind hard without my thumb touching the spool and was stunned that I could not get a backlash — AMAZING!
I managed to hook 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 then you can always look at the Daiwa Tatula SV TW which weighs in a bit more and has slightly heavier braking which will cost you some distance.
Daiwa Tatula SV Baitcasting Reels are made with SV spool (wide arbor), providing the ability to cast smaller lighter baits with more accuracy and greater distance.
From Shimano, you can take a look at the Shimano Curado 70 which features the Super Free Spool design or the Shimano Tranx 300 if you are targeting larger fish.
Shimano Curado 70 Baitcasting Reels are made with a Hagane body. They are the perfect reels for pitching, flipping, and casting light lures with new smaller compact size. 
Shimano TranX Baitcasting Reels allow the angler to tackle anything that swims in freshwater or saltwater. X-Ship & HEG technologies combine to provide massive cranking power with a smooth effortless retrieve, perfect for throwing big baits and catching big fish.
In Conclusion
Overall I am very impressed with this reel as I expected I would be at the near $300 price point. I think the thing that I can appreciate the most is just how easy it was to cast a very lightweight lure or bait and actually get some distance.
For someone that 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 type of reel, however, I have always been a firm believer in purchasing quality equipment and then maintaining it well. This reel will be part of the fishing arsenal for years to come.
I’ll be heading up 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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